VSTCX vs. AVUV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VSTCX (Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both funds - VSTCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VSTCX returned 12.93%/yr vs 13.16%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VSTCX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) 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, VSTCX achieves a 21.78% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 23.62% return.

VSTCX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: -1.13%
• 6M: 17.27%
• YTD: 21.78%
• 1Y: 42.42%
• 3Y*: 19.74%
• 5Y*: 12.93%
• 10Y*: 12.56%
• ALL TIME*: 9.46%

AVUV

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.43%
• 6M: 15.37%
• YTD: 23.62%
• 1Y: 40.65%
• 3Y*: 16.14%
• 5Y*: 13.16%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.14%

*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)
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	$143.14M	$148.43M	$155.85M
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	21.78%	15.20%	15.40%	21.34%	-13.00%	33.53%	8.38%	7.91%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	23.62%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTCX and AVUV is 0.89, 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.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.94

The correlation between VSTCX and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSTCX	AVUV
Financial Services	18.3%	27.8%
Industrials	16.1%	13.5%
Technology	14.9%	7.4%
Healthcare	14.1%	5.3%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	18.5%
Real Estate	6.5%	0.7%
Energy	6.2%	13.9%
Basic Materials	5.2%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	4.9%
Communication Services	2.4%	2.9%
Utilities	2.3%	0.2%

Return for Risk

VSTCX vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTCX

VSTCX Risk / Return Rank: 90
VSTCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VSTCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VSTCX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
VSTCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VSTCX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 91
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 88
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) 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.

	VSTCX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	2.24	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	3.23	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.40	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.76	4.74	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.72	14.98	+1.74

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTCX 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

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTCX drawdown since its inception was -62.50%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTCX and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTCX	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.50%	-49.42%	-13.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.08%	-7.95%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.47%	-28.79%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.47%	-28.79%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.08%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.86%	-0.72%	-2.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.58%	-7.78%	-2.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	2.52%	-0.22%

Volatility

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) has a higher volatility of 3.84% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 2.88%. This indicates that VSTCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTCX	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	2.88%	+0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.46%	10.51%	+1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.64%	16.90%	+0.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.88%	22.40%	-0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.42%	28.02%	-4.60%

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTCX has a 0.21% 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

VSTCX vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

VSTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.20%, more than AVUV's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.25%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	6.20%	7.55%	9.66%	2.50%	7.44%	19.92%	1.24%	4.14%	11.74%	5.76%	1.35%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTCX and AVUV in my portfolio?

VSTCX and AVUV have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTCX or AVUV?

VSTCX has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to AVUV (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTCX dropped -62.50% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 2.18), 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.