ISCGX vs. NEAGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISCGX (Transamerica Small Cap Growth) and NEAGX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ISCGX returned 8.81%/yr vs 22.51%/yr for NEAGX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISCGX charges 1.06%/yr vs 1.86%/yr for NEAGX.

Performance

ISCGX vs. NEAGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Transamerica Small Cap Growth (ISCGX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISCGX achieves a 10.04% return, which is significantly lower than NEAGX's 59.55% return. Over the past 10 years, ISCGX has underperformed NEAGX with an annualized return of 8.81%, while NEAGX has yielded a comparatively higher 22.51% annualized return.

ISCGX

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 6.48%
• YTD: 10.04%
• 6M: 6.99%
• 1Y: 12.82%
• 3Y*: 7.10%
• 5Y*: 0.87%
• 10Y*: 8.81%

NEAGX

• 1D: 3.25%
• 1M: 17.09%
• YTD: 59.55%
• 6M: 61.01%
• 1Y: 96.36%
• 3Y*: 38.65%
• 5Y*: 23.60%
• 10Y*: 22.51%

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

ISCGX vs. NEAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISCGX Transamerica Small Cap Growth	10.04%	-3.41%	6.12%	20.01%	-30.85%	18.23%	32.20%	29.47%	-7.71%	15.56%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	59.55%	26.40%	14.31%	37.65%	-27.53%	37.56%	51.53%	43.82%	-16.09%	8.75%

Correlation

The correlation between ISCGX and NEAGX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.82

The correlation between ISCGX and NEAGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ISCGX vs. NEAGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISCGX

ISCGX Risk / Return Rank: 10
ISCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
ISCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
ISCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
ISCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
ISCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

NEAGX

NEAGX Risk / Return Rank: 94
NEAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
NEAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
NEAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAGX 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.

ISCGX vs. NEAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Transamerica Small Cap Growth (ISCGX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (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.

	ISCGX	NEAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	3.91	-3.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	4.40	-3.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.59	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.99	7.20	-6.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.43	29.00	-25.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISCGX vs. NEAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISCGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the NEAGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISCGX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ISCGX	NEAGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	3.91	-3.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.96	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.94	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.66	-0.21

Drawdowns

ISCGX vs. NEAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISCGX drawdown since its inception was -39.22%, smaller than the maximum NEAGX drawdown of -41.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISCGX and NEAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISCGX	NEAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.22%	-41.80%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.78%	-14.01%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.12%	-28.49%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.22%	-36.31%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.22%	-36.31%	-2.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.85%	0.00%	-13.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.21%	-8.67%	-2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.28%	3.47%	+0.81%

Volatility

ISCGX vs. NEAGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Transamerica Small Cap Growth (ISCGX) is 6.02%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX) has a volatility of 10.14%. This indicates that ISCGX 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

	ISCGX	NEAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.02%	10.14%	-4.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.46%	20.45%	-5.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.72%	25.81%	-7.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.35%	24.57%	-1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.99%	24.15%	-1.16%

ISCGX vs. NEAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISCGX has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAGX's 1.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISCGX vs. NEAGX - Dividend Comparison

ISCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.06%, more than NEAGX's 1.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISCGX Transamerica Small Cap Growth	14.06%	15.47%	12.92%	4.61%	4.29%	11.50%	8.30%	6.94%	11.71%	10.40%	121.18%	9.14%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	1.34%	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 ISCGX and NEAGX in my portfolio?

ISCGX and NEAGX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISCGX or NEAGX?

NEAGX has higher volatility (10.14%) compared to ISCGX (6.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISCGX dropped -39.22% vs NEAGX's -41.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.91 vs 0.79), 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.