BAFE vs FGSI
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF vs FT Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF
Which is better, BAFE or FGSI?
BAFE has been ahead.
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y and the full window. FGSI is less concentrated, with 24.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BAFE | FGSI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $1.8B | $2M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.27% | 8.42% |
| Holdings | 90 | 104 |
| YTD Return | +9.97%Best | +7.63% |
| 1Y Return | +12.65%Best | +4.92% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9% | 8.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.7% | -8.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $11,564Best | $11,153 |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.4% | 24.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Brown Advisory | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2024 | Jun 25, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.3 years).
BAFE vs FGSI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.3 years both funds cover.
BAFE vs FGSI Performance
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is an ETF from Brown Advisory and FT Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF (FGSI) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BAFE returned +12.65% while FGSI returned +4.92%. Year to date, BAFE is up 9.97% versus a gain of 7.63% for FGSI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 8.8% for FGSI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -12.7% for BAFE and -8.6% for FGSI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAFE charges 0.54% per year while FGSI charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $85 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAFE currently yields 0.27% against 8.42% for FGSI.
Holdings Overlap
20.5% of BAFE's money is in holdings FGSI also owns. 11.8% of FGSI's money is in holdings BAFE also owns.
BAFE and FGSI share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 50 in FGSI, against full books of 90 and 104.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 45 positions for FGSI that do not appear in our book for BAFE (87.6% of the fund), and 32 for BAFE that do not appear in FGSI (62.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
20.5% of BAFE is already inside FGSI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BAFE or FGSI?
BAFE has an expense ratio of 0.54% while FGSI charges 0.85%. BAFE is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAFE or FGSI?
Over the past year BAFE returned +12.65% vs +4.92% for FGSI, so BAFE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), BAFE annualized +11.83% vs +8.76% for FGSI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAFE or FGSI?
BAFE has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 8.8% for FGSI. Worst drawdown: BAFE -12.7% vs FGSI -8.6%.
Should I hold both BAFE and FGSI?
BAFE and FGSI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BAFE and FGSI?
20.5% of BAFE's money is in holdings FGSI also owns. 11.8% of FGSI's is in holdings BAFE also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 50 in FGSI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAFE or FGSI?
BAFE yields 0.27% while FGSI yields 8.42%, so FGSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FGSI better than BAFE?
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y and the full window. FGSI is less concentrated, with 24.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.