HIASX vs. NEAGX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

HIASX (Hartford Small Company HLS Fund) and NEAGX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Retail Class) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HIASX returned 11.78%/yr vs 20.07%/yr for NEAGX. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HIASX charges 0.77%/yr vs 1.64%/yr for NEAGX.

Performance

HIASX vs. NEAGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Small Company HLS Fund (HIASX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Retail Class (NEAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HIASX achieves a 13.04% return, which is significantly lower than NEAGX's 36.48% return. Over the past 10 years, HIASX has underperformed NEAGX with an annualized return of 11.78%, while NEAGX has yielded a comparatively higher 20.07% annualized return.

HIASX

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: -2.42%
• 6M: 11.47%
• YTD: 13.04%
• 1Y: 27.83%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 2.70%
• 10Y*: 11.78%
• ALL TIME*: 16.48%

NEAGX

• 1D: 2.47%
• 1M: -9.06%
• 6M: 21.86%
• YTD: 36.48%
• 1Y: 50.98%
• 3Y*: 26.54%
• 5Y*: 18.09%
• 10Y*: 20.07%
• ALL TIME*: 13.08%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
HIASX Hartford Small Company HLS Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Retail Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

HIASX vs. NEAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HIASX Hartford Small Company HLS Fund	13.04%	12.95%	12.00%	16.74%	-31.56%	1.88%	55.51%	36.72%	-4.21%	26.36%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Retail Class	36.48%	26.40%	14.31%	37.65%	-27.53%	37.56%	51.53%	43.82%	-16.09%	8.75%

Correlation

The correlation between HIASX and NEAGX is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2001	0.86

The correlation between HIASX and NEAGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HIASX vs. NEAGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HIASX

HIASX Risk / Return Rank: 48
HIASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
HIASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
HIASX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
HIASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
HIASX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

NEAGX

NEAGX Risk / Return Rank: 62
NEAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
NEAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
NEAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
NEAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
NEAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HIASX vs. NEAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Small Company HLS Fund (HIASX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Retail Class (NEAGX). 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.

	HIASX	NEAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.77	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.25	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.29	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	2.27	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.14	9.42	-1.28

HIASX vs. NEAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIASX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the NEAGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIASX and NEAGX, 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

HIASX vs. NEAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIASX drawdown since its inception was -68.04%, which is greater than NEAGX's maximum drawdown of -41.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIASX and NEAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIASX	NEAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.04%	-41.80%	-26.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.84%	-24.12%	+10.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.87%	-28.49%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.94%	-36.31%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.36%	-36.31%	-6.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.41%	-17.74%	+13.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.28%	-8.67%	-12.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	5.79%	-2.14%

Volatility

HIASX vs. NEAGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Small Company HLS Fund (HIASX) is 5.54%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Retail Class (NEAGX) has a volatility of 11.87%. This indicates that HIASX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEAGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIASX	NEAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	11.87%	-6.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.10%	26.26%	-11.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.24%	30.92%	-11.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.23%	25.68%	-2.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.41%	24.72%	-1.31%

HIASX vs. NEAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIASX has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAGX's 1.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIASX vs. NEAGX - Dividend Comparison

HIASX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than NEAGX's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HIASX Hartford Small Company HLS Fund	0.35%	0.40%	0.00%	0.00%	26.96%	13.78%	12.10%	20.73%	8.06%	0.00%	10.42%	0.00%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Retail Class	1.57%	2.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	7.10%	3.91%	10.64%	16.57%	5.17%	6.72%	11.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIASX and NEAGX in my portfolio?

HIASX and NEAGX 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, HIASX or NEAGX?

NEAGX has higher volatility (11.87%) compared to HIASX (5.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIASX dropped -68.04% vs NEAGX's -41.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.55), 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.