CTSIX vs. NESGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CTSIX (Calamos Timpani Small Cap Growth Fund) and NESGX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, CTSIX returned 10.12%/yr vs 9.77%/yr for NESGX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CTSIX charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for NESGX.

Performance

CTSIX vs. NESGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Timpani Small Cap Growth Fund (CTSIX) 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, CTSIX achieves a 37.63% return, which is significantly lower than NESGX's 83.39% return.

CTSIX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 6.42%
• YTD: 37.63%
• 6M: 34.34%
• 1Y: 67.96%
• 3Y*: 35.10%
• 5Y*: 10.12%
• 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)

CTSIX vs. NESGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
CTSIX Calamos Timpani Small Cap Growth Fund	37.63%	25.90%	44.34%	7.57%	-37.30%	9.12%	63.38%	1.20%
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund	83.39%	10.50%	12.76%	5.68%	-30.21%	10.59%	71.90%	23.62%

Correlation

The correlation between CTSIX and NESGX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2019	0.83

The correlation between CTSIX and NESGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CTSIX vs. NESGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CTSIX

CTSIX Risk / Return Rank: 79
CTSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
CTSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
CTSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
CTSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
CTSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

CTSIX vs. NESGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Timpani Small Cap Growth Fund (CTSIX) 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.

	CTSIX	NESGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	3.99	-1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	4.33	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.56	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.75	7.27	-1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.69	29.61	-6.92

CTSIX vs. NESGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CTSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is lower than the NESGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CTSIX 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

CTSIX vs. NESGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTSIX drawdown since its inception was -50.83%, roughly equal to the maximum NESGX drawdown of -50.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTSIX and NESGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTSIX	NESGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.83%	-50.29%	-0.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.38%	-17.16%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.40%	-35.27%	+6.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.60%	-50.05%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.40%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.49%	-11.64%	-8.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	4.20%	-1.07%

Volatility

CTSIX vs. NESGX - Volatility Comparison

Calamos Timpani Small Cap Growth Fund (CTSIX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) have volatilities of 11.67% and 11.99%, 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

	CTSIX	NESGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.67%	11.99%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.15%	22.21%	+0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.38%	31.33%	-1.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.33%	29.57%	-1.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.92%	26.02%	+3.90%

CTSIX vs. NESGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTSIX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than NESGX's 1.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

CTSIX vs. NESGX - Dividend Comparison

Neither CTSIX nor NESGX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CTSIX Calamos Timpani Small Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	2.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.77%	4.95%	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 CTSIX and NESGX in my portfolio?

CTSIX and NESGX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CTSIX or NESGX?

NESGX has higher volatility (11.99%) compared to CTSIX (11.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTSIX dropped -50.83% vs NESGX's -50.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs 2.43), 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.