SMIG vs. AVSC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMIG (Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF) and AVSC (Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. SMIG is actively managed, while AVSC is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SMIG returned 13.09%/yr vs 17.09%/yr for AVSC. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMIG charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVSC.

Performance

SMIG vs. AVSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) 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, SMIG achieves a 10.18% return, which is significantly lower than AVSC's 16.85% return.

SMIG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 10.18%
• 6M: 11.46%
• 1Y: 11.81%
• 3Y*: 13.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVSC

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 38.76%
• 3Y*: 17.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMIG vs. AVSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SMIG Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF	10.18%	0.78%	17.63%	13.62%	-10.67%
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	16.85%	9.42%	7.75%	19.68%	-11.72%

Correlation

The correlation between SMIG and AVSC is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2022	0.87

The correlation between SMIG and AVSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

SMIG vs. AVSC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMIG	AVSC
Technology	19.8%	12.6%
Consumer Cyclical	17.2%	14.9%
Financial Services	14.2%	22.4%
Industrials	13.9%	13.0%
Energy	12.8%	9.5%
Healthcare	10.1%	11.5%
Basic Materials	7.9%	5.5%
Real Estate	6.9%	0.9%
Utilities	5.4%	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	4.8%
Communication Services	2.2%	3.0%

Return for Risk

SMIG vs. AVSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMIG

SMIG Risk / Return Rank: 27
SMIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
SMIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
SMIG Omega Ratio Rank: 26
SMIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
SMIG Martin Ratio Rank: 27

AVSC

AVSC Risk / Return Rank: 70
AVSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
AVSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
AVSC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
AVSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AVSC Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

SMIG vs. AVSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) 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.

	SMIG	AVSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.99	2.16	-1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	3.09	-1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.37	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	4.93	-3.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.62	15.33	-11.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMIG vs. AVSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMIG Sharpe Ratio is 0.99, which is lower than the AVSC Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMIG 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMIG	AVSC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99	2.16	-1.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.40	+0.03

Drawdowns

SMIG vs. AVSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMIG drawdown since its inception was -19.65%, smaller than the maximum AVSC drawdown of -28.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMIG and AVSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMIG	AVSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.65%	-28.40%	+8.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.52%	-7.89%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.23%	-28.40%	+9.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.79%	-1.32%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.55%	-7.37%	+0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	2.54%	+0.73%

Volatility

SMIG vs. AVSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) is 3.65%, while Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that SMIG 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

	SMIG	AVSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	4.49%	-0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.43%	11.71%	-3.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	18.10%	-6.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.20%	22.34%	-6.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.20%	22.34%	-6.14%

SMIG vs. AVSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SMIG vs. AVSC - Dividend Comparison

SMIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, more than AVSC's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	0.92%	1.16%	1.17%	1.42%	1.10%	0.00%
SMIG Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF	1.75%	1.82%	1.75%	1.91%	2.00%	0.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMIG and AVSC in my portfolio?

SMIG and AVSC have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMIG or AVSC?

AVSC has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to SMIG (3.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMIG dropped -19.65% vs AVSC's -28.40%.

Which ETF is better, SMIG or AVSC?

On 3-year performance, AVSC leads with 17.09% vs 13.09% for SMIG. On fees, AVSC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, SMIG has been the lower-risk option at 3.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMIG or AVSC?

Over the 3-year period, AVSC has performed better with a 17.09% return vs 13.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMIG or AVSC?

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

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

SMIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 0.92% for AVSC.

What is the main difference between SMIG and AVSC?

They also come from different issuers: Bahl & Gaynor and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SMIG and 0.25% for AVSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.99), 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.