AUSM vs. CATF

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

AUSM (Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF) and CATF (American Century California Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AUSM returned 2.89% vs 7.18% for CATF. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AUSM charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for CATF.

Performance

AUSM vs. CATF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF (AUSM) and American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AUSM achieves a 1.34% return, which is significantly lower than CATF's 1.81% return.

AUSM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.22%
• 6M: 1.16%
• YTD: 1.34%
• 1Y: 2.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CATF

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.16%
• 6M: 1.22%
• YTD: 1.81%
• 1Y: 7.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AUSM vs. CATF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AUSM Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF	1.34%	1.58%
CATF American Century California Municipal Bond ETF	1.81%	5.01%

Correlation

The correlation between AUSM and CATF is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025	0.20

Return for Risk

AUSM vs. CATF — Risk / Return Rank

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

AUSM

AUSM Risk / Return Rank: 97
AUSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
AUSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
AUSM Omega Ratio Rank: 98
AUSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
AUSM Martin Ratio Rank: 94

CATF

CATF Risk / Return Rank: 80
CATF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
CATF Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
CATF Omega Ratio Rank: 92
CATF Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
CATF Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

AUSM vs. CATF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF (AUSM) and American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF). 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.

	AUSM	CATF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.96	2.32	+1.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.86	3.49	+3.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.26	1.48	+0.78
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.94	2.61	+4.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.53	9.11	+11.41

AUSM vs. CATF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AUSM Sharpe Ratio is 3.96, which is higher than the CATF Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AUSM and CATF, 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

AUSM vs. CATF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AUSM drawdown since its inception was -0.42%, smaller than the maximum CATF drawdown of -4.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AUSM and CATF.

Drawdown Indicators

	AUSM	CATF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-4.83%	+4.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.42%	-2.77%	+2.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.00%	-0.69%	+0.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.08%	-1.22%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.14%	0.79%	-0.65%

Volatility

AUSM vs. CATF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF (AUSM) is 0.13%, while American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF) has a volatility of 0.81%. This indicates that AUSM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CATF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AUSM	CATF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.13%	0.81%	-0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.45%	2.29%	-1.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73%	3.11%	-2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.73%	4.25%	-3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.73%	4.25%	-3.52%

AUSM vs. CATF - Expense Ratio Comparison

AUSM has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than CATF's 0.27% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AUSM vs. CATF - Dividend Comparison

AUSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than CATF's 3.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AUSM Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF	2.61%	1.26%	0.00%
CATF American Century California Municipal Bond ETF	3.52%	3.40%	1.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AUSM and CATF in my portfolio?

AUSM and CATF have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AUSM or CATF?

CATF has higher volatility (0.81%) compared to AUSM (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AUSM dropped -0.42% vs CATF's -4.83%.

Which ETF is better, AUSM or CATF?

On 1-year performance, CATF leads with 7.18% vs 2.89% for AUSM. On fees, AUSM is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, AUSM has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AUSM or CATF?

Over the 1-year period, CATF has performed better with a 7.18% return vs 2.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AUSM or CATF?

AUSM is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for CATF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AUSM or CATF?

CATF has the higher dividend yield at 3.52%, compared with 2.61% for AUSM.

What is the main difference between AUSM and CATF?

They also come from different issuers: Allspring and American Century. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for AUSM and 0.27% for CATF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AUSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 2.32), 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.