BIALX vs. VTWAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BIALX (Brown Advisory Global Leaders Fund) and VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, BIALX returned 5.79%/yr vs 10.98%/yr for VTWAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BIALX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTWAX.

Performance

BIALX vs. VTWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory Global Leaders Fund (BIALX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIALX achieves a -6.19% return, which is significantly lower than VTWAX's 12.29% return.

BIALX

• 1D: -1.59%
• 1M: -3.19%
• YTD: -6.19%
• 6M: -5.35%
• 1Y: -2.24%
• 3Y*: 10.65%
• 5Y*: 5.79%
• 10Y*: 11.67%

VTWAX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 6M: 13.02%
• 1Y: 29.00%
• 3Y*: 20.96%
• 5Y*: 10.98%
• 10Y*: —

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

BIALX vs. VTWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BIALX Brown Advisory Global Leaders Fund	-6.19%	14.96%	13.99%	26.00%	-19.66%	16.65%	20.26%	25.06%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.29%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	17.53%

Correlation

The correlation between BIALX and VTWAX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.92

The correlation between BIALX and VTWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIALX vs. VTWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIALX

BIALX Risk / Return Rank: 2
BIALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BIALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
BIALX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BIALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
BIALX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

BIALX vs. VTWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory Global Leaders Fund (BIALX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). 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.

	BIALX	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.15	2.38	-2.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.12	3.27	-3.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.43	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	3.05	-3.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.48	13.64	-14.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIALX vs. VTWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIALX Sharpe Ratio is -0.15, which is lower than the VTWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIALX and VTWAX, 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

	BIALX	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.15	2.38	-2.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.70	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.77	-0.11

Drawdowns

BIALX vs. VTWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIALX drawdown since its inception was -32.45%, smaller than the maximum VTWAX drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIALX and VTWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIALX	VTWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.45%	-34.20%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.77%	-9.64%	-3.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.71%	-16.43%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.02%	-26.40%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.05%	-0.76%	-7.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.86%	-5.30%	+0.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.84%	2.15%	+1.69%

Volatility

BIALX vs. VTWAX - Volatility Comparison

Brown Advisory Global Leaders Fund (BIALX) has a higher volatility of 4.11% compared to Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) at 3.64%. This indicates that BIALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIALX	VTWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.11%	3.64%	+0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.35%	9.84%	+0.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.56%	12.39%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.78%	15.72%	+1.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.46%	18.20%	-0.74%

BIALX vs. VTWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIALX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than VTWAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIALX vs. VTWAX - Dividend Comparison

BIALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.98%, more than VTWAX's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BIALX Brown Advisory Global Leaders Fund	5.98%	5.61%	0.36%	0.37%	0.51%	1.08%	0.10%	0.24%	0.26%	0.09%	0.18%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.57%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIALX and VTWAX in my portfolio?

BIALX and VTWAX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIALX or VTWAX?

BIALX has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to VTWAX (3.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIALX dropped -32.45% vs VTWAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs -0.15), 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.