BWBIX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BWBIX (Baron WealthBuilder Fund) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 5 years, BWBIX returned 4.59%/yr vs 8.62%/yr for VBAIX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BWBIX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

BWBIX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron WealthBuilder Fund (BWBIX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BWBIX achieves a 0.74% return, which is significantly lower than VBAIX's 7.40% return.

BWBIX

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: 4.14%
• YTD: 0.74%
• 6M: 5.76%
• 1Y: 11.63%
• 3Y*: 13.94%
• 5Y*: 4.59%
• 10Y*: —

VBAIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 3.72%
• YTD: 7.40%
• 6M: 7.29%
• 1Y: 19.41%
• 3Y*: 16.11%
• 5Y*: 8.62%
• 10Y*: 10.15%

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

BWBIX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BWBIX Baron WealthBuilder Fund	0.74%	10.23%	19.62%	25.77%	-32.58%	14.76%	62.85%	36.41%	-12.02%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.40%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-3.85%

Correlation

The correlation between BWBIX and VBAIX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2018	0.89

The correlation between BWBIX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BWBIX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BWBIX

BWBIX Risk / Return Rank: 11
BWBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
BWBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
BWBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
BWBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
BWBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

BWBIX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron WealthBuilder Fund (BWBIX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	BWBIX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	2.53	-1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.37	3.60	-2.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.47	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	3.42	-2.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.47	15.63	-12.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BWBIX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BWBIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BWBIX and VBAIX, 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

	BWBIX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	2.53	-1.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.78	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.91	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.66	-0.13

Drawdowns

BWBIX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BWBIX drawdown since its inception was -39.14%, which is greater than VBAIX's maximum drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BWBIX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BWBIX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.14%	-35.82%	-3.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.65%	-5.84%	-5.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.59%	-11.57%	-10.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.14%	-21.52%	-17.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.26%	0.00%	-1.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.72%	-4.42%	-7.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.53%	1.27%	+2.26%

Volatility

BWBIX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

Baron WealthBuilder Fund (BWBIX) has a higher volatility of 3.38% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) at 2.26%. This indicates that BWBIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BWBIX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.38%	2.26%	+1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.99%	6.11%	+4.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.36%	7.90%	+6.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.08%	11.10%	+9.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.14%	11.23%	+11.91%

BWBIX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BWBIX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VBAIX's 0.06% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BWBIX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

BWBIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.55%, more than VBAIX's 5.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BWBIX Baron WealthBuilder Fund	7.55%	7.61%	0.77%	0.06%	3.21%	3.75%	1.24%	3.51%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.22%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BWBIX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

BWBIX and VBAIX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BWBIX or VBAIX?

BWBIX has higher volatility (3.38%) compared to VBAIX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BWBIX dropped -39.14% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 0.85), 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.