FAMFX vs. NESGX
FAMFX (FAM Small Cap Fund) and NESGX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FAMFX returned 7.30%/yr vs 17.52%/yr for NESGX. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FAMFX charges 1.27%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for NESGX.
Performance
FAMFX vs. NESGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAMFX achieves a 2.21% return, which is significantly lower than NESGX's 52.82% return. Over the past 10 years, FAMFX has underperformed NESGX with an annualized return of 7.30%, while NESGX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.52% annualized return.
FAMFX
- 1D
- -1.82%
- 1M
- 1.53%
- 6M
- 2.84%
- YTD
- 2.21%
- 1Y
- -3.18%
- 3Y*
- 2.48%
- 5Y*
- 2.79%
- 10Y*
- 7.30%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.24%
NESGX
- 1D
- 5.19%
- 1M
- -10.43%
- 6M
- 37.28%
- YTD
- 52.82%
- 1Y
- 74.25%
- 3Y*
- 23.55%
- 5Y*
- 5.21%
- 10Y*
- 17.52%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.75%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
FAMFX FAM Small Cap Fund | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
FAMFX vs. NESGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAMFX FAM Small Cap Fund | 2.21% | -11.60% | 12.43% | 20.10% | -12.42% | 27.72% | 10.10% | 26.89% | -8.54% | 4.56% |
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 52.82% | 10.50% | 12.76% | 5.68% | -30.21% | 10.59% | 71.90% | 54.42% | -5.43% | 11.96% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAMFX and NESGX is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.67 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2012 | 0.69 |
Over the past year, the correlation between FAMFX and NESGX has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
FAMFX vs. NESGX — Risk / Return Rank
FAMFX
NESGX
FAMFX vs. NESGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FAM Small Cap Fund (FAMFX) 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.
| FAMFX | NESGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.92 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.95 | 1.31 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.32 | 3.00 | -3.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.57 | 11.77 | -12.34 |
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Drawdowns
FAMFX vs. NESGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAMFX drawdown since its inception was -39.66%, smaller than the maximum NESGX drawdown of -50.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAMFX and NESGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAMFX | NESGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.66% | -50.29% | +10.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -21.49% | -22.14% | +0.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.71% | -35.27% | +6.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.71% | -50.05% | +21.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.66% | -50.29% | +10.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -16.95% | -18.09% | +1.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.11% | -11.64% | +5.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.17% | 5.67% | +6.50% |
Volatility
FAMFX vs. NESGX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FAM Small Cap Fund (FAMFX) is 6.60%, while Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) has a volatility of 13.35%. This indicates that FAMFX 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
| FAMFX | NESGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.60% | 13.35% | -6.75% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.91% | 26.13% | -12.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.35% | 34.31% | -15.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.91% | 30.16% | -11.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.56% | 26.40% | -6.84% |
FAMFX vs. NESGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAMFX has a 1.27% expense ratio, which is lower than NESGX's 1.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAMFX vs. NESGX - Dividend Comparison
FAMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.34%, while NESGX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAMFX FAM Small Cap Fund | 3.34% | 3.41% | 4.43% | 6.44% | 0.36% | 6.55% | 0.00% | 0.47% | 10.85% | 2.15% | 2.99% | 0.24% |
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
FAMFX and NESGX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NESGX has higher volatility (13.35%) compared to FAMFX (6.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAMFX dropped -39.66% vs NESGX's -50.29%.
NESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs -0.38), 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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