VTCLX vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTCLX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both funds - VTCLX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Over the past 5 years, VTCLX returned 13.46%/yr vs 10.71%/yr for AVUV. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTCLX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX) 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, VTCLX achieves a 11.31% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 17.96% return.

VTCLX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 5.61%
• YTD: 11.31%
• 6M: 11.26%
• 1Y: 28.29%
• 3Y*: 22.21%
• 5Y*: 13.46%
• 10Y*: 15.47%

AVUV

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 17.96%
• 6M: 17.23%
• 1Y: 36.48%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 10.71%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	11.31%	17.44%	23.76%	26.62%	-19.07%	26.87%	21.08%	8.73%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	17.96%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.50%

Correlation

The correlation between VTCLX and AVUV is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.74

The correlation between VTCLX and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTCLX	AVUV
Technology	33.9%	7.0%
Financial Services	11.9%	25.8%
Communication Services	10.9%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	18.0%
Industrials	8.8%	13.9%
Healthcare	8.6%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.5%
Energy	3.8%	18.2%
Utilities	2.7%	0.1%
Basic Materials	2.1%	4.9%
Real Estate	2.0%	0.7%

Return for Risk

VTCLX vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTCLX

VTCLX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTCLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTCLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VTCLX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VTCLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VTCLX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 67
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 58
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX) 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.

	VTCLX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.10	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	3.02	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.36	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	4.61	-1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.43	13.69	+1.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTCLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTCLX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTCLX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	2.10	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.47	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.56	-0.03

Drawdowns

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTCLX drawdown since its inception was -55.18%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTCLX and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTCLX	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.18%	-49.42%	-5.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.79%	-7.95%	-0.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.01%	-28.79%	+9.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.98%	-28.79%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.12%	+1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.57%	-7.95%	+0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	2.67%	-0.78%

Volatility

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX) is 2.86%, while Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) has a volatility of 4.08%. This indicates that VTCLX 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

	VTCLX	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	4.08%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	11.34%	-2.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.01%	17.54%	-5.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	22.74%	-5.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	28.30%	-10.02%

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTCLX has a 0.09% 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

VTCLX vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

VTCLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than AVUV's 1.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.29%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	0.85%	0.93%	1.04%	1.24%	1.47%	1.04%	1.32%	1.52%	1.83%	1.57%	1.76%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTCLX and AVUV in my portfolio?

VTCLX and AVUV have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTCLX or AVUV?

AVUV has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to VTCLX (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTCLX dropped -55.18% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTCLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.10), 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.