WSML.L vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WSML.L (iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WSML.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Small Cap Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. WSML.L is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, WSML.L returned 6.95%/yr vs 10.71%/yr for AVUV. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WSML.L charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) 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, WSML.L achieves a 13.77% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 17.96% return.

WSML.L

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 13.77%
• 6M: 15.69%
• 1Y: 32.37%
• 3Y*: 17.80%
• 5Y*: 6.95%
• 10Y*: —

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)

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
WSML.L iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	13.77%	19.94%	7.40%	17.06%	-18.62%	15.23%	16.50%	8.85%
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 WSML.L and AVUV is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.58

The correlation between WSML.L and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WSML.L	AVUV
Industrials	20.5%	13.9%
Financial Services	13.5%	25.8%
Technology	13.5%	7.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	18.0%
Healthcare	9.6%	4.2%
Basic Materials	8.2%	4.9%
Real Estate	8.2%	0.7%
Energy	5.5%	18.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	4.5%
Communication Services	3.0%	2.8%
Utilities	2.9%	0.1%

Return for Risk

WSML.L vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

WSML.L

WSML.L Risk / Return Rank: 67
WSML.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
WSML.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
WSML.L Omega Ratio Rank: 62
WSML.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
WSML.L Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) 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.

	WSML.L	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.10	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.02	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.36	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.57	4.61	-1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.00	13.69	-0.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WSML.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WSML.L 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

	WSML.L	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	2.10	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.47	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.56	-0.09

Drawdowns

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WSML.L drawdown since its inception was -41.14%, smaller than the maximum AVUV drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSML.L and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	WSML.L	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.14%	-49.42%	+8.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-7.95%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.10%	-28.79%	+8.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.50%	-28.79%	-1.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-1.12%	+0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.80%	-7.95%	-0.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	2.67%	-0.19%

Volatility

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) has a higher volatility of 4.42% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.08%. This indicates that WSML.L'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

	WSML.L	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.42%	4.08%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.23%	11.34%	-0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.75%	17.54%	-2.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.48%	22.74%	-4.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.60%	28.30%	-8.70%

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSML.L has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSML.L vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

WSML.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.29%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%
WSML.L iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WSML.L and AVUV in my portfolio?

WSML.L and AVUV have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, WSML.L or AVUV?

On fees, AVUV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WSML.L or AVUV?

AVUV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for WSML.L.

What is the main difference between WSML.L and AVUV?

WSML.L is categorized as Global Equities, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for WSML.L and 0.25% for AVUV.