BARIX vs. VLEQX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX) and Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX).

BARIX is managed by Baron Capital Group. It was launched on May 29, 2009. VLEQX is managed by Villere. It was launched on May 31, 2013.

Performance

BARIX vs. VLEQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX) and Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BARIX vs. VLEQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BARIX Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class	-9.30%	8.17%	10.64%	17.36%	-25.87%	14.17%	33.32%	37.98%	0.13%	26.55%
VLEQX Villere Equity Fund	-2.26%	0.26%	1.50%	11.37%	-24.50%	5.80%	14.77%	24.50%	-6.98%	7.34%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BARIX achieves a -9.30% return, which is significantly lower than VLEQX's -2.26% return. Over the past 10 years, BARIX has outperformed VLEQX with an annualized return of 10.43%, while VLEQX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.10% annualized return.

BARIX

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -7.56%
• YTD: -9.30%
• 6M: -2.18%
• 1Y: 1.03%
• 3Y*: 6.54%
• 5Y*: 1.73%
• 10Y*: 10.43%

VLEQX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -6.66%
• YTD: -2.26%
• 6M: -2.53%
• 1Y: -0.48%
• 3Y*: 0.50%
• 5Y*: -3.26%
• 10Y*: 3.10%

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

BARIX vs. VLEQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BARIX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VLEQX's 1.22% expense ratio.

VLEQX

Villere Equity Fund

BARIX

Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class

Return for Risk

BARIX vs. VLEQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BARIX

BARIX Risk / Return Rank: 8
BARIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
BARIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
BARIX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
BARIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
BARIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VLEQX

VLEQX Risk / Return Rank: 4
VLEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
VLEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
VLEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
VLEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VLEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

BARIX vs. VLEQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX) and Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX). 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.

	BARIX	VLEQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	-0.01	+0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.36	0.10	+0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.01	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.09	-0.18	+0.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.23	-0.62	+0.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BARIX vs. VLEQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BARIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is higher than the VLEQX Sharpe Ratio of -0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BARIX and VLEQX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BARIX	VLEQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14	-0.01	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	-0.17	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.16	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.07	+0.57

Correlation

The correlation between BARIX and VLEQX is 0.82, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

BARIX vs. VLEQX - Dividend Comparison

BARIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.67%, more than VLEQX's 0.55% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BARIX Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class	11.67%	10.59%	17.88%	3.28%	0.01%	7.26%	2.92%	1.70%	7.14%	7.01%	4.74%	11.23%
VLEQX Villere Equity Fund	0.55%	0.54%	0.40%	4.64%	2.88%	8.24%	0.73%	0.17%	0.34%	0.00%	0.11%	1.76%

Drawdowns

BARIX vs. VLEQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BARIX drawdown since its inception was -37.44%, which is greater than VLEQX's maximum drawdown of -35.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BARIX and VLEQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BARIX	VLEQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.44%	-35.60%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.12%	-11.43%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.44%	-33.46%	-3.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.44%	-35.60%	-1.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.67%	-21.05%	+10.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.74%	-12.40%	+5.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.37%	3.36%	+1.01%

Volatility

BARIX vs. VLEQX - Volatility Comparison

Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX) and Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX) have volatilities of 3.35% and 3.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BARIX	VLEQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	3.41%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	8.30%	+3.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.99%	16.28%	+2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.65%	19.28%	+0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.83%	19.24%	+0.59%