BGRFX vs. VUG
BGRFX (Baron Growth Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both funds - BGRFX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Baron Capital, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, BGRFX returned 7.24%/yr vs 17.38%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.80 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BGRFX charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.
Performance
BGRFX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BGRFX achieves a -7.22% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 5.02% return. Over the past 10 years, BGRFX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 7.24%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.38% annualized return.
BGRFX
- 1D
- -4.18%
- 1M
- 2.01%
- 6M
- -4.70%
- YTD
- -7.22%
- 1Y
- -14.10%
- 3Y*
- -5.92%
- 5Y*
- -4.58%
- 10Y*
- 7.24%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.61%
VUG
- 1D
- 1.10%
- 1M
- -0.35%
- 6M
- 6.39%
- YTD
- 5.02%
- 1Y
- 15.36%
- 3Y*
- 21.19%
- 5Y*
- 12.16%
- 10Y*
- 17.38%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.08%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
BGRFX Baron Growth Fund | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| $556.11M | $661.72M | $650.91M |
BGRFX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGRFX Baron Growth Fund | -7.22% | -14.51% | 4.62% | 14.68% | -22.55% | 19.82% | 32.77% | 40.18% | -2.93% | 27.14% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 5.02% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between BGRFX and VUG is 0.09, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.09 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.61 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.80 |
Over the past year, the correlation between BGRFX and VUG has dropped to 0.09 - well below their long-term average of 0.80, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
BGRFX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
BGRFX
VUG
BGRFX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Growth Fund (BGRFX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.
| BGRFX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.41 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.98 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 1.13 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.63 | 0.78 | -1.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.06 | 2.47 | -3.53 |
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Drawdowns
BGRFX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BGRFX drawdown since its inception was -56.10%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGRFX and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BGRFX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.10% | -50.68% | -5.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.67% | -16.53% | -8.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.03% | -22.85% | -10.18% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.02% | -35.61% | +0.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.14% | -35.61% | -5.53% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -27.48% | -5.53% | -21.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.95% | -7.08% | -1.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.71% | 5.20% | +9.51% |
Volatility
BGRFX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
Baron Growth Fund (BGRFX) has a higher volatility of 10.92% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.58%. This indicates that BGRFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BGRFX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.92% | 5.58% | +5.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.46% | 14.24% | +5.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.83% | 17.74% | +5.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.91% | 22.49% | -1.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.46% | 21.55% | -0.09% |
BGRFX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
BGRFX has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
BGRFX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
BGRFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.54%, more than VUG's 0.40% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGRFX Baron Growth Fund | 22.54% | 20.91% | 12.05% | 1.79% | 6.02% | 7.73% | 4.64% | 3.68% | 8.38% | 11.68% | 12.84% | 9.53% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.40% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BGRFX and VUG have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BGRFX has higher volatility (10.92%) compared to VUG (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGRFX dropped -56.10% vs VUG's -50.68%.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs -0.68), 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.
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