VTWO vs. ASCE

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VTWO (Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF) and ASCE (Allspring SMID Core ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. VTWO is passively managed, while ASCE is actively managed. Over the past year, VTWO returned 39.49% vs 43.18% for ASCE. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VTWO charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ASCE.

Performance

VTWO vs. ASCE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) 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, VTWO achieves a 20.92% return, which is significantly lower than ASCE's 29.71% return.

VTWO

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: -0.42%
• 6M: 13.61%
• YTD: 20.92%
• 1Y: 39.49%
• 3Y*: 16.67%
• 5Y*: 7.83%
• 10Y*: 10.77%
• ALL TIME*: 11.43%

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
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF	$175.64M	$193.82M	$227.97M

VTWO vs. ASCE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF	20.92%	12.87%
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	29.71%	8.46%

Correlation

The correlation between VTWO 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	0.90

The correlation between VTWO and ASCE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTWO vs. ASCE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTWO

VTWO Risk / Return Rank: 85
VTWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VTWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VTWO Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VTWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
VTWO Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

VTWO vs. ASCE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) 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.

	VTWO	ASCE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.17	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	3.12	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.36	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	4.71	-1.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.83	14.18	-1.35

VTWO vs. ASCE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTWO Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the ASCE Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTWO 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

VTWO vs. ASCE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTWO drawdown since its inception was -41.19%, which is greater than ASCE's maximum drawdown of -9.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWO and ASCE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTWO	ASCE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.19%	-9.22%	-31.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.99%	-9.22%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.88%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-1.19%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.32%	-2.11%	-6.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	3.05%	+0.04%

Volatility

VTWO vs. ASCE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) is 4.16%, while Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) has a volatility of 5.78%. This indicates that VTWO 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

	VTWO	ASCE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	5.78%	-1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.11%	15.28%	-1.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.30%	19.99%	-0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.45%	19.68%	+2.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.07%	19.68%	+3.39%

VTWO vs. ASCE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTWO has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than ASCE's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTWO vs. ASCE - Dividend Comparison

VTWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, 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%
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF	1.09%	1.25%	1.21%	1.45%	1.48%	1.13%	0.92%	1.36%	1.41%	1.18%	1.27%	1.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTWO and ASCE in my portfolio?

VTWO 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, VTWO or ASCE?

ASCE has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to VTWO (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWO dropped -41.19% vs ASCE's -9.22%.

Which ETF is better, VTWO or ASCE?

On 1-year performance, ASCE leads with 43.18% vs 39.49% for VTWO. On fees, VTWO is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, VTWO has been the lower-risk option at 4.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTWO or ASCE?

Over the 1-year period, ASCE has performed better with a 43.18% return vs 39.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTWO or ASCE?

VTWO is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for ASCE.

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

VTWO has the higher dividend yield at 1.09%, compared with 0.17% for ASCE.

What is the main difference between VTWO and ASCE?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Allspring. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTWO and 0.38% for ASCE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASCE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.06), 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.