BEXIX vs. NFFFX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

BEXIX (Baron Emerging Markets Fund) and NFFFX (American Funds New World Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BEXIX returned 6.94%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for NFFFX. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BEXIX charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for NFFFX.

Performance

BEXIX vs. NFFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron Emerging Markets Fund (BEXIX) and American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BEXIX achieves a 10.61% return, which is significantly lower than NFFFX's 11.79% return. Over the past 10 years, BEXIX has underperformed NFFFX with an annualized return of 6.94%, while NFFFX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.27% annualized return.

BEXIX

• 1D: 3.47%
• 1M: -3.56%
• 6M: 3.83%
• YTD: 10.61%
• 1Y: 23.93%
• 3Y*: 14.52%
• 5Y*: 3.50%
• 10Y*: 6.94%
• ALL TIME*: 5.65%

NFFFX

• 1D: 3.29%
• 1M: -1.64%
• 6M: 5.49%
• YTD: 11.79%
• 1Y: 26.60%
• 3Y*: 15.36%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 10.27%
• ALL TIME*: 6.60%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BEXIX Baron Emerging Markets Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
NFFFX American Funds New World Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

BEXIX vs. NFFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BEXIX Baron Emerging Markets Fund	10.61%	30.11%	7.91%	8.29%	-25.82%	-6.06%	29.71%	18.85%	-18.48%	40.63%
NFFFX American Funds New World Fund	11.79%	28.52%	6.78%	16.11%	-21.86%	4.98%	25.17%	27.89%	-12.08%	32.92%

Correlation

The correlation between BEXIX and NFFFX is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011	0.88

The correlation between BEXIX and NFFFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BEXIX vs. NFFFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BEXIX

BEXIX Risk / Return Rank: 31
BEXIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
BEXIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
BEXIX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BEXIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
BEXIX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

NFFFX

NFFFX Risk / Return Rank: 54
NFFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
NFFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
NFFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
NFFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
NFFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BEXIX vs. NFFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Emerging Markets Fund (BEXIX) and American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX). 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.

	BEXIX	NFFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.38	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	1.94	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.26	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.65	1.88	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.67	6.84	-2.17

BEXIX vs. NFFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BEXIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is lower than the NFFFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BEXIX and NFFFX, 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

BEXIX vs. NFFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BEXIX drawdown since its inception was -45.58%, smaller than the maximum NFFFX drawdown of -50.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEXIX and NFFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BEXIX	NFFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.58%	-50.17%	+4.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.60%	-13.01%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.63%	-15.05%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.16%	-33.48%	-6.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.58%	-33.48%	-12.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.60%	-5.87%	-4.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.70%	-9.76%	-3.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.79%	3.58%	+1.21%

Volatility

BEXIX vs. NFFFX - Volatility Comparison

Baron Emerging Markets Fund (BEXIX) has a higher volatility of 9.47% compared to American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX) at 7.06%. This indicates that BEXIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BEXIX	NFFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.47%	7.06%	+2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.40%	15.90%	+5.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.91%	17.72%	+6.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.52%	15.96%	+2.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.48%	16.32%	+2.16%

BEXIX vs. NFFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BEXIX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than NFFFX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

BEXIX vs. NFFFX - Dividend Comparison

BEXIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.85%, less than NFFFX's 5.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BEXIX Baron Emerging Markets Fund	1.85%	2.04%	0.81%	0.69%	0.00%	1.88%	0.35%	0.46%	0.49%	0.45%	0.76%	0.39%
NFFFX American Funds New World Fund	5.37%	6.01%	4.01%	2.78%	1.21%	7.23%	0.35%	3.95%	2.62%	2.17%	1.28%	0.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BEXIX and NFFFX in my portfolio?

BEXIX and NFFFX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BEXIX or NFFFX?

BEXIX has higher volatility (9.47%) compared to NFFFX (7.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEXIX dropped -45.58% vs NFFFX's -50.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 0.94), 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.