EMGAX vs. ESPAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EMGAX (Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and ESPAX (Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund) are both mutual funds - EMGAX is a Emerging Markets Diversified 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, EMGAX returned 9.82%/yr vs 8.62%/yr for ESPAX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMGAX charges 1.43%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for ESPAX.

Performance

EMGAX vs. ESPAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) 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, EMGAX achieves a 27.13% return, which is significantly higher than ESPAX's 13.28% return. Over the past 10 years, EMGAX has outperformed ESPAX with an annualized return of 9.82%, while ESPAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.62% annualized return.

EMGAX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 6.89%
• YTD: 27.13%
• 6M: 29.19%
• 1Y: 51.55%
• 3Y*: 22.65%
• 5Y*: 5.24%
• 10Y*: 9.82%

ESPAX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 13.28%
• 6M: 11.40%
• 1Y: 19.39%
• 3Y*: 10.00%
• 5Y*: 4.36%
• 10Y*: 8.62%

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

EMGAX vs. ESPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMGAX Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund	27.13%	36.30%	3.38%	8.37%	-19.74%	-12.13%	20.86%	27.57%	-16.09%	36.26%
ESPAX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund	13.28%	-3.10%	6.44%	18.65%	-13.94%	27.61%	1.16%	28.03%	-13.77%	11.08%

Correlation

The correlation between EMGAX and ESPAX is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 1994	0.55

Over the past year, the correlation between EMGAX and ESPAX has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.55, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

EMGAX vs. ESPAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMGAX

EMGAX Risk / Return Rank: 80
EMGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
EMGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
EMGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
EMGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EMGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

ESPAX

ESPAX Risk / Return Rank: 21
ESPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
ESPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
ESPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
ESPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
ESPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

EMGAX vs. ESPAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) 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.

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.

	EMGAX	ESPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	1.19	+1.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	1.89	+1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.21	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.77	1.57	+2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.31	4.60	+8.72

EMGAX vs. ESPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMGAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is higher than the ESPAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMGAX 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.

Drawdowns

EMGAX vs. ESPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMGAX drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, roughly equal to the maximum ESPAX drawdown of -61.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMGAX and ESPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMGAX	ESPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.83%	-61.14%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.59%	-13.58%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.20%	-24.80%	+9.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.48%	-26.84%	-16.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.89%	-43.28%	-2.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	-0.05%	-0.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.18%	-9.13%	-8.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.84%	4.62%	-0.78%

Volatility

EMGAX vs. ESPAX - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) has a higher volatility of 10.68% compared to Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX) at 4.62%. This indicates that EMGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMGAX	ESPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.68%	4.62%	+6.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.45%	12.36%	+5.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.78%	17.88%	+1.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.36%	20.20%	-1.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.42%	21.42%	-3.00%

EMGAX vs. ESPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMGAX has a 1.43% expense ratio, which is higher than ESPAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMGAX vs. ESPAX - Dividend Comparison

EMGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, less than ESPAX's 7.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMGAX Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund	1.42%	1.80%	1.06%	0.92%	0.78%	0.24%	0.06%	0.67%	0.36%	1.49%	0.67%	0.59%
ESPAX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund	7.29%	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 EMGAX and ESPAX in my portfolio?

EMGAX and ESPAX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMGAX or ESPAX?

EMGAX has higher volatility (10.68%) compared to ESPAX (4.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMGAX dropped -61.83% vs ESPAX's -61.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.19), 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.