VB vs. ASCE

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and ASCE (Allspring SMID Core ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. VB is passively managed, while ASCE is actively managed. Over the past year, VB returned 27.83% vs 43.18% for ASCE. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VB charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ASCE.

Performance

VB vs. ASCE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 16.95% return, which is significantly lower than ASCE's 29.71% return.

VB

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: 11.01%
• YTD: 16.95%
• 1Y: 27.83%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 11.04%
• ALL TIME*: 9.95%

ASCE

• 1D: 2.05%
• 1M: 1.84%
• 6M: 22.15%
• YTD: 29.71%
• 1Y: 43.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 37.55%

*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)
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	$5.35M	$3.61M	$2.13M
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	$124.44M	$120.08M	$165.69M

VB vs. ASCE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	16.95%	7.91%
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	29.71%	8.46%

Correlation

The correlation between VB and ASCE is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025	0.89

The correlation between VB and ASCE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VB vs. ASCE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 77
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 83

ASCE

ASCE Risk / Return Rank: 86
ASCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ASCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
ASCE Omega Ratio Rank: 79
ASCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
ASCE Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

VB vs. ASCE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE). 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.

	VB	ASCE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.17	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	3.12	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.36	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	4.71	-1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.36	14.18	-2.82

VB vs. ASCE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VB Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the ASCE Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VB and ASCE, 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

VB vs. ASCE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, which is greater than ASCE's maximum drawdown of -9.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and ASCE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VB	ASCE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.56%	-9.22%	-50.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-9.22%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.05%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.15%	-1.19%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.39%	-2.11%	-6.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	3.05%	-0.59%

Volatility

VB vs. ASCE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) is 3.71%, while Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) has a volatility of 5.78%. This indicates that VB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ASCE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VB	ASCE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.71%	5.78%	-2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.04%	15.28%	-3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.44%	19.99%	-3.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.71%	19.68%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.38%	19.68%	+1.70%

VB vs. ASCE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VB has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than ASCE's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

VB vs. ASCE - Dividend Comparison

VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.20%, more than ASCE's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	0.17%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.20%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VB and ASCE in my portfolio?

VB and ASCE have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VB or ASCE?

ASCE has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to VB (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs ASCE's -9.22%.

Which ETF is better, VB or ASCE?

On 1-year performance, ASCE leads with 43.18% vs 27.83% for VB. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VB has been the lower-risk option at 3.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VB or ASCE?

Over the 1-year period, ASCE has performed better with a 43.18% return vs 27.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VB or ASCE?

VB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for ASCE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VB or ASCE?

VB has the higher dividend yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.17% for ASCE.

What is the main difference between VB and ASCE?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Allspring. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VB and 0.38% for ASCE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASCE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.70), 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.