SMCWX vs. BMDSX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

SMCWX (American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A) and BMDSX (Baird Mid Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - SMCWX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by American Funds, while BMDSX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Baird. Over the past 10 years, SMCWX returned 9.88%/yr vs 8.79%/yr for BMDSX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMCWX charges 1.02%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for BMDSX.

Performance

SMCWX vs. BMDSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) and Baird Mid Cap Growth Fund (BMDSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCWX achieves a 12.63% return, which is significantly higher than BMDSX's 7.57% return. Over the past 10 years, SMCWX has outperformed BMDSX with an annualized return of 9.88%, while BMDSX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.79% annualized return.

SMCWX

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -2.48%
• 6M: 8.09%
• YTD: 12.63%
• 1Y: 20.48%
• 3Y*: 10.83%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: 9.88%

BMDSX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -1.20%
• 6M: 2.89%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 1Y: 1.11%
• 3Y*: -0.85%
• 5Y*: -1.58%
• 10Y*: 8.79%

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

SMCWX vs. BMDSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	12.63%	14.07%	2.33%	18.86%	-29.90%	10.14%	37.46%	30.79%	-9.75%	26.85%
BMDSX Baird Mid Cap Growth Fund	7.57%	-9.55%	-1.16%	19.91%	-27.86%	21.81%	34.56%	35.94%	-1.52%	26.61%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCWX and BMDSX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 29, 2000	0.88

The correlation between SMCWX and BMDSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMCWX vs. BMDSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMCWX

SMCWX Risk / Return Rank: 31
SMCWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
SMCWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
SMCWX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
SMCWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
SMCWX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

BMDSX

BMDSX Risk / Return Rank: 3
BMDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
BMDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BMDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BMDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BMDSX 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.

SMCWX vs. BMDSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) and Baird Mid Cap Growth Fund (BMDSX). 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.

	SMCWX	BMDSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	-0.01	+1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	0.10	+1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.01	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	-0.01	+1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.37	-0.02	+6.40

SMCWX vs. BMDSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is higher than the BMDSX Sharpe Ratio of -0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCWX and BMDSX, 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

SMCWX vs. BMDSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCWX drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, which is greater than BMDSX's maximum drawdown of -53.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCWX and BMDSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCWX	BMDSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.46%	-53.96%	-8.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-14.54%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.40%	-25.04%	+3.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.79%	-36.24%	-3.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.79%	-36.24%	-3.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.02%	-19.97%	+15.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.87%	-10.98%	-3.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	6.84%	-3.81%

Volatility

SMCWX vs. BMDSX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) has a higher volatility of 5.62% compared to Baird Mid Cap Growth Fund (BMDSX) at 3.74%. This indicates that SMCWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BMDSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCWX	BMDSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.62%	3.74%	+1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.45%	11.93%	+2.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.16%	15.49%	+1.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.46%	21.08%	-2.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.90%	20.76%	-2.86%

SMCWX vs. BMDSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCWX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is lower than BMDSX's 1.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMCWX vs. BMDSX - Dividend Comparison

SMCWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.27%, less than BMDSX's 12.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BMDSX Baird Mid Cap Growth Fund	12.90%	13.88%	4.57%	2.44%	1.79%	17.82%	10.09%	5.77%	6.62%	4.87%	0.00%	0.15%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	4.27%	4.84%	0.60%	0.64%	0.00%	9.24%	1.60%	4.24%	7.06%	4.48%	0.35%	6.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCWX and BMDSX in my portfolio?

SMCWX and BMDSX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMCWX or BMDSX?

SMCWX has higher volatility (5.62%) compared to BMDSX (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCWX dropped -62.46% vs BMDSX's -53.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMCWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 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.