BFAM vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BFAM (Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.) is a stock, while ^GSPC (S&P 500 Index) is an index. Over the past 10 years, BFAM returned -0.92%/yr vs 13.66%/yr for ^GSPC. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BFAM vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (BFAM) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BFAM achieves a -41.18% return, which is significantly lower than ^GSPC's 10.35% return. Over the past 10 years, BFAM has underperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of -0.92%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively higher 13.66% annualized return.

BFAM

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -26.26%
• YTD: -41.18%
• 6M: -42.80%
• 1Y: -53.44%
• 3Y*: -12.07%
• 5Y*: -16.16%
• 10Y*: -0.92%

^GSPC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 10.35%
• 6M: 10.28%
• 1Y: 26.52%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: 12.30%
• 10Y*: 13.66%

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

BFAM vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BFAM Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.	-41.18%	-8.53%	17.63%	49.35%	-49.87%	-27.23%	15.10%	34.85%	18.56%	34.25%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	10.35%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BFAM and ^GSPC is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2013	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between BFAM and ^GSPC has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BFAM vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

BFAM

BFAM Risk / Return Rank: 1
BFAM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BFAM Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BFAM Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BFAM Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
BFAM Martin Ratio Rank: 1

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 73
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 72
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

BFAM vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (BFAM) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	BFAM	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.23	2.24	-3.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.94	3.07	-5.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.71	1.41	-0.70
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-1.00	2.93	-3.93
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.96	13.52	-15.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BFAM vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BFAM Sharpe Ratio is -1.23, which is lower than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BFAM and ^GSPC, 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

	BFAM	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.23	2.24	-3.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.43	0.73	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.03	0.76	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	0.47	-0.30

Drawdowns

BFAM vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BFAM drawdown since its inception was -69.32%, which is greater than ^GSPC's maximum drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFAM and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	BFAM	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.32%	-56.78%	-12.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.42%	-9.10%	-44.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-57.62%	-18.90%	-38.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.15%	-25.43%	-41.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.32%	-33.92%	-35.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-67.17%	-0.74%	-66.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.61%	-10.72%	-8.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	27.34%	1.97%	+25.37%

Volatility

BFAM vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (BFAM) has a higher volatility of 23.56% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 2.93%. This indicates that BFAM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BFAM	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.56%	2.93%	+20.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.68%	8.99%	+26.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.61%	11.89%	+31.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.59%	16.90%	+20.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.81%	18.06%	+17.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BFAM and ^GSPC in my portfolio?

BFAM and ^GSPC have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BFAM or ^GSPC?

BFAM has higher volatility (23.56%) compared to ^GSPC (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BFAM dropped -69.32% vs ^GSPC's -56.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^GSPC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs -1.23), 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.