BAFE vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BAFE (Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. BAFE is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past year, BAFE returned 13.86% vs 28.18% for VTI. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BAFE charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

BAFE vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAFE achieves a 5.14% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return.

BAFE

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 5.14%
• 6M: 6.05%
• 1Y: 13.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

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

BAFE vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BAFE Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF	5.14%	9.80%	-0.51%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	-0.26%

Correlation

The correlation between BAFE and VTI is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2024	0.91

The correlation between BAFE and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BAFE vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAFE

BAFE Risk / Return Rank: 28
BAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
BAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
BAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
BAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BAFE vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BAFE	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	2.33	-1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	3.18	-1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.42	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	3.17	-2.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.91	14.62	-10.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BAFE vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAFE Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAFE and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BAFE	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.08	2.33	-1.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.51	+0.04

Drawdowns

BAFE vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAFE drawdown since its inception was -18.37%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAFE and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAFE	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.37%	-55.45%	+37.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	-8.92%	-3.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.72%	+0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.40%	-8.03%	+4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.55%	1.93%	+1.62%

Volatility

BAFE vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is 2.62%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that BAFE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAFE	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.62%	2.96%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.80%	9.13%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.94%	12.17%	+0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	17.40%	+0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.45%	18.30%	-0.85%

BAFE vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAFE has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAFE vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

BAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BAFE Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF	0.28%	0.30%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAFE and VTI in my portfolio?

BAFE and VTI have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAFE or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to BAFE (2.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAFE dropped -18.37% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, BAFE or VTI?

On 1-year performance, VTI leads with 28.18% vs 13.86% for BAFE. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BAFE has been the lower-risk option at 2.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAFE or VTI?

Over the 1-year period, VTI has performed better with a 28.18% return vs 13.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAFE or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.54% for BAFE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BAFE or VTI?

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.28% for BAFE.

What is the main difference between BAFE and VTI?

They also come from different issuers: Brown Advisory and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for BAFE and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.08), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.