ESPRX vs. EKWAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

ESPRX (Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6) and EKWAX (Allspring Precious Metals Fund) are both mutual funds - ESPRX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Allspring, while EKWAX is a Precious Metals fund managed by Allspring. Over the past 10 years, ESPRX returned 8.53%/yr vs 11.51%/yr for EKWAX. Their 0.15 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. ESPRX charges 0.82%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for EKWAX.

Performance

ESPRX vs. EKWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6 (ESPRX) and Allspring Precious Metals Fund (EKWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPRX achieves a 13.41% return, which is significantly higher than EKWAX's -9.10% return. Over the past 10 years, ESPRX has underperformed EKWAX with an annualized return of 8.53%, while EKWAX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.51% annualized return.

ESPRX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -0.87%
• 6M: 7.10%
• YTD: 13.41%
• 1Y: 18.22%
• 3Y*: 7.39%
• 5Y*: 5.33%
• 10Y*: 8.53%
• ALL TIME*: 8.16%

EKWAX

• 1D: 3.79%
• 1M: -2.85%
• 6M: -16.24%
• YTD: -9.10%
• 1Y: 52.40%
• 3Y*: 42.22%
• 5Y*: 22.63%
• 10Y*: 11.51%
• ALL TIME*: 10.61%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EKWAX Allspring Precious Metals Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
ESPRX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

ESPRX vs. EKWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESPRX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6	13.41%	-2.70%	6.89%	19.15%	-13.57%	28.16%	1.56%	29.89%	-13.40%	11.56%
EKWAX Allspring Precious Metals Fund	-9.10%	163.65%	21.28%	8.83%	-7.75%	-11.00%	24.40%	40.35%	-12.83%	9.66%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPRX and EKWAX is 0.26, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2015	0.15

The correlation between ESPRX and EKWAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.27 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ESPRX vs. EKWAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ESPRX

ESPRX Risk / Return Rank: 23
ESPRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
ESPRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
ESPRX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
ESPRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
ESPRX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

EKWAX

EKWAX Risk / Return Rank: 35
EKWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
EKWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
EKWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
EKWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
EKWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ESPRX vs. EKWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6 (ESPRX) and Allspring Precious Metals Fund (EKWAX). 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.

	ESPRX	EKWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	1.17	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	1.61	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.22	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	1.46	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.35	3.22	+0.12

ESPRX vs. EKWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPRX Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is comparable to the EKWAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPRX and EKWAX, 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

ESPRX vs. EKWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPRX drawdown since its inception was -43.24%, smaller than the maximum EKWAX drawdown of -76.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPRX and EKWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESPRX	EKWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.24%	-76.76%	+33.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.53%	-37.42%	+23.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.68%	-37.42%	+12.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.46%	-42.79%	+16.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.24%	-49.23%	+5.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.91%	-32.40%	+29.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.70%	-32.76%	+25.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.58%	16.97%	-12.39%

Volatility

ESPRX vs. EKWAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6 (ESPRX) is 4.54%, while Allspring Precious Metals Fund (EKWAX) has a volatility of 12.54%. This indicates that ESPRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EKWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESPRX	EKWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	12.54%	-8.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.30%	38.76%	-26.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.62%	46.78%	-29.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.14%	34.41%	-14.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.06%	33.38%	-12.32%

ESPRX vs. EKWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPRX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is lower than EKWAX's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPRX vs. EKWAX - Dividend Comparison

ESPRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.41%, more than EKWAX's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EKWAX Allspring Precious Metals Fund	1.31%	1.19%	0.84%	0.00%	2.01%	1.35%	1.45%	0.11%	0.00%	1.34%	1.11%	0.00%
ESPRX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6	7.41%	8.40%	10.20%	2.46%	6.54%	6.59%	0.73%	3.03%	8.25%	5.68%	2.57%	2.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESPRX and EKWAX in my portfolio?

ESPRX and EKWAX have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESPRX or EKWAX?

EKWAX has higher volatility (12.54%) compared to ESPRX (4.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPRX dropped -43.24% vs EKWAX's -76.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EKWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 0.87), 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.