ESPRX vs. VESMX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

ESPRX (Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6) and VESMX (VELA Small Cap Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ESPRX returned 3.60%/yr vs 6.18%/yr for VESMX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESPRX charges 0.82%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for VESMX.

Performance

ESPRX vs. VESMX - 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 VELA Small Cap Fund (VESMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPRX achieves a 9.59% return, which is significantly higher than VESMX's 3.57% return.

ESPRX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -0.30%
• YTD: 9.59%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: 16.83%
• 3Y*: 9.75%
• 5Y*: 3.60%
• 10Y*: 8.41%

VESMX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -0.28%
• YTD: 3.57%
• 6M: 3.13%
• 1Y: 16.17%
• 3Y*: 11.25%
• 5Y*: 6.18%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESPRX vs. VESMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ESPRX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6	9.59%	-2.70%	6.89%	19.15%	-13.57%	28.16%	21.57%
VESMX VELA Small Cap Fund	3.57%	8.12%	10.77%	11.22%	-5.53%	31.60%	21.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPRX and VESMX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2020	0.92

The correlation between ESPRX and VESMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ESPRX vs. VESMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESPRX

ESPRX Risk / Return Rank: 14
ESPRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
ESPRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
ESPRX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
ESPRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
ESPRX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VESMX

VESMX Risk / Return Rank: 19
VESMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VESMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VESMX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VESMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VESMX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

ESPRX vs. VESMX - 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 VELA Small Cap Fund (VESMX). 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.

	ESPRX	VESMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.10	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	1.66	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.19	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	1.67	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.63	5.00	-1.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESPRX vs. VESMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPRX Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is comparable to the VESMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPRX and VESMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESPRX	VESMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	1.10	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.36	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.77	-0.38

Drawdowns

ESPRX vs. VESMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPRX drawdown since its inception was -43.24%, which is greater than VESMX's maximum drawdown of -20.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPRX and VESMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESPRX	VESMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.24%	-20.35%	-22.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.53%	-9.48%	-4.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.68%	-20.35%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.46%	-20.35%	-6.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.06%	-3.42%	+1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.78%	-4.56%	-3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.60%	3.15%	+1.45%

Volatility

ESPRX vs. VESMX - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6 (ESPRX) has a higher volatility of 4.73% compared to VELA Small Cap Fund (VESMX) at 3.62%. This indicates that ESPRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VESMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESPRX	VESMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.73%	3.62%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.24%	9.86%	+2.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.74%	14.37%	+3.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.20%	17.42%	+2.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.08%	18.22%	+2.86%

ESPRX vs. VESMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPRX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is lower than VESMX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPRX vs. VESMX - Dividend Comparison

ESPRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.67%, more than VESMX's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESPRX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund Class R6	7.67%	8.40%	10.20%	2.46%	6.54%	6.59%	0.73%	3.03%	8.25%	5.68%	2.57%	2.80%
VESMX VELA Small Cap Fund	0.97%	1.01%	0.22%	0.66%	0.69%	0.98%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESPRX and VESMX in my portfolio?

ESPRX and VESMX have a correlation of 0.87, 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 VESMX?

ESPRX has higher volatility (4.73%) compared to VESMX (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPRX dropped -43.24% vs VESMX's -20.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VESMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.10 vs 0.94), 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.