BFGFX vs. VBK
Compare and contrast key facts about Baron Focused Growth Fund (BFGFX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK).
BFGFX is managed by Baron Capital Group, Inc.. It was launched on Jun 30, 2008. VBK is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004.
Performance
BFGFX vs. VBK - Performance Comparison
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BFGFX vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BFGFX Baron Focused Growth Fund | -5.05% | 21.94% | 29.52% | 27.40% | -28.21% | 18.67% | 122.38% | 30.05% | 3.76% | 26.36% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 1.01% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -5.70% | 21.87% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BFGFX achieves a -5.05% return, which is significantly lower than VBK's 1.01% return. Over the past 10 years, BFGFX has outperformed VBK with an annualized return of 20.15%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively lower 10.55% annualized return.
BFGFX
- 1D
- 2.40%
- 1M
- -6.03%
- YTD
- -5.05%
- 6M
- 6.51%
- 1Y
- 25.31%
- 3Y*
- 18.65%
- 5Y*
- 10.00%
- 10Y*
- 20.15%
VBK
- 1D
- 0.85%
- 1M
- -5.50%
- YTD
- 1.01%
- 6M
- 2.29%
- 1Y
- 21.17%
- 3Y*
- 12.79%
- 5Y*
- 2.33%
- 10Y*
- 10.55%
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BFGFX vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison
BFGFX has a 1.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.07% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
BFGFX vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank
BFGFX
VBK
BFGFX vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Focused Growth Fund (BFGFX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.
| BFGFX | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.13 | 0.87 | +0.26 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.99 | 1.36 | +0.63 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.18 | +0.08 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.29 | 1.49 | +0.79 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.56 | 5.92 | +2.64 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BFGFX | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.13 | 0.87 | +0.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.45 | 0.10 | +0.35 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.84 | 0.46 | +0.38 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.69 | 0.40 | +0.29 |
Correlation
The correlation between BFGFX and VBK is 0.76, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
BFGFX vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison
BFGFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BFGFX Baron Focused Growth Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 12.28% | 15.53% | 2.85% | 1.78% | 1.07% | 2.11% | 6.02% | 5.80% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.52% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.68% | 0.55% | 0.36% | 0.44% | 0.57% | 0.79% | 0.82% | 1.08% | 0.98% |
Drawdowns
BFGFX vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BFGFX drawdown since its inception was -59.52%, roughly equal to the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFGFX and VBK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BFGFX | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.52% | -58.68% | -0.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.95% | -14.56% | +2.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.93% | -38.39% | +2.46% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.62% | -38.70% | -4.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.56% | -6.78% | -0.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.43% | -10.22% | -2.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.19% | 3.67% | -0.48% |
Volatility
BFGFX vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Baron Focused Growth Fund (BFGFX) is 4.99%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 8.63%. This indicates that BFGFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BFGFX | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.99% | 8.63% | -3.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.79% | 15.43% | +0.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.03% | 24.45% | -1.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.57% | 23.48% | -0.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.96% | 22.80% | +1.16% |