AVDE vs VYM
Avantis International Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AVDE or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AVDE led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. AVDE is less concentrated, with 7.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
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 | AVDE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.23% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $19.4B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.81% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 6,719 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +10.11% | +16.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.02% | +18.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.72%Best | +20.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.77% | +11.54%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,937 | $17,264Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.5%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 26, 2019 to Nov 11, 2026 (7.1 years).
AVDE vs VYM 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 7.1 years both funds cover.
AVDE vs VYM Performance
Avantis International Equity ETF (AVDE) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AVDE returned +15.02% while VYM returned +18.97%. Year to date, AVDE is up 10.11% versus a gain of 16.00% for VYM.
Over three years, AVDE compounded at +20.72% per year against +20.46% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.77% and +11.54% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.70% annualized vs +10.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVDE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 15.4% for VYM. 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 AVDE and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVDE charges 0.23% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $23 vs $4 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVDE currently yields 2.81% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of AVDE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.5% of VYM's money is in holdings AVDE also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, AVDE as of Oct 16, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
8 positions in common, counted across the 3,299 positions we hold weights for in AVDE and 602 in VYM, against full books of 6,719 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 572 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AVDE (98.3% of the fund), and 52 for AVDE that do not appear in VYM (8.4%).
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 AVDE | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRKroger Co. | 0.00% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| CCL:BMCarnival Corp Ltd Common Stock Usd.01 | 0.00% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.03% | 0.07% | 0.04% |
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.10% |
| TIGO:LUMillicom International Cellular Sa Common Stock | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AVDE and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AVDE or VYM?
AVDE has an expense ratio of 0.23% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVDE or VYM?
Over the past year AVDE returned +15.02% vs +18.97% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AVDE annualized +10.95% vs +11.70% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVDE or VYM?
AVDE has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 15.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AVDE -37.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both AVDE and VYM?
AVDE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVDE or VYM?
AVDE yields 2.81% while VYM yields 2.23%, so AVDE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AVDE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AVDE led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. AVDE is less concentrated, with 7.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.