Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • Avantis Investors • International Small-Cap Value
Expense Ratio
0.36%
AUM
$6.0B
Dividend Yield
2.80%
Inception
2019
Beginner Score
9/10
What is Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF?
AVDV applies factor investing principles to international small-cap value stocks outside the United States. It systematically targets smaller, cheaper companies in developed markets that research suggests offer higher expected returns. Beginners with very long time horizons may consider a small allocation for maximum diversification.
AVDV is managed by Avantis Investors and has been available since 2019. With $6.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.36%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $36 per year in management fees.
AVDV at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% |
| Total Holdings | 1,400 |
| P/E Ratio | 9.8 |
| Beta | 0.90 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.80% |
| AUM | $6.0B |
| Inception Year | 2019 |
| Issuer | Avantis Investors |
Top 10 Holdings in AVDV
AVDV holds 1,400 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRH PLC | CRH | 0.80% |
| 2 | Rheinmetall AG | RHM.DE | 0.70% |
| 3 | Rolls-Royce Holdings | RR.L | 0.60% |
| 4 | Banco de Sabadell SA | SAB.MC | 0.60% |
| 5 | Inpex Corp. | 1605.T | 0.50% |
| 6 | Hikari Tsushin Inc. | 9435.T | 0.50% |
| 7 | Sandoz Group AG | SDZ.SW | 0.50% |
| 8 | Buzzi SpA | BZU.MI | 0.40% |
| 9 | Metso Corp. | METSO.HE | 0.40% |
| 10 | Telia Company AB | TELIA.ST | 0.40% |
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
AVDV Performance History
Here's how AVDV has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
1.00%
1 Year
14.00%
3 Year
7.00%
5 Year
10.00%
10 Year
0.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
AVDV scores 9/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 1,400 holdings, and has been available since 2019, though its track record is still developing.
How to Buy AVDV — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "AVDV" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into AVDV
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With AVDV's expense ratio of 0.36%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $3,011 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
Get the Free ETF Portfolio Blueprint
3 model portfolios for beginners — Conservative, Balanced, and Growth. See exactly which ETFs to buy.
Pros and Cons of AVDV
Pros
- ✓Targets international small-cap value — one of the highest expected return segments
- ✓Systematic, research-driven approach combining multiple return factors
- ✓Provides diversification beyond U.S. and large-cap international stocks
- ✓Very broad portfolio of 1,400+ holdings reduces single-stock risk
Cons
- ✗Higher expense ratio of 0.36% compared to broad international ETFs
- ✗International small-caps can be illiquid with wider bid-ask spreads
- ✗Short track record since 2019 makes it hard to evaluate long-term performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AVDV a good ETF for beginners?▾
AVDV has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of AVDV?▾
AVDV has an expense ratio of 0.36%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $36 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in AVDV?▾
You can invest in AVDV with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does AVDV pay dividends?▾
Yes, AVDV pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 2.80%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in AVDV?▾
The top holdings in AVDV include CRH PLC (0.80%), Rheinmetall AG (0.70%), Rolls-Royce Holdings (0.60%), and more. The fund holds 1,400 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.