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Higher Returns with Lower Risk: The SectorSurfer Advantage

AVUV Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF

Category: Small Cap Value Equities

Inception: 2019-09-24 Issuer: American Century Investments
Net Assets
$14.6B
Expense Ratio
0.25 %
# of Holdings
785
Average Daily Volume
1.32M

Fund Overview

The Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is an exchange-traded fund managed by Avantis Investors, a subsidiary of American Century Investments. AVUV seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in small-cap U.S. stocks that exhibit value characteristics. The fund employs a systematic investment approach that integrates value and profitability metrics to identify undervalued companies with strong fundamentals. AVUV is designed to offer exposure to the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity market, which historically has provided higher returns over the long term compared to growth stocks, albeit with higher volatility. The fund is passively managed but uses an active implementation strategy to enhance returns and manage risk.
Asset Class
Equity
Industry
N/A
Annual Dividend Rate
Smart Beta
No
Leveraged / Inverse
N/A / No
Dividend Quality - Yield
 - 1.76 %
Currency Hedged
No
Portfolio Turnover
4 %
Dividend Date

Why Invest in the AVUV ETF?

Potential Benefits

  • Exposure to small-cap value stocks, which have historically outperformed growth stocks over long periods.
  • Systematic investment approach that integrates value and profitability metrics to enhance returns.
  • Low expense ratio compared to actively managed small-cap value funds.
  • Diversification across a broad range of small-cap U.S. companies.
  • Passively managed with active implementation to optimize portfolio construction.

Potential Risks

  • Higher volatility compared to large-cap or growth-oriented funds due to small-cap exposure.
  • Value stocks may underperform during periods of strong economic growth or bull markets.
  • Concentration risk in certain sectors or industries that dominate the small-cap value universe.
  • Liquidity risk associated with smaller companies, which may impact trading efficiency.

Performance

1 Week 1 Month 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years YTD 2025 2024 Since Inception
-0.32% -4.36% +21.83% +64.20% +68.69% +17.51% +7.60% +9.70% +167.55%

Performance


Monthly Returns (%)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2026 +7.1% +3.4% -2.0% +8.8% -0.1% +4.3% +0.4% -0.2% -5.4% +1.9% - -
2025 +1.8% -5.6% -5.8% -5.2% +6.7% +3.9% +1.4% +8.1% +0.1% -1.7% +3.4% +1.2%
2024 -2.9% +2.1% +5.6% -5.7% +5.3% -3.1% +11.1% -3.8% +0.4% -1.3% +11.3% -8.1%
2023 +9.9% -1.3% -8.0% -1.5% -3.6% +11.0% +8.5% -3.6% -3.5% -5.0% +8.5% +12.3%
2022 -3.1% +2.0% +1.6% -5.9% +4.5% -12.5% +10.8% -2.2% -10.2% +15.6% +5.3% -7.0%
2021 +5.2% +13.2% +7.1% +2.3% +4.8% -1.7% -3.4% +2.9% +0.3% +4.0% -2.1% +4.2%
2020 -8.8% -11.3% -28.9% +20.5% +4.9% +3.2% +2.7% +8.3% -4.6% +4.7% +18.3% +7.7%
2019 - - - - - - - - - +2.1% +2.4% +3.9%
< -5% -5% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% 0% to +2% +2% to +5% > +5%

Top Holdings (by weight)

Symbol Company Name Weight
GATX GATX CORP 1.0 %
AL AIR LEASE CORP CLASS A 1.0 %
ALK ALASKA AIR GROUP INC 0.9 %
SKYW SKYWEST INC 0.9 %
CALM CAL-MAINE FOODS INC 0.9 %
SLM SLM CORP 0.9 %
MATX MATSON INC 0.8 %
TDS TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS INC 0.8 %
MGY MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS CORP CLASS A 0.8 %
AROC ARCHROCK INC 0.8 %
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 785 total holdings.

Related ETFs: AVUV vs Peers

ETF Full Name Expense Ratio Net Assets Holdings Asset Class
DEEP Acquirers Small and Micro Deep Value ETF 0.80 % $24.7M 103 Equity
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF 0.30 % $4.2B 1 Equity
FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF 0.25 % $8.5B 990 Equity
IJS iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF 0.18 % $6.4B 462 Equity
RZV Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Value ETF 0.35 % $200.4M 147 Equity
SLYV SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF 0.15 % $3.7B 462 Equity
SVAL iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF 0.20 % $135M 227 Equity
VBR Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF 0.07 % $53.6B 836 Equity
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.

Investment Strategy

AVUV seeks to track the performance of U.S. small-cap value stocks by employing a rules-based, systematic approach. The fund integrates value and profitability metrics to select stocks that are undervalued relative to their fundamentals. It focuses on companies with strong balance sheets, sustainable earnings, and attractive valuations. The portfolio is rebalanced periodically to maintain target allocations and optimize risk-adjusted returns. AVUV primarily holds common stocks of small-cap U.S. companies and may use derivatives for efficient portfolio management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expense ratio of AVUV?

AVUV has an expense ratio of 0.25%, which is competitive compared to other small-cap value ETFs.

Does AVUV pay dividends?

Yes, AVUV pays quarterly dividends, as it holds dividend-paying small-cap value stocks.

How often is AVUV rebalanced?

AVUV is rebalanced periodically to maintain its target allocations, typically on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.

What sectors does AVUV focus on?

AVUV provides diversified exposure across sectors, with significant holdings in financials, industrials, and consumer discretionary.

Is AVUV suitable for long-term investing?

Yes, AVUV is designed for long-term investors seeking small-cap value exposure, though it comes with higher volatility.

Industry Overview

The AVUV ETF focuses on the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity market. Small-cap value stocks are companies with market capitalizations typically between $300 million and $2 billion that trade at lower valuations relative to their fundamentals. This segment is known for its potential to deliver higher returns over the long term, though it comes with increased volatility. Small-cap value investing is often favored by investors seeking to capitalize on market inefficiencies and undervalued opportunities. AVUV provides a systematic approach to accessing this segment, combining value and profitability screens to identify promising investments.

Alternative Comparison

AVUV competes with other small-cap value ETFs such as IJS (iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF). Compared to IJS, AVUV employs a more dynamic approach by integrating profitability screens, whereas IJS tracks a static index. VBR, on the other hand, offers broader exposure to small-cap value stocks but may include more mid-cap names. AVUV's expense ratio is competitive, and its active implementation strategy may provide an edge in certain market conditions.

Issuer Overview

Avantis Investors, a subsidiary of American Century Investments, is known for its evidence-based investment strategies that integrate academic research and practical implementation. The firm emphasizes cost efficiency, transparency, and disciplined portfolio construction. Avantis offers a range of ETFs and mutual funds designed to provide investors with exposure to various market segments, including value, small-cap, and international equities.

Conclusion

AVUV is a compelling option for investors seeking exposure to the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity market. Its systematic approach, combining value and profitability metrics, aims to enhance returns while managing risk. While small-cap value investing can be volatile, AVUV's disciplined strategy and low cost make it a strong contender for long-term portfolios. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment goals before adding AVUV to their holdings.

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