Dividend comparison
VTWO vs AVUV: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF and Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VTWO vs AVUV: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VTWO is cheaper at 0.06% a year versus 0.25% for AVUV. On $10,000 that is $19 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 1.22% for VTWO and 1.26% for AVUV. VTWO pays annual, AVUV pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, AVUV returned 62.8% versus 29.6% for VTWO, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $16,281 in AVUV and $12,963 in VTWO.
- Risk. VTWO has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -31.9%, against -28.8% for AVUV.
- Diversification. VTWO holds 1,969 positions and AVUV holds 794.
- Dividend growth. AVUV grew its yearly payout 12.1% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.1% for VTWO.
Bottom line: VTWO fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. AVUV fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | AVUV Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.22% | 1.26% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.36 | $1.52 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.3911 on Sep 25, 2026 | $0.4142 on Sep 10, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 23, 2026 | Sep 8, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 12.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $111.40 | $120.95 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 5 years |
| Beta | 1.14 | 1.03 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -31.9% | -28.8% |
| Market cap | $17.30B | $31.17B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.25% |
| Assets under management | $17.30B | $31.07B |
| Number of holdings | 1969 | 794 |
| Top 10 concentration | 3.3% | — |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VTWO
$10.15/mo
$122 /yr at 1.22% yield
AVUV
$10.46/mo
$126 /yr at 1.26% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VTWO pays annual; AVUV pays quarterly.
| Year | VTWO | AVUV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.2429 | $1.6123 |
| 2024 | $1.0821 | $1.5562 |
| 2023 | $1.1739 | $1.4848 |
| 2022 | $1.0413 | $1.2958 |
| 2021 | $1.0173 | $1.0195 |
Strategy: Small and mid cap
Funds that hold companies below the large-cap tier, where there is more room for growth and less coverage by analysts. Small-cap indexes differ meaningfully: some screen for profitability, some include every listed company, and value-tilted funds lean toward the cheapest names. Those rules drive more of the difference between funds than fees do.
Smaller companies are more sensitive to recessions and borrowing costs, so drawdowns run deeper than in large-cap funds.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $12,963 in VTWO and $16,281 in AVUV.
| Period | VTWO | AVUV |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.94% | -0.83% |
| 3 months | -5.41% | -3.51% |
| Year to date | 12.89% | 18.60% |
| 1 year | 12.46% | 22.73% |
| 3 years | 71.49% | 68.01% |
| 5 years | 29.63% | 62.81% |
- VTWO
- AVUV
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- VTWO
- AVUV
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
Quick verdict
VTWO fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. AVUV fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how VTWO vs AVUV fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VTWO or AVUV better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VTWO currently yields 1.22% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while AVUV yields 1.26%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VTWO and AVUV?
Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VTWO or AVUV?
VTWO has the lower expense ratio. VTWO charges 0.06% a year and AVUV charges 0.25%, a difference of $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VTWO or AVUV?
Over the last 5 years, AVUV has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VTWO returned 29.6% and AVUV returned 62.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VTWO or AVUV?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VTWO has been riskier: VTWO fell as much as 31.9% and AVUV as much as 28.8%. Their betas are 1.14 and 1.03.
How often do VTWO and AVUV pay dividends?
VTWO pays annual and AVUV pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in VTWO vs AVUV generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VTWO would generate roughly $10.15 per month ($122 annually). The same amount in AVUV would produce about $10.46 per month ($126 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VTWO and AVUV?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VTWO vs AVUV with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VTWO and AVUV fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
Related comparisons
For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.