BSCFX vs. NESGX
BSCFX (Baron Small Cap Fund) and NESGX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BSCFX returned 10.22%/yr vs 17.79%/yr for NESGX. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BSCFX charges 1.29%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for NESGX.
Performance
BSCFX vs. NESGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BSCFX achieves a 0.94% return, which is significantly lower than NESGX's 55.46% return. Over the past 10 years, BSCFX has underperformed NESGX with an annualized return of 10.22%, while NESGX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.79% annualized return.
BSCFX
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- -3.68%
- 6M
- 0.68%
- YTD
- 0.94%
- 1Y
- -0.88%
- 3Y*
- 6.09%
- 5Y*
- 0.49%
- 10Y*
- 10.22%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.00%
NESGX
- 1D
- 1.73%
- 1M
- -8.87%
- 6M
- 38.32%
- YTD
- 55.46%
- 1Y
- 77.26%
- 3Y*
- 24.51%
- 5Y*
- 5.57%
- 10Y*
- 17.79%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.83%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
BSCFX Baron Small Cap Fund | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
BSCFX vs. NESGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSCFX Baron Small Cap Fund | 0.94% | -0.92% | 13.11% | 26.90% | -31.19% | 15.42% | 40.38% | 34.60% | -7.39% | 27.34% |
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 55.46% | 10.50% | 12.76% | 5.68% | -30.21% | 10.59% | 71.90% | 54.42% | -5.43% | 11.96% |
Correlation
The correlation between BSCFX and NESGX is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.60 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.79 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2002 | 0.81 |
Over the past year, the correlation between BSCFX and NESGX has dropped to 0.60 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
BSCFX vs. NESGX — Risk / Return Rank
BSCFX
NESGX
BSCFX vs. NESGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron Small Cap Fund (BSCFX) 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.
| BSCFX | NESGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.33 | -0.34 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.15 | 3.31 | -3.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.37 | 12.74 | -13.12 |
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Drawdowns
BSCFX vs. NESGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BSCFX drawdown since its inception was -55.59%, which is greater than NESGX's maximum drawdown of -50.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSCFX and NESGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BSCFX | NESGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.59% | -50.29% | -5.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.00% | -22.14% | +7.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.91% | -35.27% | +8.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.94% | -50.05% | +12.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.58% | -50.29% | +10.71% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.41% | -16.68% | +8.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.07% | -11.64% | +0.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.96% | 5.74% | +0.22% |
Volatility
BSCFX vs. NESGX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Baron Small Cap Fund (BSCFX) is 4.64%, while Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) has a volatility of 13.44%. This indicates that BSCFX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| BSCFX | NESGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.64% | 13.44% | -8.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.83% | 26.17% | -12.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.24% | 34.33% | -16.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.44% | 30.16% | -7.72% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.38% | 26.40% | -4.02% |
BSCFX vs. NESGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BSCFX has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is lower than NESGX's 1.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
BSCFX vs. NESGX - Dividend Comparison
BSCFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.84%, while NESGX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSCFX Baron Small Cap Fund | 9.84% | 9.50% | 13.96% | 3.04% | 5.90% | 12.47% | 11.17% | 9.60% | 10.91% | 13.57% | 22.41% | 12.56% |
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
BSCFX and NESGX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NESGX has higher volatility (13.44%) compared to BSCFX (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSCFX dropped -55.59% vs NESGX's -50.29%.
NESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs -0.12), 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.
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