NMANX vs. BARAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

NMANX (Neuberger Berman Mid Cap Growth Fund) and BARAX (Baron Asset Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NMANX returned 12.52%/yr vs 11.12%/yr for BARAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NMANX charges 0.83%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for BARAX.

Performance

NMANX vs. BARAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman Mid Cap Growth Fund (NMANX) and Baron Asset Fund (BARAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NMANX achieves a 11.19% return, which is significantly higher than BARAX's 2.21% return. Over the past 10 years, NMANX has outperformed BARAX with an annualized return of 12.52%, while BARAX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.12% annualized return.

NMANX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 3.16%
• YTD: 11.19%
• 6M: 7.41%
• 1Y: 10.74%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 12.52%

BARAX

• 1D: 6.98%
• 1M: 7.69%
• YTD: 2.21%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 5.68%
• 3Y*: 10.55%
• 5Y*: 2.94%
• 10Y*: 11.12%

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

NMANX vs. BARAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NMANX Neuberger Berman Mid Cap Growth Fund	11.19%	5.51%	24.39%	18.21%	-28.82%	12.42%	39.45%	33.62%	-6.28%	29.01%
BARAX Baron Asset Fund	2.21%	7.89%	10.35%	17.05%	-26.06%	13.88%	32.98%	37.64%	-0.15%	26.18%

Correlation

The correlation between NMANX and BARAX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 1987	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between NMANX and BARAX has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NMANX vs. BARAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NMANX

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

BARAX

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

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.

NMANX vs. BARAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman Mid Cap Growth Fund (NMANX) and Baron Asset Fund (BARAX). 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.

	NMANX	BARAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	0.35	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	0.75	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.08	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.60	0.53	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.74	1.09	+0.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NMANX vs. BARAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NMANX Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is higher than the BARAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NMANX and BARAX, 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

	NMANX	BARAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	0.35	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.15	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.56	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.50	+0.02

Drawdowns

NMANX vs. BARAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NMANX drawdown since its inception was -72.14%, which is greater than BARAX's maximum drawdown of -59.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NMANX and BARAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NMANX	BARAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.14%	-59.71%	-12.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.71%	-10.75%	-6.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.93%	-17.82%	-8.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.10%	-37.53%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.10%	-37.53%	-0.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	0.00%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.40%	-11.42%	-5.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.05%	5.22%	+0.83%

Volatility

NMANX vs. BARAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Neuberger Berman Mid Cap Growth Fund (NMANX) is 5.20%, while Baron Asset Fund (BARAX) has a volatility of 7.49%. This indicates that NMANX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BARAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NMANX	BARAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.20%	7.49%	-2.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.02%	12.73%	+3.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.34%	16.31%	+4.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.19%	19.70%	+3.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.46%	19.91%	+2.55%

NMANX vs. BARAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NMANX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is lower than BARAX's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

NMANX vs. BARAX - Dividend Comparison

NMANX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.77%, more than BARAX's 11.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BARAX Baron Asset Fund	11.26%	11.51%	19.23%	3.48%	0.01%	7.65%	3.05%	1.78%	7.42%	7.25%	4.88%	11.50%
NMANX Neuberger Berman Mid Cap Growth Fund	20.77%	23.10%	9.85%	3.19%	4.87%	16.30%	9.58%	5.43%	11.70%	8.94%	5.00%	9.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NMANX and BARAX in my portfolio?

NMANX and BARAX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NMANX or BARAX?

BARAX has higher volatility (7.49%) compared to NMANX (5.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NMANX dropped -72.14% vs BARAX's -59.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NMANX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.52 vs 0.35), 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.