KSOAX vs. BDFIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

KSOAX (Kinetics Small Capital Opportunities Advisor Fund Class A) and BDFIX (Baron Discovery Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, KSOAX returned 18.92%/yr vs 14.00%/yr for BDFIX. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KSOAX charges 1.89%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for BDFIX.

Performance

KSOAX vs. BDFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Kinetics Small Capital Opportunities Advisor Fund Class A (KSOAX) and Baron Discovery Fund (BDFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KSOAX achieves a 17.17% return, which is significantly higher than BDFIX's 2.88% return. Over the past 10 years, KSOAX has outperformed BDFIX with an annualized return of 18.92%, while BDFIX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.00% annualized return.

KSOAX

• 1D: -3.20%
• 1M: -7.60%
• YTD: 17.17%
• 6M: 16.45%
• 1Y: 4.52%
• 3Y*: 25.43%
• 5Y*: 13.96%
• 10Y*: 18.92%

BDFIX

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 7.18%
• YTD: 2.88%
• 6M: 2.99%
• 1Y: 12.09%
• 3Y*: 14.01%
• 5Y*: 0.38%
• 10Y*: 14.00%

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

KSOAX vs. BDFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KSOAX Kinetics Small Capital Opportunities Advisor Fund Class A	17.17%	-8.89%	68.00%	-14.98%	31.64%	49.94%	2.04%	26.72%	0.00%	25.94%
BDFIX Baron Discovery Fund	2.88%	10.96%	16.28%	22.58%	-35.12%	4.84%	66.15%	26.85%	0.66%	35.84%

Correlation

The correlation between KSOAX and BDFIX is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2013	0.53

The correlation between KSOAX and BDFIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.53 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

KSOAX vs. BDFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

KSOAX

KSOAX Risk / Return Rank: 3
KSOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
KSOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
KSOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
KSOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
KSOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

BDFIX

BDFIX Risk / Return Rank: 7
BDFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
BDFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
BDFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
BDFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
BDFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

KSOAX vs. BDFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kinetics Small Capital Opportunities Advisor Fund Class A (KSOAX) and Baron Discovery Fund (BDFIX). 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.

	KSOAX	BDFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.17	0.64	-0.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.41	1.05	-0.63
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.12	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.03	0.68	-0.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.06	2.06	-2.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KSOAX vs. BDFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KSOAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.17, which is lower than the BDFIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KSOAX and BDFIX, 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

	KSOAX	BDFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17	0.64	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.01	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.56	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.52	0.00

Drawdowns

KSOAX vs. BDFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KSOAX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than BDFIX's maximum drawdown of -46.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSOAX and BDFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	KSOAX	BDFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.21%	-46.39%	-23.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.84%	-17.94%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.28%	-24.26%	-9.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.28%	-45.38%	+12.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.11%	-46.39%	-0.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.84%	-6.46%	-13.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.88%	-14.62%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.21%	5.91%	+2.30%

Volatility

KSOAX vs. BDFIX - Volatility Comparison

Kinetics Small Capital Opportunities Advisor Fund Class A (KSOAX) has a higher volatility of 6.10% compared to Baron Discovery Fund (BDFIX) at 4.77%. This indicates that KSOAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BDFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KSOAX	BDFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.10%	4.77%	+1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.68%	14.27%	+7.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.93%	19.21%	+6.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.84%	26.28%	+1.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.13%	25.22%	+0.91%

KSOAX vs. BDFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

KSOAX has a 1.89% expense ratio, which is higher than BDFIX's 1.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

KSOAX vs. BDFIX - Dividend Comparison

Neither KSOAX nor BDFIX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BDFIX Baron Discovery Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.68%	3.05%	0.13%	8.78%	0.21%	1.97%
KSOAX Kinetics Small Capital Opportunities Advisor Fund Class A	0.00%	0.00%	3.52%	6.72%	0.00%	1.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KSOAX and BDFIX in my portfolio?

KSOAX and BDFIX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KSOAX or BDFIX?

KSOAX has higher volatility (6.10%) compared to BDFIX (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KSOAX dropped -70.21% vs BDFIX's -46.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BDFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.64 vs 0.17), 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.