SSXU vs. AVDV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SSXU (Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF) and AVDV (Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SSXU is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Day Hagan, while AVDV is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SSXU returned 11.59%/yr vs 25.09%/yr for AVDV. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SSXU charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for AVDV.

Performance

SSXU vs. AVDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF (SSXU) and Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSXU achieves a 3.85% return, which is significantly lower than AVDV's 13.72% return.

SSXU

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 0.62%
• 6M: -0.99%
• YTD: 3.85%
• 1Y: 16.44%
• 3Y*: 11.59%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.39%

AVDV

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 0.88%
• 6M: 5.81%
• YTD: 13.72%
• 1Y: 35.11%
• 3Y*: 25.09%
• 5Y*: 13.73%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.93%

*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)
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	$75.45M	$103.53M	$84.89M
SSXU Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF	$118.06K	$72.09K	$330.31K

SSXU vs. AVDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SSXU Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF	3.85%	27.09%	5.28%	9.56%	2.14%
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	13.72%	49.37%	8.67%	16.85%	6.33%

Correlation

The correlation between SSXU and AVDV is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2022	0.89

The correlation between SSXU and AVDV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

SSXU vs. AVDV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSXU	AVDV
Financial Services	26.9%	13.6%
Industrials	16.8%	22.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	15.9%
Technology	8.3%	7.6%
Basic Materials	8.2%	20.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	3.7%
Communication Services	6.1%	2.2%
Energy	5.3%	9.1%
Healthcare	5.2%	2.4%
Utilities	4.7%	1.5%
Real Estate	3.4%	1.2%

Return for Risk

SSXU vs. AVDV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSXU

SSXU Risk / Return Rank: 40
SSXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
SSXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
SSXU Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SSXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
SSXU Martin Ratio Rank: 39

AVDV

AVDV Risk / Return Rank: 81
AVDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
AVDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
AVDV Omega Ratio Rank: 85
AVDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
AVDV Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

SSXU vs. AVDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF (SSXU) and Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV). 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.

	SSXU	AVDV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	2.10	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	2.84	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.37	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.54	2.67	-1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.54	9.69	-5.16

SSXU vs. AVDV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSXU Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is lower than the AVDV Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSXU and AVDV, 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

SSXU vs. AVDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSXU drawdown since its inception was -13.91%, smaller than the maximum AVDV drawdown of -43.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSXU and AVDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSXU	AVDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.91%	-43.01%	+29.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.71%	-13.19%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.91%	-14.17%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.08%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.63%	-3.32%	-1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.30%	-6.71%	+3.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.63%	3.63%	0.00%

Volatility

SSXU vs. AVDV - Volatility Comparison

Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF (SSXU) and Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) have volatilities of 5.49% and 5.48%, 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

	SSXU	AVDV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.49%	5.48%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.60%	14.47%	-1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.61%	16.84%	-2.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.47%	17.44%	-2.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.47%	19.71%	-5.24%

SSXU vs. AVDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSXU has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than AVDV's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSXU vs. AVDV - Dividend Comparison

SSXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than AVDV's 2.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	2.78%	3.05%	4.31%	3.29%	3.17%	2.39%	1.67%	0.36%
SSXU Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF	2.56%	2.66%	2.74%	2.07%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSXU and AVDV in my portfolio?

SSXU and AVDV have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSXU or AVDV?

SSXU has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to AVDV (5.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSXU dropped -13.91% vs AVDV's -43.01%.

Which ETF is better, SSXU or AVDV?

On 3-year performance, AVDV leads with 25.09% vs 11.59% for SSXU. On fees, AVDV is cheaper at 0.36% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SSXU or AVDV?

Over the 3-year period, AVDV has performed better with a 25.09% return vs 11.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SSXU or AVDV?

AVDV is cheaper with a 0.36% expense ratio, compared with 1.15% for SSXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SSXU or AVDV?

AVDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.78%, compared with 2.56% for SSXU.

What is the main difference between SSXU and AVDV?

SSXU is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while AVDV is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Day Hagan and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 1.15% for SSXU and 0.36% for AVDV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.13), 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.