GROZ vs. AVUS

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

GROZ (Zacks Focus Growth ETF) and AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GROZ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Zacks, while AVUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GROZ returned 20.84% vs 28.50% for AVUS. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GROZ charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AVUS.

Performance

GROZ vs. AVUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Zacks Focus Growth ETF (GROZ) and Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GROZ achieves a 4.53% return, which is significantly lower than AVUS's 13.23% return.

GROZ

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -2.17%
• YTD: 4.53%
• 6M: 2.66%
• 1Y: 20.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVUS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 13.23%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.50%
• 3Y*: 21.44%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: —

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

GROZ vs. AVUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GROZ Zacks Focus Growth ETF	4.53%	20.28%	-1.80%
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	13.23%	16.68%	-4.70%

Correlation

The correlation between GROZ and AVUS is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2024	0.84

The correlation between GROZ and AVUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GROZ vs. AVUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

GROZ

GROZ Risk / Return Rank: 39
GROZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
GROZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
GROZ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
GROZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
GROZ Martin Ratio Rank: 39

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 79
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
AVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

GROZ vs. AVUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Zacks Focus Growth ETF (GROZ) and Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS). 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.

	GROZ	AVUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	2.26	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	3.07	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.41	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	3.65	-2.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.54	16.21	-10.67

GROZ vs. AVUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GROZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is lower than the AVUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GROZ and AVUS, 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

GROZ vs. AVUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GROZ drawdown since its inception was -23.33%, smaller than the maximum AVUS drawdown of -37.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GROZ and AVUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	GROZ	AVUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.33%	-37.04%	+13.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.67%	-7.85%	-5.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.74%	-1.93%	-2.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.02%	-5.06%	+1.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	1.76%	+2.01%

Volatility

GROZ vs. AVUS - Volatility Comparison

Zacks Focus Growth ETF (GROZ) has a higher volatility of 5.24% compared to Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) at 4.73%. This indicates that GROZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GROZ	AVUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.24%	4.73%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.90%	9.80%	+2.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.77%	12.71%	+3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.88%	17.36%	+4.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.88%	20.83%	+1.05%

GROZ vs. AVUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GROZ has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

GROZ vs. AVUS - Dividend Comparison

GROZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.04%, less than AVUS's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.94%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%
GROZ Zacks Focus Growth ETF	0.04%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GROZ and AVUS in my portfolio?

GROZ and AVUS have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GROZ or AVUS?

GROZ has higher volatility (5.24%) compared to AVUS (4.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GROZ dropped -23.33% vs AVUS's -37.04%.

Which ETF is better, GROZ or AVUS?

On 1-year performance, AVUS leads with 28.50% vs 20.84% for GROZ. On fees, AVUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVUS has been the lower-risk option at 4.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GROZ or AVUS?

Over the 1-year period, AVUS has performed better with a 28.50% return vs 20.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GROZ or AVUS?

AVUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for GROZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GROZ or AVUS?

AVUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.04% for GROZ.

What is the main difference between GROZ and AVUS?

GROZ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while AVUS is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Zacks and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for GROZ and 0.15% for AVUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.33), 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.