SFSNX vs. AVSC

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SFSNX (Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index Fund) and AVSC (Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SFSNX is passively managed, while AVSC is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SFSNX returned 13.19%/yr vs 16.47%/yr for AVSC. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.

Performance

SFSNX vs. AVSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) 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, SFSNX achieves a 18.41% return, which is significantly lower than AVSC's 26.04% return.

SFSNX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -1.24%
• 6M: 10.77%
• YTD: 18.41%
• 1Y: 30.87%
• 3Y*: 13.19%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: 10.89%
• ALL TIME*: 10.04%

AVSC

• 1D: 1.88%
• 1M: 1.47%
• 6M: 16.67%
• YTD: 26.04%
• 1Y: 45.14%
• 3Y*: 16.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.23%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	$9.12M	$8.89M	$9.53M
SFSNX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SFSNX vs. AVSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SFSNX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index Fund	18.41%	7.66%	8.99%	20.15%	-14.40%
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	26.04%	9.42%	7.75%	19.68%	-12.40%

Correlation

The correlation between SFSNX and AVSC is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2022	0.96

The correlation between SFSNX and AVSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SFSNX vs. AVSC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SFSNX

SFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 74
SFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

AVSC

AVSC Risk / Return Rank: 94
AVSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
AVSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
AVSC Omega Ratio Rank: 91
AVSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
AVSC Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SFSNX vs. AVSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) 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.

	SFSNX	AVSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.60	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.71	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.44	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	5.75	-2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.13	19.05	-8.92

SFSNX vs. AVSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFSNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is lower than the AVSC Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFSNX 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

SFSNX vs. AVSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFSNX drawdown since its inception was -58.32%, which is greater than AVSC's maximum drawdown of -28.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFSNX and AVSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFSNX	AVSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.32%	-28.40%	-29.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.43%	-7.89%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.91%	-28.40%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.32%	0.00%	-2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.25%	-7.20%	-1.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	2.38%	+0.47%

Volatility

SFSNX vs. AVSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) is 3.34%, while Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) has a volatility of 3.86%. This indicates that SFSNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SFSNX	AVSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	3.86%	-0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.87%	11.60%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.06%	17.49%	-0.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.64%	22.10%	-1.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.22%	22.10%	+1.12%

SFSNX vs. AVSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SFSNX and AVSC have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SFSNX vs. AVSC - Dividend Comparison

SFSNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, more than AVSC's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
SFSNX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index Fund	1.15%	1.36%	1.71%	1.37%	7.05%	12.27%	1.42%	3.66%	11.55%	6.88%	1.86%	6.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SFSNX and AVSC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, SFSNX 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, SFSNX or AVSC?

AVSC has higher volatility (3.86%) compared to SFSNX (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFSNX dropped -58.32% vs AVSC's -28.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.70), 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.