BIGFX vs. EFG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BIGFX (Baron International Growth Fund) and EFG (iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BIGFX returned 8.51%/yr vs 7.96%/yr for EFG. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BIGFX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for EFG.

Performance

BIGFX vs. EFG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron International Growth Fund (BIGFX) and iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIGFX achieves a 12.38% return, which is significantly higher than EFG's 7.91% return. Over the past 10 years, BIGFX has outperformed EFG with an annualized return of 8.51%, while EFG has yielded a comparatively lower 7.96% annualized return.

BIGFX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 5.08%
• YTD: 12.38%
• 6M: 13.06%
• 1Y: 20.14%
• 3Y*: 13.29%
• 5Y*: 1.99%
• 10Y*: 8.51%

EFG

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 7.91%
• 6M: 9.06%
• 1Y: 14.40%
• 3Y*: 10.91%
• 5Y*: 4.23%
• 10Y*: 7.96%

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

BIGFX vs. EFG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIGFX Baron International Growth Fund	12.38%	20.80%	4.11%	7.33%	-27.47%	9.63%	30.52%	29.06%	-17.88%	36.95%
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF	7.91%	20.70%	1.53%	17.55%	-23.12%	11.01%	17.85%	27.47%	-12.93%	28.86%

Correlation

The correlation between BIGFX and EFG 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	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 6, 2009	0.87

The correlation between BIGFX and EFG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIGFX vs. EFG — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIGFX

BIGFX Risk / Return Rank: 18
BIGFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
BIGFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
BIGFX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
BIGFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
BIGFX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

EFG

EFG Risk / Return Rank: 25
EFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
EFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
EFG Omega Ratio Rank: 22
EFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
EFG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

BIGFX vs. EFG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron International Growth Fund (BIGFX) and iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG). 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.

	BIGFX	EFG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	0.85	+0.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	1.32	+0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.16	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	1.13	+0.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.04	4.17	+0.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIGFX vs. EFG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIGFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is higher than the EFG Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIGFX and EFG, 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

	BIGFX	EFG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	0.85	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.23	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.45	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.29	+0.27

Drawdowns

BIGFX vs. EFG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIGFX drawdown since its inception was -41.12%, smaller than the maximum EFG drawdown of -58.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIGFX and EFG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIGFX	EFG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.12%	-58.40%	+17.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.71%	-12.78%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.71%	-16.87%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.12%	-35.78%	-5.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.12%	-35.78%	-5.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.78%	+0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.04%	-12.16%	+2.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.86%	3.46%	+0.40%

Volatility

BIGFX vs. EFG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Baron International Growth Fund (BIGFX) is 5.52%, while iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG) has a volatility of 5.88%. This indicates that BIGFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EFG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIGFX	EFG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	5.88%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.41%	14.36%	-0.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.34%	17.08%	-0.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.07%	18.11%	-1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.23%	17.69%	-0.46%

BIGFX vs. EFG - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIGFX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than EFG's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIGFX vs. EFG - Dividend Comparison

BIGFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than EFG's 2.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIGFX Baron International Growth Fund	0.75%	0.85%	0.80%	0.35%	1.25%	5.24%	0.02%	0.08%	3.56%	3.54%	0.93%	0.62%
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF	2.34%	2.53%	1.64%	1.63%	1.27%	1.54%	0.85%	1.69%	1.98%	1.56%	2.20%	1.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIGFX and EFG in my portfolio?

BIGFX and EFG 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, BIGFX or EFG?

EFG has higher volatility (5.88%) compared to BIGFX (5.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIGFX dropped -41.12% vs EFG's -58.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIGFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.85), 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.