AVUQ vs SPY
AVUQ vs SPY
Avantis US Quality ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AVUQ | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $281M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.30% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 585 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +12.85% | +13.50% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.57% | +23.56% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.17% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.46% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -11.9% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
AVUQ vs SPY Performance
Avantis US Quality ETF (AVUQ) is a ETF from Avantis Investors and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year AVUQ returned +21.57% while SPY returned +23.56%. Year to date, AVUQ is up 12.85% versus a gain of 13.50% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.6% for AVUQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -11.9% for AVUQ and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVUQ charges 0.15% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $9 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVUQ currently yields 0.30% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
AVUQ and SPY share 172 holdings out of 833 unique holdings combined, representing a 59.1% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVUQ | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPL | 11.24% | 7.09% | 4.15% |
| NVDA | 10.11% | 7.31% | 2.80% |
| AMZN | 5.52% | 3.69% | 1.83% |
| MSFT | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LLY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings AVUQ shares with SPY Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AVUQ or SPY?
AVUQ has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $6 per year of difference.
Which performed better, AVUQ or SPY?
Over the past year AVUQ returned +21.57% vs +23.56% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), AVUQ annualized +27.28% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, AVUQ or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.6% for AVUQ. Worst drawdown: AVUQ -11.9% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both AVUQ and SPY?
AVUQ and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between AVUQ and SPY?
AVUQ and SPY share 172 common holdings with a 59.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 833 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVUQ or SPY?
AVUQ yields 0.30% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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