BAFE vs KAT
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF vs Scharf ETF
Which is better, BAFE or KAT?
BAFE has been ahead.
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y and the full window. BAFE is less concentrated, with 45.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.9%.
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 | KAT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54%Best | 0.75% |
| AUM | $1.8B | $657M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.27% | 0.53% |
| Holdings | 90 | 68 |
| YTD Return | +9.97%Best | +6.42% |
| 1Y Return | +12.65%Best | +4.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8% | 12.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.7% | -9.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $11,270Best | $10,725 |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.4%Best | 50.9% |
| Fund Family | Brown Advisory | Scharf Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2024 | Dec 30, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
BAFE vs KAT 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
BAFE vs KAT Performance
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is an ETF from Brown Advisory and Scharf ETF (KAT) is an ETF from Scharf Funds. Over the past year BAFE returned +12.65% while KAT returned +4.30%. Year to date, BAFE is up 9.97% versus a gain of 6.42% for KAT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 12.7% for KAT. 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 -9.3% for KAT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAFE charges 0.54% per year while KAT charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $75 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAFE currently yields 0.27% against 0.53% for KAT.
Holdings Overlap
27.8% of BAFE's money is in holdings KAT also owns. 29.5% of KAT's money is in holdings BAFE also owns.
KAT and BAFE share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 31 in KAT, against full books of 90 and 68.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 19 positions for KAT that do not appear in our book for BAFE (57.2% of the fund), and 30 for BAFE that do not appear in KAT (55.1%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BAFE | Weight in KAT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.49% | 6.30% | 0.19% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.60% | 6.06% | 1.46% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.42% | 5.94% | 1.52% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 4.22% | 4.50% | 0.28% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 2.09% | 3.47% | 1.38% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 3.11% | 1.48% | 1.63% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 2.82% | 1.76% | 1.06% |
29.5% of KAT is already inside BAFE.
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 KAT?
BAFE has an expense ratio of 0.54% while KAT charges 0.75%. BAFE is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAFE or KAT?
Over the past year BAFE returned +12.65% vs +4.30% for KAT, so BAFE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), BAFE annualized +11.48% vs +6.57% for KAT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAFE or KAT?
BAFE has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 12.7% for KAT. Worst drawdown: BAFE -12.7% vs KAT -9.3%.
Should I hold both BAFE and KAT?
BAFE and KAT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 KAT?
29.5% of KAT's money is in holdings BAFE also owns. 29.5% of KAT's is in holdings BAFE also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 31 in KAT.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAFE or KAT?
BAFE yields 0.27% while KAT yields 0.53%, so KAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is KAT better than BAFE?
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y and the full window. BAFE is less concentrated, with 45.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.