FDEGX vs. NEEIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FDEGX (Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund) and NEEIX (Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, FDEGX returned 8.45%/yr vs 16.33%/yr for NEEIX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDEGX charges 0.63%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for NEEIX.

Performance

FDEGX vs. NEEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund (FDEGX) 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, FDEGX achieves a 13.88% return, which is significantly lower than NEEIX's 62.40% return.

FDEGX

• 1D: 1.59%
• 1M: 5.65%
• YTD: 13.88%
• 6M: 1.24%
• 1Y: 7.78%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 8.45%
• 10Y*: 12.60%

NEEIX

• 1D: 3.86%
• 1M: 10.66%
• YTD: 62.40%
• 6M: 59.28%
• 1Y: 96.29%
• 3Y*: 30.34%
• 5Y*: 16.33%
• 10Y*: —

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

FDEGX vs. NEEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDEGX Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund	13.88%	2.88%	26.57%	20.93%	-26.50%	21.30%	29.34%	36.59%	-6.92%	21.03%
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class	62.40%	9.32%	19.26%	27.30%	-33.26%	28.13%	42.39%	43.15%	-10.13%	8.47%

Correlation

The correlation between FDEGX and NEEIX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.84

The correlation between FDEGX and NEEIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FDEGX vs. NEEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDEGX

FDEGX Risk / Return Rank: 5
FDEGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
FDEGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
FDEGX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
FDEGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
FDEGX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

NEEIX

NEEIX Risk / Return Rank: 92
NEEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
NEEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
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.

FDEGX vs. NEEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund (FDEGX) 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.

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.

	FDEGX	NEEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.33	3.34	-3.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.58	3.83	-3.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.51	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.36	7.28	-6.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.92	24.26	-23.34

FDEGX vs. NEEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDEGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.33, which is lower than the NEEIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDEGX 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.

Drawdowns

FDEGX vs. NEEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDEGX drawdown since its inception was -85.96%, which is greater than NEEIX's maximum drawdown of -43.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDEGX and NEEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDEGX	NEEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.96%	-43.11%	-42.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.45%	-13.22%	-7.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.04%	-36.13%	+10.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.62%	-43.11%	+6.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.32%	0.00%	-2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.78%	-10.82%	-25.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.07%	3.96%	+4.11%

Volatility

FDEGX vs. NEEIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund (FDEGX) is 7.58%, while Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEEIX) has a volatility of 13.03%. This indicates that FDEGX 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

	FDEGX	NEEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.58%	13.03%	-5.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.78%	23.11%	-3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.82%	28.86%	-6.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.48%	28.71%	-5.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.13%	25.98%	-3.85%

FDEGX vs. NEEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDEGX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is lower than NEEIX's 1.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDEGX vs. NEEIX - Dividend Comparison

FDEGX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NEEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.41%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDEGX Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund	0.00%	0.00%	7.89%	0.05%	0.00%	14.15%	8.37%	3.65%	0.75%	0.05%	0.59%	0.13%
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class	4.41%	7.16%	7.48%	0.00%	1.72%	6.70%	5.58%	11.09%	17.58%	9.64%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDEGX and NEEIX in my portfolio?

FDEGX and NEEIX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDEGX or NEEIX?

NEEIX has higher volatility (13.03%) compared to FDEGX (7.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDEGX dropped -85.96% vs NEEIX's -43.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.34 vs 0.33), 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.