AVUV vs VBR
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF
Which is better, AVUV or VBR?
Nearly the same fund. VBR costs less.
VBR has a lower expense ratio. AVUV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 8.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AVUV | VBR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $31.0B | $37.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.25% | 1.76% |
| Holdings | 789 | 847 |
| YTD Return | +21.32%Best | +13.48% |
| 1Y Return | +25.47%Best | +17.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.32%Best | +16.11% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.56%Best | +9.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.4% | 21.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.6% | -45.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,068Best | $15,585 |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.3% | 5.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Small Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2019 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 26, 2019 to Sep 15, 2026 (7 years).
AVUV vs VBR growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7 years both funds cover.
AVUV vs VBR Performance
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AVUV returned +25.47% while VBR returned +17.09%. Year to date, AVUV is up 21.32% versus a gain of 13.48% for VBR.
Over three years, AVUV compounded at +18.32% per year against +16.11% for VBR; over five years the annualized figures are +12.56% and +9.28% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AVUV has the edge at +15.36% annualized vs +11.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVUV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.4% compared with 21.3% for VBR. 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 -49.6% for AVUV and -45.5% for VBR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
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
AVUV charges 0.25% per year while VBR charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVUV currently yields 1.25% against 1.76% for VBR.
Holdings Overlap
58.3% of AVUV's money is in holdings VBR also owns. 16.1% of VBR's money is in holdings AVUV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
234 positions in common, counted across the 727 positions we hold weights for in AVUV and 836 in VBR, against full books of 789 and 847.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 576 positions for VBR that do not appear in our book for AVUV (80.9% of the fund), and 403 for AVUV that do not appear in VBR (36.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVUV | Weight in VBR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSATViasat Inc | 1.09% | 0.25% | 0.84% |
| MATXMatson Inc | 1.04% | 0.12% | 0.92% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.79% | 0.13% | 0.66% |
| MMacy'S Inc. | 0.77% | 0.12% | 0.65% |
| AVTAvnet Inc | 0.73% | 0.16% | 0.57% |
| ALKAlaska Air Group Inc. | 0.69% | 0.12% | 0.57% |
| RUSHARush Enterprises Inc | 0.70% | 0.10% | 0.60% |
| CBTCabot Corp | 0.70% | 0.10% | 0.60% |
| SKYWSkywest Inc | 0.72% | 0.08% | 0.64% |
| LEALear Corp. | 0.64% | 0.14% | 0.50% |
58.3% of AVUV is already inside VBR.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AVUV or VBR?
AVUV has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VBR charges 0.05%. VBR is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVUV or VBR?
Over the past year AVUV returned +25.47% vs +17.09% for VBR, so AVUV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AVUV annualized +15.36% vs +11.15% for VBR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVUV or VBR?
AVUV has been the more volatile fund at 25.4% annualized versus 21.3% for VBR. Worst drawdown: AVUV -49.6% vs VBR -45.5%.
Should I hold both AVUV and VBR?
AVUV and VBR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AVUV and VBR?
58.3% of AVUV's money is in holdings VBR also owns. 16.1% of VBR's is in holdings AVUV also owns. They hold 234 positions in common, counted across the 727 positions we hold weights for in AVUV and 836 in VBR.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVUV or VBR?
AVUV yields 1.25% while VBR yields 1.76%, so VBR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VBR better than AVUV?
VBR has a lower expense ratio. AVUV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 8.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.