VTWG vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

VTWG (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTWG is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Growth Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. VTWG is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTWG returned 6.25%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTWG charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

VTWG vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VTWG having a 20.87% return and AVUV slightly lower at 20.38%.

VTWG

• 1D: 2.62%
• 1M: 5.96%
• YTD: 20.87%
• 6M: 18.56%
• 1Y: 42.01%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 6.25%
• 10Y*: 11.82%

AVUV

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 2.69%
• YTD: 20.38%
• 6M: 18.29%
• 1Y: 39.17%
• 3Y*: 18.84%
• 5Y*: 12.68%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTWG vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VTWG Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF	20.87%	13.07%	15.15%	18.90%	-26.49%	2.84%	34.72%	9.35%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	20.38%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VTWG and AVUV is 0.77, 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	0.77
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	0.81

The correlation between VTWG and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTWG vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTWG	AVUV
Technology	25.8%	7.4%
Industrials	23.1%	13.6%
Healthcare	22.0%	4.8%
Financial Services	7.8%	26.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.1%	18.7%
Basic Materials	4.0%	5.1%
Energy	3.1%	15.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	4.7%
Communication Services	2.2%	3.1%
Real Estate	2.0%	0.7%
Utilities	0.6%	0.1%

Return for Risk

VTWG vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTWG

VTWG Risk / Return Rank: 57
VTWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VTWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTWG Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VTWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VTWG Martin Ratio Rank: 59

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 77
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 67
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

VTWG vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) 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.

	VTWG	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.21	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	3.15	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.38	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	4.91	-2.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.09	14.56	-4.47

VTWG vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTWG Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTWG 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

VTWG vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTWG drawdown since its inception was -42.07%, smaller than the maximum AVUV drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWG and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTWG	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.07%	-49.42%	+7.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.88%	-7.95%	-6.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.58%	-28.79%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.49%	-28.79%	-11.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.91%	+1.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.50%	-7.90%	-2.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	2.67%	+1.47%

Volatility

VTWG vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) has a higher volatility of 8.01% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.58%. This indicates that VTWG'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

	VTWG	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.01%	4.58%	+3.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.94%	11.39%	+5.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.27%	17.64%	+4.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.67%	22.68%	+1.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.29%	28.23%	-3.94%

VTWG vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTWG has a 0.06% 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

VTWG vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

VTWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less than AVUV's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.64%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTWG Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF	0.59%	0.64%	0.55%	0.79%	0.71%	0.54%	0.48%	0.72%	0.72%	0.64%	0.96%	0.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTWG and AVUV in my portfolio?

VTWG and AVUV have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTWG or AVUV?

VTWG has higher volatility (8.01%) compared to AVUV (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWG dropped -42.07% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which ETF is better, VTWG or AVUV?

On 5-year performance, AVUV leads with 12.68% vs 6.25% for VTWG. On fees, VTWG is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTWG or AVUV?

Over the 5-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 12.68% return vs 6.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTWG or AVUV?

VTWG is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVUV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTWG or AVUV?

AVUV has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.59% for VTWG.

What is the main difference between VTWG and AVUV?

VTWG is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTWG and 0.25% for AVUV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.88), 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.