MFOCX vs. AVUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MFOCX (Marsico Focus Fund) and AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) are both funds - MFOCX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Marsico Investment Fund, while AVUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Century. Over the past 5 years, MFOCX returned 15.65%/yr vs 13.04%/yr for AVUS. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MFOCX charges 1.34%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AVUS.

Performance

MFOCX vs. AVUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Marsico Focus Fund (MFOCX) 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, MFOCX achieves a 11.24% return, which is significantly lower than AVUS's 14.42% return.

MFOCX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 5.02%
• YTD: 11.24%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 21.40%
• 3Y*: 28.68%
• 5Y*: 15.65%
• 10Y*: 18.57%

AVUS

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 14.42%
• 6M: 14.71%
• 1Y: 32.34%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

MFOCX vs. AVUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MFOCX Marsico Focus Fund	11.24%	12.47%	49.61%	45.25%	-33.36%	20.23%	47.52%	8.71%
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	14.42%	16.68%	20.43%	21.77%	-13.82%	28.73%	17.58%	8.87%

Correlation

The correlation between MFOCX and AVUS is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.81

The correlation between MFOCX and AVUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MFOCX vs. AVUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFOCX

MFOCX Risk / Return Rank: 26
MFOCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
MFOCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
MFOCX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
MFOCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
MFOCX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 81
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 79
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
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.

MFOCX vs. AVUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Marsico Focus Fund (MFOCX) 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.

	MFOCX	AVUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	2.68	-1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	3.66	-1.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.48	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	4.14	-2.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.61	18.85	-11.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFOCX vs. AVUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFOCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the AVUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFOCX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MFOCX	AVUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	2.68	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.76	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.80	-0.28

Drawdowns

MFOCX vs. AVUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFOCX drawdown since its inception was -54.96%, which is greater than AVUS's maximum drawdown of -37.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFOCX and AVUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFOCX	AVUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.96%	-37.04%	-17.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.44%	-7.85%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.56%	-19.74%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.76%	-22.19%	-14.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.46%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.91%	-5.09%	-9.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	1.72%	+1.16%

Volatility

MFOCX vs. AVUS - Volatility Comparison

Marsico Focus Fund (MFOCX) has a higher volatility of 4.13% compared to Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) at 2.98%. This indicates that MFOCX'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

	MFOCX	AVUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.13%	2.98%	+1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.35%	9.00%	+3.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.44%	12.15%	+4.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.61%	17.29%	+5.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.02%	20.85%	+1.17%

MFOCX vs. AVUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFOCX has a 1.34% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFOCX vs. AVUS - Dividend Comparison

MFOCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.01%, more than AVUS's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.91%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MFOCX Marsico Focus Fund	16.01%	17.81%	11.96%	2.18%	18.06%	11.66%	8.36%	7.90%	11.58%	18.67%	0.00%	24.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFOCX and AVUS in my portfolio?

MFOCX and AVUS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFOCX or AVUS?

MFOCX has higher volatility (4.13%) compared to AVUS (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFOCX dropped -54.96% vs AVUS's -37.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 1.34), 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.