XJR vs. ASCE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

XJR (iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF) and ASCE (Allspring SMID Core ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. XJR is passively managed, while ASCE is actively managed. Over the past year, XJR returned 30.94% vs 38.53% for ASCE. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XJR charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ASCE.

Performance

XJR vs. ASCE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) 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, XJR achieves a 22.84% return, which is significantly lower than ASCE's 26.69% return.

XJR

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 3.27%
• 6M: 14.99%
• YTD: 22.84%
• 1Y: 30.94%
• 3Y*: 14.62%
• 5Y*: 8.13%
• 10Y*: —

ASCE

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -2.74%
• 6M: 19.06%
• YTD: 26.69%
• 1Y: 38.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XJR vs. ASCE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XJR iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF	22.84%	6.93%
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	26.69%	8.46%

Correlation

The correlation between XJR and ASCE is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025	0.86

The correlation between XJR and ASCE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XJR vs. ASCE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XJR

XJR Risk / Return Rank: 71
XJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
XJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
XJR Omega Ratio Rank: 63
XJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
XJR Martin Ratio Rank: 73

ASCE

ASCE Risk / Return Rank: 79
ASCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
ASCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
ASCE Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ASCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ASCE Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

XJR vs. ASCE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) 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.

	XJR	ASCE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.96	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	2.83	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	4.20	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.63	13.04	-2.40

XJR vs. ASCE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XJR Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the ASCE Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XJR 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

XJR vs. ASCE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XJR drawdown since its inception was -27.14%, which is greater than ASCE's maximum drawdown of -9.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XJR and ASCE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XJR	ASCE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.14%	-9.22%	-17.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.43%	-9.22%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-3.49%	+2.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.30%	-2.04%	-7.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	2.96%	-0.04%

Volatility

XJR vs. ASCE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) is 4.17%, while Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) has a volatility of 6.22%. This indicates that XJR 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

	XJR	ASCE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.17%	6.22%	-2.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	14.96%	-2.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.76%	19.70%	-1.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.39%	19.60%	+1.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.62%	19.60%	+2.02%

XJR vs. ASCE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XJR has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than ASCE's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

XJR vs. ASCE - Dividend Comparison

XJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, more than ASCE's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	0.17%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XJR iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF	0.93%	1.14%	1.96%	0.92%	1.29%	2.00%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XJR and ASCE in my portfolio?

XJR and ASCE have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XJR or ASCE?

ASCE has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to XJR (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XJR dropped -27.14% vs ASCE's -9.22%.

Which ETF is better, XJR or ASCE?

On 1-year performance, ASCE leads with 38.53% vs 30.94% for XJR. On fees, XJR is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, XJR has been the lower-risk option at 4.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XJR or ASCE?

Over the 1-year period, ASCE has performed better with a 38.53% return vs 30.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XJR or ASCE?

XJR is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for ASCE.

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

XJR has the higher dividend yield at 0.93%, compared with 0.17% for ASCE.

What is the main difference between XJR and ASCE?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Allspring. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for XJR and 0.38% for ASCE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASCE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.75), 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.