MTUM vs. AVES

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MTUM (iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF) and AVES (Avantis Emerging Markets Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MTUM is a Momentum fund tracking the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant Index, while AVES is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. MTUM is passively managed, while AVES is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, MTUM returned 33.16%/yr vs 19.19%/yr for AVES. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MTUM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for AVES.

Performance

MTUM vs. AVES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) and Avantis Emerging Markets Value ETF (AVES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MTUM achieves a 29.72% return, which is significantly higher than AVES's 15.51% return.

MTUM

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: 5.58%
• YTD: 29.72%
• 6M: 30.51%
• 1Y: 42.02%
• 3Y*: 33.16%
• 5Y*: 14.96%
• 10Y*: 17.15%

AVES

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 15.51%
• 6M: 18.20%
• 1Y: 31.51%
• 3Y*: 19.19%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MTUM vs. AVES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
MTUM iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF	29.72%	22.15%	32.89%	9.15%	-18.27%	2.67%
AVES Avantis Emerging Markets Value ETF	15.51%	30.49%	4.50%	16.79%	-16.04%	0.95%

Correlation

The correlation between MTUM and AVES is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2021	0.58

The correlation between MTUM and AVES shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (3 years) to 0.67 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MTUM vs. AVES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MTUM	AVES
Technology	44.4%	21.4%
Industrials	15.6%	13.3%
Financial Services	10.4%	25.3%
Communication Services	7.4%	5.3%
Healthcare	6.9%	2.1%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	9.6%
Energy	3.5%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	3.2%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.7%	9.8%
Utilities	1.6%	1.7%

Return for Risk

MTUM vs. AVES — Risk / Return Rank

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

MTUM

MTUM Risk / Return Rank: 73
MTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
MTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
MTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 70
MTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
MTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 81

AVES

AVES Risk / Return Rank: 54
AVES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
AVES Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
AVES Omega Ratio Rank: 58
AVES Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AVES Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

MTUM vs. AVES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) and Avantis Emerging Markets Value ETF (AVES). 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.

	MTUM	AVES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	1.64	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.22	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.31	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.55	2.32	+1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.66	8.40	+5.26

MTUM vs. AVES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MTUM Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the AVES Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MTUM and AVES, 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

MTUM vs. AVES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MTUM drawdown since its inception was -34.08%, which is greater than AVES's maximum drawdown of -27.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MTUM and AVES.

Drawdown Indicators

	MTUM	AVES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.08%	-27.40%	-6.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.54%	-12.90%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.99%	-18.50%	-2.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.08%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	-2.45%	+0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.20%	-7.70%	+1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	3.56%	-0.57%

Volatility

MTUM vs. AVES - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) has a higher volatility of 10.89% compared to Avantis Emerging Markets Value ETF (AVES) at 8.89%. This indicates that MTUM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MTUM	AVES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.89%	8.89%	+2.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.63%	15.88%	+2.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.87%	18.34%	+2.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.94%	17.20%	+3.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.20%	17.20%	+4.00%

MTUM vs. AVES - Expense Ratio Comparison

MTUM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than AVES's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

MTUM vs. AVES - Dividend Comparison

MTUM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than AVES's 3.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVES Avantis Emerging Markets Value ETF	3.53%	3.17%	4.09%	3.96%	3.70%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MTUM iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF	0.61%	0.91%	0.75%	1.35%	1.80%	0.55%	0.83%	1.48%	1.27%	1.02%	1.43%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MTUM and AVES in my portfolio?

MTUM and AVES have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MTUM or AVES?

MTUM has higher volatility (10.89%) compared to AVES (8.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MTUM dropped -34.08% vs AVES's -27.40%.

Which ETF is better, MTUM or AVES?

On 3-year performance, MTUM leads with 33.16% vs 19.19% for AVES. On fees, MTUM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVES has been the lower-risk option at 8.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MTUM or AVES?

Over the 3-year period, MTUM has performed better with a 33.16% return vs 19.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MTUM or AVES?

MTUM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for AVES.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MTUM or AVES?

AVES has the higher dividend yield at 3.53%, compared with 0.61% for MTUM.

What is the main difference between MTUM and AVES?

MTUM is categorized as Momentum, while AVES is Emerging Markets Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for MTUM and 0.36% for AVES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.64), 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.