AVDV vs AVUV: Weighing International and U.S. Small-Cap Value ETFs
Key Takeaways
- Geographic divide: AVDV targets developed-market small-cap value companies outside the U.S., while AVUV concentrates on U.S. small-cap value stocks.
- Same DNA, different universe: Both are actively managed Avantis strategies that tilt toward low valuations and higher profitability, yet they do not compete for the same holdings.
- Cost structure: AVUV carries a lower expense ratio (0.25%) than AVDV (0.36%), a meaningful edge in long-term fee drag.
- Sector profile: AVUV leans heavily on financials, consumer cyclical, and energy; AVDV skews toward industrials, materials, and financials.
- Risk and liquidity: AVUV is larger and more liquid, while AVDV adds currency and international diversification to a portfolio.
The Core Question for Factor Investors
Investors constructing diversified, factor-tilted portfolios often face the choice between domestic and international small-cap value exposure. AVDV and AVUV sit squarely at the center of that discussion. Both come from Avantis Investors and apply an active, systematic approach to value and profitability factors, yet they apply it across distinct markets. This comparison looks at their structural differences, sector exposures, performance characteristics, and positioning to clarify where each fund belongs and how an AI-driven lens might rank them today.
AVDV: Focused on Non-U.S. Developed-Market Small Caps
AVDV seeks long-term capital appreciation through a broad selection of non-U.S. developed-market small-cap value companies. The fund typically holds 1,600 to 1,700 securities, providing wide diversification. It emphasizes lower valuations paired with stronger profitability metrics and generally keeps at least 80% of assets in small-capitalization names.
Top country weights include Japan at roughly 30%, followed by the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Sector allocations place industrials and basic materials each near 20–23%, with consumer cyclical, financials, and energy rounding out the top areas. Individual positions remain small; names such as Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik, Perseus Mining, and CDE each represent well under 2% of assets. The expense ratio stands at 0.36%, with semi-annual income distributions. I also checked comparable holdings patterns using Tickeron’s AI Screener to confirm the international breadth.
AVUV: Applying the Same Framework to U.S. Small Caps
AVUV brings the identical factor-driven, actively managed methodology to domestic equities. It holds approximately 780 to 800 U.S. small-cap companies chosen for low valuations and elevated profitability. The portfolio stays diversified, with the top ten holdings comprising only about 8–9% of assets and thereby limiting single-stock risk.
Financial services leads at roughly 27%, followed by consumer cyclical near 19%, energy around 16%, and industrials about 12%. Notable positions include MATX, GATX, LNTH, ANF, and M. The expense ratio is 0.25%, with quarterly distributions. From what I see, the tighter fee structure and domestic focus create a clear efficiency advantage over time.
Market Backdrop and Cyclical Sensitivities
Both funds tilt toward economically sensitive businesses whose results track credit conditions, manufacturing trends, commodity prices, and interest-rate movements. Small-cap value strategies have historically performed well in reflationary settings, steepening yield curves, and periods when market leadership broadens beyond large-cap technology names.
For AVUV, domestic drivers include regional-bank performance, energy-sector discipline, and consumer spending resilience. For AVDV, outcomes depend on U.S. dollar strength, Japan’s governance reforms, European industrial demand, and metals prices. Currency movements add a distinct risk layer for AVDV that AVUV avoids, as the international fund remains unhedged. I’m watching this closely because those macro differences can shift relative performance quickly.
Performance Patterns and Positioning
Across recent cycles both funds have produced solid absolute returns as value and small-cap segments re-rated, though their paths have diverged with changing macro conditions. AVUV has shown higher beta and greater responsiveness to U.S. economic data and rate expectations, while AVDV has aligned more closely with international equity trends and dollar fluctuations.
AVUV’s heavier financials and energy weights tie it to U.S. bank earnings and crude-oil movements. AVDV’s materials and industrials exposure links it to global manufacturing, mining output, and Asian commodity demand. Volatility has been somewhat higher for AVDV in recent periods due to currency and regional factors, whereas AVUV offers greater trading liquidity and narrower spreads. One thing that stands out is how these traits influence long-term suitability in different portfolio contexts.
AI Tools in Portfolio Research
When comparing factor-tilted ETFs like these, I often turn to Tickeron’s AI Screener to scan for comparable holdings, sector overlaps, and relative performance signals. The platform lets me filter across technical patterns, fundamentals, and AI-driven metrics quickly, helping confirm whether AVUV’s liquidity edge or AVDV’s diversification profile aligns better with current conditions. It has become a regular part of my process for narrowing down ideas before deeper analysis.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Contributor
Financial analyst and market blogger with expertise in equity research, fundamental analysis, and macroeconomic trends. I regularly publish coverage on individual stocks, ETFs, and sector developments — combining rigorous financial analysis with clear, engaging writing for a broad investment audience.
AVDV in -2.63% downward trend, falling for three consecutive days on October 23, 2026
Moving lower for three straight days is viewed as a bearish sign. Keep an eye on this stock for future declines. Considering data from situations where AVDV declined for three days, in 177 of 236 cases, the price declined further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 75%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on September 23, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on AVDV as a result. In 54 of 73 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 74%.
AVDV moved below its 50-day moving average on September 30, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for AVDV crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 06, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 12 of 18 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 67%.
The Aroon Indicator for AVDV entered a downward trend on October 23, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator entered the oversold zone -- be on the watch for AVDV's price rising or consolidating in the future. That's also the time to consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Stochastic Oscillator is in the oversold zone. Keep an eye out for a move up in the foreseeable future.
Following a +0.42% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where AVDV advanced for three days, in 294 of 346 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 85%.
AVDV may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
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