VIMAX vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VIMAX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both funds - VIMAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. VIMAX is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VIMAX returned 7.56%/yr vs 11.57%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VIMAX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIMAX achieves a 9.37% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 22.73% return.

VIMAX

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: 2.60%
• YTD: 9.37%
• 6M: 8.26%
• 1Y: 17.03%
• 3Y*: 15.75%
• 5Y*: 7.56%
• 10Y*: 11.61%

AVUV

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 5.96%
• YTD: 22.73%
• 6M: 19.51%
• 1Y: 40.08%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 11.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VIMAX Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.37%	11.67%	14.66%	16.53%	-18.70%	24.51%	18.18%	6.43%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	22.73%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VIMAX and AVUV is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.83

The correlation between VIMAX and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIMAX	AVUV
Technology	18.6%	7.0%
Industrials	17.9%	13.9%
Financial Services	12.8%	25.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	18.0%
Energy	8.5%	18.2%
Utilities	8.3%	0.1%
Healthcare	7.6%	4.2%
Real Estate	5.4%	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.5%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.9%
Communication Services	3.1%	2.8%

Return for Risk

VIMAX vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIMAX

VIMAX Risk / Return Rank: 40
VIMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VIMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VIMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VIMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VIMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 84
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

	VIMAX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	2.28	-0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	3.24	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.39	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	5.06	-2.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.08	15.09	-7.01

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIMAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is lower than the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIMAX and AVUV, 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

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIMAX drawdown since its inception was -58.88%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIMAX and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIMAX	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.88%	-49.42%	-9.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.13%	-7.95%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.93%	-28.79%	+9.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.55%	-28.79%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	0.00%	-1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.11%	-7.91%	-0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	2.67%	-0.51%

Volatility

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX) is 4.27%, while Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) has a volatility of 4.53%. This indicates that VIMAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIMAX	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.27%	4.53%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.81%	11.34%	-1.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.70%	17.63%	-4.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.69%	22.75%	-5.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.94%	28.26%	-9.32%

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIMAX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than AVUV's 0.25% 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

VIMAX vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

VIMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than AVUV's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.61%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIMAX Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.36%	1.51%	1.48%	1.50%	1.59%	1.11%	1.44%	1.47%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIMAX and AVUV in my portfolio?

VIMAX and AVUV have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIMAX or AVUV?

AVUV has higher volatility (4.53%) compared to VIMAX (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIMAX dropped -58.88% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.38), 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.