WFDDX vs. BARAX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Allspring Discovery SMID Cap Growth Fund (WFDDX) and Baron Asset Fund (BARAX).

WFDDX is managed by Allspring Global Investments. It was launched on Apr 8, 2005. BARAX is managed by Baron Capital Group, Inc.. It was launched on Jun 12, 1987.

Performance

WFDDX vs. BARAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Discovery SMID Cap Growth Fund (WFDDX) and Baron Asset Fund (BARAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

WFDDX vs. BARAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WFDDX Allspring Discovery SMID Cap Growth Fund	-5.44%	5.51%	18.05%	20.25%	-37.83%	-6.10%	61.81%	61.34%	-6.95%	29.27%
BARAX Baron Asset Fund	-7.87%	7.89%	10.35%	17.05%	-26.06%	13.88%	32.98%	37.64%	-0.15%	26.18%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WFDDX achieves a -5.44% return, which is significantly higher than BARAX's -7.87% return. Over the past 10 years, WFDDX has outperformed BARAX with an annualized return of 11.17%, while BARAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.32% annualized return.

WFDDX

• 1D: 5.02%
• 1M: -7.37%
• YTD: -5.44%
• 6M: -5.97%
• 1Y: 10.89%
• 3Y*: 8.43%
• 5Y*: -3.02%
• 10Y*: 11.17%

BARAX

• 1D: 1.64%
• 1M: -5.84%
• YTD: -7.87%
• 6M: -0.37%
• 1Y: 2.50%
• 3Y*: 6.84%
• 5Y*: 1.42%
• 10Y*: 10.32%

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

WFDDX vs. BARAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WFDDX has a 1.11% expense ratio, which is lower than BARAX's 1.29% expense ratio.

BARAX

Baron Asset Fund

WFDDX

Allspring Discovery SMID Cap Growth Fund

Return for Risk

WFDDX vs. BARAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WFDDX

WFDDX Risk / Return Rank: 18
WFDDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
WFDDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
WFDDX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
WFDDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
WFDDX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

BARAX

BARAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
BARAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
BARAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
BARAX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
BARAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
BARAX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

WFDDX vs. BARAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Discovery SMID Cap Growth Fund (WFDDX) and Baron Asset Fund (BARAX). 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.

	WFDDX	BARAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.47	0.13	+0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	0.35	+0.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.04	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.75	0.36	+0.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.63	0.90	+1.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WFDDX vs. BARAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WFDDX Sharpe Ratio is 0.47, which is higher than the BARAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WFDDX and BARAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WFDDX	BARAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47	0.13	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	0.07	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.52	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.49	-0.11

Correlation

The correlation between WFDDX and BARAX is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

WFDDX vs. BARAX - Dividend Comparison

WFDDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 18.16%, more than BARAX's 12.49% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WFDDX Allspring Discovery SMID Cap Growth Fund	18.16%	17.17%	9.33%	0.00%	1.35%	36.45%	4.93%	26.87%	19.12%	17.95%	1.32%	8.92%
BARAX Baron Asset Fund	12.49%	11.51%	19.23%	3.48%	0.01%	7.65%	3.05%	1.78%	7.42%	7.25%	4.88%	11.50%

Drawdowns

WFDDX vs. BARAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WFDDX drawdown since its inception was -59.22%, roughly equal to the maximum BARAX drawdown of -59.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WFDDX and BARAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WFDDX	BARAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.22%	-59.71%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.77%	-11.12%	-3.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.22%	-37.53%	-21.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.22%	-37.53%	-21.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.02%	-9.28%	-27.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.17%	-11.44%	-4.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.20%	4.44%	-0.24%

Volatility

WFDDX vs. BARAX - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Discovery SMID Cap Growth Fund (WFDDX) has a higher volatility of 10.27% compared to Baron Asset Fund (BARAX) at 3.90%. This indicates that WFDDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BARAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WFDDX	BARAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.27%	3.90%	+6.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.20%	11.83%	+4.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.09%	19.02%	+6.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.39%	19.56%	+13.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.15%	19.79%	+9.36%