AUSM vs. VTES

Last updated Jul 5, 2026

AUSM (Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF) and VTES (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. AUSM is actively managed, while VTES is passively managed. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AUSM charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VTES.

Performance

AUSM vs. VTES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF (AUSM) and Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AUSM achieves a 1.30% return, which is significantly higher than VTES's 0.98% return.

AUSM

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.28%
• 6M: 1.32%
• YTD: 1.30%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTES

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 0.95%
• YTD: 0.98%
• 1Y: 3.18%
• 3Y*: 3.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AUSM vs. VTES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AUSM Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF	1.30%	1.58%
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.98%	2.08%

Correlation

The correlation between AUSM and VTES is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025	0.17

Return for Risk

AUSM vs. VTES — Risk / Return Rank

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

AUSM

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VTES

VTES Risk / Return Rank: 75
VTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VTES Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VTES Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. VTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF (AUSM) and Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES). 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	VTES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.60	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.75	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.60	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.20	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.25	—

Drawdowns

AUSM vs. VTES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AUSM drawdown since its inception was -0.42%, smaller than the maximum VTES drawdown of -2.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AUSM and VTES.

Drawdown Indicators

	AUSM	VTES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-2.42%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-1.47%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.80%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.29%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.08%	-0.50%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.52%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AUSM	VTES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.22%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.98%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74%	1.24%	-0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.74%	1.70%	-0.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.74%	1.70%	-0.96%

AUSM vs. VTES - Expense Ratio Comparison

AUSM has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VTES's 0.07% 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

AUSM vs. VTES - Dividend Comparison

AUSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than VTES's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AUSM Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF	2.61%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.73%	2.77%	2.99%	2.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AUSM and VTES in my portfolio?

AUSM and VTES have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AUSM or VTES?

On fees, VTES is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AUSM or VTES?

VTES is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for AUSM.

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

VTES has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 2.61% for AUSM.

What is the main difference between AUSM and VTES?

They also come from different issuers: Allspring and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for AUSM and 0.07% for VTES.