BHCHX vs. PGHAX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

BHCHX (Baron Health Care Fund) and PGHAX (Putnam Global Health Care Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, BHCHX returned 0.38%/yr vs 6.60%/yr for PGHAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BHCHX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for PGHAX.

Performance

BHCHX vs. PGHAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron Health Care Fund (BHCHX) and Putnam Global Health Care Fund (PGHAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BHCHX achieves a -0.09% return, which is significantly lower than PGHAX's 0.94% return.

BHCHX

• 1D: 2.22%
• 1M: 6.31%
• YTD: -0.09%
• 6M: -1.35%
• 1Y: 19.41%
• 3Y*: 4.51%
• 5Y*: 0.38%
• 10Y*: —

PGHAX

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 2.66%
• YTD: 0.94%
• 6M: 0.18%
• 1Y: 18.68%
• 3Y*: 8.32%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

BHCHX vs. PGHAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BHCHX Baron Health Care Fund	-0.09%	10.28%	1.55%	6.42%	-16.90%	15.71%	32.71%
PGHAX Putnam Global Health Care Fund	0.94%	15.58%	1.69%	9.48%	-4.39%	19.99%	13.35%

Correlation

The correlation between BHCHX and PGHAX is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2020	0.84

The correlation between BHCHX and PGHAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BHCHX vs. PGHAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BHCHX

BHCHX Risk / Return Rank: 23
BHCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
BHCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
BHCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
BHCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
BHCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

PGHAX

PGHAX Risk / Return Rank: 29
PGHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PGHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
PGHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PGHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
PGHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

BHCHX vs. PGHAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Health Care Fund (BHCHX) and Putnam Global Health Care Fund (PGHAX). 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.

	BHCHX	PGHAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.26	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	1.96	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.22	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	1.88	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.04	4.63	-1.59

BHCHX vs. PGHAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BHCHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the PGHAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BHCHX and PGHAX, 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

BHCHX vs. PGHAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BHCHX drawdown since its inception was -28.53%, which is greater than PGHAX's maximum drawdown of -20.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BHCHX and PGHAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BHCHX	PGHAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.53%	-20.52%	-8.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.24%	-9.68%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.51%	-20.52%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.53%	-20.52%	-8.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.38%	-3.27%	-2.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.04%	-5.64%	-5.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.42%	3.93%	+2.49%

Volatility

BHCHX vs. PGHAX - Volatility Comparison

Baron Health Care Fund (BHCHX) has a higher volatility of 6.26% compared to Putnam Global Health Care Fund (PGHAX) at 5.19%. This indicates that BHCHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PGHAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BHCHX	PGHAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.26%	5.19%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.66%	10.53%	+2.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.90%	14.55%	+1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	14.46%	+2.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.75%	14.44%	+5.31%

BHCHX vs. PGHAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BHCHX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PGHAX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

BHCHX vs. PGHAX - Dividend Comparison

BHCHX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PGHAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.84%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BHCHX Baron Health Care Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.49%	0.00%	0.00%	1.41%	0.99%
PGHAX Putnam Global Health Care Fund	1.84%	1.86%	4.71%	5.33%	7.48%	11.17%	8.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BHCHX and PGHAX in my portfolio?

BHCHX and PGHAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BHCHX or PGHAX?

BHCHX has higher volatility (6.26%) compared to PGHAX (5.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BHCHX dropped -28.53% vs PGHAX's -20.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PGHAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 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.