CWSGX vs. NEAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CWSGX (Chartwell Small Cap Growth Fund) and NEAIX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, CWSGX returned 12.31%/yr vs 24.27%/yr for NEAIX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CWSGX charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for NEAIX.

Performance

CWSGX vs. NEAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Chartwell Small Cap Growth Fund (CWSGX) 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, CWSGX achieves a 28.62% return, which is significantly lower than NEAIX's 59.81% return.

CWSGX

• 1D: 2.32%
• 1M: 8.37%
• YTD: 28.62%
• 6M: 27.92%
• 1Y: 56.90%
• 3Y*: 30.49%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: —

NEAIX

• 1D: 3.25%
• 1M: 17.12%
• YTD: 59.81%
• 6M: 61.32%
• 1Y: 97.17%
• 3Y*: 39.29%
• 5Y*: 24.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

CWSGX vs. NEAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CWSGX Chartwell Small Cap Growth Fund	28.62%	14.77%	35.94%	22.41%	-30.85%	15.83%	42.56%	27.38%	-8.37%	11.08%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	59.81%	26.99%	14.86%	38.37%	-27.02%	38.46%	52.49%	44.68%	-15.64%	6.65%

Correlation

The correlation between CWSGX and NEAIX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2017	0.84

The correlation between CWSGX and NEAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CWSGX vs. NEAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CWSGX

CWSGX Risk / Return Rank: 77
CWSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
CWSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
CWSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
CWSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
CWSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

NEAIX

NEAIX Risk / Return Rank: 94
NEAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
NEAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
NEAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAIX 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.

CWSGX vs. NEAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Chartwell Small Cap Growth Fund (CWSGX) 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.

	CWSGX	NEAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	3.94	-1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	4.42	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.59	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.00	7.27	-2.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.17	29.35	-9.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CWSGX vs. NEAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CWSGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is lower than the NEAIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CWSGX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CWSGX	NEAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60	3.94	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.99	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.91	-0.27

Drawdowns

CWSGX vs. NEAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CWSGX drawdown since its inception was -37.29%, roughly equal to the maximum NEAIX drawdown of -35.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CWSGX and NEAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CWSGX	NEAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.29%	-35.93%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-13.98%	+2.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.80%	-28.21%	+0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.29%	-35.93%	-1.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.21%	-8.60%	-2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	3.46%	-0.50%

Volatility

CWSGX vs. NEAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Chartwell Small Cap Growth Fund (CWSGX) is 8.40%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) has a volatility of 10.14%. This indicates that CWSGX 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

	CWSGX	NEAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.40%	10.14%	-1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.07%	20.44%	-2.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.02%	25.80%	-2.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.17%	24.58%	-0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.16%	24.60%	-0.44%

CWSGX vs. NEAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CWSGX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAIX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

CWSGX vs. NEAIX - Dividend Comparison

CWSGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.68%, less than NEAIX's 1.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CWSGX Chartwell Small Cap Growth Fund	0.68%	0.87%	6.44%	0.00%	4.78%	21.74%	6.70%	0.03%	0.45%	0.02%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	1.26%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.84%	3.80%	10.42%	16.35%	5.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CWSGX and NEAIX in my portfolio?

CWSGX and NEAIX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CWSGX or NEAIX?

NEAIX has higher volatility (10.14%) compared to CWSGX (8.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CWSGX dropped -37.29% vs NEAIX's -35.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.94 vs 2.60), 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.