BESIX vs. WSMDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BESIX (William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund) and WSMDX (William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - BESIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by William Blair, while WSMDX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by William Blair. Over the past 10 years, BESIX returned 9.77%/yr vs 12.53%/yr for WSMDX. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BESIX charges 1.30%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for WSMDX.

Performance

BESIX vs. WSMDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (BESIX) and William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BESIX achieves a 21.68% return, which is significantly higher than WSMDX's 12.98% return. Over the past 10 years, BESIX has underperformed WSMDX with an annualized return of 9.77%, while WSMDX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.53% annualized return.

BESIX

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: -0.91%
• YTD: 21.68%
• 6M: 23.80%
• 1Y: 42.72%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 6.74%
• 10Y*: 9.77%

WSMDX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 5.09%
• YTD: 12.98%
• 6M: 12.13%
• 1Y: 25.70%
• 3Y*: 16.93%
• 5Y*: 6.76%
• 10Y*: 12.53%

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

BESIX vs. WSMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BESIX William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	21.68%	13.93%	8.37%	22.25%	-27.95%	15.52%	32.60%	20.58%	-23.29%	40.54%
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	12.98%	0.63%	27.55%	18.14%	-22.98%	8.28%	32.38%	30.81%	-2.18%	28.85%

Correlation

The correlation between BESIX and WSMDX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2011	0.44

The correlation between BESIX and WSMDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (1 year) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BESIX vs. WSMDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BESIX

BESIX Risk / Return Rank: 67
BESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
BESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
BESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
BESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

WSMDX

WSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 32
WSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
WSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
WSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
WSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
WSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

BESIX vs. WSMDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (BESIX) and William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX). 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.

	BESIX	WSMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	1.51	+0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	2.18	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.26	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	2.39	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.63	8.82	+3.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BESIX vs. WSMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BESIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is higher than the WSMDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BESIX and WSMDX, 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

	BESIX	WSMDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	1.51	+0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.30	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.57	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.54	+0.13

Drawdowns

BESIX vs. WSMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BESIX drawdown since its inception was -38.05%, smaller than the maximum WSMDX drawdown of -50.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BESIX and WSMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BESIX	WSMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.05%	-50.33%	+12.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.45%	-11.50%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.34%	-25.63%	+4.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.41%	-36.89%	+5.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.05%	-36.89%	-1.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	0.00%	-2.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.19%	-8.46%	-1.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.44%	3.11%	+0.33%

Volatility

BESIX vs. WSMDX - Volatility Comparison

William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (BESIX) has a higher volatility of 6.35% compared to William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX) at 5.52%. This indicates that BESIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WSMDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BESIX	WSMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.35%	5.52%	+0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.89%	14.15%	+0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.88%	18.26%	-0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.03%	23.05%	-8.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	21.94%	-5.69%

BESIX vs. WSMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BESIX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than WSMDX's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

BESIX vs. WSMDX - Dividend Comparison

BESIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.84%, more than WSMDX's 2.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BESIX William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	7.84%	9.53%	0.00%	0.26%	4.84%	8.51%	0.04%	0.16%	2.32%	3.17%	2.67%	4.17%
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	2.49%	2.81%	24.90%	7.89%	3.34%	9.30%	1.66%	7.13%	8.88%	5.33%	2.64%	5.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BESIX and WSMDX in my portfolio?

BESIX and WSMDX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BESIX or WSMDX?

BESIX has higher volatility (6.35%) compared to WSMDX (5.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BESIX dropped -38.05% vs WSMDX's -50.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.51), 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.