APLU vs. AFIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

APLU (Allspring Core Plus ETF) and AFIX (Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - APLU is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Allspring, while AFIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Allspring. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, APLU returned 4.75% vs 4.87% for AFIX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. APLU charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for AFIX.

Performance

APLU vs. AFIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APLU achieves a 0.51% return, which is significantly lower than AFIX's 0.59% return.

APLU

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.79%
• 1Y: 4.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AFIX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 6M: 0.71%
• 1Y: 4.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

APLU vs. AFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
APLU Allspring Core Plus ETF	0.51%	7.38%	-1.76%
AFIX Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF	0.59%	7.52%	-1.56%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

APLU vs. AFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

APLU

APLU Risk / Return Rank: 35
APLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
APLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
APLU Omega Ratio Rank: 34
APLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
APLU Martin Ratio Rank: 36

AFIX

AFIX Risk / Return Rank: 36
AFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
AFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
AFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
AFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

APLU vs. AFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Core Plus ETF (APLU) and Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF (AFIX). 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.

	APLU	AFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.24	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	1.87	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.22	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	1.58	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.92	4.56	+0.36

APLU vs. AFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APLU Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is comparable to the AFIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APLU and AFIX, 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

APLU vs. AFIX - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	APLU	AFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.24%	-3.33%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.84%	-3.10%	+0.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.26%	-1.60%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.91%	-0.99%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	1.07%	-0.10%

Volatility

APLU vs. AFIX - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Core Plus ETF (APLU) has a higher volatility of 1.23% compared to Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF (AFIX) at 1.17%. This indicates that APLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APLU	AFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	1.17%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.94%	2.97%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.07%	3.94%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.04%	4.54%	+0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.04%	4.54%	+0.50%

APLU vs. AFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

APLU vs. AFIX - Dividend Comparison

APLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.42%, more than AFIX's 5.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AFIX Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF	5.00%	4.94%	0.38%
APLU Allspring Core Plus ETF	5.42%	5.13%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APLU and AFIX in my portfolio?

APLU and AFIX 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, APLU or AFIX?

APLU has higher volatility (1.23%) compared to AFIX (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APLU dropped -3.24% vs AFIX's -3.33%.

Which ETF is better, APLU or AFIX?

On 1-year performance, AFIX leads with 4.87% vs 4.75% for APLU. On fees, AFIX is cheaper at 0.20% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APLU or AFIX?

Over the 1-year period, AFIX has performed better with a 4.87% return vs 4.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APLU or AFIX?

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

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

APLU has the higher dividend yield at 5.42%, compared with 5.00% for AFIX.

What is the main difference between APLU and AFIX?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.17), 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.