EMGAX vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

EMGAX (Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - EMGAX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Allspring Global Investments, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Over the past 10 years, EMGAX returned 9.61%/yr vs 8.97%/yr for VWO. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMGAX charges 1.43%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

EMGAX vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMGAX achieves a 26.56% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 10.55% return. Over the past 10 years, EMGAX has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 9.61%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 8.97% annualized return.

EMGAX

• 1D: 2.35%
• 1M: 6.41%
• YTD: 26.56%
• 6M: 28.96%
• 1Y: 50.34%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 5.21%
• 10Y*: 9.61%

VWO

• 1D: -3.07%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 10.67%
• 1Y: 27.03%
• 3Y*: 17.42%
• 5Y*: 5.09%
• 10Y*: 8.97%

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

EMGAX vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMGAX Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund	26.56%	36.30%	3.38%	8.37%	-19.74%	-12.13%	20.86%	27.57%	-16.09%	36.26%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	10.55%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between EMGAX and VWO is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005	0.89

The correlation between EMGAX and VWO shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EMGAX vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMGAX

EMGAX Risk / Return Rank: 78
EMGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
EMGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
EMGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
EMGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EMGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 49
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	1.60	+0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	2.22	+0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.30	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	2.43	+1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.04	8.56	+4.48

EMGAX vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMGAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.54, which is higher than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMGAX and VWO, 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. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMGAX drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMGAX and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMGAX	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.83%	-67.68%	+5.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.59%	-11.17%	-2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.20%	-17.37%	+2.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.48%	-32.60%	-10.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.89%	-36.39%	-9.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.33%	-3.07%	+1.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.18%	-15.79%	-1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.84%	3.17%	+0.67%

Volatility

EMGAX vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) has a higher volatility of 10.75% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) at 7.37%. This indicates that EMGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMGAX	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.75%	7.37%	+3.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.46%	14.62%	+2.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.75%	16.94%	+2.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.35%	17.58%	+0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.42%	19.18%	-0.76%

EMGAX vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMGAX has a 1.43% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMGAX vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

EMGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than VWO's 2.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMGAX Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund	1.43%	1.80%	1.06%	0.92%	0.78%	0.24%	0.06%	0.67%	0.36%	1.49%	0.67%	0.59%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.33%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMGAX and VWO in my portfolio?

EMGAX and VWO have a correlation of 0.74, 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 VWO?

EMGAX has higher volatility (10.75%) compared to VWO (7.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMGAX dropped -61.83% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.60), 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.