WBCIX vs. BESIX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about William Blair Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (WBCIX) and William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (BESIX).

WBCIX is managed by William Blair. It was launched on Oct 1, 2019. BESIX is managed by William Blair. It was launched on Oct 23, 2011.

Performance

WBCIX vs. BESIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in William Blair Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (WBCIX) and William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (BESIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

WBCIX vs. BESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
WBCIX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Core Fund	-4.33%	1.29%	12.04%	13.26%	-17.11%	26.63%	20.60%	10.29%
BESIX William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	3.79%	13.93%	8.37%	22.25%	-27.95%	15.52%	32.60%	11.67%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WBCIX achieves a -4.33% return, which is significantly lower than BESIX's 3.79% return.

WBCIX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -8.36%
• YTD: -4.33%
• 6M: -3.89%
• 1Y: 5.12%
• 3Y*: 6.02%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: —

BESIX

• 1D: -1.86%
• 1M: -10.74%
• YTD: 3.79%
• 6M: 6.00%
• 1Y: 33.70%
• 3Y*: 14.17%
• 5Y*: 4.93%
• 10Y*: 8.19%

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

WBCIX vs. BESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WBCIX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is lower than BESIX's 1.30% expense ratio.

BESIX

William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund

WBCIX

William Blair Small-Mid Cap Core Fund

Return for Risk

WBCIX vs. BESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WBCIX

WBCIX Risk / Return Rank: 10
WBCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
WBCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
WBCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
WBCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
WBCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

BESIX

BESIX Risk / Return Rank: 89
BESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
BESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

WBCIX vs. BESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (WBCIX) and William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (BESIX). 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.

	WBCIX	BESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.25	1.86	-1.61
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.50	2.41	-1.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.34	-0.27
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.20	2.84	-2.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.72	9.98	-9.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WBCIX vs. BESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WBCIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.25, which is lower than the BESIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WBCIX and BESIX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WBCIX	BESIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25	1.86	-1.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.34	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.60	-0.24

Correlation

The correlation between WBCIX and BESIX is 0.42, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

WBCIX vs. BESIX - Dividend Comparison

WBCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, less than BESIX's 9.19% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WBCIX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Core Fund	3.12%	2.98%	1.35%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BESIX William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	9.19%	9.53%	0.00%	0.26%	4.84%	8.51%	0.04%	0.16%	2.32%	3.17%	2.67%	4.17%

Drawdowns

WBCIX vs. BESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WBCIX drawdown since its inception was -39.56%, roughly equal to the maximum BESIX drawdown of -38.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WBCIX and BESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WBCIX	BESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.56%	-38.05%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.32%	-11.45%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.65%	-31.41%	+3.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.72%	-11.45%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.33%	-10.28%	+0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.71%	3.26%	+0.45%

Volatility

WBCIX vs. BESIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for William Blair Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (WBCIX) is 6.19%, while William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (BESIX) has a volatility of 8.27%. This indicates that WBCIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BESIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WBCIX	BESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.19%	8.27%	-2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.17%	13.89%	-1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.09%	17.62%	+3.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.63%	14.67%	+5.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.93%	16.01%	+7.92%