VYM vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. VYM is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VYM returned 11.16%/yr vs 10.66%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

VYM vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) 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, VYM achieves a 10.90% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 17.68% return.

VYM

• 1D: -1.35%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 10.90%
• 6M: 10.34%
• 1Y: 25.21%
• 3Y*: 18.37%
• 5Y*: 11.16%
• 10Y*: 11.65%

AVUV

• 1D: -1.44%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 17.68%
• 6M: 17.05%
• 1Y: 37.41%
• 3Y*: 18.50%
• 5Y*: 10.66%
• 10Y*: —

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

VYM vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	10.90%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	6.86%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	17.68%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.50%

Correlation

The correlation between VYM and AVUV is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.85

The correlation between VYM and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

VYM vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VYM	AVUV
Financial Services	20.5%	25.8%
Technology	17.7%	7.0%
Healthcare	12.2%	4.2%
Industrials	12.1%	13.9%
Energy	9.8%	18.2%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	18.0%
Utilities	5.7%	0.1%
Communication Services	3.5%	2.8%
Basic Materials	3.5%	4.9%
Real Estate	0.0%	0.7%

Return for Risk

VYM vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 77
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 71
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 62
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VYM vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) 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.

	VYM	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.14	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	3.06	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.37	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	4.73	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.19	14.03	+0.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VYM vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYM 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

	VYM	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	2.14	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.47	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.56	-0.05

Drawdowns

VYM vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VYM	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.98%	-49.42%	-7.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.69%	-7.95%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.46%	-28.79%	+14.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.84%	-28.79%	+12.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-1.44%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.19%	-7.94%	+0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	2.67%	-0.89%

Volatility

VYM vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is 3.08%, while Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) has a volatility of 4.30%. This indicates that VYM 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

	VYM	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.08%	4.30%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.73%	11.36%	-3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.35%	17.56%	-7.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.97%	22.74%	-8.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.34%	28.29%	-11.95%

VYM vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYM has a 0.04% 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

VYM vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, more than AVUV's 1.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.30%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.22%	2.44%	2.74%	3.12%	3.01%	2.76%	3.18%	3.03%	3.40%	2.80%	2.91%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VYM and AVUV in my portfolio?

VYM and AVUV have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VYM or AVUV?

AVUV has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to VYM (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which ETF is better, VYM or AVUV?

On 5-year performance, VYM leads with 11.16% vs 10.66% for AVUV. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VYM or AVUV?

Over the 5-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.16% return vs 10.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VYM or AVUV?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVUV.

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

VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.22%, compared with 1.30% for AVUV.

What is the main difference between VYM and AVUV?

VYM is categorized as Dividend, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.25% for AVUV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.14), 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.