BVAOX vs. HFCGX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BVAOX (Madison Small Cap Fund) and HFCGX (Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BVAOX returned -2.54%/yr vs 12.91%/yr for HFCGX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BVAOX charges 1.10%/yr vs 1.34%/yr for HFCGX.

Performance

BVAOX vs. HFCGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Madison Small Cap Fund (BVAOX) and Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund (HFCGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BVAOX achieves a 7.01% return, which is significantly lower than HFCGX's 16.49% return. Over the past 10 years, BVAOX has underperformed HFCGX with an annualized return of -2.54%, while HFCGX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.91% annualized return.

BVAOX

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: 7.01%
• 6M: 7.11%
• 1Y: 6.50%
• 3Y*: 9.75%
• 5Y*: 1.19%
• 10Y*: -2.54%

HFCGX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 16.49%
• 6M: 17.87%
• 1Y: 24.28%
• 3Y*: 25.16%
• 5Y*: 13.50%
• 10Y*: 12.91%

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

BVAOX vs. HFCGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BVAOX Madison Small Cap Fund	7.01%	-7.16%	21.83%	16.06%	-24.38%	20.38%	23.06%	-49.49%	-12.21%	-2.21%
HFCGX Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund	16.49%	4.78%	31.45%	19.58%	-4.97%	29.94%	17.73%	20.70%	-21.39%	16.60%

Correlation

The correlation between BVAOX and HFCGX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1997	0.83

The correlation between BVAOX and HFCGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BVAOX vs. HFCGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BVAOX

BVAOX Risk / Return Rank: 6
BVAOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
BVAOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
BVAOX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
BVAOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
BVAOX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

HFCGX

HFCGX Risk / Return Rank: 45
HFCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
HFCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
HFCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
HFCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
HFCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

BVAOX vs. HFCGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Madison Small Cap Fund (BVAOX) and Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund (HFCGX). 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.

	BVAOX	HFCGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.40	1.81	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.68	2.65	-1.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.31	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.63	3.00	-2.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.57	9.88	-8.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BVAOX vs. HFCGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BVAOX Sharpe Ratio is 0.40, which is lower than the HFCGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BVAOX and HFCGX, 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

	BVAOX	HFCGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40	1.81	-1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.56	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.09	0.50	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.39	-0.14

Drawdowns

BVAOX vs. HFCGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BVAOX drawdown since its inception was -75.76%, which is greater than HFCGX's maximum drawdown of -62.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BVAOX and HFCGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BVAOX	HFCGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.76%	-62.35%	-13.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-7.82%	-3.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.10%	-22.86%	-2.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.32%	-26.30%	-6.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-75.76%	-54.22%	-21.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.85%	-0.05%	-37.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.81%	-15.23%	-5.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.46%	2.37%	+2.09%

Volatility

BVAOX vs. HFCGX - Volatility Comparison

Madison Small Cap Fund (BVAOX) and Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund (HFCGX) have volatilities of 4.59% and 4.46%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BVAOX	HFCGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	4.46%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.40%	9.45%	+2.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.89%	12.93%	+4.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.44%	24.06%	-3.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.25%	25.81%	+2.44%

BVAOX vs. HFCGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BVAOX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is lower than HFCGX's 1.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

BVAOX vs. HFCGX - Dividend Comparison

BVAOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.40%, while HFCGX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BVAOX Madison Small Cap Fund	9.40%	10.06%	9.63%	0.29%	5.51%	28.31%	6.63%	19.91%	25.09%	0.00%	4.73%	9.18%
HFCGX Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	14.11%	0.38%	3.58%	26.58%	0.00%	0.00%	10.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BVAOX and HFCGX in my portfolio?

BVAOX and HFCGX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BVAOX or HFCGX?

BVAOX has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to HFCGX (4.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BVAOX dropped -75.76% vs HFCGX's -62.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HFCGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.40), 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.