WSMDX vs. BARAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

WSMDX (William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) and BARAX (Baron Asset Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, WSMDX returned 12.51%/yr vs 10.44%/yr for BARAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WSMDX charges 1.10%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for BARAX.

Performance

WSMDX vs. BARAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WSMDX achieves a 12.76% return, which is significantly higher than BARAX's -4.46% return. Over the past 10 years, WSMDX has outperformed BARAX with an annualized return of 12.51%, while BARAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.44% annualized return.

WSMDX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 3.34%
• YTD: 12.76%
• 6M: 11.01%
• 1Y: 25.41%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 12.51%

BARAX

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 0.97%
• YTD: -4.46%
• 6M: 0.48%
• 1Y: -1.20%
• 3Y*: 7.99%
• 5Y*: 1.56%
• 10Y*: 10.44%

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

WSMDX vs. BARAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	12.76%	0.63%	27.55%	18.14%	-22.98%	8.28%	32.38%	30.81%	-2.18%	28.85%
BARAX Baron Asset Fund	-4.46%	7.89%	10.35%	17.05%	-26.06%	13.88%	32.98%	37.64%	-0.15%	26.18%

Correlation

The correlation between WSMDX and BARAX 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	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2003	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between WSMDX and BARAX has dropped to 0.71 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

WSMDX vs. BARAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WSMDX

WSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 29
WSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
WSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
WSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
WSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
WSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

BARAX

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

WSMDX vs. BARAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX) and Baron Asset Fund (BARAX). 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.

	WSMDX	BARAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	-0.00	+1.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	0.11	+1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.01	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	-0.00	+2.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.23	-0.01	+8.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WSMDX vs. BARAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WSMDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is higher than the BARAX Sharpe Ratio of -0.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WSMDX and BARAX, 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

	WSMDX	BARAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	-0.00	+1.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.08	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.53	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.49	+0.05

Drawdowns

WSMDX vs. BARAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WSMDX drawdown since its inception was -50.33%, smaller than the maximum BARAX drawdown of -59.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSMDX and BARAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WSMDX	BARAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.33%	-59.71%	+9.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-10.75%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	-17.82%	-7.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.89%	-37.53%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.89%	-37.53%	+0.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-5.93%	+5.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.46%	-11.42%	+2.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	5.22%	-2.11%

Volatility

WSMDX vs. BARAX - Volatility Comparison

William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX) has a higher volatility of 5.53% compared to Baron Asset Fund (BARAX) at 3.34%. This indicates that WSMDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BARAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WSMDX	BARAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	3.34%	+2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.15%	10.80%	+3.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.26%	14.76%	+3.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.04%	19.46%	+3.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.93%	19.79%	+2.14%

WSMDX vs. BARAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSMDX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is lower than BARAX's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSMDX vs. BARAX - Dividend Comparison

WSMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, less than BARAX's 12.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BARAX Baron Asset Fund	12.04%	11.51%	19.23%	3.48%	0.01%	7.65%	3.05%	1.78%	7.42%	7.25%	4.88%	11.50%
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	2.49%	2.81%	24.90%	7.89%	3.34%	9.30%	1.66%	7.13%	8.88%	5.33%	2.64%	5.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WSMDX and BARAX in my portfolio?

WSMDX and BARAX 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, WSMDX or BARAX?

WSMDX has higher volatility (5.53%) compared to BARAX (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WSMDX dropped -50.33% vs BARAX's -59.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WSMDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 vs -0.00), 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.