APLU vs. BND

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

APLU (Allspring Core Plus ETF) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - APLU is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Allspring, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. APLU is actively managed, while BND is passively managed. Over the past year, APLU returned 3.75% vs 3.58% for BND. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. APLU charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.

Performance

APLU vs. BND - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APLU achieves a -0.31% return, which is significantly lower than BND's -0.17% return.

APLU

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -0.85%
• 6M: -0.47%
• YTD: -0.31%
• 1Y: 3.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BND

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -0.68%
• 6M: -0.37%
• YTD: -0.17%
• 1Y: 3.58%
• 3Y*: 3.76%
• 5Y*: -0.22%
• 10Y*: 1.43%

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

APLU vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
APLU Allspring Core Plus ETF	-0.31%	7.38%	-1.76%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	-0.17%	7.08%	-1.85%

Correlation

The correlation between APLU and BND is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2024	0.89

The correlation between APLU and BND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

APLU vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank

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

APLU

APLU Risk / Return Rank: 31
APLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
APLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
APLU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
APLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
APLU Martin Ratio Rank: 32

BND

BND Risk / Return Rank: 32
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Core Plus ETF (APLU) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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	BND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	0.97	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.36	1.44	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.17	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	1.34	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.76	3.72	+0.04

APLU vs. BND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APLU Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is comparable to the BND Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APLU and BND, 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. BND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APLU drawdown since its inception was -3.24%, smaller than the maximum BND drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APLU and BND.

Drawdown Indicators

	APLU	BND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.24%	-18.58%	+15.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.84%	-2.68%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.92%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.58%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.07%	-2.79%	+0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.92%	-3.06%	+2.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.00%	0.97%	+0.03%

Volatility

APLU vs. BND - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Core Plus ETF (APLU) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) have volatilities of 1.27% and 1.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APLU	BND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	1.24%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.04%	2.86%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.02%	3.72%	+0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.01%	6.03%	-1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.01%	5.53%	-0.52%

APLU vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison

APLU has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

APLU vs. BND - Dividend Comparison

APLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.47%, more than BND's 4.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
APLU Allspring Core Plus ETF	5.47%	5.13%	0.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	4.01%	3.86%	3.67%	3.09%	2.60%	2.12%	2.38%	2.72%	2.81%	2.54%	2.51%	2.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APLU and BND in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, APLU and BND 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, APLU or BND?

APLU has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to BND (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APLU dropped -3.24% vs BND's -18.58%.

Which ETF is better, APLU or BND?

On 1-year performance, APLU leads with 3.75% vs 3.58% for BND. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% 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 BND?

Over the 1-year period, APLU has performed better with a 3.75% return vs 3.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APLU or BND?

BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.31% for APLU.

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

APLU has the higher dividend yield at 5.47%, compared with 4.01% for BND.

What is the main difference between APLU and BND?

APLU is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while BND is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: Allspring and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for APLU and 0.03% for BND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs 0.94), 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.