ACSMX vs. NESGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ACSMX (Advisors Capital Small/Mid Cap Fund) and NESGX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ACSMX returned 0.54%/yr vs 9.77%/yr for NESGX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACSMX charges 1.95%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for NESGX.

Performance

ACSMX vs. NESGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Advisors Capital Small/Mid Cap Fund (ACSMX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACSMX achieves a -3.98% return, which is significantly lower than NESGX's 83.39% return.

ACSMX

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: -3.98%
• 6M: -5.81%
• 1Y: -0.91%
• 3Y*: 9.16%
• 5Y*: 0.54%
• 10Y*: —

NESGX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 10.48%
• YTD: 83.39%
• 6M: 78.75%
• 1Y: 120.96%
• 3Y*: 34.45%
• 5Y*: 9.77%
• 10Y*: 20.34%

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

ACSMX vs. NESGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ACSMX Advisors Capital Small/Mid Cap Fund	-3.98%	4.92%	15.29%	22.38%	-28.60%	6.89%
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund	83.39%	10.50%	12.76%	5.68%	-30.21%	1.54%

Correlation

The correlation between ACSMX and NESGX is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2021	0.77

The correlation between ACSMX and NESGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.77 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ACSMX vs. NESGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACSMX

ACSMX Risk / Return Rank: 3
ACSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
ACSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
ACSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
ACSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
ACSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

NESGX

NESGX Risk / Return Rank: 95
NESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
NESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
NESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
NESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
NESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

ACSMX vs. NESGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Advisors Capital Small/Mid Cap Fund (ACSMX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ACSMX	NESGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	3.99	-3.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.22	4.33	-4.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.56	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.07	7.27	-7.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.16	29.61	-29.45

ACSMX vs. NESGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACSMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is lower than the NESGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACSMX and NESGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ACSMX vs. NESGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACSMX drawdown since its inception was -35.01%, smaller than the maximum NESGX drawdown of -50.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACSMX and NESGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACSMX	NESGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.01%	-50.29%	+15.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.04%	-17.16%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.82%	-35.27%	+13.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.01%	-50.05%	+15.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.27%	-0.40%	-8.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.62%	-11.64%	-2.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.06%	4.20%	+2.86%

Volatility

ACSMX vs. NESGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Advisors Capital Small/Mid Cap Fund (ACSMX) is 4.44%, while Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) has a volatility of 11.99%. This indicates that ACSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NESGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACSMX	NESGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	11.99%	-7.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.90%	22.21%	-9.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.52%	31.33%	-13.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.95%	29.57%	-8.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.72%	26.02%	-5.30%

ACSMX vs. NESGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACSMX has a 1.95% expense ratio, which is higher than NESGX's 1.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACSMX vs. NESGX - Dividend Comparison

Neither ACSMX nor NESGX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACSMX Advisors Capital Small/Mid Cap Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	4.16%	25.09%	13.69%	8.43%	22.26%	8.94%	6.67%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACSMX and NESGX in my portfolio?

ACSMX and NESGX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACSMX or NESGX?

NESGX has higher volatility (11.99%) compared to ACSMX (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACSMX dropped -35.01% vs NESGX's -50.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs 0.06), 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.