BSGSX vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BSGSX (Baird Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both funds - BSGSX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Baird, while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Over the past 5 years, BSGSX returned -1.18%/yr vs 7.95%/yr for VBR. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BSGSX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

BSGSX vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baird Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (BSGSX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSGSX achieves a 6.61% return, which is significantly lower than VBR's 11.67% return.

BSGSX

• 1D: 1.42%
• 1M: 2.69%
• YTD: 6.61%
• 6M: 3.40%
• 1Y: 4.65%
• 3Y*: 2.49%
• 5Y*: -1.18%
• 10Y*: —

VBR

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 2.39%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 11.95%
• 1Y: 25.78%
• 3Y*: 16.44%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 10.53%

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

BSGSX vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BSGSX Baird Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund	6.61%	-8.97%	7.56%	10.60%	-27.31%	18.01%	46.76%	36.69%	-11.04%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	11.67%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-11.96%

Correlation

The correlation between BSGSX and VBR is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2018	0.79

The correlation between BSGSX and VBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BSGSX vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSGSX

BSGSX Risk / Return Rank: 5
BSGSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
BSGSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
BSGSX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
BSGSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
BSGSX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 52
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

BSGSX vs. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baird Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (BSGSX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

	BSGSX	VBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.34	1.71	-1.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.61	2.52	-1.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.30	-0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	2.93	-2.51
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.41	10.32	-8.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSGSX vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSGSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.34, which is lower than the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSGSX and VBR, 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

	BSGSX	VBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34	1.71	-1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.05	0.40	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.42	-0.08

Drawdowns

BSGSX vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSGSX drawdown since its inception was -36.33%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSGSX and VBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSGSX	VBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.33%	-61.98%	+25.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.63%	-8.85%	-4.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.57%	-24.19%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.33%	-24.19%	-12.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.02%	-0.39%	-20.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.46%	-8.27%	-8.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.02%	2.50%	+1.52%

Volatility

BSGSX vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

Baird Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (BSGSX) has a higher volatility of 4.87% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) at 3.96%. This indicates that BSGSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSGSX	VBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.87%	3.96%	+0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.24%	10.46%	+2.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.93%	15.17%	+1.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.63%	19.77%	+1.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.46%	21.73%	+1.73%

BSGSX vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSGSX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSGSX vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

BSGSX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSGSX Baird Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.69%	3.14%	3.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.76%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSGSX and VBR in my portfolio?

BSGSX and VBR have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSGSX or VBR?

BSGSX has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to VBR (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSGSX dropped -36.33% vs VBR's -61.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 0.34), 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.