AVUS vs SPY
AVUS vs SPY
Avantis US Equity ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. AVUS delivered stronger 1-year returns. AVUS offers more diversification with 1292 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AVUS | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $13.9B | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 1,933 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +16.79% | +13.28% | |
| 1Y Return | +28.84% | +23.94% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.65% | +21.07% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.16% | +13.27% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2019 | Jan 22, 1993 |
AVUS vs SPY Performance
Avantis US Equity ETF (AVUS) 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 AVUS returned +28.84% while SPY returned +23.94%. Year to date, AVUS is up 16.79% versus a gain of 13.28% for SPY.
Over three years, AVUS compounded at +20.65% per year against +21.07% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +13.16% and +13.27% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AVUS has the edge at +16.23% annualized vs +8.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 15.3% for SPY. 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 -37.0% for AVUS 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVUS 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, AVUS currently yields 0.92% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
AVUS and SPY share 388 holdings out of 1407 unique holdings combined, representing a 68.3% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVUS | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 5.43% | 7.31% | 1.88% |
| AAPL | 5.62% | 7.09% | 1.47% |
| MSFT | 3.34% | 4.43% | 1.09% |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| JPM | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings AVUS 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, AVUS or SPY?
AVUS 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, AVUS or SPY?
Over the past year AVUS returned +28.84% vs +23.94% for SPY, so AVUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AVUS annualized +16.23% vs +8.84% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, AVUS or SPY?
AVUS has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: AVUS -37.0% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both AVUS and SPY?
AVUS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 AVUS and SPY?
AVUS and SPY share 388 common holdings with a 68.3% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 1407 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVUS or SPY?
AVUS yields 0.92% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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