BIAHX vs. VSS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BIAHX (Brown Advisory - WMC Strategic European Equity Fund) and VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - BIAHX is a Europe Equities fund managed by Brown Advisory Funds, while VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, BIAHX returned 11.71%/yr vs 8.19%/yr for VSS. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BIAHX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSS.

Performance

BIAHX vs. VSS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory - WMC Strategic European Equity Fund (BIAHX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIAHX achieves a 1.18% return, which is significantly lower than VSS's 11.83% return. Over the past 10 years, BIAHX has outperformed VSS with an annualized return of 11.71%, while VSS has yielded a comparatively lower 8.19% annualized return.

BIAHX

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 3.78%
• 1Y: 11.38%
• 3Y*: 21.50%
• 5Y*: 12.13%
• 10Y*: 11.71%

VSS

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 11.83%
• 6M: 14.97%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 17.11%
• 5Y*: 6.20%
• 10Y*: 8.19%

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

BIAHX vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIAHX Brown Advisory - WMC Strategic European Equity Fund	1.18%	47.26%	10.85%	19.36%	-11.95%	14.54%	11.34%	29.43%	-16.60%	32.37%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	11.83%	29.61%	2.94%	15.52%	-21.48%	13.05%	11.81%	21.36%	-18.48%	30.61%

Correlation

The correlation between BIAHX and VSS is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013	0.83

The correlation between BIAHX and VSS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIAHX vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIAHX

BIAHX Risk / Return Rank: 10
BIAHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
BIAHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
BIAHX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
BIAHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
BIAHX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

VSS

VSS Risk / Return Rank: 55
VSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VSS Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VSS Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

BIAHX vs. VSS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory - WMC Strategic European Equity Fund (BIAHX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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.

	BIAHX	VSS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	1.91	-1.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.37	2.62	-1.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.35	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	2.58	-1.62
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.99	9.99	-7.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIAHX vs. VSS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIAHX Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the VSS Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIAHX and VSS, 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

	BIAHX	VSS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	1.91	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.38	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.48	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.55	+0.03

Drawdowns

BIAHX vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIAHX drawdown since its inception was -34.90%, smaller than the maximum VSS drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIAHX and VSS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIAHX	VSS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.90%	-43.51%	+8.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.18%	-11.62%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-15.73%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.95%	-33.93%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.90%	-43.51%	+8.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.61%	-1.48%	-5.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.03%	-9.64%	+3.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.21%	3.00%	+1.21%

Volatility

BIAHX vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brown Advisory - WMC Strategic European Equity Fund (BIAHX) is 4.89%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) has a volatility of 5.26%. This indicates that BIAHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIAHX	VSS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	5.26%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.51%	12.60%	-1.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.95%	14.82%	-0.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.36%	16.45%	-0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	17.27%	+0.02%

BIAHX vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIAHX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VSS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIAHX vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison

BIAHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.51%, more than VSS's 3.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIAHX Brown Advisory - WMC Strategic European Equity Fund	7.51%	7.60%	5.16%	1.13%	2.66%	9.72%	6.39%	9.78%	12.12%	0.83%	1.19%	0.00%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	3.03%	3.39%	3.44%	3.14%	2.30%	2.74%	1.90%	3.25%	2.80%	2.83%	2.93%	2.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIAHX and VSS in my portfolio?

BIAHX and VSS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIAHX or VSS?

VSS has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to BIAHX (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIAHX dropped -34.90% vs VSS's -43.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 0.90), 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.