BFTHX vs. BARAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BFTHX (Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund) and BARAX (Baron Asset Fund) are both mutual funds - BFTHX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Baron Capital Group, Inc., while BARAX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Baron Capital Group, Inc.. Over the past 10 years, BFTHX returned 16.10%/yr vs 10.51%/yr for BARAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BFTHX charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for BARAX.

Performance

BFTHX vs. BARAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund (BFTHX) and Baron Asset Fund (BARAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BFTHX achieves a 10.72% return, which is significantly higher than BARAX's -3.88% return. Over the past 10 years, BFTHX has outperformed BARAX with an annualized return of 16.10%, while BARAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.51% annualized return.

BFTHX

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 8.63%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 9.92%
• 1Y: 27.08%
• 3Y*: 28.15%
• 5Y*: 8.91%
• 10Y*: 16.10%

BARAX

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 1.74%
• YTD: -3.88%
• 6M: 1.00%
• 1Y: 0.55%
• 3Y*: 8.21%
• 5Y*: 1.91%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

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

BFTHX vs. BARAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BFTHX Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund	10.72%	18.01%	37.38%	57.20%	-50.62%	10.88%	50.42%	33.98%	1.10%	40.64%
BARAX Baron Asset Fund	-3.88%	7.89%	10.35%	17.05%	-26.06%	13.88%	32.98%	37.64%	-0.15%	26.18%

Correlation

The correlation between BFTHX and BARAX is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2004	0.86

Over the past year, the correlation between BFTHX and BARAX has dropped to 0.60 - well below their long-term average of 0.86, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BFTHX vs. BARAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BFTHX

BFTHX Risk / Return Rank: 20
BFTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
BFTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
BFTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
BFTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
BFTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

BARAX

BARAX Risk / Return Rank: 3
BARAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
BARAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BARAX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BARAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BARAX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

BFTHX vs. BARAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund (BFTHX) and Baron Asset Fund (BARAX). 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.

	BFTHX	BARAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	0.08	+1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	0.25	+1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.03	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	0.11	+1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.97	0.23	+4.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BFTHX vs. BARAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BFTHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is higher than the BARAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BFTHX and BARAX, 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

	BFTHX	BARAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	0.08	+1.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.10	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.53	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.49	-0.02

Drawdowns

BFTHX vs. BARAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BFTHX drawdown since its inception was -58.84%, roughly equal to the maximum BARAX drawdown of -59.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFTHX and BARAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BFTHX	BARAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.84%	-59.71%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.62%	-10.75%	-6.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.22%	-17.82%	-11.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.84%	-37.53%	-21.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.84%	-37.53%	-21.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-5.36%	+4.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.88%	-11.42%	-0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.55%	5.20%	+0.35%

Volatility

BFTHX vs. BARAX - Volatility Comparison

Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund (BFTHX) has a higher volatility of 4.39% compared to Baron Asset Fund (BARAX) at 3.28%. This indicates that BFTHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BARAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BFTHX	BARAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	3.28%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.71%	10.83%	+3.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.70%	14.75%	+5.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.96%	19.46%	+11.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.11%	19.79%	+7.32%

BFTHX vs. BARAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BFTHX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than BARAX's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

BFTHX vs. BARAX - Dividend Comparison

BFTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.71%, less than BARAX's 11.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BARAX Baron Asset Fund	11.97%	11.51%	19.23%	3.48%	0.01%	7.65%	3.05%	1.78%	7.42%	7.25%	4.88%	11.50%
BFTHX Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund	3.71%	4.11%	0.79%	0.00%	0.00%	3.19%	0.36%	2.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BFTHX and BARAX in my portfolio?

BFTHX and BARAX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BFTHX or BARAX?

BFTHX has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to BARAX (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BFTHX dropped -58.84% vs BARAX's -59.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BFTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs 0.08), 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.