AVUV vs DES: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, DES yields more: 2.30% (dividend yield) against 1.24% for AVUV. AVUV is cheaper to own at 0.25% a year vs 0.38%. Over the same 7 years (Sep 2019 to Oct 2026), AVUV returned 15.4% a year with distributions reinvested, and DES 8.1%.
| Compared | AVUV | DES |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.24% | 2.30% |
| Expense ratio | 0.25% | 0.38% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +27.9% | +23.0% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +20.5% | +16.3% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.3% | +7.1% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | +8.0% |
| Worst drop since Sep 2019 | -42.4% | -37.0% |
| Share price since Sep 2019 | +146% | +43% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Avantis Investors | WisdomTree |
| Assets | $32.5B | $2.1B |
| Started | 2019 | 2006 |
| Type | Small Value | Small Value |
Higher yield
DES
2.30%
Lower cost
AVUV
0.25%
Better total return
AVUV
15.4%/yr
Smaller worst drop
DES
-37.0%
Key facts: AVUV vs DES
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, AVUV yields 1.24% (dividend yield) and DES yields 2.30% (dividend yield).
- AVUV's expense ratio is 0.25% and DES's is 0.38%: $25 vs $38 a year on $10,000.
- From Sep 2019 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in AVUV grew to $27,557 (15.4% a year) and $10,000 in DES to $17,350 (8.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -42.4% for AVUV and -37.0% for DES.
- 0 of AVUV's top ten holdings are also in DES's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AVUV vs DES: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/avuv-vs-des
$10,000 in each, Sep 2019 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
AVUV became
$27,557
15.4% a year
DES became
$17,350
8.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | AVUV | DES |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.4% | +0.3% |
| 2024 | +9.3% | +9.7% |
| 2023 | +22.8% | +16.0% |
| 2022 | −4.9% | −11.0% |
| 2021 | +42.2% | +26.5% |
| 2020 | +6.4% | −4.3% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
AVUV
- GATX GATX Corp1.0%
- MATX Matson Inc0.9%
- SM SM Energy Co0.8%
- ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Co Class A0.8%
- VSAT Viasat Inc0.8%
- CROX Crocs Inc0.8%
- M Macy's Inc0.8%
- LYFT Lyft Inc Class A0.8%
- MUR Murphy Oil Corp0.7%
- LEA Lear Corp0.7%
DES
- TFSL TFS Financial Corp1.2%
- PBF PBF Energy Inc Class A1.2%
- EPR EPR Properties1.1%
- NWE NorthWestern Energy Group Inc1.1%
- PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy Inc1.0%
- SON Sonoco Products Co0.9%
- OUT Outfront Media Inc0.9%
- TNL Travel+Leisure Co0.8%
- AVT Avnet Inc0.8%
- KGS Kodiak Gas Services Inc0.8%
AVUV vs DES: questions
Is AVUV or DES better?
It depends on the job. DES pays more today (2.30% vs 1.24%), AVUV costs less, and AVUV has the better total return over Sep 2019 to Oct 2026, with DES holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVUV or DES?
DES, at 2.30% against 1.24% for AVUV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $230 vs $124 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
AVUV. From Sep 2019 to Oct 2026, it returned 15.4% a year with distributions reinvested, against 8.1% for DES. $10,000 became $27,557 vs $17,350.
Which is cheaper, AVUV or DES?
AVUV, with a 0.25% expense ratio against 0.38%.
Do AVUV and DES hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. AVUV leads on 5 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.