BISAX vs. VFSAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

BISAX (Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund) and VFSAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, BISAX returned 19.03%/yr vs 4.93%/yr for VFSAX. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BISAX charges 1.36%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VFSAX.

Performance

BISAX vs. VFSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund (BISAX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BISAX achieves a 7.90% return, which is significantly higher than VFSAX's 5.46% return.

BISAX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 7.60%
• 6M: 3.33%
• YTD: 7.90%
• 1Y: 14.05%
• 3Y*: 28.43%
• 5Y*: 19.03%
• 10Y*: 11.60%
• ALL TIME*: 11.22%

VFSAX

• 1D: 1.89%
• 1M: -2.42%
• 6M: -0.76%
• YTD: 5.46%
• 1Y: 16.33%
• 3Y*: 12.71%
• 5Y*: 4.93%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.35%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BISAX Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

BISAX vs. VFSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BISAX Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund	7.90%	45.50%	23.18%	39.03%	-8.68%	18.39%	4.62%	0.69%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.46%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%

Correlation

The correlation between BISAX and VFSAX is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.84

The correlation between BISAX and VFSAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BISAX vs. VFSAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BISAX

BISAX Risk / Return Rank: 31
BISAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
BISAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
BISAX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
BISAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
BISAX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 33
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BISAX vs. VFSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund (BISAX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). 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.

	BISAX	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	1.05	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.68	1.52	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.20	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.20	1.36	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.77	4.35	-1.58

BISAX vs. VFSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BISAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the VFSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BISAX and VFSAX, 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

BISAX vs. VFSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BISAX drawdown since its inception was -47.30%, which is greater than VFSAX's maximum drawdown of -39.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BISAX and VFSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BISAX	VFSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.30%	-39.86%	-7.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-11.48%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.63%	-14.73%	+3.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.44%	-33.81%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-6.62%	+5.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.04%	-9.16%	+1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.03%	3.58%	+1.45%

Volatility

BISAX vs. VFSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund (BISAX) is 3.44%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) has a volatility of 5.02%. This indicates that BISAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BISAX	VFSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.44%	5.02%	-1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	13.01%	-2.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.86%	14.83%	-1.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.89%	15.28%	-1.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.13%	17.06%	-2.93%

BISAX vs. VFSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BISAX has a 1.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSAX's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

BISAX vs. VFSAX - Dividend Comparison

BISAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, more than VFSAX's 3.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BISAX Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund	3.41%	3.23%	3.06%	2.81%	3.87%	3.46%	0.81%	0.66%	3.88%	8.33%	4.00%	3.44%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.24%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BISAX and VFSAX in my portfolio?

BISAX and VFSAX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BISAX or VFSAX?

VFSAX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to BISAX (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BISAX dropped -47.30% vs VFSAX's -39.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BISAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 1.05), 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.