BEGIX vs. BAFWX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BEGIX (Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund) and BAFWX (Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - BEGIX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Sterling Capital, while BAFWX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Brown Advisory Funds. Over the past 10 years, BEGIX returned 11.30%/yr vs 15.56%/yr for BAFWX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BEGIX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.64%/yr for BAFWX.

Performance

BEGIX vs. BAFWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund (BEGIX) and Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BAFWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BEGIX achieves a 4.38% return, which is significantly higher than BAFWX's 3.52% return. Over the past 10 years, BEGIX has underperformed BAFWX with an annualized return of 11.30%, while BAFWX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.56% annualized return.

BEGIX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 4.38%
• 6M: 3.75%
• 1Y: 6.69%
• 3Y*: 7.44%
• 5Y*: 6.68%
• 10Y*: 11.30%

BAFWX

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: 2.65%
• YTD: 3.52%
• 6M: 2.72%
• 1Y: 6.52%
• 3Y*: 13.14%
• 5Y*: 8.06%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

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

BEGIX vs. BAFWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BEGIX Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund	4.38%	1.91%	4.81%	12.52%	-3.16%	28.06%	8.64%	30.56%	-0.62%	20.94%
BAFWX Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares	3.52%	3.35%	20.35%	39.07%	-30.90%	30.01%	39.09%	36.09%	4.51%	28.10%

Correlation

The correlation between BEGIX and BAFWX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2012	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between BEGIX and BAFWX has dropped to 0.44 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BEGIX vs. BAFWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BEGIX

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

BAFWX

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

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.

BEGIX vs. BAFWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund (BEGIX) and Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BAFWX). 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.

	BEGIX	BAFWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	0.35	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.95	0.58	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.07	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.85	0.30	+0.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	0.78	+1.52

BEGIX vs. BAFWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BEGIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is higher than the BAFWX Sharpe Ratio of 0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BEGIX and BAFWX, 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

BEGIX vs. BAFWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BEGIX drawdown since its inception was -43.85%, which is greater than BAFWX's maximum drawdown of -36.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEGIX and BAFWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BEGIX	BAFWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.85%	-36.86%	-6.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-19.93%	+12.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.48%	-25.03%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.48%	-36.86%	+7.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.01%	-36.86%	-0.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.28%	-3.48%	-14.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.87%	-5.70%	-0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.81%	7.69%	-4.88%

Volatility

BEGIX vs. BAFWX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund (BEGIX) is 3.06%, while Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BAFWX) has a volatility of 7.11%. This indicates that BEGIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BAFWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BEGIX	BAFWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.06%	7.11%	-4.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.74%	14.12%	-6.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.75%	17.27%	-6.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.74%	22.72%	-2.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.51%	21.57%	-2.06%

BEGIX vs. BAFWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BEGIX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than BAFWX's 0.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

BEGIX vs. BAFWX - Dividend Comparison

BEGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 26.39%, more than BAFWX's 23.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BAFWX Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund Institutional Shares	23.02%	23.83%	5.23%	0.01%	0.00%	1.82%	0.00%	1.48%	3.71%	1.70%	0.71%	4.73%
BEGIX Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund	26.39%	27.63%	26.84%	9.81%	8.44%	3.01%	1.73%	9.81%	10.16%	11.59%	2.06%	8.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BEGIX and BAFWX in my portfolio?

BEGIX and BAFWX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BEGIX or BAFWX?

BAFWX has higher volatility (7.11%) compared to BEGIX (3.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEGIX dropped -43.85% vs BAFWX's -36.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BEGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.60 vs 0.35), 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.