AVK vs VOO
Advent Convertible and Income Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, AVK or VOO?
Convertibles against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AVK | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.77% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $575M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 10.71% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 435 | 506 |
| YTD Return | -2.50% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.84% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.68% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.21% | +13.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.7% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,155 | $18,654Best |
| Fund Family | Guggenheim Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Convertible | Equity |
| Style | Convertibles | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 29, 2003 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.1 years).
AVK vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16.1 years both funds cover.
AVK vs VOO Performance
Advent Convertible and Income Fund (AVK) is an ETF from Guggenheim Investments and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AVK returned -2.84% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, AVK is down 2.50% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Over three years, AVK compounded at +16.68% per year against +22.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +2.21% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.40% annualized vs +1.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 14.1% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -60.7% for AVK and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVK charges 2.77% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $277 vs $3 annually, a gap of $274 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVK currently yields 10.71% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.8% of VOO's money is in holdings AVK also owns.
Stated as a floor: for AVK, our book for it covers 83.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VOO and AVK share little of their money.
21 positions in common, counted across the 215 positions we hold weights for in AVK and 504 in VOO, against full books of 435 and 506.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVK | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.50% | 3.85% | 3.35% |
| BABoeing Co | 1.83% | 0.25% | 1.58% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.39% | 1.64% | 1.25% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 1.02% | 0.26% | 0.76% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 1.11% | 0.06% | 1.05% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.53% | 0.39% | 0.14% |
| GLWCorning Inc. | 0.63% | 0.18% | 0.45% |
| VRTVertiv Holdings Co | 0.57% | 0.15% | 0.42% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.33% | 0.34% | 0.01% |
| SNDKVSandisk Corp. | 0.31% | 0.35% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AVK and VOO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AVK or VOO?
AVK has an expense ratio of 2.77% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $274 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVK or VOO?
Over the past year AVK returned -2.84% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), AVK annualized +1.61% vs +13.40% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVK or VOO?
AVK has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: AVK -60.7% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both AVK and VOO?
AVK and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AVK and VOO?
At least 8.8% of VOO's money is in holdings AVK also owns. Our book for AVK is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 215 positions we hold weights for in AVK and 504 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVK or VOO?
AVK yields 10.71% while VOO yields 1.06%, so AVK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than AVK?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.