TSEL vs. AVUS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TSEL (Touchstone Sands Capital US Select Growth ETF) and AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TSEL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Touchstone, while AVUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TSEL returned 10.32% vs 32.84% for AVUS. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TSEL charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AVUS.

Performance

TSEL vs. AVUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Touchstone Sands Capital US Select Growth ETF (TSEL) and Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSEL achieves a 4.15% return, which is significantly lower than AVUS's 14.87% return.

TSEL

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 4.15%
• 6M: 2.65%
• 1Y: 10.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVUS

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.87%
• YTD: 14.87%
• 6M: 14.04%
• 1Y: 32.84%
• 3Y*: 22.02%
• 5Y*: 13.28%
• 10Y*: —

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

TSEL vs. AVUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TSEL Touchstone Sands Capital US Select Growth ETF	4.15%	12.41%
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	14.87%	16.80%

Correlation

The correlation between TSEL and AVUS is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.73

The correlation between TSEL and AVUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSEL vs. AVUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSEL

TSEL Risk / Return Rank: 15
TSEL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
TSEL Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
TSEL Omega Ratio Rank: 15
TSEL Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
TSEL Martin Ratio Rank: 13

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 84
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 82
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
AVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

TSEL vs. AVUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Touchstone Sands Capital US Select Growth ETF (TSEL) and Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS). 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.

	TSEL	AVUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	2.61	-2.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	3.51	-2.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.47	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.44	4.20	-3.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.08	18.77	-17.69

TSEL vs. AVUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSEL Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is lower than the AVUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSEL and AVUS, 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

TSEL vs. AVUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSEL drawdown since its inception was -28.95%, smaller than the maximum AVUS drawdown of -37.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSEL and AVUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSEL	AVUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.95%	-37.04%	+8.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.47%	-7.85%	-15.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.59%	-0.51%	-4.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.18%	-5.06%	-3.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.57%	1.75%	+7.82%

Volatility

TSEL vs. AVUS - Volatility Comparison

Touchstone Sands Capital US Select Growth ETF (TSEL) has a higher volatility of 7.60% compared to Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) at 4.50%. This indicates that TSEL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSEL	AVUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.60%	4.50%	+3.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.55%	9.72%	+6.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.28%	12.66%	+8.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.89%	17.35%	+9.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.89%	20.83%	+6.06%

TSEL vs. AVUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSEL has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSEL vs. AVUS - Dividend Comparison

TSEL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AVUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	1.17%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%
TSEL Touchstone Sands Capital US Select Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSEL and AVUS in my portfolio?

TSEL and AVUS have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSEL or AVUS?

TSEL has higher volatility (7.60%) compared to AVUS (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSEL dropped -28.95% vs AVUS's -37.04%.

Which ETF is better, TSEL or AVUS?

On 1-year performance, AVUS leads with 32.84% vs 10.32% for TSEL. On fees, AVUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVUS has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TSEL or AVUS?

Over the 1-year period, AVUS has performed better with a 32.84% return vs 10.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TSEL or AVUS?

AVUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for TSEL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TSEL or AVUS?

AVUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.00% for TSEL.

What is the main difference between TSEL and AVUS?

TSEL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while AVUS is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Touchstone and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for TSEL and 0.15% for AVUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 0.49), 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.