MTUM vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MTUM (iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MTUM is a Momentum fund tracking the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. MTUM is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, MTUM returned 14.96%/yr vs 11.57%/yr for AVUV. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MTUM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

MTUM vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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 AVUV's 22.73% 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%

AVUV

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 5.11%
• YTD: 22.73%
• 6M: 19.51%
• 1Y: 42.12%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 11.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

MTUM vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MTUM iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF	29.72%	22.15%	32.89%	9.15%	-18.27%	13.36%	29.86%	5.46%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	22.73%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between MTUM and AVUV is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.58

The correlation between MTUM and AVUV shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MTUM vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MTUM	AVUV
Technology	44.4%	7.0%
Industrials	15.6%	13.9%
Financial Services	10.4%	25.8%
Communication Services	7.4%	2.8%
Healthcare	6.9%	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	18.0%
Energy	3.5%	18.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	4.5%
Real Estate	1.8%	0.7%
Basic Materials	1.7%	4.9%
Utilities	1.6%	0.1%

Return for Risk

MTUM vs. AVUV — 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

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 84
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.28	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	3.24	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.39	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.55	5.06	-1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.66	15.09	-1.43

MTUM vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MTUM Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MTUM and AVUV, 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. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MTUM drawdown since its inception was -34.08%, smaller than the maximum AVUV drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MTUM and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	MTUM	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.08%	-49.42%	+15.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.54%	-7.95%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.99%	-28.79%	+7.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.28%	-28.79%	-3.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.08%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	0.00%	-1.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.20%	-7.91%	+1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	2.67%	+0.32%

Volatility

MTUM vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) has a higher volatility of 10.89% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.53%. This indicates that MTUM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MTUM	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.89%	4.53%	+6.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.63%	11.34%	+7.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.87%	17.63%	+3.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.94%	22.75%	-1.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.20%	28.26%	-7.06%

MTUM vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

MTUM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

MTUM vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

MTUM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than AVUV's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.61%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	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 AVUV in my portfolio?

MTUM and AVUV have a correlation of 0.52, 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 AVUV?

MTUM has higher volatility (10.89%) compared to AVUV (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MTUM dropped -34.08% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which ETF is better, MTUM or AVUV?

On 5-year performance, MTUM leads with 14.96% vs 11.57% for AVUV. On fees, MTUM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MTUM or AVUV?

Over the 5-year period, MTUM has performed better with a 14.96% return vs 11.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MTUM or AVUV?

MTUM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVUV.

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

AVUV has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.61% for MTUM.

What is the main difference between MTUM and AVUV?

MTUM is categorized as Momentum, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for MTUM and 0.25% for AVUV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.96), 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.