BREFX vs. BFGIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BREFX (Baron Real Estate Fund Retail Shares) and BFGIX (Baron Focused Growth Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - BREFX is a REIT fund actively managed by Baron Capital, while BFGIX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Baron Capital. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, BREFX returned 10.77%/yr vs 21.44%/yr for BFGIX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BREFX charges 1.31%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for BFGIX.

Performance

BREFX vs. BFGIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron Real Estate Fund Retail Shares (BREFX) and Baron Focused Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BFGIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BREFX achieves a 0.66% return, which is significantly lower than BFGIX's 3.92% return. Over the past 10 years, BREFX has underperformed BFGIX with an annualized return of 10.77%, while BFGIX has yielded a comparatively higher 21.44% annualized return.

BREFX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -0.60%
• YTD: 0.66%
• 6M: 0.01%
• 1Y: 13.82%
• 3Y*: 10.71%
• 5Y*: 2.08%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

BFGIX

• 1D: 2.36%
• 1M: 7.03%
• YTD: 3.92%
• 6M: 16.37%
• 1Y: 25.20%
• 3Y*: 21.80%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: 21.44%

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

BREFX vs. BFGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BREFX Baron Real Estate Fund Retail Shares	0.66%	4.91%	12.19%	24.70%	-28.62%	24.09%	43.92%	44.27%	-22.23%	31.06%
BFGIX Baron Focused Growth Fund Institutional Shares	3.92%	22.26%	29.85%	27.78%	-28.05%	19.00%	122.92%	30.34%	4.08%	26.58%

Correlation

The correlation between BREFX and BFGIX is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010	0.78

The correlation between BREFX and BFGIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BREFX vs. BFGIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BREFX

BREFX Risk / Return Rank: 10
BREFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
BREFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
BREFX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BREFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
BREFX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

BFGIX

BFGIX Risk / Return Rank: 31
BFGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
BFGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BFGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
BFGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
BFGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

BREFX vs. BFGIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Real Estate Fund Retail Shares (BREFX) and Baron Focused Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BFGIX). 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.

	BREFX	BFGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	1.33	-0.52
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	2.43	-1.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.28	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	2.60	-1.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.99	7.04	-4.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BREFX vs. BFGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BREFX Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the BFGIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BREFX and BFGIX, 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

	BREFX	BFGIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81	1.33	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.59	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.90	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.79	-0.17

Drawdowns

BREFX vs. BFGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BREFX drawdown since its inception was -38.52%, smaller than the maximum BFGIX drawdown of -43.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BREFX and BFGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BREFX	BFGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.52%	-43.62%	+5.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.60%	-9.69%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.98%	-20.97%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.05%	-35.71%	+1.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.52%	-43.62%	+5.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.50%	0.00%	-4.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.69%	-7.87%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.39%	3.57%	+0.82%

Volatility

BREFX vs. BFGIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Baron Real Estate Fund Retail Shares (BREFX) is 4.36%, while Baron Focused Growth Fund Institutional Shares (BFGIX) has a volatility of 4.66%. This indicates that BREFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BFGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BREFX	BFGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.36%	4.66%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.87%	15.53%	-3.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.66%	19.00%	-2.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.71%	22.34%	-1.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.21%	23.99%	-2.78%

BREFX vs. BFGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BREFX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than BFGIX's 1.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

BREFX vs. BFGIX - Dividend Comparison

BREFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.62%, while BFGIX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFGIX Baron Focused Growth Fund Institutional Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	11.79%	15.01%	2.78%	1.74%	1.05%	2.07%	5.92%	6.01%
BREFX Baron Real Estate Fund Retail Shares	3.62%	3.64%	0.16%	0.06%	2.94%	8.17%	6.27%	13.89%	12.04%	4.77%	0.35%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BREFX and BFGIX in my portfolio?

BREFX and BFGIX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BREFX or BFGIX?

BFGIX has higher volatility (4.66%) compared to BREFX (4.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BREFX dropped -38.52% vs BFGIX's -43.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BFGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 0.81), 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.