AFIX vs. APLU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AFIX (Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF) and APLU (Allspring Core Plus ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AFIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Allspring, while APLU is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Allspring. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AFIX returned 4.99% vs 4.91% for APLU. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFIX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for APLU.

Performance

AFIX vs. APLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF (AFIX) and Allspring Core Plus ETF (APLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFIX achieves a 0.47% return, which is significantly higher than APLU's 0.39% return.

AFIX

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 0.47%
• 6M: 0.63%
• 1Y: 4.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

APLU

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 0.39%
• 6M: 0.63%
• 1Y: 4.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AFIX vs. APLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AFIX Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF	0.47%	7.52%	-1.56%
APLU Allspring Core Plus ETF	0.39%	7.38%	-1.76%

Correlation

The correlation between AFIX and APLU is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2024	0.88

The correlation between AFIX and APLU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AFIX vs. APLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AFIX

AFIX Risk / Return Rank: 35
AFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
AFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
AFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
AFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
AFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

APLU

APLU Risk / Return Rank: 35
APLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
APLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
APLU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
APLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
APLU Martin Ratio Rank: 35

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AFIX vs. APLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF (AFIX) and Allspring Core Plus ETF (APLU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AFIX	APLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	1.21	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	1.74	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.22	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.62	1.74	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.69	5.11	-0.43

AFIX vs. APLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is comparable to the APLU Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFIX and APLU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AFIX vs. APLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFIX drawdown since its inception was -3.33%, roughly equal to the maximum APLU drawdown of -3.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFIX and APLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFIX	APLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.33%	-3.24%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.10%	-2.84%	-0.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.72%	-1.38%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.98%	-0.91%	-0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.07%	0.96%	+0.11%

Volatility

AFIX vs. APLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF (AFIX) is 1.17%, while Allspring Core Plus ETF (APLU) has a volatility of 1.28%. This indicates that AFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than APLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFIX	APLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	1.28%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.98%	2.95%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.95%	4.08%	-0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.54%	5.05%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.54%	5.05%	-0.51%

AFIX vs. APLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFIX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than APLU's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFIX vs. APLU - Dividend Comparison

AFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.01%, less than APLU's 5.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AFIX Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF	5.01%	4.94%	0.38%
APLU Allspring Core Plus ETF	5.43%	5.13%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFIX and APLU in my portfolio?

AFIX and APLU have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFIX or APLU?

APLU has higher volatility (1.28%) compared to AFIX (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFIX dropped -3.33% vs APLU's -3.24%.

Which ETF is better, AFIX or APLU?

On 1-year performance, AFIX leads with 4.99% vs 4.91% for APLU. On fees, AFIX is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, AFIX has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFIX or APLU?

Over the 1-year period, AFIX has performed better with a 4.99% return vs 4.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFIX or APLU?

AFIX is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.31% for APLU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFIX or APLU?

APLU has the higher dividend yield at 5.43%, compared with 5.01% for AFIX.

What is the main difference between AFIX and APLU?

AFIX is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while APLU is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for AFIX and 0.31% for APLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 1.21), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.