AVUV vs VBR: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF against Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF, over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, AVUV returned 20.5% a year and VBR 15.6% a year on average, so AVUV came out ahead by 4.9% a year. AVUV was the more volatile of the two (21.6% against 18.6% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 21.1% for AVUV and 18.7% for VBR.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.97: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, AVUV did better in 88% and VBR in 12%.
Side by side
| AVUV | VBR | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +20.5% | +15.6% |
| Total return | +226% | +151% |
| Annual volatility | 21.6% | 18.6% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −21.1% | −18.7% |
| Worst month | −12.5% | −10.3% |
| Best month | +18.3% | +17.4% |
| Positive months | 59% | 62% |
| Best year | 2021: +42.2% | 2021: +28.1% |
| Worst year | 2022: −4.9% | 2022: −9.4% |
| 1-year return | +24.5% | +16.8% |
| 5 years, a year | +10.5% | +8.2% |
| 10 years, a year | — | — |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 76 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: AVUV vs VBR
Returns by calendar year
| Year | AVUV | VBR |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.4% | +9.1% |
| 2024 | +9.3% | +12.4% |
| 2023 | +22.8% | +16.0% |
| 2022 | −4.9% | −9.4% |
| 2021 | +42.2% | +28.1% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, AVUV or VBR?
From July 2020 to October 2026, AVUV returned +20.5% a year and VBR +15.6% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods AVUV did better in 88% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, AVUV or VBR?
Over the same months annual volatility was 21.6% for AVUV and 18.6% for VBR; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 21.1% and 18.7%, and the worst single month −12.5% and −10.3%.
How correlated are AVUV and VBR?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.97: they moved almost in lockstep. Holding both adds little diversification compared with holding one.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.