GWGIX vs. BARIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GWGIX (AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund) and BARIX (Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GWGIX returned 10.77%/yr vs 10.73%/yr for BARIX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GWGIX charges 0.87%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for BARIX.

Performance

GWGIX vs. BARIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund (GWGIX) and Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GWGIX achieves a 14.91% return, which is significantly higher than BARIX's -4.35% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GWGIX having a 10.77% annualized return and BARIX not far behind at 10.73%.

GWGIX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.47%
• YTD: 14.91%
• 6M: 9.78%
• 1Y: 24.83%
• 3Y*: 13.27%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

BARIX

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: -4.35%
• 6M: 0.62%
• 1Y: -0.95%
• 3Y*: 8.27%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 10.73%

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

GWGIX vs. BARIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GWGIX AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund	14.91%	1.53%	10.85%	14.76%	-18.09%	26.01%	23.31%	31.02%	-8.14%	15.44%
BARIX Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class	-4.35%	8.17%	10.64%	17.36%	-25.87%	14.17%	33.32%	37.98%	0.13%	26.55%

Correlation

The correlation between GWGIX and BARIX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.82

The correlation between GWGIX and BARIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GWGIX vs. BARIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GWGIX

GWGIX Risk / Return Rank: 33
GWGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
GWGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GWGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
GWGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
GWGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

BARIX

BARIX Risk / Return Rank: 3
BARIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
BARIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BARIX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BARIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BARIX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

GWGIX vs. BARIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund (GWGIX) and Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX). 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.

	GWGIX	BARIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	0.01	+1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	0.14	+1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.02	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	0.02	+2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.63	0.04	+8.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GWGIX vs. BARIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GWGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is higher than the BARIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GWGIX and BARIX, 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

	GWGIX	BARIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	0.01	+1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.09	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.54	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.65	-0.11

Drawdowns

GWGIX vs. BARIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GWGIX drawdown since its inception was -37.41%, roughly equal to the maximum BARIX drawdown of -37.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GWGIX and BARIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GWGIX	BARIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.41%	-37.44%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.90%	-10.68%	+0.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.85%	-17.78%	-8.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.18%	-37.44%	+10.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.41%	-37.44%	+0.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-5.80%	+5.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.97%	-6.74%	-0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	5.16%	-2.29%

Volatility

GWGIX vs. BARIX - Volatility Comparison

AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund (GWGIX) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX) at 3.34%. This indicates that GWGIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BARIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GWGIX	BARIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	3.34%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.24%	10.81%	+2.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.35%	14.76%	+2.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.90%	19.55%	+0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.24%	19.84%	+0.40%

GWGIX vs. BARIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GWGIX has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is lower than BARIX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

GWGIX vs. BARIX - Dividend Comparison

GWGIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BARIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.07%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BARIX Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class	11.07%	10.59%	17.88%	3.28%	0.01%	7.26%	2.92%	1.70%	7.14%	7.01%	4.74%	11.23%
GWGIX AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.95%	0.19%	4.22%	5.45%	0.12%	0.37%	2.48%	1.46%	0.05%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GWGIX and BARIX in my portfolio?

GWGIX and BARIX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GWGIX or BARIX?

GWGIX has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to BARIX (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GWGIX dropped -37.41% vs BARIX's -37.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GWGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.01), 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.