BPLSX vs. BPLEX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BPLSX (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class) and BPLEX (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund) are both Long-Short funds from Boston Partners. Over the past 10 years, BPLSX returned 12.72%/yr vs 13.47%/yr for BPLEX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BPLSX charges 2.04%/yr vs 2.21%/yr for BPLEX.

Performance

BPLSX vs. BPLEX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with BPLSX having a 11.69% return and BPLEX slightly lower at 11.57%. Over the past 10 years, BPLSX has underperformed BPLEX with an annualized return of 12.72%, while BPLEX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.47% annualized return.

BPLSX

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 14.84%
• 1Y: 34.48%
• 3Y*: 32.98%
• 5Y*: 22.32%
• 10Y*: 12.72%

BPLEX

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 11.57%
• 6M: 14.72%
• 1Y: 34.03%
• 3Y*: 36.69%
• 5Y*: 24.22%
• 10Y*: 13.47%

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

BPLSX vs. BPLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BPLSX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class	11.69%	28.28%	43.67%	15.23%	7.22%	32.04%	-5.68%	9.22%	-15.47%	2.76%
BPLEX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund	11.57%	27.87%	56.97%	14.93%	6.95%	31.73%	-5.82%	8.97%	-15.70%	2.54%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

BPLSX vs. BPLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BPLSX

BPLSX Risk / Return Rank: 94
BPLSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
BPLSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BPLSX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BPLSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
BPLSX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

BPLEX

BPLEX Risk / Return Rank: 94
BPLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
BPLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BPLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BPLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
BPLEX 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.

BPLSX vs. BPLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	BPLSX	BPLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.35	3.32	+0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.17	5.14	+0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.61	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.75	6.66	+0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	24.51	24.03	+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.

BPLSX vs. BPLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BPLSX Sharpe Ratio is 3.35, which is comparable to the BPLEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BPLSX and BPLEX, 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

	BPLSX	BPLEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.35	3.32	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.64	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.46	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.55	+0.09

Drawdowns

BPLSX vs. BPLEX - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

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

Volatility

BPLSX vs. BPLEX - Volatility Comparison

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class (BPLSX) and Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX) have volatilities of 4.09% and 4.06%, 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

	BPLSX	BPLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	4.06%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.23%	8.23%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.47%	10.48%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.82%	37.93%	-10.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.94%	29.30%	-6.36%

BPLSX vs. BPLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BPLSX vs. BPLEX - Dividend Comparison

BPLSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.10%, less than BPLEX's 9.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BPLEX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund	9.81%	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	7.10%	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 BPLSX and BPLEX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, BPLSX and BPLEX 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, BPLSX or BPLEX?

BPLSX has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to BPLEX (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BPLSX dropped -43.20% vs BPLEX's -43.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BPLSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.35 vs 3.32), 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.