PEGZX vs. BARIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PEGZX (PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund) and BARIX (Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PEGZX returned 15.52%/yr vs 12.04%/yr for BARIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PEGZX charges 0.71%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for BARIX.

Performance

PEGZX vs. BARIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PEGZX) and Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PEGZX having a 4.27% return and BARIX slightly lower at 4.14%. Over the past 10 years, PEGZX has outperformed BARIX with an annualized return of 15.52%, while BARIX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.04% annualized return.

PEGZX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 3.85%
• YTD: 4.27%
• 6M: 2.53%
• 1Y: 5.52%
• 3Y*: 7.37%
• 5Y*: 1.79%
• 10Y*: 15.52%

BARIX

• 1D: -6.28%
• 1M: 10.34%
• YTD: 4.14%
• 6M: 3.09%
• 1Y: 8.85%
• 3Y*: 11.44%
• 5Y*: 2.73%
• 10Y*: 12.04%

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

PEGZX vs. BARIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PEGZX PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund	4.27%	-2.39%	11.98%	20.63%	-23.79%	11.59%	42.90%	112.92%	-8.31%	22.63%
BARIX Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class	4.14%	8.17%	10.64%	17.36%	-25.87%	14.17%	33.32%	37.98%	0.13%	26.55%

Correlation

The correlation between PEGZX and BARIX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2009	0.92

The correlation between PEGZX and BARIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PEGZX vs. BARIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEGZX

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

BARIX

BARIX Risk / Return Rank: 8
BARIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
BARIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
BARIX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
BARIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
BARIX 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.

PEGZX vs. BARIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PEGZX) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PEGZX	BARIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.39	0.50	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.67	0.99	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.13	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.38	0.92	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.05	1.89	-0.84

PEGZX vs. BARIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEGZX Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is comparable to the BARIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEGZX 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.

Drawdowns

PEGZX vs. BARIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEGZX drawdown since its inception was -70.78%, which is greater than BARIX's maximum drawdown of -37.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEGZX and BARIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEGZX	BARIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.78%	-37.44%	-33.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.25%	-10.68%	-6.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.71%	-17.78%	-10.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.37%	-37.44%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.37%	-37.44%	+1.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.97%	-9.91%	+3.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.27%	-6.73%	-10.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.30%	5.20%	+1.10%

Volatility

PEGZX vs. BARIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PEGZX) is 6.38%, while Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class (BARIX) has a volatility of 13.52%. This indicates that PEGZX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BARIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEGZX	BARIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.38%	13.52%	-7.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.09%	15.74%	-1.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.03%	19.84%	-2.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.31%	20.42%	+1.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.03%	20.27%	+7.76%

PEGZX vs. BARIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEGZX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is lower than BARIX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEGZX vs. BARIX - Dividend Comparison

PEGZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.77%, less than BARIX's 10.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BARIX Baron Asset Fund Institutional Class	10.16%	10.59%	17.88%	3.28%	0.01%	7.26%	2.92%	1.70%	7.14%	7.01%	4.74%	11.23%
PEGZX PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund	7.77%	8.11%	4.84%	3.08%	1.39%	29.97%	36.38%	68.39%	40.45%	13.28%	6.40%	8.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEGZX and BARIX in my portfolio?

PEGZX and BARIX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEGZX or BARIX?

BARIX has higher volatility (13.52%) compared to PEGZX (6.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEGZX dropped -70.78% vs BARIX's -37.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BARIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.50 vs 0.39), 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.