GARP vs. AVUQ

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GARP (iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF) and AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. GARP is passively managed, while AVUQ is actively managed. Over the past year, GARP returned 31.75% vs 19.34% for AVUQ. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

GARP vs. AVUQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) and Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GARP achieves a 16.89% return, which is significantly higher than AVUQ's 8.89% return.

GARP

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 14.45%
• YTD: 16.89%
• 1Y: 31.75%
• 3Y*: 28.85%
• 5Y*: 17.48%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.07%

AVUQ

• 1D: 1.04%
• 1M: -0.05%
• 6M: 7.61%
• YTD: 8.89%
• 1Y: 19.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 23.41%

*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)
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	$1.45M	$1.12M	$1.44M
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	$25.65M	$25.43M	$23.00M

GARP vs. AVUQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	16.89%	29.04%
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	8.89%	21.84%

Correlation

The correlation between GARP and AVUQ is 0.93, 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.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.93

The correlation between GARP and AVUQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

GARP vs. AVUQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GARP	AVUQ
Technology	54.7%	47.2%
Communication Services	11.0%	12.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	13.3%
Financial Services	7.9%	5.5%
Industrials	6.4%	8.9%
Healthcare	5.4%	5.7%
Energy	3.0%	2.1%
Utilities	1.3%	0.7%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.1%
Real Estate	0.4%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

GARP vs. AVUQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GARP

GARP Risk / Return Rank: 64
GARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
GARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
GARP Omega Ratio Rank: 60
GARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GARP Martin Ratio Rank: 66

AVUQ

AVUQ Risk / Return Rank: 41
AVUQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 38
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

GARP vs. AVUQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) and Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ). 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.

	GARP	AVUQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.01	+0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	1.47	+0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.18	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	1.45	+0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.99	5.23	+2.76

GARP vs. AVUQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GARP Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the AVUQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GARP and AVUQ, 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

GARP vs. AVUQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GARP drawdown since its inception was -31.34%, which is greater than AVUQ's maximum drawdown of -12.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GARP and AVUQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GARP	AVUQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.34%	-12.35%	-18.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.69%	-11.61%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.34%	-3.04%	-1.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-2.24%	-5.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.75%	3.22%	+0.53%

Volatility

GARP vs. AVUQ - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) has a higher volatility of 5.68% compared to Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) at 4.92%. This indicates that GARP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GARP	AVUQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.68%	4.92%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.18%	13.08%	+3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.02%	16.73%	+3.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.34%	19.41%	+2.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.92%	19.41%	+4.51%

GARP vs. AVUQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GARP and AVUQ have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GARP vs. AVUQ - Dividend Comparison

GARP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%, less than AVUQ's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.31%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	0.27%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GARP and AVUQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GARP and AVUQ 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, GARP or AVUQ?

GARP has higher volatility (5.68%) compared to AVUQ (4.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GARP dropped -31.34% vs AVUQ's -12.35%.

Which ETF is better, GARP or AVUQ?

On 1-year performance, GARP leads with 31.75% vs 19.34% for AVUQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, AVUQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GARP or AVUQ?

Over the 1-year period, GARP has performed better with a 31.75% return vs 19.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GARP or AVUQ?

GARP and AVUQ have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GARP or AVUQ?

AVUQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.27% for GARP.

What is the main difference between GARP and AVUQ?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Avantis.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.01), 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.