EKGAX vs. ESPAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

EKGAX (Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund) and ESPAX (Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund) are both mutual funds - EKGAX is a Global Equities fund managed by Allspring Global Investments, while ESPAX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Allspring Global Investments. Over the past 10 years, EKGAX returned 6.25%/yr vs 7.84%/yr for ESPAX. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EKGAX charges 1.52%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for ESPAX.

Performance

EKGAX vs. ESPAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund (EKGAX) and Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EKGAX achieves a 5.64% return, which is significantly lower than ESPAX's 9.39% return. Over the past 10 years, EKGAX has underperformed ESPAX with an annualized return of 6.25%, while ESPAX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.84% annualized return.

EKGAX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 5.64%
• 6M: 6.34%
• 1Y: 10.73%
• 3Y*: 4.88%
• 5Y*: -1.58%
• 10Y*: 6.25%

ESPAX

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: -0.34%
• YTD: 9.39%
• 6M: 9.22%
• 1Y: 16.32%
• 3Y*: 9.30%
• 5Y*: 3.16%
• 10Y*: 7.84%

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

EKGAX vs. ESPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EKGAX Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund	5.64%	3.87%	-3.41%	14.20%	-24.78%	21.16%	9.76%	28.24%	-11.51%	24.12%
ESPAX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund	9.39%	-3.10%	6.44%	18.65%	-13.94%	27.61%	1.16%	28.03%	-13.77%	11.08%

Correlation

The correlation between EKGAX and ESPAX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 1993	0.80

The correlation between EKGAX and ESPAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (all time) to 0.92 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EKGAX vs. ESPAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EKGAX

EKGAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
EKGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
EKGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
EKGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
EKGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
EKGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

ESPAX

ESPAX Risk / Return Rank: 13
ESPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
ESPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
ESPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
ESPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
ESPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

EKGAX vs. ESPAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund (EKGAX) and Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX). 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.

	EKGAX	ESPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.70	0.92	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	1.49	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.17	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.71	1.20	-0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.15	3.50	-1.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EKGAX vs. ESPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EKGAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.70, which is comparable to the ESPAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EKGAX and ESPAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EKGAX	ESPAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70	0.92	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08	0.16	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.37	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.44	+0.07

Drawdowns

EKGAX vs. ESPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EKGAX drawdown since its inception was -58.65%, roughly equal to the maximum ESPAX drawdown of -61.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EKGAX and ESPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EKGAX	ESPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.65%	-61.14%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.86%	-13.58%	-1.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.26%	-24.80%	+5.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.15%	-26.84%	-16.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.15%	-43.28%	+0.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.99%	-2.68%	-18.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-9.15%	-4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.94%	4.64%	+0.30%

Volatility

EKGAX vs. ESPAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund (EKGAX) is 3.71%, while Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX) has a volatility of 4.72%. This indicates that EKGAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EKGAX	ESPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.71%	4.72%	-1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.73%	12.24%	-1.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.07%	17.73%	-2.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.17%	20.22%	-0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.78%	21.39%	-2.61%

EKGAX vs. ESPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EKGAX has a 1.52% expense ratio, which is higher than ESPAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

EKGAX vs. ESPAX - Dividend Comparison

EKGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than ESPAX's 7.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EKGAX Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund	1.21%	1.27%	1.51%	0.00%	4.32%	16.71%	0.00%	7.06%	10.04%	12.29%	6.98%	5.20%
ESPAX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund	7.55%	8.26%	10.10%	2.07%	6.24%	6.34%	0.39%	1.68%	7.90%	5.33%	2.25%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EKGAX and ESPAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, EKGAX and ESPAX 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, EKGAX or ESPAX?

ESPAX has higher volatility (4.72%) compared to EKGAX (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EKGAX dropped -58.65% vs ESPAX's -61.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.92 vs 0.70), 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.