BIAFX vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BIAFX (Brown Advisory Flexible Equity Fund) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Brown Advisory Funds, while ^GSPC (S&P 500 Index) is an index. Over the past 10 years, BIAFX returned 15.38%/yr vs 13.75%/yr for ^GSPC. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep.

Performance

BIAFX vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory Flexible Equity Fund (BIAFX) 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, BIAFX achieves a 5.57% return, which is significantly lower than ^GSPC's 11.16% return. Over the past 10 years, BIAFX has outperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 15.38%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively lower 13.75% annualized return.

BIAFX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: 5.57%
• 6M: 7.23%
• 1Y: 14.29%
• 3Y*: 18.69%
• 5Y*: 10.41%
• 10Y*: 15.38%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.25%
• YTD: 11.16%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.20%
• 3Y*: 21.12%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: 13.75%

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

BIAFX vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIAFX Brown Advisory Flexible Equity Fund	5.57%	9.74%	23.72%	34.52%	-21.07%	24.95%	19.89%	42.29%	-4.15%	24.12%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	11.16%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BIAFX and ^GSPC is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2006	0.95

The correlation between BIAFX and ^GSPC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIAFX vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIAFX

BIAFX Risk / Return Rank: 14
BIAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
BIAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
BIAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
BIAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
BIAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 79
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

BIAFX vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory Flexible Equity Fund (BIAFX) 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.

	BIAFX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	2.39	-1.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.59	3.25	-1.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.43	-0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	3.16	-2.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.01	14.61	-10.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIAFX vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIAFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIAFX 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

	BIAFX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	2.39	-1.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.75	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.76	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.47	+0.03

Drawdowns

BIAFX vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIAFX drawdown since its inception was -60.32%, which is greater than ^GSPC's maximum drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIAFX and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIAFX	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.32%	-56.78%	-3.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.10%	-9.10%	-4.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.99%	-18.90%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.44%	-25.43%	-2.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.49%	-33.92%	-1.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-10.72%	+0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.63%	1.97%	+1.66%

Volatility

BIAFX vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brown Advisory Flexible Equity Fund (BIAFX) is 2.67%, while S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that BIAFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIAFX	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.67%	2.84%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.06%	8.98%	+1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.10%	11.87%	+1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.83%	16.90%	+0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.18%	18.07%	+1.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BIAFX and ^GSPC have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIAFX or ^GSPC?

^GSPC has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to BIAFX (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIAFX dropped -60.32% vs ^GSPC's -56.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^GSPC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.11), 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.