BPLEX vs. BPLSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BPLEX (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund) and BPLSX (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class) are both Long-Short funds from Boston Partners. Over the past 10 years, BPLEX returned 13.44%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for BPLSX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BPLEX charges 2.21%/yr vs 2.04%/yr for BPLSX.

Performance

BPLEX vs. BPLSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX) and Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class (BPLSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BPLEX having a 11.29% return and BPLSX slightly higher at 11.42%. Over the past 10 years, BPLEX has outperformed BPLSX with an annualized return of 13.44%, while BPLSX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.69% annualized return.

BPLEX

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 2.36%
• YTD: 11.29%
• 6M: 14.22%
• 1Y: 33.42%
• 3Y*: 36.58%
• 5Y*: 23.92%
• 10Y*: 13.44%

BPLSX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 2.40%
• YTD: 11.42%
• 6M: 14.34%
• 1Y: 33.74%
• 3Y*: 32.87%
• 5Y*: 22.01%
• 10Y*: 12.69%

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

BPLEX vs. BPLSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BPLEX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund	11.29%	27.87%	56.97%	14.93%	6.95%	31.73%	-5.82%	8.97%	-15.70%	2.54%
BPLSX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class	11.42%	28.28%	43.67%	15.23%	7.22%	32.04%	-5.68%	9.22%	-15.47%	2.76%

Correlation

The correlation between BPLEX and BPLSX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 1998	1.00

The correlation between BPLEX and BPLSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BPLEX vs. BPLSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BPLEX

BPLEX Risk / Return Rank: 94
BPLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
BPLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BPLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BPLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BPLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

BPLSX

BPLSX Risk / Return Rank: 94
BPLSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
BPLSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BPLSX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BPLSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BPLSX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

BPLEX vs. BPLSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX) and Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class (BPLSX). 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.

	BPLEX	BPLSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.23	3.28	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.02	5.07	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.61	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.47	6.56	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.28	23.77	-0.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BPLEX vs. BPLSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BPLEX Sharpe Ratio is 3.23, which is comparable to the BPLSX Sharpe Ratio of 3.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BPLEX and BPLSX, 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

	BPLEX	BPLSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.23	3.28	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.80	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.56	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.64	-0.09

Drawdowns

BPLEX vs. BPLSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BPLEX drawdown since its inception was -43.47%, roughly equal to the maximum BPLSX drawdown of -43.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BPLEX and BPLSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BPLEX	BPLSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.47%	-43.20%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.23%	-5.23%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.78%	-24.58%	-4.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.78%	-24.58%	-4.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.65%	-37.28%	-0.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.25%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.62%	-6.31%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.45%	1.44%	+0.01%

Volatility

BPLEX vs. BPLSX - Volatility Comparison

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX) and Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class (BPLSX) have volatilities of 4.05% and 4.08%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BPLEX	BPLSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	4.08%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	8.24%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.47%	10.46%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.92%	27.81%	+10.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.30%	22.94%	+6.36%

BPLEX vs. BPLSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BPLEX has a 2.21% expense ratio, which is higher than BPLSX's 2.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

BPLEX vs. BPLSX - Dividend Comparison

BPLEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.83%, more than BPLSX's 7.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BPLEX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund	9.83%	10.94%	58.72%	28.35%	15.19%	5.11%	44.84%	11.33%	9.69%	0.83%	0.00%	9.91%
BPLSX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class	7.12%	7.93%	44.35%	22.61%	12.63%	4.36%	38.62%	10.22%	8.85%	0.76%	0.00%	9.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BPLEX and BPLSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, BPLEX and BPLSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BPLEX or BPLSX?

BPLSX has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to BPLEX (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BPLEX dropped -43.47% vs BPLSX's -43.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BPLSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 3.23), 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.