AVSC vs VYM
Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AVSC or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AVSC led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. AVSC is less concentrated, with 3.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | AVSC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.93% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 1,522 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +24.74%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +29.35%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.17% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.06% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.4%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,149 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.5%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 11, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.3 years).
AVSC 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
AVSC vs VYM Performance
Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AVSC returned +29.35% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, AVSC is up 24.74% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, AVSC compounded at +18.17% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.06% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.31% annualized vs +5.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 14.0% 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 -28.4% for AVSC 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVSC charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVSC currently yields 0.93% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
28.2% of AVSC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.6% of VYM's money is in holdings AVSC also owns.
AVSC and VYM share little of their money.
191 positions in common, counted across the 1,468 positions we hold weights for in AVSC and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,522 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 389 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AVSC (94.9% of the fund), and 1,008 for AVSC that do not appear in VYM (67.7%).
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 AVSC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFHBread Financial Holdings, Inc. | 0.34% | 0.02% | 0.32% |
| SONSonoco Products Company | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| PTENPatterson-Uti Energy Inc | 0.31% | 0.01% | 0.30% |
| CVBFCvb Financial Corp. | 0.29% | 0.02% | 0.27% |
| DKDelek Us Holdings Inc | 0.28% | 0.01% | 0.27% |
| DANDana Inc | 0.28% | 0.01% | 0.27% |
| MURMurphy Oil Corp | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| MTNVail Resorts Inc. | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| FBINFortune Brands Innovations Inc | 0.25% | 0.03% | 0.22% |
28.2% of AVSC is already inside VYM.
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, AVSC or VYM?
AVSC has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVSC or VYM?
Over the past year AVSC returned +29.35% vs +20.84% for VYM, so AVSC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), AVSC annualized +5.92% vs +10.31% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVSC or VYM?
AVSC has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AVSC -28.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both AVSC and VYM?
AVSC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AVSC and VYM?
28.2% of AVSC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.6% of VYM's is in holdings AVSC also owns. They hold 191 positions in common, counted across the 1,468 positions we hold weights for in AVSC and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVSC or VYM?
AVSC yields 0.93% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AVSC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AVSC led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. AVSC is less concentrated, with 3.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.