DGRS vs. AVUV

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

DGRS (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGRS is a Quality Factor fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. DGRS is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DGRS returned 8.66%/yr vs 13.24%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.95 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DGRS charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

DGRS vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DGRS having a 24.80% return and AVUV slightly higher at 25.55%.

DGRS

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 4.14%
• 6M: 11.54%
• YTD: 24.80%
• 1Y: 31.61%
• 3Y*: 14.16%
• 5Y*: 8.66%
• 10Y*: 9.89%
• ALL TIME*: 9.74%

AVUV

• 1D: -1.17%
• 1M: 2.76%
• 6M: 13.16%
• YTD: 25.55%
• 1Y: 39.59%
• 3Y*: 17.06%
• 5Y*: 13.24%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.37%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	$147.64M	$149.80M	$156.37M
DGRS WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund	$3.00M	$2.54M	$1.95M

DGRS vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DGRS WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund	24.80%	-0.43%	10.40%	21.16%	-13.11%	23.11%	7.86%	6.38%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	25.55%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between DGRS and AVUV is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.95

The correlation between DGRS and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

DGRS vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DGRS	AVUV
Financial Services	25.5%	27.8%
Industrials	19.5%	13.5%
Consumer Cyclical	16.3%	18.5%
Energy	10.0%	13.9%
Technology	9.1%	7.4%
Basic Materials	8.0%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	4.9%
Communication Services	2.0%	2.9%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.7%
Healthcare	1.2%	5.3%
Utilities	0.2%	0.2%

Return for Risk

DGRS vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DGRS

DGRS Risk / Return Rank: 75
DGRS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DGRS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DGRS Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGRS Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
DGRS Martin Ratio Rank: 74

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 90
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 86
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DGRS vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DGRS	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.37	-0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.43	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.42	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	5.00	-1.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.48	15.79	-5.31

DGRS vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGRS Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGRS and AVUV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DGRS vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGRS drawdown since its inception was -44.83%, smaller than the maximum AVUV drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGRS and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGRS	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.83%	-49.42%	+4.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.68%	-7.95%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.57%	-28.79%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.57%	-28.79%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-1.17%	+0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-7.77%	+1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.51%	+0.51%

Volatility

DGRS vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS) has a higher volatility of 4.12% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 3.50%. This indicates that DGRS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGRS	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	3.50%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.66%	10.62%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.99%	16.77%	+0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.22%	22.39%	-2.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.58%	28.01%	-4.43%

DGRS vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGRS has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGRS vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

DGRS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.99%, more than AVUV's 1.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.23%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DGRS WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund	1.99%	2.68%	2.15%	2.36%	2.88%	2.19%	2.32%	2.39%	2.64%	1.90%	1.82%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGRS and AVUV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, DGRS and AVUV move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DGRS or AVUV?

DGRS has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to AVUV (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGRS dropped -44.83% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which ETF is better, DGRS or AVUV?

On 5-year performance, AVUV leads with 13.24% vs 8.66% for DGRS. On fees, AVUV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 3.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DGRS or AVUV?

Over the 5-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 13.24% return vs 8.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DGRS or AVUV?

AVUV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DGRS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DGRS or AVUV?

DGRS has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 1.23% for AVUV.

What is the main difference between DGRS and AVUV?

DGRS is categorized as Quality Factor, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DGRS and 0.25% for AVUV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.87), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.