DFDSX vs. NESIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFDSX (DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund) and NESIX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, DFDSX returned 0.24%/yr vs 10.97%/yr for NESIX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFDSX charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.18%/yr for NESIX.

Performance

DFDSX vs. NESIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund (DFDSX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFDSX achieves a -0.71% return, which is significantly lower than NESIX's 82.25% return.

DFDSX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 3.50%
• YTD: -0.71%
• 6M: -1.91%
• 1Y: 0.60%
• 3Y*: 6.27%
• 5Y*: 0.24%
• 10Y*: 9.05%

NESIX

• 1D: 4.01%
• 1M: 22.94%
• YTD: 82.25%
• 6M: 79.70%
• 1Y: 125.34%
• 3Y*: 33.75%
• 5Y*: 10.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFDSX vs. NESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFDSX DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund	-0.71%	-3.25%	10.91%	22.27%	-30.31%	14.54%	34.68%	36.34%	-1.61%	14.84%
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	82.25%	11.16%	13.47%	5.85%	-29.71%	11.36%	73.06%	55.28%	-4.87%	12.63%

Correlation

The correlation between DFDSX and NESIX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.77

The correlation between DFDSX and NESIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFDSX vs. NESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFDSX

DFDSX Risk / Return Rank: 3
DFDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
DFDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
DFDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
DFDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
DFDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

NESIX

NESIX Risk / Return Rank: 95
NESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
NESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
NESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
NESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
NESIX 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.

DFDSX vs. NESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund (DFDSX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX). 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.

	DFDSX	NESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.13	4.41	-4.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	4.72	-4.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.61	-0.58
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	7.79	-7.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.35	32.30	-31.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFDSX vs. NESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFDSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.13, which is lower than the NESIX Sharpe Ratio of 4.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFDSX and NESIX, 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

	DFDSX	NESIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13	4.41	-4.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.38	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.75	-0.36

Drawdowns

DFDSX vs. NESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFDSX drawdown since its inception was -37.88%, smaller than the maximum NESIX drawdown of -49.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFDSX and NESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFDSX	NESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.88%	-49.61%	+11.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.07%	-17.12%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.53%	-35.21%	+10.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.88%	-49.61%	+11.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.88%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.65%	0.00%	-13.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.02%	-15.00%	+4.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.89%	4.12%	+2.77%

Volatility

DFDSX vs. NESIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund (DFDSX) is 4.20%, while Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX) has a volatility of 8.71%. This indicates that DFDSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NESIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFDSX	NESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.20%	8.71%	-4.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.70%	21.13%	-8.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.79%	30.27%	-12.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.12%	29.29%	-7.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.69%	26.44%	-4.75%

DFDSX vs. NESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFDSX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than NESIX's 1.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFDSX vs. NESIX - Dividend Comparison

Neither DFDSX nor NESIX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFDSX DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.29%	2.06%	1.46%	7.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.99%
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.93%	23.92%	13.26%	8.25%	21.96%	8.89%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFDSX and NESIX in my portfolio?

DFDSX and NESIX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFDSX or NESIX?

NESIX has higher volatility (8.71%) compared to DFDSX (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFDSX dropped -37.88% vs NESIX's -49.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.41 vs 0.13), 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.