SDVY vs. AVSC

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and AVSC (Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SDVY is passively managed, while AVSC is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SDVY returned 16.18%/yr vs 17.28%/yr for AVSC. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVSC.

Performance

SDVY vs. AVSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVY achieves a 14.59% return, which is significantly lower than AVSC's 25.77% return.

SDVY

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 3.14%
• 6M: 8.07%
• YTD: 14.59%
• 1Y: 24.03%
• 3Y*: 16.18%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: —

AVSC

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 4.22%
• 6M: 16.71%
• YTD: 25.77%
• 1Y: 40.31%
• 3Y*: 17.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SDVY vs. AVSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	14.59%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-12.78%
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	25.77%	9.42%	7.75%	19.68%	-12.40%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and AVSC is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2022	0.94

The correlation between SDVY and AVSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. AVSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 62
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 63

AVSC

AVSC Risk / Return Rank: 88
AVSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AVSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
AVSC Omega Ratio Rank: 83
AVSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
AVSC Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

SDVY vs. AVSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC). 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.

	SDVY	AVSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.29	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	3.29	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.39	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	5.13	-2.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.95	16.14	-7.19

SDVY vs. AVSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is lower than the AVSC Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY and AVSC, 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

SDVY vs. AVSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, which is greater than AVSC's maximum drawdown of -28.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and AVSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	AVSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-28.40%	-16.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-7.89%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	-28.40%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.62%	-7.26%	-0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	2.50%	+0.19%

Volatility

SDVY vs. AVSC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) have volatilities of 3.40% and 3.54%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDVY	AVSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	3.54%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.84%	11.93%	-1.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.12%	17.71%	-2.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.90%	22.17%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.69%	22.17%	+2.52%

SDVY vs. AVSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than AVSC's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. AVSC - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than AVSC's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	0.91%	1.16%	1.17%	1.42%	1.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.95%	1.69%	1.60%	1.90%	2.28%	1.09%	1.48%	1.69%	1.57%	0.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDVY and AVSC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, SDVY and AVSC 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, SDVY or AVSC?

AVSC has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to SDVY (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs AVSC's -28.40%.

Which ETF is better, SDVY or AVSC?

On 3-year performance, AVSC leads with 17.28% vs 16.18% for SDVY. On fees, AVSC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, SDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDVY or AVSC?

Over the 3-year period, AVSC has performed better with a 17.28% return vs 16.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDVY or AVSC?

AVSC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SDVY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDVY or AVSC?

SDVY has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.91% for AVSC.

What is the main difference between SDVY and AVSC?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Avantis Investors. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.25% for AVSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.60), 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.