HLMSX vs. BINCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HLMSX (Harding Loevner International Small Companies Portfolio) and BINCX (Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Class C) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HLMSX returned 6.07%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for BINCX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HLMSX charges 1.37%/yr vs 1.99%/yr for BINCX.

Performance

HLMSX vs. BINCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harding Loevner International Small Companies Portfolio (HLMSX) and Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Class C (BINCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HLMSX achieves a 7.05% return, which is significantly higher than BINCX's 0.81% return. Over the past 10 years, HLMSX has underperformed BINCX with an annualized return of 6.07%, while BINCX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.91% annualized return.

HLMSX

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 7.05%
• 6M: 9.40%
• 1Y: 7.54%
• 3Y*: 6.66%
• 5Y*: 0.39%
• 10Y*: 6.07%

BINCX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -0.75%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 14.94%
• 3Y*: 28.34%
• 5Y*: 16.24%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

HLMSX vs. BINCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HLMSX Harding Loevner International Small Companies Portfolio	7.05%	14.87%	-6.92%	11.78%	-24.50%	12.82%	18.51%	29.45%	-17.65%	34.42%
BINCX Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Class C	0.81%	44.63%	22.20%	37.99%	-9.36%	18.22%	3.79%	6.06%	-20.76%	10.71%

Correlation

The correlation between HLMSX and BINCX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.77

The correlation between HLMSX and BINCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HLMSX vs. BINCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HLMSX

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

BINCX

BINCX Risk / Return Rank: 16
BINCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
BINCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
BINCX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
BINCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
BINCX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

HLMSX vs. BINCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harding Loevner International Small Companies Portfolio (HLMSX) and Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Class C (BINCX). 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.

	HLMSX	BINCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.58	1.20	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.89	1.82	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.22	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	1.27	-0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.66	3.75	-2.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HLMSX vs. BINCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HLMSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.58, which is lower than the BINCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HLMSX and BINCX, 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

	HLMSX	BINCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58	1.20	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	1.18	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.70	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.64	-0.28

Drawdowns

HLMSX vs. BINCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HLMSX drawdown since its inception was -60.77%, which is greater than BINCX's maximum drawdown of -48.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HLMSX and BINCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HLMSX	BINCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.77%	-48.15%	-12.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.59%	-11.66%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.57%	-11.66%	-4.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.22%	-31.97%	-6.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.22%	-48.15%	+9.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.62%	-7.44%	-1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.22%	-9.40%	-3.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.25%	3.94%	+0.31%

Volatility

HLMSX vs. BINCX - Volatility Comparison

Harding Loevner International Small Companies Portfolio (HLMSX) has a higher volatility of 3.33% compared to Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Class C (BINCX) at 3.13%. This indicates that HLMSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BINCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HLMSX	BINCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	3.13%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.66%	9.99%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.22%	12.38%	-0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.04%	13.88%	+1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.97%	14.25%	+0.72%

HLMSX vs. BINCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HLMSX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is lower than BINCX's 1.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

HLMSX vs. BINCX - Dividend Comparison

HLMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, more than BINCX's 2.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BINCX Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Class C	2.99%	3.01%	2.54%	2.45%	2.98%	3.85%	0.60%	0.21%	3.77%	7.83%	3.75%	3.04%
HLMSX Harding Loevner International Small Companies Portfolio	3.77%	4.04%	1.17%	1.00%	1.83%	2.82%	0.03%	0.52%	7.56%	1.13%	4.37%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HLMSX and BINCX in my portfolio?

HLMSX and BINCX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HLMSX or BINCX?

HLMSX has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to BINCX (3.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HLMSX dropped -60.77% vs BINCX's -48.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BINCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.58), 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.