What do expense ratios represent for these funds?

An expense ratio is the annual fee a fund charges to cover its operating costs, expressed as a percentage of assets. For AVDV, this is 0.36%, while for VXUS, it is 0.05%. These fees are deducted from the fund's total assets, meaning they reduce the net return investors receive. A lower expense ratio, like that of VXUS, generally means more of your money stays invested and compounding over time. However, higher fees, such as AVDV's, might be associated with specific strategies or management styles. It is essential to consider the fee alongside the fund's investment objective and performance.

What is the difference between the categories of AVDV and VXUS?

The category of a fund indicates the type of securities it holds. AVDV is classified as Foreign Small/Mid Value, meaning it focuses on smaller international companies that are considered undervalued relative to their fundamentals. VXUS is a Foreign Large Blend fund, which means it provides broad exposure to a mix of large-cap international stocks across various styles. This fundamental difference in category implies that the two funds target different segments of the international equity market. They are not direct substitutes; rather, they serve different roles in a diversified portfolio.

How do net assets impact ETF investors?

Net assets, often referred to as Assets Under Management (AUM), represent the total market value of the investments held by the fund. VXUS has net assets of $164.0 billion, whereas AVDV has $20.5 billion. Generally, larger AUM indicates greater liquidity and trading volume, which can make it easier to buy and sell shares without significantly affecting the price. While both funds have substantial assets, the size difference suggests VXUS might offer higher liquidity. AUM does not determine the fund's success, but it provides context regarding the fund's scale and market presence.

How does the dividend yield comparison differ between these funds?

Dividend yield is a financial ratio that shows how much a fund pays out in dividends each year relative to its share price. AVDV has a dividend yield of 3.07%, while VXUS has a yield of 2.28%. A higher yield like AVDV's may attract income-focused investors, but it often reflects the specific nature of small-cap value companies, which may pay higher dividends than the broader large-cap stocks found in VXUS. It is important to note that past yields do not guarantee future payments, and yields can fluctuate with market conditions and the underlying companies' profitability.

How do top holdings affect the portfolio concentration?

Top holdings represent the largest individual positions within a fund. For AVDV, the top listed holdings are CDE at 0.60%, SSRM at 0.47%, and ZIM at 0.43%. This indicates a very diversified portfolio with no single stock dominating the fund, as maximum weights are below 1%. For VXUS, specific top holdings data is currently not available. The low individual weights in AVDV suggest that the fund holds many small positions to mitigate single-stock risk. In contrast, without VXUS holdings data, we can only infer its structure from its broad category classification.

How do the operating histories of AVDV and VXUS compare?

Operating history is important because it provides insight into how a fund has performed over different market cycles. VXUS was launched in January 2011, giving it a longer track record that has spanned various economic conditions. AVDV was launched in September 2019, resulting in a much shorter operational history. Investors cannot evaluate AVDV's long-term behaviour, such as how it handled severe downturns, using data prior to 2019. A longer history, like that of VXUS, often provides more statistical confidence regarding the fund's consistency, while a newer fund offers recent relevance to current market structures.

Which investing goals are these funds typically associated with?

Different funds cater to different financial objectives. AVDV, focusing on international small-cap value equities, is often associated with investors seeking potentially higher long-term growth by exploiting valuation inefficiencies in smaller, undervalued markets. It may also appeal to those seeking a slightly higher current income. Conversely, VXUS, as a total international stock fund, is typically used by investors wanting broad, diversified exposure to the entire non-US market. It serves as a core holding for capturing global market growth without betting on specific market capitalisations or styles.

What does the market capitalisation focus indicate?

AVDV targets the 'Small/Mid' capitalisation segment of the foreign equity market, whereas VXUS targets 'Large' capitalisation stocks. Small-cap companies often have higher growth potential but come with increased volatility and risk compared to established large-cap companies. Large-cap companies, typically found in the bulk of VXUS, tend to be more mature and stable. By understanding the market cap focus, investors can see that AVDV offers exposure to a more niche, potentially riskier segment of the global economy, while VXUS represents the mainstream bulk of international corporate giants.

How do valuation strategies differ in these funds?

AVDV is a 'Value' fund, meaning its strategy explicitly seeks out international small-cap companies that are trading below their intrinsic value. This approach assumes that these stocks are temporarily mispriced and will appreciate as the market recognises their true worth. VXUS is a 'Blend' fund, which means it does not distinguish between value and growth styles but rather includes both to match the broad market. Therefore, AVDV actively screens for cheapness relative to financial metrics, while VXUS passively reflects the entire market regardless of whether individual stocks are overvalued or undervalued.

How do sector allocations affect the comparison?

Sector allocation helps understand where a fund's risk is concentrated. For AVDV, specific sector weight data is not available, so we cannot analyse the breakdown of industries. Similarly, sector weight data for VXUS is also not available. Without these figures, it is impossible to say if one fund is overweight in technology or healthcare compared to the other. Investors would need to look at detailed portfolio documents or alternative data sources to verify if the funds' underlying industry mix differs, as sector exposure significantly impacts performance during economic shifts.

How is the shared holdings overlap relevant?

Comparing the funds reveals that there are no shared top-10 holdings among the listed top holdings. This indicates that the funds are very distinct and not highly correlated at the top level. When funds have little to no overlap in their largest positions, they provide true diversification. If an investor holds both, they are not duplicating exposure to the same companies. The absence of overlap supports the idea that AVDV and VXUS serve different functions within a portfolio, as the specific companies driving AVDV's performance are likely not the primary drivers of VXUS's performance.

What should beginners know before comparing these metrics?

When comparing metrics like expense ratios, dividends, and holdings, beginners should focus on how these numbers relate to their specific financial goals rather than seeking a 'better' fund universally. For example, a lower fee is generally efficient, but the strategy behind the higher-fee fund might align better with personal risk tolerance. It is crucial to recognise that past yields and holdings do not predict future results. Always consider that these figures represent a snapshot in time and can change as fund managers buy and sell securities or as market valuations shift.

AVDV vs VXUS

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare AVDV and VXUS to examine expense ratios, holdings, dividends and how each fund tracks its market. This page reviews key metrics for the Avantis International Small Cap Valuation and the Total International Stock Vanguard ETF. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

AVDV

Metric

VXUS

0.36%

Expense Ratio

0.05%

3.07%

Dividend Yield

2.28%

$20.46B

Net Assets

$164.04B

1,745

Holdings

8,860

Sep 24, 2019

Inception Date

Jan 26, 2011

–

Index Tracked

–

Foreign Small/Mid Value

Fund Category

Foreign Large Blend

VXUS costs about $31.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

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Investment Analysis

AVDV

Pros

Provides targeted exposure to international small-cap value equities.
Offers a dividend yield of 3.07 per cent.
Has accumulated substantial net assets of $20.5 billion.

Considerations

Carries a relatively high expense ratio of 0.36 per cent.
Launched in September 2019 resulting in a limited operating track record.
Top holdings data is sparse with maximum weights below 1 per cent.

VXUS

Pros

Features a low expense ratio of 0.05 per cent.
Boasts massive net assets of $164.0 billion enhancing liquidity.
Inception in January 2011 provides a longer operational history.

Considerations

Dividend yield of 2.28 per cent is lower than value-focused funds.
Top holdings data is currently not available.
Sector weight breakdown is also not available.

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About AVDV and VXUS

AVDV (AVDV)

The Avantis International Small Cap Valuation ETF is an exchange-traded fund designed for investors looking to access small-cap companies located outside the United States. Launched in September 2019, this fund falls within the Foreign Small/Mid Value category and currently holds a substantial net asset value of approximately USD 20.46 billion. It maintains a diversified portfolio of 1,745 holdings, offering broad exposure to the international small-cap value sector. Investors should be aware that the fund operates with an expense ratio of 0.36% and currently provides a dividend yield of 3.07%. As with any investment focused on smaller companies and international markets, value can fluctuate based on market conditions and economic factors. This ETF is intended for those seeking diversification beyond domestic markets, though returns are not guaranteed and capital is at risk.

VXUS (VXUS)

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) offers investors broad exposure to non‑US equities across developed and emerging markets. The fund tracks a global index that excludes the United States and holds thousands of stocks spanning large-, mid- and small-cap companies. It is structured as a passive, market‑capitalisation‑weighted ETF, which aims to replicate international equity market performance while keeping trading simplicity and diversification benefits. VXUS is typically unhedged to sterling or other home currencies, so returns can be affected by currency movements as well as underlying stock performance. Investors should note that, like all equity funds, values can fall as well as rise and past performance does not guarantee future results. This summary provides general, educational information and is not personalised investment advice; suitability depends on an individual’s circumstances, risk tolerance and investment horizon.

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AVDV vs VXUS

Fund Snapshot