BRUSX vs. USBNX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BRUSX (Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund) and USBNX (Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BRUSX returned 9.29%/yr vs 8.15%/yr for USBNX. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BRUSX charges 1.26%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for USBNX.

Performance

BRUSX vs. USBNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund (BRUSX) and Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund (USBNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRUSX achieves a 9.32% return, which is significantly lower than USBNX's 19.37% return. Over the past 10 years, BRUSX has outperformed USBNX with an annualized return of 9.29%, while USBNX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.15% annualized return.

BRUSX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -2.66%
• 6M: 4.28%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 1Y: 25.93%
• 3Y*: 13.18%
• 5Y*: 3.34%
• 10Y*: 9.29%
• ALL TIME*: 11.63%

USBNX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.99%
• 6M: 11.44%
• YTD: 19.37%
• 1Y: 30.59%
• 3Y*: 13.45%
• 5Y*: 8.18%
• 10Y*: 8.15%
• ALL TIME*: 8.67%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BRUSX Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
USBNX Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

BRUSX vs. USBNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRUSX Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund	9.32%	7.13%	17.57%	18.14%	-10.99%	13.85%	33.43%	9.52%	-15.77%	3.86%
USBNX Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund	19.37%	8.02%	8.64%	12.83%	-5.09%	15.35%	-4.77%	23.53%	-11.05%	6.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BRUSX and USBNX is 0.67, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 1994	0.77

The correlation between BRUSX and USBNX shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRUSX vs. USBNX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BRUSX

BRUSX Risk / Return Rank: 30
BRUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
BRUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
BRUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
BRUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BRUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

USBNX

USBNX Risk / Return Rank: 81
USBNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
USBNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
USBNX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
USBNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
USBNX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BRUSX vs. USBNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund (BRUSX) and Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund (USBNX). 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.

	BRUSX	USBNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	1.99	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	3.03	-1.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.36	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.69	3.10	-1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.92	9.86	-4.94

BRUSX vs. USBNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRUSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the USBNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRUSX and USBNX, 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

BRUSX vs. USBNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRUSX drawdown since its inception was -60.38%, smaller than the maximum USBNX drawdown of -64.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRUSX and USBNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRUSX	USBNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.38%	-64.40%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.87%	-9.19%	-3.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.73%	-21.56%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.95%	-26.01%	-12.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.77%	-46.96%	-8.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.08%	-1.16%	-2.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.49%	-13.57%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	2.90%	+1.53%

Volatility

BRUSX vs. USBNX - Volatility Comparison

Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund (BRUSX) has a higher volatility of 4.07% compared to Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund (USBNX) at 3.33%. This indicates that BRUSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USBNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRUSX	USBNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	3.33%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.67%	8.96%	+5.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.36%	14.36%	+7.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.19%	18.59%	+4.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.35%	21.58%	+1.77%

BRUSX vs. USBNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRUSX has a 1.26% expense ratio, which is lower than USBNX's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRUSX vs. USBNX - Dividend Comparison

BRUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.66%, less than USBNX's 11.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRUSX Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund	9.66%	10.56%	2.46%	4.97%	18.41%	7.70%	1.53%	1.14%	13.87%	1.99%	1.12%	1.03%
USBNX Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund	11.57%	13.81%	3.27%	0.86%	10.05%	0.75%	0.68%	7.91%	8.39%	6.21%	1.17%	7.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRUSX and USBNX in my portfolio?

BRUSX and USBNX have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRUSX or USBNX?

BRUSX has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to USBNX (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRUSX dropped -60.38% vs USBNX's -64.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USBNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.02), 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.