RSBA vs. AVEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RSBA (Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSBA is a Leveraged Bonds fund actively managed by Return Stacked, while AVEM is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. RSBA is actively managed, while AVEM is passively managed. Over the past year, RSBA returned 4.65% vs 55.00% for AVEM. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RSBA charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

RSBA vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF (RSBA) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSBA achieves a -0.30% return, which is significantly lower than AVEM's 27.59% return.

RSBA

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: -0.30%
• 6M: -0.66%
• 1Y: 4.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVEM

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 8.65%
• YTD: 27.59%
• 6M: 29.75%
• 1Y: 55.00%
• 3Y*: 26.07%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

RSBA vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RSBA Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF	-0.30%	7.73%	-0.04%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	27.59%	34.48%	0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between RSBA and AVEM is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024	0.21

The correlation between RSBA and AVEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (all time) to 0.35 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RSBA vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSBA

RSBA Risk / Return Rank: 30
RSBA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
RSBA Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
RSBA Omega Ratio Rank: 26
RSBA Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
RSBA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 82
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

RSBA vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF (RSBA) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). 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.

	RSBA	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	2.84	-1.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	3.65	-2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.51	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	4.21	-2.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.70	16.70	-12.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RSBA vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSBA Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSBA and AVEM, 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

	RSBA	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	2.84	-1.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	0.66	+0.34

Drawdowns

RSBA vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSBA drawdown since its inception was -2.83%, smaller than the maximum AVEM drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSBA and AVEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSBA	AVEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.83%	-36.05%	+33.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.74%	-13.13%	+10.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.02%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.62%	-1.39%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.81%	-10.09%	+9.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	3.30%	-2.31%

Volatility

RSBA vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF (RSBA) is 1.37%, while Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a volatility of 8.33%. This indicates that RSBA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSBA	AVEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	8.33%	-6.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.27%	16.72%	-13.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.59%	19.45%	-14.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.08%	18.34%	-13.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.08%	20.55%	-15.47%

RSBA vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSBA has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSBA vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

RSBA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, more than AVEM's 1.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.98%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%
RSBA Return Stacked Bonds & Merger Arbitrage ETF	3.38%	3.37%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSBA and AVEM in my portfolio?

RSBA and AVEM have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSBA or AVEM?

AVEM has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to RSBA (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSBA dropped -2.83% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

Which ETF is better, RSBA or AVEM?

On 1-year performance, AVEM leads with 55.00% vs 4.65% for RSBA. On fees, AVEM is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, RSBA has been the lower-risk option at 1.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSBA or AVEM?

Over the 1-year period, AVEM has performed better with a 55.00% return vs 4.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSBA or AVEM?

AVEM is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for RSBA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSBA or AVEM?

RSBA has the higher dividend yield at 3.38%, compared with 1.98% for AVEM.

What is the main difference between RSBA and AVEM?

RSBA is categorized as Leveraged Bonds, while AVEM is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Return Stacked and American Century. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for RSBA and 0.33% for AVEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 1.02), 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.