WICGX vs. BESIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WICGX (William Blair China Growth Fund) and BESIX (William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - WICGX is a China Equities fund managed by William Blair, while BESIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by William Blair. Over the past 3 years, WICGX returned 9.41%/yr vs 19.47%/yr for BESIX. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WICGX charges 1.01%/yr vs 1.30%/yr for BESIX.

Performance

WICGX vs. BESIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WICGX achieves a 9.95% return, which is significantly lower than BESIX's 22.17% return.

WICGX

• 1D: 3.46%
• 1M: 6.85%
• YTD: 9.95%
• 6M: 10.71%
• 1Y: 25.92%
• 3Y*: 9.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BESIX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -0.36%
• YTD: 22.17%
• 6M: 24.20%
• 1Y: 41.81%
• 3Y*: 19.47%
• 5Y*: 6.85%
• 10Y*: 9.82%

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

WICGX vs. BESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
WICGX William Blair China Growth Fund	9.95%	24.24%	10.36%	-24.29%	-26.26%
BESIX William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	22.17%	13.93%	8.37%	22.25%	-23.24%

Correlation

The correlation between WICGX and BESIX is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2022	0.45

The correlation between WICGX and BESIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (3 years) to 0.55 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WICGX vs. BESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WICGX

WICGX Risk / Return Rank: 22
WICGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
WICGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
WICGX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
WICGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
WICGX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

BESIX

BESIX Risk / Return Rank: 69
BESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
BESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
BESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
BESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
BESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

WICGX vs. BESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair China Growth Fund (WICGX) 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.

	WICGX	BESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	2.45	-1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	3.27	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.44	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	3.82	-1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.71	12.64	-6.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WICGX vs. BESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WICGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is lower than the BESIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WICGX and BESIX, 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

	WICGX	BESIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	2.45	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.16	0.67	-0.83

Drawdowns

WICGX vs. BESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WICGX drawdown since its inception was -50.35%, which is greater than BESIX's maximum drawdown of -38.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WICGX and BESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WICGX	BESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.35%	-38.05%	-12.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.55%	-11.45%	-2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.23%	-21.34%	-3.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.41%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.14%	-2.42%	-14.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.34%	-10.19%	-22.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.83%	3.44%	+1.39%

Volatility

WICGX vs. BESIX - Volatility Comparison

William Blair China Growth Fund (WICGX) has a higher volatility of 7.71% compared to William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (BESIX) at 6.13%. This indicates that WICGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BESIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WICGX	BESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.71%	6.13%	+1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.49%	14.87%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.58%	17.88%	+3.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.83%	15.03%	+9.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.83%	16.24%	+8.59%

WICGX vs. BESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WICGX has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is lower than BESIX's 1.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

WICGX vs. BESIX - Dividend Comparison

WICGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, less than BESIX's 7.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BESIX William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	7.80%	9.53%	0.00%	0.26%	4.84%	8.51%	0.04%	0.16%	2.32%	3.17%	2.67%	4.17%
WICGX William Blair China Growth Fund	0.76%	0.84%	1.38%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WICGX and BESIX in my portfolio?

WICGX and BESIX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WICGX or BESIX?

WICGX has higher volatility (7.71%) compared to BESIX (6.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WICGX dropped -50.35% vs BESIX's -38.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.28), 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.