WFPAX vs. VO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

WFPAX (Allspring Special Mid Cap Value Fund - Class A) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both funds - WFPAX is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund managed by Allspring Global Investments, while VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, WFPAX returned 10.35%/yr vs 11.55%/yr for VO. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WFPAX charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VO.

Performance

WFPAX vs. VO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Special Mid Cap Value Fund - Class A (WFPAX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with WFPAX having a 9.80% return and VO slightly higher at 10.05%. Over the past 10 years, WFPAX has underperformed VO with an annualized return of 10.35%, while VO has yielded a comparatively higher 11.55% annualized return.

WFPAX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.26%
• YTD: 9.80%
• 6M: 10.22%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: 11.96%
• 5Y*: 7.18%
• 10Y*: 10.35%

VO

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 10.05%
• 6M: 9.73%
• 1Y: 18.13%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

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

WFPAX vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WFPAX Allspring Special Mid Cap Value Fund - Class A	9.80%	5.81%	11.58%	9.17%	-4.95%	28.14%	2.93%	39.96%	-13.42%	10.82%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	10.05%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-9.24%	19.28%

Correlation

The correlation between WFPAX and VO is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2007	0.93

The correlation between WFPAX and VO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WFPAX vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank

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

WFPAX

WFPAX Risk / Return Rank: 22
WFPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
WFPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
WFPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
WFPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
WFPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 43
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

WFPAX vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Special Mid Cap Value Fund - Class A (WFPAX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.

	WFPAX	VO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.48	-0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	2.14	-0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.26	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	2.23	-0.38
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.06	8.50	-2.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WFPAX vs. VO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WFPAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the VO Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WFPAX and VO, 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

	WFPAX	VO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.48	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.45	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.61	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.50	-0.08

Drawdowns

WFPAX vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WFPAX drawdown since its inception was -56.20%, roughly equal to the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WFPAX and VO.

Drawdown Indicators

	WFPAX	VO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.20%	-58.87%	+2.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.66%	-8.17%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.40%	-19.02%	+0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.55%	-27.57%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.81%	-39.37%	-4.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-0.45%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.94%	-7.86%	-1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	2.14%	+0.81%

Volatility

WFPAX vs. VO - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Special Mid Cap Value Fund - Class A (WFPAX) has a higher volatility of 3.99% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) at 2.99%. This indicates that WFPAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WFPAX	VO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	2.99%	+1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.54%	9.21%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.96%	12.34%	+1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.25%	17.59%	-0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.93%	18.95%	-0.02%

WFPAX vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison

WFPAX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

WFPAX vs. VO - Dividend Comparison

WFPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.36%, more than VO's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.36%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%
WFPAX Allspring Special Mid Cap Value Fund - Class A	10.36%	11.38%	7.97%	5.39%	8.69%	9.86%	0.36%	7.38%	2.40%	4.14%	1.08%	4.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WFPAX and VO in my portfolio?

WFPAX and VO 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, WFPAX or VO?

WFPAX has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to VO (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WFPAX dropped -56.20% vs VO's -58.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.30), 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.