AFIX vs. VCOBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFIX (Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF) and VCOBX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - AFIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Allspring, while VCOBX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past year, AFIX returned 5.65% vs 5.73% for VCOBX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AFIX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCOBX.

Performance

AFIX vs. VCOBX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFIX achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly lower than VCOBX's 0.60% return.

AFIX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.22%
• 1Y: 5.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCOBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 5.73%
• 3Y*: 4.90%
• 5Y*: 0.65%
• 10Y*: 2.19%

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

AFIX vs. VCOBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AFIX Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF	0.31%	7.52%	-1.67%
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares	0.60%	7.73%	-1.84%

Correlation

The correlation between AFIX and VCOBX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2024	0.96

The correlation between AFIX and VCOBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AFIX vs. VCOBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFIX

AFIX Risk / Return Rank: 40
AFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
AFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
AFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
AFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
AFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

VCOBX

VCOBX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VCOBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VCOBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VCOBX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VCOBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
VCOBX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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. VCOBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF (AFIX) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX). 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.

	AFIX	VCOBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.57	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	2.34	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.29	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	2.20	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.67	6.56	-0.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFIX vs. VCOBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the VCOBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFIX and VCOBX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AFIX	VCOBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	1.57	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.48	+0.41

Drawdowns

AFIX vs. VCOBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFIX drawdown since its inception was -3.33%, smaller than the maximum VCOBX drawdown of -18.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFIX and VCOBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFIX	VCOBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.33%	-18.14%	+14.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.10%	-2.62%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.63%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.88%	-1.25%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.96%	-4.18%	+3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.00%	0.88%	+0.12%

Volatility

AFIX vs. VCOBX - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF (AFIX) has a higher volatility of 1.42% compared to Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) at 1.33%. This indicates that AFIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCOBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFIX	VCOBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.42%	1.33%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.87%	2.66%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.97%	3.68%	+0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.55%	5.78%	-1.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.55%	4.76%	-0.21%

AFIX vs. VCOBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFIX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VCOBX's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AFIX vs. VCOBX - Dividend Comparison

AFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.02%, more than VCOBX's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AFIX Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF	5.02%	4.94%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.73%	4.80%	5.04%	4.44%	3.01%	1.23%	3.09%	3.08%	3.10%	2.20%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFIX and VCOBX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, AFIX and VCOBX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AFIX or VCOBX?

AFIX has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to VCOBX (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFIX dropped -3.33% vs VCOBX's -18.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCOBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.43), 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.