BAFWX vs. IYW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BAFWX (Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares) and IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) are both funds - BAFWX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Brown Advisory Funds, while IYW is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. Over the past 10 years, BAFWX returned 15.79%/yr vs 26.11%/yr for IYW. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BAFWX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYW.

Performance

BAFWX vs. IYW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BAFWX) and iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAFWX achieves a 7.08% return, which is significantly lower than IYW's 29.03% return. Over the past 10 years, BAFWX has underperformed IYW with an annualized return of 15.79%, while IYW has yielded a comparatively higher 26.11% annualized return.

BAFWX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 9.41%
• YTD: 7.08%
• 6M: 6.03%
• 1Y: 10.33%
• 3Y*: 15.35%
• 5Y*: 9.85%
• 10Y*: 15.79%

IYW

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 16.53%
• YTD: 29.03%
• 6M: 28.22%
• 1Y: 59.52%
• 3Y*: 35.24%
• 5Y*: 22.87%
• 10Y*: 26.11%

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

BAFWX vs. IYW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BAFWX Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares	7.08%	3.35%	20.35%	39.07%	-30.90%	30.01%	39.09%	36.09%	4.51%	28.10%
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF	29.03%	25.38%	30.25%	65.44%	-34.83%	35.44%	47.45%	46.64%	-0.93%	36.60%

Correlation

The correlation between BAFWX and IYW is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2012	0.88

The correlation between BAFWX and IYW shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BAFWX vs. IYW — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAFWX

BAFWX Risk / Return Rank: 7
BAFWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
BAFWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
BAFWX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
BAFWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
BAFWX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

IYW

IYW Risk / Return Rank: 75
IYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
IYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
IYW Omega Ratio Rank: 80
IYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
IYW Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

BAFWX vs. IYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BAFWX) and iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW). 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.

	BAFWX	IYW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	2.98	-2.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	3.70	-2.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.48	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.54	3.36	-2.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.41	11.00	-9.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BAFWX vs. IYW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAFWX Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the IYW Sharpe Ratio of 2.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAFWX and IYW, 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

	BAFWX	IYW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65	2.98	-2.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.89	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	1.04	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.35	+0.45

Drawdowns

BAFWX vs. IYW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAFWX drawdown since its inception was -36.86%, smaller than the maximum IYW drawdown of -81.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAFWX and IYW.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAFWX	IYW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.86%	-81.90%	+45.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.93%	-17.81%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.03%	-26.47%	+1.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.86%	-39.44%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.86%	-39.44%	+2.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.92%	+0.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.71%	-34.66%	+28.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.64%	5.43%	+2.21%

Volatility

BAFWX vs. IYW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BAFWX) is 4.49%, while iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) has a volatility of 6.30%. This indicates that BAFWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IYW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAFWX	IYW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	6.30%	-1.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.16%	15.85%	-2.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.55%	20.09%	-3.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.62%	25.87%	-3.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.51%	25.09%	-3.58%

BAFWX vs. IYW - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAFWX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than IYW's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAFWX vs. IYW - Dividend Comparison

BAFWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.26%, more than IYW's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BAFWX Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares	22.26%	23.83%	5.23%	0.01%	0.00%	1.82%	0.00%	1.48%	3.71%	1.70%	0.71%	4.73%
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF	0.11%	0.14%	0.21%	0.34%	0.50%	0.31%	0.56%	0.72%	0.92%	0.82%	1.14%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAFWX and IYW in my portfolio?

BAFWX and IYW have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAFWX or IYW?

IYW has higher volatility (6.30%) compared to BAFWX (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAFWX dropped -36.86% vs IYW's -81.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.98 vs 0.65), 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.