EKGAX vs. NEFFX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

EKGAX (Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund) and NEFFX (American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, EKGAX returned 6.77%/yr vs 16.54%/yr for NEFFX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EKGAX charges 1.52%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for NEFFX.

Performance

EKGAX vs. NEFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund (EKGAX) and American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2 (NEFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EKGAX achieves a 8.26% return, which is significantly lower than NEFFX's 20.66% return. Over the past 10 years, EKGAX has underperformed NEFFX with an annualized return of 6.77%, while NEFFX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.54% annualized return.

EKGAX

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 1.07%
• 6M: 3.71%
• YTD: 8.26%
• 1Y: 9.42%
• 3Y*: 5.03%
• 5Y*: -0.94%
• 10Y*: 6.77%

NEFFX

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: 2.34%
• 6M: 15.75%
• YTD: 20.66%
• 1Y: 42.33%
• 3Y*: 29.37%
• 5Y*: 13.03%
• 10Y*: 16.54%

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

EKGAX vs. NEFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EKGAX Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund	8.26%	3.87%	-3.41%	14.20%	-24.78%	21.16%	9.76%	28.24%	-11.51%	24.12%
NEFFX American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2	20.66%	31.31%	23.87%	29.47%	-29.50%	12.31%	33.79%	26.75%	-4.17%	34.66%

Correlation

The correlation between EKGAX and NEFFX is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2008	0.82

Over the past year, the correlation between EKGAX and NEFFX has dropped to 0.60 - well below their long-term average of 0.82, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

EKGAX vs. NEFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EKGAX

EKGAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
EKGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
EKGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
EKGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
EKGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
EKGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

NEFFX

NEFFX Risk / Return Rank: 81
NEFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
NEFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
NEFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
NEFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
NEFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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. NEFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund (EKGAX) and American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2 (NEFFX). 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.

	EKGAX	NEFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	2.17	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	2.78	-1.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.38	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.58	3.15	-2.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.73	13.38	-11.65

EKGAX vs. NEFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EKGAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is lower than the NEFFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EKGAX and NEFFX, 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

EKGAX vs. NEFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EKGAX drawdown since its inception was -58.65%, which is greater than NEFFX's maximum drawdown of -45.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EKGAX and NEFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EKGAX	NEFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.65%	-45.12%	-13.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.86%	-13.32%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.26%	-20.78%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.15%	-36.95%	-6.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.15%	-36.95%	-6.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.03%	-2.78%	-16.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.92%	-7.58%	-6.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.96%	3.13%	+1.83%

Volatility

EKGAX vs. NEFFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund (EKGAX) is 4.56%, while American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2 (NEFFX) has a volatility of 8.52%. This indicates that EKGAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EKGAX	NEFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.56%	8.52%	-3.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.20%	16.14%	-4.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.21%	19.37%	-4.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	19.82%	+0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.66%	19.21%	-0.55%

EKGAX vs. NEFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EKGAX has a 1.52% expense ratio, which is higher than NEFFX's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

EKGAX vs. NEFFX - Dividend Comparison

EKGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, less than NEFFX's 8.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EKGAX Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund	1.18%	1.27%	1.51%	0.00%	4.32%	16.71%	0.00%	7.06%	10.04%	12.29%	6.98%	5.20%
NEFFX American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2	8.18%	9.87%	9.61%	4.19%	0.19%	7.55%	2.69%	7.57%	10.31%	8.50%	2.51%	6.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EKGAX and NEFFX in my portfolio?

EKGAX and NEFFX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EKGAX or NEFFX?

NEFFX has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to EKGAX (4.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EKGAX dropped -58.65% vs NEFFX's -45.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.57), 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.