2024-01-03InternationalandGlobalEquityFunds-Retail
 
image
Prospectus
March 1, 2024
International and Global Equity Funds

Fund
Administrator Class
Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund
EMGYX
Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund
EQIDX
Allspring International Equity Fund
WFEDX
Allspring Special Global Small Cap Fund
EKGYX
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.  

 
 
Table of Contents
2
6

 
Emerging Markets Equity Fund  Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses
These tables are intended to help you understand the various costs and expenses you will pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of offering price)
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)1
Management Fees
1.02%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees
0.00%
Other Expenses
0.48%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.50%
Fee Waivers
(0.14)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers2
1.36%
1. Expenses have been adjusted as necessary from amounts incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year to reflect current fees and expenses.
2. The Manager has contractually committed through February 28, 2025, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 1.36% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense cap. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Example of Expenses
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes a $10,000 initial investment, 5% annual total return, and that fees and expenses remain the same as in the tables above. To the extent that the Manager is waiving fees or reimbursing expenses, the example assumes that such waiver or reimbursement will only be in place through the date noted above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
After:
1 Year
$138
3 Years
$460
5 Years
$805
10 Years
$1,779
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 4% of the average value of its portfolio.

2 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, we invest:
at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets in emerging market equity securities.
 
We invest principally in equity or other listed securities of emerging market companies. We consider emerging market companies to include companies that are traded in, have their primary operations in, are domiciled in or derive a majority of their revenue from emerging market countries as defined by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. We may use futures to manage risk or to enhance return. The Fund may have exposure to stocks across any capitalizations and styles and will be diversified across countries and sectors.
Utilizing a bottom-up, research driven stock selection process, we seek to invest in quality companies at prices below their intrinsic value. From the available stock universe we focus only on those quality companies that are able to sustain high profitability over a long period of time for reasons we can understand. We believe that quality companies create value for investors from profitable investment of retained earnings and dividend payout and preserve value in adversity. We further believe that quality companies that embrace sustainable environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies are more likely to avoid permanent loss of capital than companies that do not. Among the characteristics we seek in high-quality companies are strong competitive position, demonstrable financial strength and profitability, favorable ESG attributes, quality management dedicated to public shareholders’ interest, and favorable growth prospect supported by major long-term trends. ESG information and research are integral to the investment process for the specific purpose of increasing our knowledge of companies, identifying and evaluating risks and opportunities, and engaging with companies to influence corporate behaviors, all of which can impact the team’s assessment of a company’s quality and long term intrinsic value. ESG factors represent broad categories, and the team’s ESG research is pragmatic and driven by bottom-up, company-specific issues that are important to individual companies in our pool of quality investments. In general, ESG research and engagement are broad and cover environmental, social, and governance issues as appropriate for each company, such as the environmental impact of a proposed project, employee protections in a supply chain, or composition of the board of directors. We also focus on understanding each company’s intrinsic value and will only invest when a company’s stock trades at a meaningful discount to this value. We do not attempt to anticipate or react to short term market fluctuations, but instead seek to take advantage of periodic market inefficiencies to buy the high quality companies at prices below our assessment of their intrinsic value. We have a disciplined approach to the monitoring and sale of holdings and our decisions to trim or sell out of positions may be triggered when a stock price exceeds its intrinsic value or when there is a material deterioration in the fundamentals of the company.
Principal Investment Risks
An investment in the Fund may lose money,  is not a deposit of a bank or its affiliates, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, and is primarily subject to the risks briefly summarized below.
Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by the Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Securities markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.
Equity Securities Risk. The values of equity securities may experience periods of substantial price volatility and may decline significantly over short time periods. In general, the values of equity securities are more volatile than those of debt securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value and price in response to factors specific to the issuer of the security, such as management performance, financial condition, and market demand for the issuer’s products or services, as well as factors unrelated to the fundamental condition of the issuer, including general market, economic and political conditions. Different parts of a market, industry and sector may react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political, and economic developments.
Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be subject to higher withholding and other taxes.
Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under “Foreign Investment Risk” and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

International and Global Equity Funds 3

 
Back to Table of Contents
Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, can lead to losses, including those magnified by leverage, particularly when derivatives are used to enhance return rather than mitigate risk. Certain derivative instruments may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so, or the other party to a derivative contract may be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.
Futures Contracts Risk. A Fund that uses futures contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts.
Growth/Value Investing Risk. Securities that exhibit growth or value characteristics tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions.
Management Risk. Investment decisions,  techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund’s manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objective may not produce expected returns, may cause the Fund’s shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.
Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.
Performance
The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Fund’s average annual total returns are compared to the performance of one or more indices. Past performance before and after taxes is no guarantee of future results. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website at www.allspringglobal.com.
Calendar Year Total Returns for Administrator Class as of 12/31 each year
image
Highest Quarter:
June 30, 2020
+23.80%
Lowest Quarter:
March 31, 2020
-23.78%

4 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended 12/31/2023
Inception Date of Share Class
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Administrator Class (before taxes)
9/6/1994
8.45%
3.64%
2.20%
Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions)
9/6/1994
8.01%
3.58%
2.17%
Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions and the sale of Fund Shares)
9/6/1994
4.99%
2.91%
1.82%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
15.62%
7.08%
3.83%
MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net) (USD) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
9.83%
3.68%
2.66%
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) Plans or Individual Retirement Accounts.
Fund Management
Manager
Sub-Adviser
Portfolio Manager, Title/Managed Since
Allspring Funds Management, LLC
Allspring Global Investments, LLC
Derrick Irwin, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2011
Richard Peck, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2014
Yi (Jerry) Zhang, Ph.D., CFA, Portfolio Manager/2006
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Administrator  shares are generally available through intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks and trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and funds of funds, including those managed by Allspring Funds Management. In general, you can buy or sell shares of the Fund online or by mail, phone or wire, on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial professional.
Minimum Investments
To Buy or Sell Shares
Minimum Initial Investment
Administrator Class: $1 million (this amount may be reduced or eliminated for certain eligible investors)

Minimum Additional Investment
Administrator Class: None
Mail: Allspring Funds
P.O. Box 219967
Kansas City, MO 64121-9967
Online: www.allspringglobal.com
Phone or Wire: 1-800-222-8222
Contact your financial professional.
Tax Information
Any distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged investment plan may be subject to federal income tax. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation.
Payments to Intermediaries
If you purchase a Fund through an intermediary, the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the intermediary and your financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Consult your financial professional or visit your intermediary’s website for more information.

International and Global Equity Funds 5

 
Back to Table of Contents
Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund  Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation and current income.
Fees and Expenses
These tables are intended to help you understand the various costs and expenses you will pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of offering price)
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)1
Management Fees
1.05%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees
0.00%
Other Expenses
0.55%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.60%
Fee Waivers
(0.15)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers2
1.45%
1. Expenses have been adjusted as necessary from amounts incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year to reflect current fees and expenses.
2. The Manager has contractually committed through February 28, 2025, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 1.45% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense cap. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Example of Expenses
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes a $10,000 initial investment, 5% annual total return, and that fees and expenses remain the same as in the tables above. To the extent that the Manager is waiving fees or reimbursing expenses, the example assumes that such waiver or reimbursement will only be in place through the date noted above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
After:
1 Year
$148
3 Years
$490
5 Years
$857
10 Years
$1,887
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 68% of the average value of its portfolio.

6 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, we invest:
at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets in equity securities of companies in emerging market countries; and
 
across any market capitalization.
 
We consider emerging market countries to be, among others, countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. We look for companies with sustainable dividend yields backed by strong company financials and fundamentals, including above-average sales and earnings growth, overall financial strength, competitive advantages, and capable management. We may sell a holding when it no longer has some or all of these traits. Our investment strategy includes both a top-down strategy, which takes account of overall economic and market trends in each country, and a bottom-up strategy, in which we use fundamental research for security selection. In order to take advantage of the wide range of possible opportunities in a variety of markets at different stages of economic development, we construct the portfolio with the potential for a portfolio dividend yield above the index average while maintaining a controlled level of risk.
We see Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations as a component of fundamental analysis and in particular climate change as a serious and complex risk. The accounting of sustainability issues is integrated into the team’s investment process: research, stock selection, portfolio construction, and engagement with companies on ESG issues.
We reserve the right to hedge the portfolio’s foreign currency exposure by purchasing or selling currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts. However, under normal circumstances, we will not engage in extensive foreign currency hedging.
Principal Investment Risks
An investment in the Fund may lose money,  is not a deposit of a bank or its affiliates, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, and is primarily subject to the risks briefly summarized below.
Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by the Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Securities markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.
Equity Securities Risk. The values of equity securities may experience periods of substantial price volatility and may decline significantly over short time periods. In general, the values of equity securities are more volatile than those of debt securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value and price in response to factors specific to the issuer of the security, such as management performance, financial condition, and market demand for the issuer’s products or services, as well as factors unrelated to the fundamental condition of the issuer, including general market, economic and political conditions. Different parts of a market, industry and sector may react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political, and economic developments.
Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be subject to higher withholding and other taxes.
Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under “Foreign Investment Risk” and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.
Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, can lead to losses, including those magnified by leverage, particularly when derivatives are used to enhance return rather than mitigate risk. Certain derivative instruments may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so, or the other party to a derivative contract may be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.
Foreign Currency  Contracts Risk. A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes.
Growth/Value Investing Risk. Securities that exhibit growth or value characteristics tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions.

International and Global Equity Funds 7

 
Back to Table of Contents
Management Risk. Investment decisions,  techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund’s manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objective may not produce expected returns, may cause the Fund’s shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.
Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.
Performance
The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Fund’s average annual total returns are compared to the performance of one or more indices. Past performance before and after taxes is no guarantee of future results. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website at www.allspringglobal.com.
Calendar Year Total Returns for Administrator Class as of 12/31 each year
image
Highest Quarter:
December 31, 2020
+21.63%
Lowest Quarter:
March 31, 2020
-26.92%
Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended 12/31/2023
Inception Date of Share Class
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Administrator Class (before taxes)
5/31/2012
12.03%
3.45%
2.33%
Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions)
5/31/2012
10.92%
3.01%
1.95%
Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions and the sale of Fund Shares)
5/31/2012
7.08%
2.79%
1.94%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
15.62%
7.08%
3.83%
MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net) (USD) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
9.83%
3.68%
2.66%
MSCI Emerging Markets High Dividend Yield Index (Net) (USD) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
18.67%
3.00%
1.53%
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) Plans or Individual Retirement Accounts.

8 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Fund Management
Manager
Sub-Adviser
Portfolio Managers, Title/Managed Since
Allspring Funds Management, LLC
Allspring Global Investments, LLC
Alison Shimada, Portfolio Manager / 2012
Elaine Tse, Portfolio Manager / 2018
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Administrator  shares are generally available through intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks and trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and funds of funds, including those managed by Allspring Funds Management. In general, you can buy or sell shares of the Fund online or by mail, phone or wire, on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial professional.
Minimum Investments
To Buy or Sell Shares
Minimum Initial Investment
Administrator Class: $1 million (this amount may be reduced or eliminated for certain eligible investors)

Minimum Additional Investment
Administrator Class: None
Mail: Allspring Funds
P.O. Box 219967
Kansas City, MO 64121-9967
Online: www.allspringglobal.com
Phone or Wire: 1-800-222-8222
Contact your financial professional.
Tax Information
Any distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged investment plan may be subject to federal income tax. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation.
Payments to Intermediaries
If you purchase a Fund through an intermediary, the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the intermediary and your financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Consult your financial professional or visit your intermediary’s website for more information.

International and Global Equity Funds 9

 
Back to Table of Contents
International Equity Fund  Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses
These tables are intended to help you understand the various costs and expenses you will pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of offering price)
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)1
Management Fees
0.80%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees
0.00%
Other Expenses
0.57%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.38%
Fee Waivers
(0.23)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers2
1.15%
1. Expenses have been adjusted as necessary from amounts incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year to reflect current fees and expenses.
2. The Manager has contractually committed through February 28, 2025, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 1.14% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense cap. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Example of Expenses
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes a $10,000 initial investment, 5% annual total return, and that fees and expenses remain the same as in the tables above. To the extent that the Manager is waiving fees or reimbursing expenses, the example assumes that such waiver or reimbursement will only be in place through the date noted above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
After:
1 Year
$117
3 Years
$414
5 Years
$733
10 Years
$1,637
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 126% of the average value of its portfolio.

10 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, we invest:
at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets in equity securities of foreign issuers;
 
up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets in emerging market equity securities; and
 
in securities of at least three different countries including the U.S.
 
The types of securities in which we normally invest include common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). We consider equity securities of foreign issuers (or foreign securities) to be equity securities: (1) issued by companies with their principal place of business or principal office or both, as determined in our reasonable discretion, in a country other than the U.S.; or (2) issued by companies for which the principal securities trading market is a country other than the U.S. We may use futures or forward foreign currency contracts to manage risk or to enhance return.
We use bottom-up stock selection, based on fundamental research, that emphasizes companies with resilient characteristics as the cornerstone of our investment process. We emphasize businesses that possess robust asset bases that produce sustainable cash flow growth through a cycle, created by efficient capital allocation and, typically, exhibit a commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends. We emphasize dividend and cash flow yield among other valuation metrics to assess market sentiment and pricing opportunity. While long-term investors, we seek to drive excess returns through exploiting valuation opportunities that arise while recognizing the premium quality of these businesses. We balance exposures between companies with growth characteristics, expressed through growing earnings and dividends, with companies that have value characteristics, expressed through higher dividend yields and usually lower dividend growth. This focus on cash flow and dividend discipline drives a less volatile outcome that delivers both income and growth over a full market cycle. We conduct ongoing review, research, and analysis of our portfolio holdings. We may sell a stock if it achieves our investment objective for the position, if a stock’s fundamentals or price change significantly, if we change our view of a country or sector, or if the stock no longer fits within the risk characteristics of the Fund’s portfolio.
We conduct ongoing review, research, and analysis of our portfolio holdings. We may sell a stock if it achieves our investment objective for the position, if a stock’s fundamentals or price change significantly, if we change our view of a country or sector, or if the stock no longer fits within the risk characteristics of  the Fund’s  portfolio.
Principal Investment Risks
An investment in the Fund may lose money,  is not a deposit of a bank or its affiliates, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, and is primarily subject to the risks briefly summarized below.
Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by the Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Securities markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.
Equity Securities Risk. The values of equity securities may experience periods of substantial price volatility and may decline significantly over short time periods. In general, the values of equity securities are more volatile than those of debt securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value and price in response to factors specific to the issuer of the security, such as management performance, financial condition, and market demand for the issuer’s products or services, as well as factors unrelated to the fundamental condition of the issuer, including general market, economic and political conditions. Different parts of a market, industry and sector may react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political, and economic developments.
Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be subject to higher withholding and other taxes.
Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, can lead to losses, including those magnified by leverage, particularly when derivatives are used to enhance return rather than mitigate risk. Certain derivative instruments may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so, or the other party to a derivative contract may be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.
Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under “Foreign Investment Risk” and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. Emerging market

International and Global Equity Funds 11

 
Back to Table of Contents
securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.
Foreign Currency  Contracts Risk. A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes.
Futures Contracts Risk. A Fund that uses futures contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts.
Growth/Value Investing Risk. Securities that exhibit growth or value characteristics tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions.
Management Risk. Investment decisions,  techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund’s manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objective may not produce expected returns, may cause the Fund’s shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.
Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.
Performance
The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Fund’s average annual total returns are compared to the performance of one or more indices. Past performance before and after taxes is no guarantee of future results. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website at www.allspringglobal.com.
Calendar Year Total Returns for Administrator Class as of 12/31 each year
image
Highest Quarter:
December 31, 2022
+18.44%
Lowest Quarter:
March 31, 2020
-29.82%
Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended 12/31/2023
Inception Date of Share Class
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Administrator Class (before taxes)
7/16/2010
15.56%
5.38%
3.05%
Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions)
7/16/2010
14.56%
5.00%
2.53%
Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions and the sale of Fund Shares)
7/16/2010
9.19%
4.23%
2.38%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
15.62%
7.08%
3.83%
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
18.24%
8.16%
4.28%

12 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) Plans or Individual Retirement Accounts.
Fund Management
Manager
Sub-Adviser
Portfolio Manager, Title/Managed Since
Allspring Funds Management, LLC
Allspring Global Investments, LLC
Jonathan Drexel, CFA, Portfolio Manager / 2023
Paige  Henderson, CFA, CFP, Portfolio Manager / 2023
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Administrator  shares are generally available through intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks and trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and funds of funds, including those managed by Allspring Funds Management. In general, you can buy or sell shares of the Fund online or by mail, phone or wire, on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial professional.
Minimum Investments
To Buy or Sell Shares
Minimum Initial Investment
Administrator Class: $1 million (this amount may be reduced or eliminated for certain eligible investors)

Minimum Additional Investment
Administrator Class: None
Mail: Allspring Funds
P.O. Box 219967
Kansas City, MO 64121-9967
Online: www.allspringglobal.com
Phone or Wire: 1-800-222-8222
Contact your financial professional.
Tax Information
Any distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged investment plan may be subject to federal income tax. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation.
Payments to Intermediaries
If you purchase a Fund through an intermediary, the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the intermediary and your financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Consult your financial professional or visit your intermediary’s website for more information.

International and Global Equity Funds 13

 
Back to Table of Contents
Special Global Small Cap Fund  Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses
These tables are intended to help you understand the various costs and expenses you will pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of offering price)
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)1
Management Fees
0.95%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees
0.00%
Other Expenses
0.59%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.54%
Fee Waivers
(0.14)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers2
1.40%
1. Expenses have been adjusted as necessary from amounts incurred during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year to reflect current fees and expenses.
2. The Manager has contractually committed through February 28, 2025, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 1.40% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense cap. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Example of Expenses
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes a $10,000 initial investment, 5% annual total return, and that fees and expenses remain the same as in the tables above. To the extent that the Manager is waiving fees or reimbursing expenses, the example assumes that such waiver or reimbursement will only be in place through the date noted above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
After:
1 Year
$143
3 Years
$473
5 Years
$826
10 Years
$1,823
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 15% of the average value of its portfolio.

14 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, we invest:
at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets in equity securities of small-capitalization companies;
 
in the securities of companies located in no fewer than three countries, which may include the U.S., and we may invest more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets in any one country; and
 
up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets in emerging market equity securities.
 
We invest principally in equity securities of small-capitalization companies, which we define as companies with market capitalizations within the range of the MSCI World Small Cap Index at the time of purchase. The market capitalization range of the MSCI World Small Cap Index was approximately $32.64 million to $19.36 billion, as of January 31, 2024, and is expected to change frequently. We consider foreign securities to be securities: (1) issued by companies with their principal place of business or principal office or both, as determined in our reasonable discretion, in a country other than the U.S.; or (2) issued by companies for which the principal securities trading market is a country other than the U.S. Furthermore, we may use futures, options or forward foreign currency contracts to manage risk or to enhance return.
In selecting equity investments for the Fund, the portfolio managers attempt to identify companies that are well managed, have flexible balance sheets, sustainable cash flows and that are undervalued companies relative to an assessment of their intrinsic value. We believe the global small-capitalization markets are inefficient and that stocks are often inappropriately valued. Our process utilizes both fundamentally based, bottom-up techniques with top-down, industry and sector analysis to identify global opportunities. Furthermore, an analysis of the risk materiality and management of environmental, social and governance risks are considered within the stock selection process and a stock could be excluded from consideration and/or sold from the portfolio as a result of these risks. We conduct ongoing review, research, and analysis of our portfolio holdings. We may sell a stock if it achieves our investment objective for the position, if a stock’s fundamentals or price change significantly, if we change our view of a country or sector, or if the stock no longer fits within the risk characteristics of the Fund’s portfolio. We reserve the right to hedge the portfolio’s foreign currency exposure by purchasing or selling currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts. However, under normal circumstances, we will not engage in extensive foreign currency hedging.
Principal Investment Risks
An investment in the Fund may lose money,  is not a deposit of a bank or its affiliates, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, and is primarily subject to the risks briefly summarized below.
Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by the Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Securities markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.
Equity Securities Risk. The values of equity securities may experience periods of substantial price volatility and may decline significantly over short time periods. In general, the values of equity securities are more volatile than those of debt securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value and price in response to factors specific to the issuer of the security, such as management performance, financial condition, and market demand for the issuer’s products or services, as well as factors unrelated to the fundamental condition of the issuer, including general market, economic and political conditions. Different parts of a market, industry and sector may react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political, and economic developments.
Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.
Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be subject to higher withholding and other taxes.
Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, can lead to losses, including those magnified by leverage, particularly when derivatives are used to enhance return rather than mitigate risk. Certain derivative instruments may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so, or the other party to a derivative contract may be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.
Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under “Foreign Investment Risk” and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. Emerging market

International and Global Equity Funds 15

 
Back to Table of Contents
securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.
Foreign Currency  Contracts Risk. A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes.
Futures Contracts Risk. A Fund that uses futures contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts.
Geographic Emphasis Risk. A Fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in one country or geographic region will be more vulnerable than a fund that invests its assets more broadly to the economic, financial, political or other developments affecting that country or region. Such developments may have a significant impact on the Fund’s investment performance causing such performance to be more volatile than the investment performance of a more geographically diversified fund.
Growth/Value Investing Risk. Securities that exhibit growth or value characteristics tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions.
Management Risk. Investment decisions,  techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund’s manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objective may not produce expected returns, may cause the Fund’s shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.
Options Risk. A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of a loss of premiums without offsetting gains. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments.
Performance
The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Fund’s average annual total returns are compared to the performance of one or more indices. Past performance before and after taxes is no guarantee of future results. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website at www.allspringglobal.com.
Calendar Year Total Returns for Administrator Class as of 12/31 each year
image
Highest Quarter:
December 31, 2020
+20.24%
Lowest Quarter:
March 31, 2020
-24.94%

16 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended 12/31/2023
Inception Date of Share Class
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Administrator Class (before taxes)
1/13/1997
14.33%
7.48%
6.42%
Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions)
1/13/1997
14.33%
6.04%
4.45%
Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions and the sale of Fund Shares)
1/13/1997
8.49%
5.59%
4.60%
MSCI ACWI Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
22.20%
11.72%
7.93%
MSCI World Small Cap Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
15.76%
9.76%
6.78%
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) Plans or Individual Retirement Accounts.
Fund Management
Manager
Sub-Adviser
Portfolio Managers, Title/Managed Since
Allspring Funds Management, LLC
Allspring Global Investments, LLC
Stephen Giggie, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2020
Oleg Makhorine,  Portfolio Manager/2012
Brian Martin, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2020
James M. Tringas, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2008
Bryant VanCronkhite, CFA, CPA, Portfolio Manager/2013
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Administrator  shares are generally available through intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks and trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and funds of funds, including those managed by Allspring Funds Management. In general, you can buy or sell shares of the Fund online or by mail, phone or wire, on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial professional.
Minimum Investments
To Buy or Sell Shares
Minimum Initial Investment
Administrator Class: $1 million (this amount may be reduced or eliminated for certain eligible investors)

Minimum Additional Investment
Administrator Class: None
Mail: Allspring Funds
P.O. Box 219967
Kansas City, MO 64121-9967
Online: www.allspringglobal.com
Phone or Wire: 1-800-222-8222
Contact your financial professional.
Tax Information
Any distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged investment plan may be subject to federal income tax. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation.
Payments to Intermediaries
If you purchase a Fund through an intermediary, the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the intermediary and your financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Consult your financial professional or visit your intermediary’s website for more information.

International and Global Equity Funds 17

 
Back to Table of Contents
Details About the Funds
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
The Fund’s Board of Trustees can change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, we invest:
at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets in emerging market equity securities.
 
We invest principally in equity or other listed securities of emerging market companies. We consider emerging market companies to include companies that are traded in, have their primary operations in, are domiciled in or derive a majority of their revenue from emerging market countries as defined by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. We may use futures to manage risk or to enhance return. The Fund may have exposure to stocks across any capitalizations and styles and will be diversified across countries and sectors.
Utilizing a bottom-up, research driven stock selection process, we seek to invest in quality companies at prices below their intrinsic value. From the available stock universe we focus only on those quality companies that are able to sustain high profitability over a long period of time for reasons we can understand. We believe that quality companies create value for investors from profitable investment of retained earnings and dividend payout and preserve value in adversity. We further believe that quality companies that embrace sustainable environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies are more likely to avoid permanent loss of capital than companies that do not. Among the characteristics we seek in high-quality companies are strong competitive position, demonstrable financial strength and profitability, favorable ESG attributes, quality management dedicated to public shareholders’ interest, and favorable growth prospect supported by major long-term trends. ESG information and research are integral to the investment process for the specific purpose of increasing our knowledge of companies, identifying and evaluating risks and opportunities, and engaging with companies to influence corporate behaviors, all of which can impact the team’s assessment of a company’s quality and long term intrinsic value. ESG factors represent broad categories, and the team’s ESG research is pragmatic and driven by bottom-up, company-specific issues that are important to individual companies in our pool of quality investments. In general, ESG research and engagement are broad and cover environmental, social, and governance issues as appropriate for each company, such as the environmental impact of a proposed project, employee protections in a supply chain, or composition of the board of directors. We also focus on understanding each company’s intrinsic value and will only invest when a company’s stock trades at a meaningful discount to this value. We do not attempt to anticipate or react to short term market fluctuations, but instead seek to take advantage of periodic market inefficiencies to buy the high quality companies at prices below our assessment of their intrinsic value. We have a disciplined approach to the monitoring and sale of holdings and our decisions to trim or sell out of positions may be triggered when a stock price exceeds its intrinsic value or when there is a material deterioration in the fundamentals of the company.
We may actively trade portfolio securities, which may lead to higher transaction costs that may affect the Fund’s performance. In addition, active trading of portfolio securities may lead to higher taxes if your shares are held in a taxable account.
The Fund may hold some of its assets in cash or in money market instruments, including U.S. Government obligations, shares of other funds and repurchase agreements, or make other short-term investments for purposes of maintaining liquidity or for short-term defensive purposes when we believe it is in the best interests of the shareholders to do so. During such periods, the Fund may not achieve its objective.

18 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Principal Investment Risks
The Fund is primarily subject to the risks mentioned below.
  • Market Risk
  • Equity Securities Risk
  • Foreign Investment Risk
  • Emerging Markets Risk
  • Derivatives Risk
  • Futures Contracts Risk
  • Growth/Value Investing Risk
  • Management Risk
  • Smaller Company Securities Risk
These and other risks could cause you to lose money in your investment in the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value and total return. These risks are described in the “Description of Principal Investment Risks” section.

International and Global Equity Funds 19

 
Back to Table of Contents
Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation and current income.
The Fund’s Board of Trustees can change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, we invest:
at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets in equity securities of companies in emerging market countries; and
 
across any market capitalization.
 
We consider emerging market countries to be, among others, countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. We look for companies with sustainable dividend yields backed by strong company financials and fundamentals, including above-average sales and earnings growth, overall financial strength, competitive advantages, and capable management. We may sell a holding when it no longer has some or all of these traits. Our investment strategy includes both a top-down strategy, which takes account of overall economic and market trends in each country, and a bottom-up strategy, in which we use fundamental research for security selection. In order to take advantage of the wide range of possible opportunities in a variety of markets at different stages of economic development, we construct the portfolio with the potential for a portfolio dividend yield above the index average while maintaining a controlled level of risk.
We see Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations as a component of fundamental analysis and in particular climate change as a serious and complex risk. The accounting of sustainability issues is integrated into the team’s investment process: research, stock selection, portfolio construction, and engagement with companies on ESG issues.
We reserve the right to hedge the portfolio’s foreign currency exposure by purchasing or selling currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts. However, under normal circumstances, we will not engage in extensive foreign currency hedging.
We may actively trade portfolio securities, which may lead to higher transaction costs that may affect the Fund’s performance. In addition, active trading of portfolio securities may lead to higher taxes if your shares are held in a taxable account.
The Fund may hold some of its assets in cash or in money market instruments, including U.S. Government obligations, shares of other funds and repurchase agreements, or make other short-term investments for purposes of maintaining liquidity or for short-term defensive purposes when we believe it is in the best interests of the shareholders to do so. During such periods, the Fund may not achieve its objective.
Principal Investment Risks
The Fund is primarily subject to the risks mentioned below.
  • Market Risk
  • Equity Securities Risk
  • Foreign Investment Risk
  • Emerging Markets Risk
  • Derivatives Risk
  • Foreign Currency Contracts Risk
  • Growth/Value Investing Risk
  • Management Risk
  • Smaller Company Securities Risk
These and other risks could cause you to lose money in your investment in the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value and total return. These risks are described in the “Description of Principal Investment Risks” section.

20 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
International Equity  Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
The Fund’s Board of Trustees can change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, we invest:
at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets in equity securities of foreign issuers;
 
up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets in emerging market equity securities; and
 
in securities of at least three different countries including the U.S.
 
The types of securities in which we normally invest include common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). We consider equity securities of foreign issuers (or foreign securities) to be equity securities: (1) issued by companies with their principal place of business or principal office or both, as determined in our reasonable discretion, in a country other than the U.S.; or (2) issued by companies for which the principal securities trading market is a country other than the U.S. We may use futures or forward foreign currency contracts to manage risk or to enhance return.
We use bottom-up stock selection, based on fundamental research, that emphasizes companies with resilient characteristics as the cornerstone of our investment process. We emphasize businesses that possess robust asset bases that produce sustainable cash flow growth through a cycle, created by efficient capital allocation and, typically, exhibit a commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends. We emphasize dividend and cash flow yield among other valuation metrics to assess market sentiment and pricing opportunity. While long-term investors, we seek to drive excess returns through exploiting valuation opportunities that arise while recognizing the premium quality of these businesses. We balance exposures between companies with growth characteristics, expressed through growing earnings and dividends, with companies that have value characteristics, expressed through higher dividend yields and usually lower dividend growth. This focus on cash flow and dividend discipline drives a less volatile outcome that delivers both income and growth over a full market cycle. We conduct ongoing review, research, and analysis of our portfolio holdings. We may sell a stock if it achieves our investment objective for the position, if a stock’s fundamentals or price change significantly, if we change our view of a country or sector, or if the stock no longer fits within the risk characteristics of the Fund’s portfolio.
We conduct ongoing review, research, and analysis of our portfolio holdings. We may sell a stock if it achieves our investment objective for the position, if a stock’s fundamentals or price change significantly, if we change our view of a country or sector, or if the stock no longer fits within the risk characteristics of  the Fund’s  portfolio.
We may actively trade portfolio securities, which may lead to higher transaction costs that may affect the Fund’s performance. In addition, active trading of portfolio securities may lead to higher taxes if your shares are held in a taxable account.
The Fund may hold some of its assets in cash or in money market instruments, including U.S. Government obligations, shares of other funds and repurchase agreements, or make other short-term investments for purposes of maintaining liquidity or for short-term defensive purposes when we believe it is in the best interests of the shareholders to do so. During such periods, the Fund may not achieve its objective.
Principal Investment Risks
The Fund is primarily subject to the risks mentioned below.
  • Market Risk
  • Equity Securities Risk
  • Foreign Investment Risk
  • Derivatives Risk
  • Emerging Markets Risk
  • Foreign Currency Contracts Risk
  • Futures Contracts Risk
  • Growth/Value Investing Risk
  • Management Risk
  • Smaller Company Securities Risk
These and other risks could cause you to lose money in your investment in the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value and total return. These risks are described in the “Description of Principal Investment Risks” section.

International and Global Equity Funds 21

 
Back to Table of Contents
Special Global Small Cap Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
The Fund’s Board of Trustees can change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, we invest:
at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets in equity securities of small-capitalization companies;
 
in the securities of companies located in no fewer than three countries, which may include the U.S., and we may invest more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets in any one country; and
 
up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets in emerging market equity securities.
 
We invest principally in equity securities of small-capitalization companies, which we define as companies with market capitalizations within the range of the MSCI World Small Cap Index at the time of purchase. The market capitalization range of the MSCI World Small Cap Index was approximately $32.64 million to $19.36 billion, as of January 31, 2024, and is expected to change frequently. We consider foreign securities to be securities: (1) issued by companies with their principal place of business or principal office or both, as determined in our reasonable discretion, in a country other than the U.S.; or (2) issued by companies for which the principal securities trading market is a country other than the U.S. Furthermore, we may use futures, options or forward foreign currency contracts to manage risk or to enhance return.
In selecting equity investments for the Fund, the portfolio managers attempt to identify companies that are well managed, have flexible balance sheets, sustainable cash flows and that are undervalued companies relative to an assessment of their intrinsic value. We believe the global small-capitalization markets are inefficient and that stocks are often inappropriately valued. Our process utilizes both fundamentally based, bottom-up techniques with top-down, industry and sector analysis to identify global opportunities. Furthermore, an analysis of the risk materiality and management of environmental, social and governance risks are considered within the stock selection process and a stock could be excluded from consideration and/or sold from the portfolio as a result of these risks. We conduct ongoing review, research, and analysis of our portfolio holdings. We may sell a stock if it achieves our investment objective for the position, if a stock’s fundamentals or price change significantly, if we change our view of a country or sector, or if the stock no longer fits within the risk characteristics of the Fund’s portfolio. We reserve the right to hedge the portfolio’s foreign currency exposure by purchasing or selling currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts. However, under normal circumstances, we will not engage in extensive foreign currency hedging.
We may actively trade portfolio securities, which may lead to higher transaction costs that may affect the Fund’s performance. In addition, active trading of portfolio securities may lead to higher taxes if your shares are held in a taxable account.
The Fund may hold some of its assets in cash or in money market instruments, including U.S. Government obligations, shares of other funds and repurchase agreements, or make other short-term investments for purposes of maintaining liquidity or for short-term defensive purposes when we believe it is in the best interests of the shareholders to do so. During such periods, the Fund may not achieve its objective.
Principal Investment Risks
The Fund is primarily subject to the risks mentioned below.
  • Market Risk
  • Equity Securities Risk
  • Smaller Company Securities Risk
  • Foreign Investment Risk
  • Derivatives Risk
  • Emerging Markets Risk
  • Foreign Currency Contracts Risk
  • Futures Contracts Risk
  • Geographic Emphasis Risk
  • Growth/Value Investing Risk
  • Management Risk
  • Options Risk
These and other risks could cause you to lose money in your investment in the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value and total return. These risks are described in the “Description of Principal Investment Risks” section.

22 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Description of Principal Investment Risks
Understanding the risks involved in fund investing will help you make an informed decision that takes into account your risk tolerance and preferences. The risks that are most likely to have a material effect on a particular Fund  as a whole are called “principal risks.” The principal risks for  each  Fund have been previously identified and are described below (in alphabetical order). Additional information about the principal risks is included in the Statement of Additional Information.
Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the derivatives’ underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives. These risks are heightened when derivatives are used to enhance a Fund’s return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge (or mitigate) the risk of a position or security held by the Fund. The success of a derivative strategy will be affected by the portfolio manager’s ability to assess and predict market or economic developments and their impact on the derivatives’ underlying assets, indexes or reference rates, as well as the derivatives themselves. Certain derivative instruments may become illiquid and, as a result, may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so. Certain derivatives create leverage, which can magnify the impact of a decline in the value of their underlying assets, indexes or reference rates, and increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value. Certain derivatives (e.g., over-the-counter swaps) are also subject to the risk that the counterparty to the derivative contract will be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, which may cause a Fund to lose money, suffer delays or incur costs arising from holding or selling an underlying asset. Changes in laws or regulations may make the use of derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the use, value or performance of derivatives.
Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under “Foreign Investment Risk” and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. For example, emerging market countries are typically more dependent on exports and are, therefore, more vulnerable to recessions in other countries. Emerging markets tend to have less developed legal and financial systems and a smaller market capitalization than markets in developed countries. Some emerging markets are subject to greater political instability. Additionally, emerging markets may have more volatile currencies and be more sensitive than developed markets to a variety of economic factors, including inflation. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.
Equity Securities Risk. The values of equity securities may experience periods of substantial price volatility and may decline significantly over short time periods. In general, the values of equity securities are more volatile than those of debt securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value and price in response to factors specific to the issuer of the security, such as management performance, financial condition, and market demand for the issuer’s products or services, as well as factors unrelated to the fundamental condition of the issuer, including general market, economic and political conditions. Investing in equity securities poses risks specific to an issuer, as well as to the particular type of company issuing the equity securities. For example, investing in the equity securities of small- or mid-capitalization companies can involve greater risk than is customarily associated with investing in stocks of larger, more-established companies. Different parts of a market, industry and sector may react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political, and economic developments. Negative news or a poor outlook for a particular industry or sector can cause the share prices of securities of companies in that industry or sector to decline. This risk may be heightened for a Fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in a particular industry or sector.
Foreign Currency  Contracts Risk. A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes. The Fund’s gains from positions in foreign currency contracts may accelerate and/or lead to recharacterization of the Fund’s income or gains and its distributions to shareholders. The Fund’s losses from such positions may also lead to recharacterization of the Fund’s income and its distributions to shareholders and may cause a return of capital to Fund shareholders.
Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign companies may be subject to significantly higher levels of taxation than U.S. companies, including potentially confiscatory levels of taxation, thereby reducing the earnings potential of such foreign companies. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such changes may reduce the U.S. dollar value of the investments. Foreign investments may be subject to additional risks, such as potentially higher withholding and other taxes, and may also be subject to

International and Global Equity Funds 23

 
Back to Table of Contents
greater trade settlement, custodial, and other operational risks than domestic investments. Certain foreign markets may also be characterized by less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards.
Futures  Contracts Risk. A Fund that uses futures contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts.
Geographic Emphasis Risk. A Fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in one country or geographic region will be more vulnerable than a fund that invests its assets more broadly to the economic, financial, political or other developments affecting that country or region. Such developments may have a significant impact on the Fund’s investment performance causing such performance to be more volatile than the investment performance of a more geographically diversified fund.
Growth/Value Investing Risk. Securities that exhibit certain characteristics, such as growth characteristics or value characteristics, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions. As a result, a Fund’s performance may at times be worse than the performance of other mutual funds that invest more broadly or in securities that exhibit different characteristics.
Management Risk. Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund’s manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund’s shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.
Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Securities markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments. Political, geopolitical, natural and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, government shutdowns, market closures, inflation, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and related events have led, and in the future may lead, to economic uncertainty, decreased economic activity, increased market volatility and other disruptive effects on U.S. and global economies and markets. Such events may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on a Fund and its investments. In addition, economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions.
Options Risk. A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that gains, if any, realized on the position, will be less than the amount paid as premiums to the writer of the option. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments. A Fund that writes covered call options gives up the opportunity to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the option exercise price while the option is in effect. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values of options and their underlying securities, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options.
Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Smaller companies may have no or relatively short operating histories, limited financial resources or may have recently become public companies. Some of these companies have aggressive capital structures, including high debt levels, or are involved in rapidly growing or changing industries and/or new technologies.

24 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Portfolio Holdings Information
A description of the Allspring Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the Funds’  portfolio holdings is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information.
Pricing  Fund Shares
A  Fund’s  net asset value (“NAV”) is the value of a single share. The NAV is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open, although  a  Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances. The NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of a multiple-class Fund. The most recent NAV for each class of a Fund is available at allspringglobal.com. To calculate the NAV of  a  Fund’s shares, the  Fund’s assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The price at which a purchase or redemption request is processed is based on the next NAV calculated after the request is received in good order. Generally, NAV is not calculated, and purchase and redemption requests are not processed, on days that the NYSE is closed for trading; however, under unusual or unexpected circumstances, a  Fund may elect to remain open even on days that the NYSE is closed or closes early. To the extent that  a  Fund’s assets are traded in various markets on days when the  Fund is closed, the value of the  Fund’s assets may be affected on days when you are unable to buy or sell  Fund shares. Conversely, trading in some of  a  Fund’s assets may not occur on days when the  Fund is open.
With respect to any portion of  a  Fund’s assets that may be invested in other mutual funds, the value of the  Fund’s shares is based on the NAV of the shares of the other mutual funds in which the  Fund invests. The valuation methods used by mutual funds in pricing their shares, including the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing, are included in the prospectuses of such funds. To the extent  a  Fund invests a portion of its assets in non-registered investment vehicles, the  Fund’s interests in the non-registered vehicles are fair valued at NAV.
With respect to  a  Fund’s assets invested directly in securities, the  Fund’s investments are generally valued at current market prices. Equity securities, options and futures are generally valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last reported sales price on the primary exchange or market on which they are listed (closing price). Equity securities that are not traded primarily on an exchange are generally valued at the quoted bid price obtained from a broker-dealer.
Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.
We are required to depart from these general valuation methods and use fair value pricing methods to determine the values of certain investments if we believe that the closing price or the quoted bid price of a security, including a security that trades primarily on a foreign exchange, does not accurately reflect its current market value as of the time a  Fund calculates its NAV. The closing price or the quoted bid price of a security may not reflect its current market value if, among other things, a significant event occurs after the closing price or quoted bid price are made available, but before the time as of which a  Fund calculates its NAV, that materially affects the value of the security. We use various criteria, including a systemic evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in deciding whether a foreign security’s market price is still reliable and, if not, what fair market value to assign to the security. In addition, we use fair value pricing to determine the value of investments in securities and other assets, including illiquid securities, for which current market quotations or evaluated prices from a pricing service or broker-dealer are not readily available.
The fair value of  a  Fund’s securities and other assets is determined in good faith pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by the  Fund’s Board of Trustees. Pursuant to such policies and procedures, the Board has appointed the Manager as the Fund’s valuation designee (the “Valuation Designee”) to perform all fair valuations of the Fund’s portfolio investments, subject to the Board’s oversight. As the Valuation Designee, the Manager has established procedures for its fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio investments. These procedures address, among other things, determining when market quotations are not readily available or reliable and the methodologies to be used for determining the fair value of investments, as well as the use and oversight of third-party pricing services for fair valuation. In light of the judgment involved in making fair value decisions, there can be no assurance that a fair value assigned to a particular security is accurate or that it reflects the price that the Fund  could obtain for such security if it were to sell the security at the time as of which fair value pricing is determined. Such fair value pricing may result in NAVs that are higher or lower than NAVs based on the closing price or quoted bid price. See the Statement of Additional Information for additional details regarding the determination of NAVs.

International and Global Equity Funds 25

 
Back to Table of Contents
Management of the Funds
The Manager
Allspring Funds Management, LLC (“Allspring Funds Management”), headquartered at 1415 Vantage Park Drive, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28203, provides advisory and fund-level administrative services to the Funds pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”). Allspring Funds Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC, a holding company indirectly owned by certain private funds of GTCR LLC and Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. Allspring Funds Management is a registered investment adviser that provides advisory services for registered mutual funds, closed-end funds and other funds and accounts.
Allspring Funds Management is responsible for implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Funds. Allspring Funds Management’s investment professionals review and analyze the Funds’ performance, including relative to peer funds, and monitor the  Funds’ compliance with  their investment objectives and strategies. Allspring Funds Management is responsible for reporting to the Board on investment performance and other matters affecting the Funds. When appropriate, Allspring Funds Management recommends to the Board enhancements to Fund features, including changes to Fund investment objectives, strategies and policies. Allspring Funds Management also communicates with shareholders and intermediaries about Fund performance and features.
Allspring Funds Management is also responsible for providing fund-level administrative services to the Funds, which include, among others, providing such services in connection with the Funds’ operations; developing and implementing procedures for monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements and compliance with the  Funds’ investment objectives, policies and restrictions; and providing any other  fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the  Funds, other than those services that are provided by the  Funds’  transfer and dividend disbursing agent, custodian and fund accountant.
To assist Allspring Funds Management in implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Funds, Allspring Funds Management may contract with one or more sub-advisers to provide day-to-day portfolio management services to the Funds. Allspring Funds Management employs a team of investment professionals who identify and recommend the initial hiring of any sub-adviser and oversee and monitor the activities of any sub-adviser on an ongoing basis. Allspring Funds Management retains overall responsibility for the investment activities of the Funds.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the  Management Agreement  and any applicable sub-advisory agreements for  each  Fund  is available in the  Fund’s  Annual report for the period ended  October 31.
For  each  Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, the  Management Fee paid to Allspring Funds Management  pursuant to the Management Agreement, net of any applicable waivers and reimbursements, was as follows:
Management Fees Paid
As a % of average daily net assets
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
0.89%
Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund
0.97%
International Equity Fund
0.57%
Special Global Small Cap Fund
0.85%

26 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
The Sub-Advisers and Portfolio Managers
The following  Sub-Advisers and  Portfolio Managers provide day-to-day portfolio management services to the Funds.  These services include making purchases and sales of securities and other investment assets for the Funds, selecting broker-dealers, negotiating brokerage commission rates and maintaining portfolio transaction records. The  Sub-Advisers  are compensated for  its services by Allspring Funds Management  from the fees Allspring Funds Management  receives for its services as Manager to the  Funds. The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the  Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the  Portfolio Managers and the  Portfolio Managers’ ownership of securities in the  Funds.
Allspring Global Investments, LLC (“Allspring Investments”) is a registered investment adviser located at  1415 Vantage Park Drive, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28203. Allspring Investments, an affiliate of Allspring Funds Management and wholly owned subsidiary of Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC, is a multi-boutique asset management firm committed to delivering superior investment services to institutional clients, including mutual funds.
Jonathan Drexel, CFA
International Equity Fund
Mr. Drexel joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 2016, where he currently serves as a portfolio manager for the Resilient Global Equity team.
Stephen Giggie, CFA
Special Global Small Cap Fund
Mr. Giggie joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 2007, where he currently serves as a Portfolio Manager for the Special Global Equity team.
Paige Henderson,  CFA, CFP
International Equity Fund
Ms. Henderson joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 2012, where she currently serves as a portfolio manager for the Resilient Global Equity team.
Derrick Irwin, CFA
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Mr. Irwin joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 2005, where he currently serves as a Portfolio Manager for the Intrinsic Emerging Markets Equity team.
Oleg Makhorine
Special Global Small Cap Fund
Mr. Makhorine joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 2005, where he currently serves as a Portfolio Manager for the Special Global Equity team.
Brian Martin, CFA
Special Global Small Cap Fund
Mr. Martin joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 2004, where he currently serves as a Portfolio Manager for the Special Global Equity team.
Richard Peck, CFA
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Mr. Peck joined Allspring Investments in 2010, where he currently serves as a Portfolio Manager for the Berkeley Street Emerging Markets Equity team.
Alison Shimada
Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund
Ms. Shimada joined Allspring Investments in 2003, where she currently serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager and head of the Total Emerging Markets Equity team.
James M. Tringas, CFA
Special Global Small Cap Fund
Mr. Tringas joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 1994, where he currently serves as a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for the Special Global Equity team.
Elaine Tse
Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund
Ms. Tse joined Allspring Investments in 2000, where she currently serves as a Portfolio Manager on the Total Emerging Markets team.
Bryant VanCronkhite, CFA, CPA
Special Global Small Cap Fund
Mr. VanCronkhite joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 2003, where he currently serves as a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for the Special Global Equity team.
Yi (Jerry) Zhang, Ph.D., CFA
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Mr. Zhang joined Allspring Investments or one of its predecessor firms in 2004, where he currently serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of the Intrinsic Emerging Markets Equity team.

International and Global Equity Funds 27

 
Back to Table of Contents
Multi-Manager Arrangement
The  Funds and Allspring Funds Management  have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Allspring Funds Management, subject to Board approval, to select certain sub-advisers and enter into or amend sub-advisory agreements with them, without obtaining shareholder approval. The SEC order extends to sub-advisers that are not otherwise affiliated with Allspring Funds Management  or the  Funds, as well as sub-advisers that are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Allspring Funds Management  or of a company that wholly owns Allspring Funds Management. In addition, the SEC staff, pursuant to no-action relief, has extended multi-manager relief to any affiliated sub-adviser, such as affiliated sub-advisers that are not wholly-owned subsidiaries of Allspring Funds Management  or of a company that wholly owns Allspring Funds Management, provided certain conditions are satisfied (all such sub-advisers covered by the order or relief, “Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers”).
As such, Allspring Funds Management, with Board approval, may hire or replace Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers for each Fund that is eligible to rely on the order or relief. Allspring Funds Management, subject to Board oversight, has the responsibility to oversee Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. If a new sub-adviser is hired for a Fund pursuant to the order or relief, the Fund is required to notify shareholders within 90 days. The  Funds  are not required to disclose the individual fees that Allspring Funds Management  pays to a Multi-Manager Sub-Adviser.

28 International and Global Equity Funds

 
Back to Table of Contents
Account Information
Share Class Eligibility
Administrator  shares are generally available through intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks; trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and funds of funds, including those managed by Allspring Funds Management. The following investors may purchase Administrator shares and are not subject to a minimum initial investment amount except, as noted below:
Employee benefit plan programs;
 
Broker-dealer managed account or wrap programs that charge an asset-based fee;
 
Registered investment adviser mutual fund wrap programs or other accounts that charge a fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services;
 
Private bank and trust company managed accounts or wrap programs that charge an asset-based fee;
 
Internal Revenue Code Section 529 college savings plan accounts;
 
Funds of funds, including those advised by Allspring Funds Management;
 
Endowments, non-profits, and charitable organizations who invest a minimum initial investment amount of $500,000 in a Fund;
 
Any other institutions or customers of intermediaries who invest a minimum initial investment amount of $1 million in a Fund;
 
Individual investors who invest a minimum initial investment amount of $1 million directly in a Fund;
 
Certain investors and related accounts as detailed in the Statement of Additional Information; and
 
Individual investors who purchase through an intermediary-sponsored self-directed brokerage account program that may or may not charge transaction fees.
 
Eligibility requirements for  Administrator shares may be modified or discontinued at any time.
Your Fund may offer other classes of shares in addition to those offered through this Prospectus. You may be eligible to invest in one or more of these other classes of shares. Each share class bears varying expenses and may differ in other features. Consult your financial professional for more information regarding a Fund’s available share classes.
The information in this Prospectus is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to any law or regulation, or which would subject Fund shares to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country.
Share Class Features
The table below summarizes the key features of the share class offered through this Prospectus.
Administrator Class
Front-End Sales Charge
None
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”)
None
Ongoing Distribution (“12b-1”) Fees
None
Shareholder Servicing Fee
0.25%
Information regarding sales charges, breakpoint levels, reductions and waivers is also available free of charge on our website at www.allspringglobal.com. You may wish to discuss your choice of share class with your financial