BPLSX vs. BPSCX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BPLSX (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class) and BPSCX (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II) are both mutual funds - BPLSX is a Long-Short fund actively managed by Boston Partners, while BPSCX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Boston Partners. Over the past 10 years, BPLSX returned 13.30%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for BPSCX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BPLSX charges 2.04%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for BPSCX.

Performance

BPLSX vs. BPSCX - 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 Small Cap Value Fund II (BPSCX). 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 BPLSX having a 13.96% return and BPSCX slightly higher at 14.53%. Over the past 10 years, BPLSX has outperformed BPSCX with an annualized return of 13.30%, while BPSCX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.14% annualized return.

BPLSX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 4.21%
• YTD: 13.96%
• 6M: 14.12%
• 1Y: 32.54%
• 3Y*: 33.35%
• 5Y*: 24.16%
• 10Y*: 13.30%

BPSCX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 4.43%
• YTD: 14.53%
• 6M: 12.76%
• 1Y: 24.62%
• 3Y*: 17.29%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

BPLSX vs. BPSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BPLSX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class	13.96%	28.28%	43.67%	15.23%	7.22%	32.04%	-5.68%	9.22%	-15.47%	2.76%
BPSCX Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II	14.53%	7.15%	13.65%	16.96%	-11.69%	25.42%	1.30%	27.75%	-16.64%	9.44%

Correlation

The correlation between BPLSX and BPSCX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 1998	0.55

Over the past year, BPLSX and BPSCX have become more correlated (0.75) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

BPLSX vs. BPSCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BPLSX

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

BPSCX

BPSCX Risk / Return Rank: 39
BPSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
BPSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
BPSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
BPSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
BPSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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. BPSCX - 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 Small Cap Value Fund II (BPSCX). 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.

	BPLSX	BPSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.20	1.64	+1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.89	2.49	+2.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.29	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.44	2.52	+3.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.24	7.61	+15.63

BPLSX vs. BPSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BPLSX Sharpe Ratio is 3.20, which is higher than the BPSCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BPLSX and BPSCX, 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

BPLSX vs. BPSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BPLSX drawdown since its inception was -43.20%, smaller than the maximum BPSCX drawdown of -62.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BPLSX and BPSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BPLSX	BPSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.20%	-62.69%	+19.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.23%	-10.45%	+5.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.58%	-21.70%	-2.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.58%	-22.19%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.28%	-47.80%	+10.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.07%	-0.33%	-0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.30%	-9.28%	+2.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.45%	3.45%	-2.00%

Volatility

BPLSX vs. BPSCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class (BPLSX) is 4.07%, while Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (BPSCX) has a volatility of 4.55%. This indicates that BPLSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BPSCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BPLSX	BPSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	4.55%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.38%	11.06%	-2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.56%	16.08%	-5.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.75%	20.95%	+6.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.94%	22.69%	+0.25%

BPLSX vs. BPSCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BPLSX has a 2.04% expense ratio, which is higher than BPSCX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

BPLSX vs. BPSCX - Dividend Comparison

BPLSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.96%, less than BPSCX's 7.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BPLSX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund Institutional Class	6.96%	7.93%	44.35%	22.61%	12.63%	4.36%	38.62%	10.22%	8.85%	0.76%	0.00%	9.19%
BPSCX Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II	7.05%	8.07%	15.19%	13.27%	7.76%	7.12%	0.32%	2.26%	6.95%	4.44%	2.09%	5.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BPLSX and BPSCX in my portfolio?

BPLSX and BPSCX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BPLSX or BPSCX?

BPSCX has higher volatility (4.55%) compared to BPLSX (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BPLSX dropped -43.20% vs BPSCX's -62.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BPLSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 1.64), 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.