Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to provide exposure to U.S. small-cap companies exhibiting value characteristics. The ETF is managed by Avantis Investors and trades under the ticker AVUV on NYSE Arca.
Classified as a U.S. small-cap value equity ETF, AVUV aims to reflect, before fees and expenses, the aggregated performance of securities selected according to its factor-based methodology.
Unlike traditional ETFs that track a widely recognized market index, AVUV follows a systematic factor-driven investment approach. The portfolio is constructed using criteria related to valuation metrics, profitability, and small-cap characteristics defined by the manager.
AVUV does not replicate a conventional third-party benchmark index. Instead, the portfolio is built based on internal guidelines that emphasize companies with value-related characteristics within the U.S. small-cap universe. Holdings are allocated according to the strategy’s parameters and are adjusted periodically in line with the fund’s methodology.
Diversification and sector exposure
AVUV provides exposure to the U.S. small-cap value segment, with holdings distributed across multiple sectors, including:
Financials.
Industrials.
Consumer discretionary.
Information technology.
Health care.
Energy.
Structure and costs
Shares of AVUV are traded on the secondary market. Creation and redemption of shares are carried out by authorized participants, a mechanism designed to help keep the ETF’s market price aligned with its net asset value (NAV).
The fund charges a management fee and does not charge a performance fee. AVUV may make periodic income distributions derived from dividends paid by the underlying holdings.
History and evolution of the ETF
Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF was launched in 2019, amid increasing interest in factor-based strategies within the U.S. equity market. Over time, AVUV has been incorporated into allocation strategies focused on small-cap exposure with a value tilt.
Between 2020 and 2024, the ETF reflected market conditions characterized by volatility in small-cap equities, shifts between value and growth preferences, and changes in macroeconomic expectations.