Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • Avantis Investors • U.S. Small-Cap Value
Expense Ratio
0.25%
AUM
$13.0B
Dividend Yield
1.80%
Inception
2019
Beginner Score
8.5/10
What is Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF?
AVUV targets U.S. small-cap value stocks, a segment of the market that academic research shows has historically produced higher returns over long periods. It uses a systematic approach based on factor investing principles. Beginners with long time horizons may benefit from a small allocation, but should expect higher short-term volatility.
AVUV is managed by Avantis Investors and has been available since 2019. With $13.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.25%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $25 per year in management fees.
AVUV at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% |
| Total Holdings | 750 |
| P/E Ratio | 10.5 |
| Beta | 1.15 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% |
| AUM | $13.0B |
| Inception Year | 2019 |
| Issuer | Avantis Investors |
Top 10 Holdings in AVUV
AVUV holds 750 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EMCOR Group Inc. | EME | 1.20% |
| 2 | Comfort Systems USA Inc. | FIX | 1.00% |
| 3 | Builders FirstSource Inc. | BLDR | 0.90% |
| 4 | Reliance Inc. | RS | 0.80% |
| 5 | Stifel Financial Corp. | SF | 0.80% |
| 6 | Jackson Financial Inc. | JXN | 0.70% |
| 7 | Mueller Water Products | MWA | 0.70% |
| 8 | Installed Building Products | IBP | 0.60% |
| 9 | Glacier Bancorp Inc. | GBCI | 0.60% |
| 10 | Boise Cascade Co. | BCC | 0.60% |
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AVUV Performance History
Here's how AVUV 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
-2.00%
1 Year
12.00%
3 Year
9.00%
5 Year
15.00%
10 Year
0.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8.5/10
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.
AVUV scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 750 holdings, and has been available since 2019, though its track record is still developing.
How to Buy AVUV — 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 "AVUV" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Avantis U.S. 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 AVUV
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 AVUV's expense ratio of 0.25%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $2,111 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
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Pros and Cons of AVUV
Pros
- ✓Targets the small-cap value factor which has historically outperformed over long periods
- ✓Systematic, research-driven approach to stock selection from Avantis
- ✓Reasonable expense ratio of 0.25% for a factor-based small-cap fund
- ✓High diversification across 750+ small-cap value stocks
Cons
- ✗Higher volatility than large-cap funds with potential for sharp drawdowns
- ✗Short track record since inception in 2019
- ✗Small-cap value can underperform for extended periods during growth-led markets
AVUV vs Similar ETFs
See how AVUV stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AVUV a good ETF for beginners?▾
AVUV has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8.5/10 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 AVUV?▾
AVUV has an expense ratio of 0.25%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $25 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in AVUV?▾
You can invest in AVUV 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 AVUV pay dividends?▾
Yes, AVUV pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.80%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in AVUV?▾
The top holdings in AVUV include EMCOR Group Inc. (1.20%), Comfort Systems USA Inc. (1.00%), Builders FirstSource Inc. (0.90%), and more. The fund holds 750 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.