Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE)
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Analysis by Sedat ANAK, Founder & Editor-in-Chief | AI-powered analysis. Data sourced from SEC filings and institutional-grade financial providers. Editorially reviewed. Not financial advice.
Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) trades at $34.57 with AI Score 44/100 (Grade C). Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) is an actively managed fund focusing on small- and medium-cap U. S. equities. Market cap: $12.94M, Sector: Financial services.
Price live · AI analysis from Mar 17, 2026Analyst Coverage for ASCE: ASCE does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage. In the absence of analyst consensus, our AI model evaluates ASCE against Financial Services peers across nine fundamental dimensions and assigns an underweight signal based on the underlying data.
ASCE: the 1 perspectives are evenly split.
How is this calculated? →Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) Financial Services Profile
Allspring SMID Core ETF is an actively managed fund targeting U.S. small- and medium-cap companies within the Russell 2500 Index, employing a blend of quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify undervalued opportunities. The fund diversifies across sectors while excluding alcohol, gaming, and tobacco businesses, aiming for long-term capital appreciation.
What Is the Investment Thesis for ASCE?
Allspring SMID Core ETF presents a notable research candidate for investors seeking exposure to the SMID-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The fund's active management approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis, aims to identify undervalued companies with strong earnings potential. A key value driver is the fund's ability to adapt its holdings based on market conditions and company-specific developments. The fund's focus on approximately 50 securities allows for concentrated exposure to its highest-conviction ideas. Ongoing market volatility may present opportunities for the fund to capitalize on undervalued assets. The fund's expense ratio should be monitored to ensure it remains competitive within the actively managed SMID-cap ETF landscape.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
ASCE Key Highlights
- Actively managed fund focusing on U.S. small- and medium-cap equities.
- Employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis for stock selection.
- Targets approximately 50 securities for a focused portfolio.
- May allocate up to 20% of assets to foreign issuers in developed markets, including ADRs.
- Excludes companies with significant alcohol, gaming, or tobacco business.
Who Are ASCE's Competitors?
ASCE is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | AI Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMCY Democracy International Fund | $32.99 | +0.28% | $11.45M | 44 |
| EBIT Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners ETF (EBIT) | $39.84 | +0.32% | $11.34M | 47 |
| EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF | $42.73 | +3.32% | $14.66M | 47 |
| EMES Harbor Emerging Markets Select ETF (EMES) | $23.55 | -0.72% | $9.56M | 38 |
| EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF | $38.16 | +1.43% | $12.95M | 47 |
| NXDT NexPoint Diversified Real Estate Trust | $5.53 | +3.08% | $285.77M | 73 |
| GENB Generate Biomedicines, Inc. | $17.03 | -2.18% | $2.18B | 72 |
| SII Sprott Inc. | $118.11 | +2.72% | $3.05B | 71 |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are ASCE's Key Strengths?
- Active management approach
- Proprietary alpha model
- Focused portfolio
- Diversification across sectors
What Are ASCE's Weaknesses?
- Reliance on active management skill
- Potential for underperformance relative to passive benchmarks
- Expense ratio may be higher than passive ETFs
- Small asset base
What Could Drive ASCE Stock Higher?
- Potential for outperformance in a rising SMID-cap market environment.
- Continued refinement of the proprietary alpha model.
- Active management team's ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
- Increased investor interest in actively managed ETFs.
What Are the Key Risks for ASCE?
- Underperformance relative to passive benchmarks.
- Market volatility impacting SMID-cap equities.
- Competition from other ETFs with lower expense ratios.
- Dependence on the skill of the active management team.
What Are the Growth Opportunities for ASCE?
- Expansion into ESG Investing: The fund could attract a wider investor base by incorporating specific Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into its investment selection process. The market for ESG-focused investments is growing rapidly, with assets under management projected to reach trillions of dollars by 2030. By explicitly considering ESG factors, ASCE can appeal to investors seeking to align their investments with their values. This could involve screening companies based on their environmental impact, social responsibility practices, and corporate governance structures. The timeline for implementing ESG integration could be within the next 1-2 years.
- Increased Marketing and Distribution Efforts: Allspring could increase the visibility and accessibility of ASCE through enhanced marketing and distribution strategies. This could involve partnerships with financial advisors, online brokerage platforms, and institutional investors. By raising awareness of the fund's investment approach and performance track record, Allspring can attract new investors and grow the fund's assets under management. The timeline for implementing these strategies could be immediate and ongoing.
- Development of Thematic Investment Strategies: Allspring could develop new thematic investment strategies that complement ASCE's core SMID-cap focus. For example, the firm could launch ETFs focused on specific sectors or industries, such as technology, healthcare, or clean energy. These thematic ETFs could leverage Allspring's existing research capabilities and investment expertise. The timeline for developing and launching new thematic ETFs could be within the next 2-3 years.
- Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions: Allspring could pursue strategic partnerships or acquisitions to expand its product offerings, distribution network, or investment capabilities. This could involve partnering with other asset managers, technology providers, or financial institutions. Acquisitions could provide access to new markets, investment strategies, or talent. The timeline for pursuing strategic partnerships or acquisitions is uncertain and depends on market conditions and available opportunities.
- Enhancement of Quantitative Models: Allspring could further enhance its proprietary alpha model by incorporating new data sources, refining existing factors, and developing new analytical techniques. This could improve the model's ability to identify undervalued companies and generate superior investment returns. The timeline for enhancing the quantitative model is ongoing and iterative.
What Opportunities Does ASCE Have?
- Growth in SMID-cap equity market
- Increasing demand for actively managed ETFs
- Expansion into ESG investing
- Development of thematic investment strategies
What Threats Does ASCE Face?
- Market volatility
- Increased competition from other ETFs
- Changes in investor sentiment
- Regulatory changes
What Are ASCE's Competitive Advantages?
- Proprietary alpha model: The fund's quantitative model provides a potential edge in identifying undervalued companies.
- Active management expertise: The fund's investment team has experience in analyzing and selecting SMID-cap stocks.
- Focused portfolio: The fund's concentrated portfolio allows for greater potential outperformance.
What Does ASCE Do?
Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on investing in equity securities of small- and medium-capitalization (SMID) companies located in the United States. The fund operates within the Russell 2500 Index range, which serves as its primary investment universe. ASCE's investment strategy combines quantitative methods with qualitative analysis to identify companies believed to be relatively undervalued and possessing the potential for future earnings growth. The fund may allocate up to 20% of its total assets to foreign issuers in developed markets, including American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). The quantitative component of ASCE's investment process relies on a proprietary alpha model. This model ranks securities based on factors such as valuation, quality, and momentum. Valuation metrics assess whether a company's stock price is justified by its underlying fundamentals. Quality factors evaluate a company's financial health and profitability. Momentum indicators gauge the strength and persistence of a stock's price trend. The qualitative analysis involves a more in-depth assessment of various aspects of a company, including the quality of its management team, the attractiveness of its products or services, the intensity of competition in its industry, and the potential risks it faces. ASCE constructs a focused portfolio of approximately 50 securities, diversified across major sectors of the U.S. economy. The fund avoids investing in issuers with significant involvement in the alcohol, gaming, or tobacco industries, reflecting certain ethical or social considerations. The fund may also hold cash or money market instruments for liquidity purposes or as a short-term defensive strategy. These holdings can impact the fund's ability to achieve its investment objectives during such periods.
What Products and Services Does ASCE Offer?
- Invests primarily in equity securities of small- and medium-cap U.S. companies.
- Operates within the Russell 2500 Index range.
- May allocate up to 20% of total assets to foreign issuers in developed markets, including ADRs.
- Combines quantitative methods with qualitative analysis in selecting companies.
- Utilizes a proprietary alpha model to rank securities based on valuation, quality, and momentum.
- Curates a focused portfolio of approximately 50 securities diversified across major sectors.
- Avoids issuers with significant alcohol, gaming, or tobacco business.
- May hold cash or money market instruments for liquidity or short-term defensive investments.
How Does ASCE Make Money?
- Generates revenue through management fees charged on assets under management (AUM).
- Actively manages a portfolio of SMID-cap U.S. equities.
- Employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis to select investments.
What Industry Does ASCE Operate In?
The asset management industry is characterized by intense competition, with numerous firms offering a wide range of investment products and services. ETFs, in particular, have experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by their low cost, transparency, and ease of trading. Allspring SMID Core ETF operates in the actively managed segment of the ETF market, which seeks to outperform passive index-tracking strategies. The fund competes with other actively managed SMID-cap ETFs, as well as mutual funds and individual stock portfolios. The fund's success depends on its ability to generate superior investment returns relative to its peers and benchmarks.
Who Are ASCE's Key Customers?
- Individual investors
- Financial advisors
- Institutional investors (e.g., pension funds, endowments, foundations)
ASCE Valuation & Market Position
Relative to its peer group, ASCE's quantitative score of 44/100 is roughly in line with the peer average of 45/100.
ASCE Financials
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Active management approach
- Proprietary alpha model
- Focused portfolio
- Diversification across sectors
Bear Case
- Reliance on active management skill
- Potential for underperformance relative to passive benchmarks
- Expense ratio may be higher than passive ETFs
- Small asset base
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · July 2026
ASCE Latest News
-
Ascent Industries Pitches Pure-Play Chemicals Shift, Buybacks and Growth Runway
Yahoo Finance · Jun 11, 2026
ASCE Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations from Benzinga, Yahoo Finance, and Finnhub for ASCE.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for ASCE.
ASCE MoonshotScore
What does this score mean?
The MoonshotScore rates ASCE's growth potential on a scale of 0-100 across multiple factors including innovation, market disruption, financial health, and momentum.
Common Questions About ASCE (Financial Services)
What does Allspring SMID Core ETF do?
Allspring SMID Core ETF is an actively managed fund that invests primarily in the equity securities of small- and medium-capitalization companies in the United States. The fund seeks to identify undervalued companies with the potential for future earnings growth by combining quantitative methods, based on a proprietary alpha model, with qualitative analysis, which includes management evaluation, product assessment, competitive landscape analysis, and risk assessment. The fund constructs a focused portfolio of approximately 50 securities, diversified across major sectors, while avoiding companies with significant involvement in alcohol, gaming, or tobacco businesses. The ETF aims to provide long-term capital appreciation by actively managing its holdings based on market conditions and company-specific developments.
What are the main risks for ASCE?
The main risks for ASCE include the potential for underperformance relative to passive SMID-cap benchmarks, market volatility impacting the value of its holdings, and competition from other ETFs with lower expense ratios. The fund's active management approach relies on the skill of its investment team, and there is no guarantee that the fund will be able to consistently generate superior returns. Additionally, changes in investor sentiment, regulatory changes, and unforeseen economic events could negatively impact the fund's performance. The fund's focused portfolio of approximately 50 securities may also increase its exposure to company-specific risks.
How is Allspring SMID Core ETF adapting to fintech disruption?
As an asset manager, Allspring SMID Core ETF's adaptation to fintech disruption is reflected in its investment choices and operational efficiencies. The fund may invest in companies that are leveraging technology to disrupt traditional financial services, or it may adopt fintech solutions to improve its own investment processes, such as data analytics and portfolio management tools. The fund's ability to identify and capitalize on fintech-driven opportunities will be crucial for its long-term success. Furthermore, Allspring must continually assess how fintech innovations are impacting the competitive landscape of the asset management industry and adjust its strategies accordingly.
What regulatory challenges does Allspring SMID Core ETF face?
Allspring SMID Core ETF, like all registered investment companies, faces regulatory oversight from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These regulations cover various aspects of the fund's operations, including its investment policies, disclosure requirements, and compliance procedures. The fund must adhere to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other applicable securities laws. Regulatory changes, such as those related to fund governance, cybersecurity, or ESG investing, could increase the fund's compliance costs and impact its investment strategies. Allspring must maintain a robust compliance program to ensure that it meets all regulatory requirements and protects the interests of its investors.
What are the key factors to evaluate for ASCE?
Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) holds an AI score of 44/100 (low). Not financial advice.
How frequently does ASCE data refresh on this page?
ASCE prices update in real time during U.S. market hours. Fundamentals refresh after quarterly filings; analyst ratings and AI insights update daily; news is aggregated continuously.
What has driven ASCE's recent stock price performance?
Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) moves on earnings results, analyst revisions, sector rotation, and market sentiment. Notable catalyst: Active management approach. See the News tab for the latest drivers. Past performance does not predict future results.
Should investors consider ASCE overvalued or undervalued right now?
Valuing Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) requires multiple metrics. Compare P/E, P/S, and EV/EBITDA against sector peers for a full view.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- AI analysis pending for ASCE. The information provided is based on available data and may be subject to change.
- Investment decisions should be based on a thorough understanding of the fund's prospectus and risks.