ESPAX vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ESPAX (Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ESPAX returned 4.79%/yr vs 11.94%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESPAX charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

ESPAX vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPAX achieves a 13.34% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 20.76% return.

ESPAX

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 4.73%
• YTD: 13.34%
• 6M: 11.05%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 9.06%
• 5Y*: 4.79%
• 10Y*: 8.35%

AVUV

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 2.33%
• YTD: 20.76%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 39.60%
• 3Y*: 20.03%
• 5Y*: 11.94%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESPAX vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ESPAX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund	13.34%	-3.10%	6.44%	18.65%	-13.94%	27.61%	1.16%	7.64%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	20.76%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPAX and AVUV is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.95

The correlation between ESPAX and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ESPAX vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESPAX

ESPAX Risk / Return Rank: 20
ESPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
ESPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
ESPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
ESPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
ESPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 76
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

ESPAX vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

	ESPAX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	2.26	-1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	3.21	-1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.39	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.55	5.00	-3.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.55	14.84	-10.29

ESPAX vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is lower than the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPAX and AVUV, 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

ESPAX vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPAX drawdown since its inception was -61.14%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPAX and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESPAX	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.14%	-49.42%	-11.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.58%	-7.95%	-5.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.80%	-28.79%	+3.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.84%	-28.79%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.61%	+1.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.14%	-7.90%	-1.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.62%	2.68%	+1.94%

Volatility

ESPAX vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX) has a higher volatility of 4.92% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.28%. This indicates that ESPAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESPAX	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	4.28%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.36%	11.39%	+0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.85%	17.67%	+0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.22%	22.65%	-2.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.42%	28.23%	-6.81%

ESPAX vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPAX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPAX vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

ESPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.29%, more than AVUV's 1.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.63%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 ESPAX and AVUV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, ESPAX and AVUV 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, ESPAX or AVUV?

ESPAX has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to AVUV (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPAX dropped -61.14% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.18), 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.