AVUV vs VBR Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
AVUV and VBR sit in related but distinct corners of the ETF landscape — AVUV centers on actively managed small-cap value with a profitability overlay, while VBR focuses on low-cost, passive small-cap value exposure. Investors choosing between them should weigh how each fund's strategy lines up with their own goals rather than assuming they're interchangeable.
Choosing between AVUV and VBR comes down to which specific exposure — actively managed small-cap value with a profitability overlay or low-cost, passive small-cap value exposure — better matches the role you want this holding to play in a diversified portfolio.
VBR holds the edge across 4 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. AVUV has delivered stronger 1-year price return (+25.47% vs +17.09% for VBR).
- want actively managed small-cap value with a profitability overlay
- prefer Avantis's approach and fund lineup
- value combines value and profitability screens for a more refined value approach
- are comfortable with higher expense ratio than passive small-cap or value index funds
- want low-cost, passive small-cap value exposure
- prefer Vanguard's approach and fund lineup
- value very low expense ratio versus actively managed alternatives
- are comfortable with no profitability overlay to filter out weaker value companies
| Metric | AVUV | VBR |
|---|---|---|
| ETF scorei | 91.0 | 77.0 |
| Latest closei | $123.92 | $240.85 |
| 1M returni | -3.42% | -4.30% |
| 6M returni | +15.88% | +11.42% |
| 1Y returni | +25.47% | +17.09% |
The ETF score weights long-term returns and risk-adjusted performance most heavily, but still rewards low expense ratios, larger fund size, and broader diversification — so it can favor low-cost, broad, mega-cap funds over smaller thematic or actively-managed funds even when the latter have delivered stronger returns.
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | AVUV | VBR |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $12.77K (+27.7%) started 2025-09-15 | $11.94K (+19.4%) started 2025-09-15 |
| 5Y ago | $19.78K (+97.8%) started 2021-09-15 | $17.42K (+74.2%) started 2021-09-15 |
| 10Y ago | $31.1K (+211.0%) started 2019-09-26 | $34.25K (+242.5%) started 2016-09-15 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Metric | AVUV | VBR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense ratioi | 0.25% | 0.05% |
| Total assets (AUM)i | $31.17B | $68.22B |
| Dividend yieldi | 1.25% | 1.76% |
| Trailing P/Ei | 12.31 | 17.24 |
| Betai | 1.05 | 1.00 |
| 52-week change | 25.47% | 17.09% |
| Metric | AVUV | VBR |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y returni | +25.47% | +17.09% |
| 6M returni | +15.88% | +11.42% |
| 1M returni | -3.42% | -4.30% |
| 1Y Sharpe ratio | 1.24 | 0.87 |
| Betai | 1.05 | 1.00 |
| Dividend yieldi | 1.25% | 1.76% |
| 5Y CAGR | +12.56% | +9.29% |
Over the past year, AVUV and VBR have moved strongly in the same direction (correlation of 0.93), based on daily returns.
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
| Period | Metric | AVUV | VBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growthi | +25.47% | +17.09% |
| CAGRi | +25.49% | +17.10% | |
| Volatilityi | 15.71% | 14.24% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 1.24 | 0.87 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 1.90 | 1.29 | |
| Max drawdowni | 7.95% | 8.85% | |
| Current drawdowni | 3.43% | 4.30% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 1.82% | 1.64% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 2.60% | 2.49% | |
| Max daily dropi | 3.51% | 2.93% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 5.43% | 4.61% | |
| 5Y | Growthi | +80.64% | +55.88% |
| CAGRi | +12.56% | +9.29% | |
| Volatilityi | 22.24% | 19.48% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 0.44 | 0.32 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 0.65 | 0.47 | |
| Max drawdowni | 28.79% | 24.19% | |
| Current drawdowni | 3.43% | 4.30% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 6.35% | 6.20% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 8.30% | 8.11% | |
| Max daily dropi | 8.16% | 6.67% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 14.10% | 12.86% | |
| 10Y | Growthi | +176.21% | +172.21% |
| CAGRi | +15.69% | +10.53% | |
| Volatilityi | 27.81% | 21.64% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 0.50 | 0.37 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 0.72 | 0.51 | |
| Max drawdowni | 49.42% | 45.28% | |
| Current drawdowni | 3.43% | 4.30% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 7.68% | 6.40% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 11.27% | 9.30% | |
| Max daily dropi | 12.69% | 13.35% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 25.92% | 23.86% |
| Category | AVUV | VBR |
|---|---|---|
| Fund name | Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF | Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF |
| Type | ETF | ETF |
| Expense ratioi | 0.25% | 0.05% |
| Total assets (AUM)i | $31.17B | $68.22B |
| Dividend yieldi | 1.25% | 1.76% |
- Combines value and profitability screens for a more refined value approach
- Strong historical track record versus passive small-cap value indexes
- Active management can avoid the worst value traps a pure index would hold
- Very low expense ratio versus actively managed alternatives
- Broad diversification across hundreds of small-cap value names
- Vanguard's tax-efficient indexing structure
- Higher expense ratio than passive small-cap or value index funds
- Active management adds manager and process risk
- Small-cap value can lag for extended periods during growth-led markets
- No profitability overlay to filter out weaker value companies
- Small-cap value can underperform for extended periods
- Higher volatility than large-cap value funds
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