BPTRX vs. VGHAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BPTRX (Baron Partners Fund) and VGHAX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - BPTRX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Baron Capital Group, Inc., while VGHAX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, BPTRX returned 23.95%/yr vs 8.76%/yr for VGHAX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BPTRX charges 1.36%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for VGHAX.

Performance

BPTRX vs. VGHAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron Partners Fund (BPTRX) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BPTRX achieves a -1.17% return, which is significantly higher than VGHAX's -4.15% return. Over the past 10 years, BPTRX has outperformed VGHAX with an annualized return of 23.95%, while VGHAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.76% annualized return.

BPTRX

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 4.39%
• YTD: -1.17%
• 6M: 18.45%
• 1Y: 31.97%
• 3Y*: 22.44%
• 5Y*: 12.59%
• 10Y*: 23.95%

VGHAX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -0.90%
• YTD: -4.15%
• 6M: -3.54%
• 1Y: 16.26%
• 3Y*: 8.57%
• 5Y*: 7.22%
• 10Y*: 8.76%

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

BPTRX vs. VGHAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BPTRX Baron Partners Fund	-1.17%	24.54%	32.75%	43.09%	-42.53%	31.35%	148.81%	44.99%	-2.01%	31.54%
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares	-4.15%	19.72%	9.10%	5.51%	-1.00%	12.82%	12.62%	22.99%	1.07%	19.64%

Correlation

The correlation between BPTRX and VGHAX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between BPTRX and VGHAX has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BPTRX vs. VGHAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BPTRX

BPTRX Risk / Return Rank: 32
BPTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
BPTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BPTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BPTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
BPTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VGHAX

VGHAX Risk / Return Rank: 18
VGHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VGHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VGHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
VGHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VGHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

BPTRX vs. VGHAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Partners Fund (BPTRX) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX). 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.

	BPTRX	VGHAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	1.15	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	1.77	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.20	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	1.84	+1.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.97	4.87	+2.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BPTRX vs. VGHAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BPTRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is comparable to the VGHAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BPTRX and VGHAX, 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

	BPTRX	VGHAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	1.15	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.40	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.50	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.60	-0.05

Drawdowns

BPTRX vs. VGHAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BPTRX drawdown since its inception was -64.11%, which is greater than VGHAX's maximum drawdown of -36.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BPTRX and VGHAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BPTRX	VGHAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.11%	-36.85%	-27.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.71%	-9.19%	-1.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.34%	-16.05%	-17.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.87%	-16.92%	-32.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.26%	-27.17%	-24.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.57%	-7.12%	+2.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.78%	-5.61%	-8.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.42%	3.47%	+0.95%

Volatility

BPTRX vs. VGHAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Baron Partners Fund (BPTRX) is 3.59%, while Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) has a volatility of 3.82%. This indicates that BPTRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGHAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BPTRX	VGHAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	3.82%	-0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.25%	10.24%	+11.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.59%	14.73%	+12.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.61%	18.12%	+15.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.69%	17.58%	+15.11%

BPTRX vs. VGHAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BPTRX has a 1.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VGHAX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

BPTRX vs. VGHAX - Dividend Comparison

BPTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, less than VGHAX's 6.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BPTRX Baron Partners Fund	3.40%	3.36%	0.76%	0.00%	3.19%	7.72%	3.67%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.35%
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares	6.96%	6.07%	22.84%	7.22%	5.49%	7.05%	8.02%	11.87%	9.15%	7.36%	8.60%	8.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BPTRX and VGHAX in my portfolio?

BPTRX and VGHAX have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BPTRX or VGHAX?

VGHAX has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to BPTRX (3.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BPTRX dropped -64.11% vs VGHAX's -36.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGHAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 1.11), 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.