BDFIX vs. NEAGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BDFIX (Baron Discovery Fund) and NEAGX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BDFIX returned 13.91%/yr vs 22.51%/yr for NEAGX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BDFIX charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.86%/yr for NEAGX.

Performance

BDFIX vs. NEAGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron Discovery Fund (BDFIX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BDFIX achieves a 2.05% return, which is significantly lower than NEAGX's 59.55% return. Over the past 10 years, BDFIX has underperformed NEAGX with an annualized return of 13.91%, while NEAGX has yielded a comparatively higher 22.51% annualized return.

BDFIX

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 6.44%
• YTD: 2.05%
• 6M: 0.85%
• 1Y: 9.86%
• 3Y*: 13.70%
• 5Y*: 0.42%
• 10Y*: 13.91%

NEAGX

• 1D: 3.25%
• 1M: 17.09%
• YTD: 59.55%
• 6M: 61.01%
• 1Y: 96.36%
• 3Y*: 38.65%
• 5Y*: 23.60%
• 10Y*: 22.51%

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

BDFIX vs. NEAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BDFIX Baron Discovery Fund	2.05%	10.96%	16.28%	22.58%	-35.12%	4.84%	66.15%	26.85%	0.66%	35.84%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	59.55%	26.40%	14.31%	37.65%	-27.53%	37.56%	51.53%	43.82%	-16.09%	8.75%

Correlation

The correlation between BDFIX and NEAGX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2013	0.81

The correlation between BDFIX and NEAGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BDFIX vs. NEAGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BDFIX

BDFIX Risk / Return Rank: 7
BDFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
BDFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
BDFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
BDFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
BDFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

NEAGX

NEAGX Risk / Return Rank: 94
NEAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
NEAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
NEAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAGX 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.

BDFIX vs. NEAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Discovery Fund (BDFIX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX). 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.

	BDFIX	NEAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	3.91	-3.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	4.40	-3.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.59	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.63	7.20	-6.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.90	29.00	-27.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BDFIX vs. NEAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BDFIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is lower than the NEAGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BDFIX and NEAGX, 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

	BDFIX	NEAGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59	3.91	-3.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.96	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.94	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.66	-0.14

Drawdowns

BDFIX vs. NEAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDFIX drawdown since its inception was -46.39%, which is greater than NEAGX's maximum drawdown of -41.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDFIX and NEAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDFIX	NEAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.39%	-41.80%	-4.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.94%	-14.01%	-3.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.26%	-28.49%	+4.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.38%	-36.31%	-9.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.39%	-36.31%	-10.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.21%	0.00%	-7.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.62%	-8.67%	-5.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.91%	3.47%	+2.44%

Volatility

BDFIX vs. NEAGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Baron Discovery Fund (BDFIX) is 4.90%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX) has a volatility of 10.14%. This indicates that BDFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEAGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BDFIX	NEAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.90%	10.14%	-5.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.28%	20.45%	-6.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.19%	25.81%	-6.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.28%	24.57%	+1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.22%	24.15%	+1.07%

BDFIX vs. NEAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BDFIX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAGX's 1.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

BDFIX vs. NEAGX - Dividend Comparison

BDFIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NEAGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BDFIX Baron Discovery Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.68%	3.05%	0.13%	8.78%	0.21%	1.97%	0.00%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	1.34%	2.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	7.10%	3.91%	10.64%	16.57%	5.17%	6.72%	11.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BDFIX and NEAGX in my portfolio?

BDFIX and NEAGX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BDFIX or NEAGX?

NEAGX has higher volatility (10.14%) compared to BDFIX (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BDFIX dropped -46.39% vs NEAGX's -41.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.91 vs 0.59), 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.