BASG vs. IQM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BASG (Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF) and IQM (Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past year, BASG returned 4.84% vs 79.61% for IQM. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BASG charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for IQM.

Performance

BASG vs. IQM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG) and Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BASG achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly lower than IQM's 44.08% return.

BASG

• 1D: -1.47%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 1.27%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 4.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IQM

• 1D: 1.35%
• 1M: 10.43%
• YTD: 44.08%
• 6M: 40.98%
• 1Y: 79.61%
• 3Y*: 38.44%
• 5Y*: 21.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

BASG vs. IQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BASG Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF	1.27%	1.93%
IQM Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF	44.08%	25.20%

Correlation

The correlation between BASG and IQM is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2025	0.70

The correlation between BASG and IQM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BASG vs. IQM — Risk / Return Rank

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

BASG

BASG Risk / Return Rank: 12
BASG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
BASG Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
BASG Omega Ratio Rank: 12
BASG Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
BASG Martin Ratio Rank: 11

IQM

IQM Risk / Return Rank: 80
IQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
IQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
IQM Omega Ratio Rank: 73
IQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
IQM Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

BASG vs. IQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG) and Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BASG	IQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.28	2.60	-2.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.50	2.98	-2.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.42	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.25	5.44	-5.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.65	17.08	-16.43

BASG vs. IQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BASG Sharpe Ratio is 0.28, which is lower than the IQM Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BASG and IQM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BASG vs. IQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BASG drawdown since its inception was -19.30%, smaller than the maximum IQM drawdown of -44.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BASG and IQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BASG	IQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.30%	-44.91%	+25.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.30%	-14.71%	-4.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-30.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-44.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.88%	0.00%	-4.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.75%	-12.18%	+6.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.45%	4.68%	+2.77%

Volatility

BASG vs. IQM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG) is 6.89%, while Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) has a volatility of 13.76%. This indicates that BASG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BASG	IQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.89%	13.76%	-6.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.99%	25.34%	-11.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.17%	30.87%	-13.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.06%	29.43%	-12.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.06%	31.01%	-13.95%

BASG vs. IQM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BASG has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than IQM's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BASG vs. IQM - Dividend Comparison

Neither BASG nor IQM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BASG Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IQM Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BASG and IQM in my portfolio?

BASG and IQM have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BASG or IQM?

IQM has higher volatility (13.76%) compared to BASG (6.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BASG dropped -19.30% vs IQM's -44.91%.

Which ETF is better, BASG or IQM?

On 1-year performance, IQM leads with 79.61% vs 4.84% for BASG. On fees, IQM is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, BASG has been the lower-risk option at 6.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BASG or IQM?

Over the 1-year period, IQM has performed better with a 79.61% return vs 4.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BASG or IQM?

IQM is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for BASG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BASG or IQM?

BASG and IQM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BASG and IQM?

They also come from different issuers: Brown Advisory and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for BASG and 0.50% for IQM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 0.28), 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.