TLCI vs. AVEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLCI (Touchstone International Equity ETF) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TLCI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Touchstone, while AVEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TLCI returned -0.25% vs 55.00% for AVEM. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TLCI charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

TLCI vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Touchstone International Equity ETF (TLCI) 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, TLCI achieves a -0.42% return, which is significantly lower than AVEM's 27.59% return.

TLCI

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 3.50%
• YTD: -0.42%
• 6M: -0.07%
• 1Y: -0.25%
• 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)

TLCI vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TLCI Touchstone International Equity ETF	-0.42%	3.99%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	27.59%	29.34%

Correlation

The correlation between TLCI and AVEM is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2025	0.65

The correlation between TLCI and AVEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLCI vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLCI

TLCI Risk / Return Rank: 9
TLCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
TLCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
TLCI Omega Ratio Rank: 9
TLCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
TLCI Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

TLCI vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Touchstone International Equity ETF (TLCI) 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.

	TLCI	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	2.84	-2.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.07	3.65	-3.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.51	-0.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	4.21	-4.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.06	16.70	-16.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLCI vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLCI Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLCI 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

	TLCI	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02	2.84	-2.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.66	-0.47

Drawdowns

TLCI vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLCI drawdown since its inception was -12.15%, smaller than the maximum AVEM drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLCI and AVEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLCI	AVEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.15%	-36.05%	+23.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-13.13%	+1.30%
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	-4.37%	-1.39%	-2.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-10.09%	+7.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	3.30%	+0.52%

Volatility

TLCI vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Touchstone International Equity ETF (TLCI) is 4.07%, while Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a volatility of 8.33%. This indicates that TLCI 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

	TLCI	AVEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	8.33%	-4.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.97%	16.72%	-5.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.22%	19.45%	-6.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.75%	18.34%	-2.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.75%	20.55%	-4.80%

TLCI vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLCI has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLCI vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

TLCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, less 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%
TLCI Touchstone International Equity ETF	0.60%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLCI and AVEM in my portfolio?

TLCI and AVEM have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLCI or AVEM?

AVEM has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to TLCI (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLCI dropped -12.15% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

Which ETF is better, TLCI or AVEM?

On 1-year performance, AVEM leads with 55.00% vs -0.25% for TLCI. On fees, AVEM is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, TLCI has been the lower-risk option at 4.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TLCI or AVEM?

Over the 1-year period, AVEM has performed better with a 55.00% return vs -0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TLCI or AVEM?

AVEM is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for TLCI.

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

AVEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.98%, compared with 0.60% for TLCI.

What is the main difference between TLCI and AVEM?

TLCI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while AVEM is Emerging Markets Equities. They also come from different issuers: Touchstone and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for TLCI and 0.33% for AVEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs -0.02), 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.