FTXSX vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

FTXSX (FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both funds - FTXSX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Growth Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. FTXSX is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXSX returned 14.64%/yr vs 11.66%/yr for AVUV. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTXSX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

FTXSX vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund (FTXSX) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXSX achieves a 34.81% return, which is significantly higher than AVUV's 21.53% return.

FTXSX

• 1D: -3.65%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 34.81%
• 6M: 31.58%
• 1Y: 63.49%
• 3Y*: 31.03%
• 5Y*: 14.64%
• 10Y*: —

AVUV

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 2.99%
• YTD: 21.53%
• 6M: 19.38%
• 1Y: 38.52%
• 3Y*: 20.29%
• 5Y*: 11.66%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTXSX vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FTXSX FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund	34.81%	12.44%	28.86%	33.15%	-27.48%	25.50%	51.32%	6.25%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	21.53%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXSX and AVUV is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.70

The correlation between FTXSX and AVUV shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTXSX vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FTXSX

FTXSX Risk / Return Rank: 80
FTXSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FTXSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
FTXSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
FTXSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FTXSX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 79
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 71
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FTXSX vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund (FTXSX) 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.

	FTXSX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.20	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	3.14	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.37	4.87	+0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.10	14.43	+6.68

FTXSX vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXSX 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

FTXSX vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXSX drawdown since its inception was -45.03%, smaller than the maximum AVUV drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXSX and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXSX	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.03%	-49.42%	+4.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.37%	-7.95%	-4.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.37%	-28.79%	-3.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.58%	-28.79%	-10.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.65%	-0.97%	-2.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.40%	-7.89%	-4.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	2.68%	+0.46%

Volatility

FTXSX vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund (FTXSX) has a higher volatility of 10.53% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.28%. This indicates that FTXSX'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

	FTXSX	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.53%	4.28%	+6.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.02%	11.40%	+10.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.63%	17.62%	+10.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.03%	22.64%	+4.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.78%	28.21%	-0.43%

FTXSX vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXSX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXSX vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

FTXSX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.27%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%
FTXSX FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	17.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXSX and AVUV in my portfolio?

FTXSX and AVUV have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXSX or AVUV?

FTXSX has higher volatility (10.53%) compared to AVUV (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXSX dropped -45.03% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.20), 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.