BCSIX vs. NEAIX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

BCSIX (Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund) and NEAIX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, BCSIX returned -8.03%/yr vs 22.56%/yr for NEAIX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BCSIX charges 1.25%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for NEAIX.

Performance

BCSIX vs. NEAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund (BCSIX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BCSIX achieves a -4.60% return, which is significantly lower than NEAIX's 56.96% return.

BCSIX

• 1D: 2.07%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: -4.60%
• 6M: -7.29%
• 1Y: -6.70%
• 3Y*: -1.11%
• 5Y*: -8.03%
• 10Y*: 5.58%

NEAIX

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 1.94%
• YTD: 56.96%
• 6M: 54.59%
• 1Y: 82.85%
• 3Y*: 38.03%
• 5Y*: 22.56%
• 10Y*: —

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

BCSIX vs. NEAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BCSIX Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund	-4.60%	-12.48%	9.86%	19.16%	-37.85%	-4.26%	45.23%	29.22%	-0.57%	28.90%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	56.96%	26.99%	14.86%	38.37%	-27.02%	38.46%	52.49%	44.68%	-15.64%	10.07%

Correlation

The correlation between BCSIX and NEAIX is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between BCSIX and NEAIX has dropped to 0.46 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BCSIX vs. NEAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BCSIX

BCSIX Risk / Return Rank: 2
BCSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BCSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
BCSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BCSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
BCSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

NEAIX

NEAIX Risk / Return Rank: 92
NEAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
NEAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
NEAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
NEAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAIX 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.

BCSIX vs. NEAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund (BCSIX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX). 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.

	BCSIX	NEAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.36	3.03	-3.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.36	3.53	-3.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.47	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.30	5.97	-6.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.67	23.37	-24.04

BCSIX vs. NEAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCSIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.36, which is lower than the NEAIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCSIX and NEAIX, 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

BCSIX vs. NEAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCSIX drawdown since its inception was -57.17%, which is greater than NEAIX's maximum drawdown of -35.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCSIX and NEAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCSIX	NEAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.17%	-35.93%	-21.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.97%	-13.98%	-12.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-57.17%	-28.21%	-28.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.17%	-35.93%	-21.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.17%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-47.31%	-4.56%	-42.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.61%	-8.56%	-5.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.79%	3.57%	+8.22%

Volatility

BCSIX vs. NEAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund (BCSIX) is 6.27%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) has a volatility of 12.35%. This indicates that BCSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BCSIX	NEAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	12.35%	-6.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.76%	22.54%	-4.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.61%	27.62%	-5.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.15%	24.98%	+14.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.36%	24.76%	+7.60%

BCSIX vs. NEAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCSIX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than NEAIX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCSIX vs. NEAIX - Dividend Comparison

BCSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 113.76%, more than NEAIX's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCSIX Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund	113.76%	108.53%	52.70%	9.36%	12.04%	9.32%	7.46%	8.62%	6.85%	5.94%	5.54%	9.15%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	1.28%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.84%	3.80%	10.42%	16.35%	5.14%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCSIX and NEAIX in my portfolio?

BCSIX and NEAIX have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BCSIX or NEAIX?

NEAIX has higher volatility (12.35%) compared to BCSIX (6.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCSIX dropped -57.17% vs NEAIX's -35.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.03 vs -0.36), 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.