ALSRX vs. NESGX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ALSRX (Alger SmallCap Growth Institutional Fund) and NESGX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ALSRX returned 9.13%/yr vs 19.69%/yr for NESGX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALSRX charges 1.24%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for NESGX.

Performance

ALSRX vs. NESGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger SmallCap Growth Institutional Fund (ALSRX) 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, ALSRX achieves a 8.21% return, which is significantly lower than NESGX's 74.77% return. Over the past 10 years, ALSRX has underperformed NESGX with an annualized return of 9.13%, while NESGX has yielded a comparatively higher 19.69% annualized return.

ALSRX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 6.39%
• YTD: 8.21%
• 6M: 7.50%
• 1Y: 29.99%
• 3Y*: 10.08%
• 5Y*: -3.66%
• 10Y*: 9.13%

NESGX

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: 18.07%
• YTD: 74.77%
• 6M: 77.64%
• 1Y: 122.24%
• 3Y*: 31.38%
• 5Y*: 9.34%
• 10Y*: 19.69%

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

ALSRX vs. NESGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALSRX Alger SmallCap Growth Institutional Fund	8.21%	4.83%	8.76%	14.83%	-38.17%	-4.44%	64.90%	29.87%	-4.03%	24.83%
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund	74.77%	10.50%	12.76%	5.68%	-30.21%	10.59%	71.90%	54.42%	-5.43%	11.96%

Correlation

The correlation between ALSRX and NESGX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2002	0.83

The correlation between ALSRX and NESGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALSRX vs. NESGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALSRX

ALSRX Risk / Return Rank: 16
ALSRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
ALSRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
ALSRX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
ALSRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
ALSRX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

NESGX

NESGX Risk / Return Rank: 94
NESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
NESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
NESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

ALSRX vs. NESGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger SmallCap Growth Institutional Fund (ALSRX) 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.

	ALSRX	NESGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	4.11	-2.94
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	4.49	-2.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.58	-0.38
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.35	6.96	-5.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.48	28.90	-24.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALSRX vs. NESGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALSRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is lower than the NESGX Sharpe Ratio of 4.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALSRX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ALSRX	NESGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.18	4.11	-2.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.12	0.32	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.77	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.61	-0.36

Drawdowns

ALSRX vs. NESGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALSRX drawdown since its inception was -73.40%, which is greater than NESGX's maximum drawdown of -50.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALSRX and NESGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALSRX	NESGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.40%	-50.29%	-23.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.23%	-17.16%	-4.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.53%	-35.27%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.46%	-50.05%	-3.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.04%	-50.29%	-4.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.92%	0.00%	-28.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.69%	-11.66%	-17.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.40%	4.13%	+2.27%

Volatility

ALSRX vs. NESGX - Volatility Comparison

Alger SmallCap Growth Institutional Fund (ALSRX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) have volatilities of 8.08% and 8.14%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALSRX	NESGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.08%	8.14%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.11%	20.82%	-1.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.51%	30.08%	-5.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.63%	29.22%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.80%	25.80%	+1.00%

ALSRX vs. NESGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALSRX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is lower than NESGX's 1.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALSRX vs. NESGX - Dividend Comparison

ALSRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, while NESGX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALSRX Alger SmallCap Growth Institutional Fund	2.59%	2.80%	1.99%	0.00%	0.00%	23.64%	5.23%	20.07%	11.31%	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 ALSRX and NESGX in my portfolio?

ALSRX and NESGX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALSRX or NESGX?

NESGX has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to ALSRX (8.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALSRX dropped -73.40% vs NESGX's -50.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.11 vs 1.18), 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.