LFEQ vs. AVUS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

LFEQ (VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF) and AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LFEQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while AVUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. LFEQ is passively managed, while AVUS is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, LFEQ returned 8.90%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for AVUS. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. LFEQ charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AVUS.

Performance

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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, LFEQ achieves a 9.84% return, which is significantly lower than AVUS's 14.70% return.

LFEQ

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 8.40%
• YTD: 9.84%
• 1Y: 20.95%
• 3Y*: 15.35%
• 5Y*: 8.90%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.53%

AVUS

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.40%
• 6M: 10.85%
• YTD: 14.70%
• 1Y: 27.09%
• 3Y*: 19.20%
• 5Y*: 12.77%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.11%

*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)
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	$38.25M	$38.50M	$42.86M
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	$53.35K	$94.32K	$91.22K

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	9.84%	10.49%	24.30%	19.66%	-22.05%	27.97%	17.56%	8.55%
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	14.70%	16.68%	20.43%	21.77%	-13.82%	28.73%	17.58%	8.55%

Correlation

The correlation between LFEQ and AVUS is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.89

The correlation between LFEQ and AVUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LFEQ	AVUS
Technology	39.1%	29.7%
Financial Services	10.9%	16.2%
Communication Services	10.7%	7.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	10.5%
Healthcare	8.3%	7.3%
Industrials	7.8%	10.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.3%
Energy	3.1%	7.3%
Utilities	2.1%	2.8%
Real Estate	1.8%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.7%	2.8%

Return for Risk

LFEQ vs. AVUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

LFEQ

LFEQ Risk / Return Rank: 64
LFEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
LFEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
LFEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
LFEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
LFEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 73

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 85
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 82
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
AVUS 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.

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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.

	LFEQ	AVUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.95	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	2.68	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.35	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	3.21	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.09	14.14	-5.05

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFEQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the AVUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFEQ 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

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFEQ drawdown since its inception was -35.19%, roughly equal to the maximum AVUS drawdown of -37.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFEQ and AVUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFEQ	AVUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.19%	-37.04%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-7.85%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	-19.74%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	-22.19%	-3.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.31%	-0.71%	-0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.08%	-5.00%	-1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	1.78%	+0.33%

Volatility

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) has a higher volatility of 3.57% compared to Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) at 3.39%. This indicates that LFEQ'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

	LFEQ	AVUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	3.39%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	9.93%	+0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.85%	12.94%	-0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.47%	17.32%	-2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.53%	20.71%	-3.18%

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFEQ has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

LFEQ vs. AVUS - Dividend Comparison

LFEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than AVUS's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.93%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	0.82%	0.90%	0.74%	1.56%	1.19%	0.37%	2.06%	1.45%	1.07%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LFEQ and AVUS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, LFEQ and AVUS 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, LFEQ or AVUS?

LFEQ has higher volatility (3.57%) compared to AVUS (3.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFEQ dropped -35.19% vs AVUS's -37.04%.

Which ETF is better, LFEQ or AVUS?

On 5-year performance, AVUS leads with 12.77% vs 8.90% for LFEQ. On fees, AVUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVUS has been the lower-risk option at 3.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LFEQ or AVUS?

Over the 5-year period, AVUS has performed better with a 12.77% return vs 8.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LFEQ or AVUS?

AVUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for LFEQ.

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

AVUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.93%, compared with 0.82% for LFEQ.

What is the main difference between LFEQ and AVUS?

LFEQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while AVUS is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for LFEQ and 0.15% for AVUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.50), 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.