WICGX vs. BGCBX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

WICGX (William Blair China Growth Fund) and BGCBX (Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund) are both China Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, WICGX returned 9.56%/yr vs 10.42%/yr for BGCBX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WICGX charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BGCBX.

Performance

WICGX vs. BGCBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in William Blair China Growth Fund (WICGX) and Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund (BGCBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WICGX achieves a 10.41% return, which is significantly higher than BGCBX's -0.87% return.

WICGX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 7.61%
• YTD: 10.41%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 24.92%
• 3Y*: 9.56%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BGCBX

• 1D: -1.58%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: -0.87%
• 6M: -1.13%
• 1Y: 17.97%
• 3Y*: 10.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WICGX vs. BGCBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
WICGX William Blair China Growth Fund	10.41%	24.24%	10.36%	-24.29%	-26.26%
BGCBX Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund	-0.87%	36.51%	9.74%	-18.00%	-25.21%

Correlation

The correlation between WICGX and BGCBX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2022	0.78

The correlation between WICGX and BGCBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WICGX vs. BGCBX — 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: 20
WICGX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
WICGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
WICGX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

BGCBX

BGCBX Risk / Return Rank: 16
BGCBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
BGCBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
BGCBX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
BGCBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
BGCBX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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. BGCBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair China Growth Fund (WICGX) and Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund (BGCBX). 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	BGCBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.10	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	1.61	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.20	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	1.48	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.50	3.68	+1.82
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. BGCBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WICGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the BGCBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WICGX and BGCBX, 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	BGCBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	1.10	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.15	-0.24	+0.09

Drawdowns

WICGX vs. BGCBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WICGX drawdown since its inception was -50.35%, smaller than the maximum BGCBX drawdown of -59.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WICGX and BGCBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WICGX	BGCBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.35%	-59.07%	+8.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.55%	-13.48%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.23%	-28.54%	+3.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.80%	-29.04%	+12.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.33%	-38.28%	+5.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.83%	5.39%	-0.56%

Volatility

WICGX vs. BGCBX - Volatility Comparison

William Blair China Growth Fund (WICGX) has a higher volatility of 7.62% compared to Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund (BGCBX) at 5.84%. This indicates that WICGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BGCBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WICGX	BGCBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.62%	5.84%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.49%	12.59%	+2.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.59%	18.18%	+3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.82%	27.04%	-2.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.82%	27.04%	-2.22%

WICGX vs. BGCBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WICGX has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than BGCBX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

WICGX vs. BGCBX - Dividend Comparison

WICGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, less than BGCBX's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BGCBX Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund	0.92%	0.91%	2.03%	1.50%	0.66%
WICGX William Blair China Growth Fund	0.76%	0.84%	1.38%	0.43%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WICGX and BGCBX in my portfolio?

WICGX and BGCBX have a correlation of 0.71, 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 BGCBX?

WICGX has higher volatility (7.62%) compared to BGCBX (5.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WICGX dropped -50.35% vs BGCBX's -59.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WICGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.10), 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.