DSMDX vs. NEEIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DSMDX (Driehaus Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund) and NEEIX (Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, DSMDX returned 9.02%/yr vs 16.33%/yr for NEEIX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DSMDX charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for NEEIX.

Performance

DSMDX vs. NEEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Driehaus Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (DSMDX) and Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSMDX achieves a 20.77% return, which is significantly lower than NEEIX's 59.61% return.

DSMDX

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 6.90%
• YTD: 20.77%
• 6M: 19.60%
• 1Y: 42.62%
• 3Y*: 22.95%
• 5Y*: 9.02%
• 10Y*: —

NEEIX

• 1D: 4.73%
• 1M: 16.98%
• YTD: 59.61%
• 6M: 57.27%
• 1Y: 98.30%
• 3Y*: 30.88%
• 5Y*: 16.33%
• 10Y*: —

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

DSMDX vs. NEEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DSMDX Driehaus Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund	20.77%	9.83%	26.45%	20.71%	-31.46%	17.96%	74.27%
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class	59.61%	9.32%	19.26%	27.30%	-33.26%	28.13%	55.38%

Correlation

The correlation between DSMDX and NEEIX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2020	0.84

The correlation between DSMDX and NEEIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DSMDX vs. NEEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DSMDX

DSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 45
DSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
DSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
DSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
DSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

NEEIX

NEEIX Risk / Return Rank: 93
NEEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NEEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
NEEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
NEEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

DSMDX vs. NEEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Driehaus Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (DSMDX) and Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEEIX). 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.

	DSMDX	NEEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	3.83	-2.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	4.35	-1.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.57	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	7.85	-4.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.74	26.70	-14.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DSMDX vs. NEEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSMDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is lower than the NEEIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSMDX and NEEIX, 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

	DSMDX	NEEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	3.83	-2.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.58	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.67	+0.05

Drawdowns

DSMDX vs. NEEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSMDX drawdown since its inception was -41.90%, roughly equal to the maximum NEEIX drawdown of -43.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSMDX and NEEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSMDX	NEEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.90%	-43.11%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.51%	-13.22%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.05%	-36.13%	+3.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.90%	-43.11%	+1.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	0.00%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.72%	-10.87%	-4.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.78%	3.88%	-0.10%

Volatility

DSMDX vs. NEEIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Driehaus Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (DSMDX) is 8.55%, while Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEEIX) has a volatility of 9.69%. This indicates that DSMDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSMDX	NEEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.55%	9.69%	-1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.78%	20.89%	-1.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.62%	27.10%	-2.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.77%	28.31%	-2.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.99%	25.79%	+0.20%

DSMDX vs. NEEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSMDX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than NEEIX's 1.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSMDX vs. NEEIX - Dividend Comparison

DSMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than NEEIX's 4.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DSMDX Driehaus Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund	0.34%	0.41%	0.33%	0.00%	3.72%	7.93%	1.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class	4.49%	7.16%	7.48%	0.00%	1.72%	6.70%	5.58%	11.09%	17.58%	9.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSMDX and NEEIX in my portfolio?

DSMDX and NEEIX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSMDX or NEEIX?

NEEIX has higher volatility (9.69%) compared to DSMDX (8.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSMDX dropped -41.90% vs NEEIX's -43.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.83 vs 1.81), 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.