VFQY vs. AVUQ

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VFQY (Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF) and AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, VFQY returned 23.29% vs 21.48% for AVUQ. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VFQY charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AVUQ.

Performance

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) and Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFQY achieves a 14.20% return, which is significantly higher than AVUQ's 10.84% return.

VFQY

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 2.21%
• 6M: 10.27%
• YTD: 14.20%
• 1Y: 23.29%
• 3Y*: 15.72%
• 5Y*: 9.15%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.62%

AVUQ

• 1D: 1.79%
• 1M: 1.73%
• 6M: 8.78%
• YTD: 10.84%
• 1Y: 21.48%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.88%

*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)
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	$1.44M	$1.08M	$1.47M
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	$948.51K	$988.82K	$1.06M

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	14.20%	13.64%
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	10.84%	21.84%

Correlation

The correlation between VFQY and AVUQ is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.69

The correlation between VFQY and AVUQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFQY	AVUQ
Technology	25.8%	47.2%
Financial Services	18.9%	5.5%
Industrials	16.8%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.3%	13.3%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	3.2%
Healthcare	8.9%	5.7%
Communication Services	2.8%	12.2%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.1%
Energy	2.2%	2.1%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	0.7%

Return for Risk

VFQY vs. AVUQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFQY

VFQY Risk / Return Rank: 74
VFQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VFQY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VFQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VFQY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

AVUQ

AVUQ Risk / Return Rank: 51
AVUQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 47
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) and Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ). 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.

	VFQY	AVUQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.29	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	1.85	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.22	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	1.86	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.69	6.70	+2.99

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFQY Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is higher than the AVUQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFQY and AVUQ, 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

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFQY drawdown since its inception was -37.41%, which is greater than AVUQ's maximum drawdown of -12.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFQY and AVUQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFQY	AVUQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.41%	-12.35%	-25.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.12%	-11.61%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.67%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.31%	+1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.57%	-2.24%	-4.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	3.21%	-0.80%

Volatility

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) is 3.12%, while Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) has a volatility of 5.21%. This indicates that VFQY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVUQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFQY	AVUQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	5.21%	-2.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	13.15%	-3.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.37%	16.70%	-3.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.29%	19.44%	-1.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.73%	19.44%	+1.29%

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFQY has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than AVUQ's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFQY vs. AVUQ - Dividend Comparison

VFQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than AVUQ's 0.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.30%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	1.03%	1.17%	1.34%	1.38%	1.43%	0.98%	1.22%	1.34%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFQY and AVUQ in my portfolio?

VFQY and AVUQ have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFQY or AVUQ?

AVUQ has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to VFQY (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFQY dropped -37.41% vs AVUQ's -12.35%.

Which ETF is better, VFQY or AVUQ?

On 1-year performance, VFQY leads with 23.29% vs 21.48% for AVUQ. On fees, VFQY is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, VFQY has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VFQY or AVUQ?

Over the 1-year period, VFQY has performed better with a 23.29% return vs 21.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFQY or AVUQ?

VFQY is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AVUQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VFQY or AVUQ?

VFQY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.30% for AVUQ.

What is the main difference between VFQY and AVUQ?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VFQY and 0.15% for AVUQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.29), 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.