ASCE vs. IWC
ASCE (Allspring SMID Core ETF) and IWC (iShares Micro-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. ASCE is actively managed, while IWC is passively managed. Over the past year, ASCE returned 36.63% vs 48.46% for IWC. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ASCE charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for IWC.
Performance
ASCE vs. IWC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ASCE achieves a 25.79% return, which is significantly higher than IWC's 23.21% return.
ASCE
- 1D
- -1.03%
- 1M
- -2.51%
- 6M
- 19.63%
- YTD
- 25.79%
- 1Y
- 36.63%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IWC
- 1D
- -1.02%
- 1M
- 2.50%
- 6M
- 16.07%
- YTD
- 23.21%
- 1Y
- 48.46%
- 3Y*
- 21.80%
- 5Y*
- 7.27%
- 10Y*
- 11.37%
ASCE vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF | 25.79% | 8.46% |
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF | 23.21% | 20.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between ASCE and IWC is 0.81, 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 | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025 | 0.81 |
The correlation between ASCE and IWC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ASCE vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank
ASCE
IWC
ASCE vs. IWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). 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.
| ASCE | IWC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.32 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.99 | 3.92 | +0.07 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.48 | 12.71 | -0.24 |
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Drawdowns
ASCE vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ASCE drawdown since its inception was -9.22%, smaller than the maximum IWC drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASCE and IWC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ASCE | IWC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.22% | -64.61% | +55.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.22% | -12.43% | +3.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -29.46% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -40.61% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -47.21% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.17% | -3.40% | -0.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.03% | -15.21% | +13.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.94% | 3.82% | -0.88% |
Volatility
ASCE vs. IWC - Volatility Comparison
Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) has a higher volatility of 7.16% compared to iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC) at 5.99%. This indicates that ASCE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ASCE | IWC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.16% | 5.99% | +1.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.91% | 18.27% | -3.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.75% | 24.27% | -4.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.65% | 24.53% | -4.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.65% | 24.47% | -4.82% |
ASCE vs. IWC - Expense Ratio Comparison
ASCE has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than IWC's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
ASCE vs. IWC - Dividend Comparison
ASCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, less than IWC's 0.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF | 0.17% | 0.22% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF | 0.98% | 1.10% | 1.06% | 1.17% | 1.18% | 0.78% | 0.98% | 1.19% | 1.01% | 1.09% | 1.16% | 1.49% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ASCE and IWC have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ASCE has higher volatility (7.16%) compared to IWC (5.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASCE dropped -9.22% vs IWC's -64.61%.
On 1-year performance, IWC leads with 48.46% vs 36.63% for ASCE. On fees, ASCE is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IWC has been the lower-risk option at 5.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IWC has performed better with a 48.46% return vs 36.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ASCE is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for IWC.
IWC has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.17% for ASCE.
They also come from different issuers: Allspring and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for ASCE and 0.60% for IWC.
IWC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.87), 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.
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