LKSCX vs. NEAIX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about LKCM Small Cap Equity Fund (LKSCX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX).

LKSCX is managed by LKCM. It was launched on Jul 14, 1994. NEAIX is an actively managed fund by Needham. It was launched on Dec 30, 2016.

Performance

LKSCX vs. NEAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in LKCM Small Cap Equity Fund (LKSCX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

LKSCX vs. NEAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LKSCX LKCM Small Cap Equity Fund	-4.34%	13.22%	15.35%	22.57%	-22.14%	14.54%	34.70%	22.68%	-5.67%	16.77%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	7.37%	26.99%	14.86%	38.37%	-27.02%	38.46%	52.49%	44.68%	-15.64%	10.07%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LKSCX achieves a -4.34% return, which is significantly lower than NEAIX's 7.37% return.

LKSCX

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -8.68%
• YTD: -4.34%
• 6M: -0.15%
• 1Y: 17.59%
• 3Y*: 12.58%
• 5Y*: 4.64%
• 10Y*: 11.00%

NEAIX

• 1D: -3.89%
• 1M: -9.47%
• YTD: 7.37%
• 6M: 10.73%
• 1Y: 55.63%
• 3Y*: 25.66%
• 5Y*: 15.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

LKSCX vs. NEAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LKSCX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAIX's 1.20% expense ratio.

NEAIX

Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class

LKSCX

LKCM Small Cap Equity Fund

Return for Risk

LKSCX vs. NEAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LKSCX

LKSCX Risk / Return Rank: 40
LKSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
LKSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
LKSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
LKSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
LKSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

NEAIX

NEAIX Risk / Return Rank: 91
NEAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
NEAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
NEAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
NEAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
NEAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

LKSCX vs. NEAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LKCM Small Cap Equity Fund (LKSCX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX). 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.

	LKSCX	NEAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	1.89	-1.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.28	2.45	-1.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.34	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	3.57	-2.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.53	12.81	-8.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LKSCX vs. NEAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LKSCX Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the NEAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LKSCX and NEAIX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	LKSCX	NEAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81	1.89	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.64	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.72	-0.25

Correlation

The correlation between LKSCX and NEAIX is 0.82, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

LKSCX vs. NEAIX - Dividend Comparison

LKSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.39%, more than NEAIX's 1.88% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LKSCX LKCM Small Cap Equity Fund	9.39%	8.98%	7.27%	2.77%	2.43%	15.70%	3.86%	5.24%	20.61%	19.58%	15.37%	14.66%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	1.88%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.84%	3.80%	10.42%	16.35%	5.14%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

LKSCX vs. NEAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LKSCX drawdown since its inception was -59.07%, which is greater than NEAIX's maximum drawdown of -35.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LKSCX and NEAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LKSCX	NEAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.07%	-35.93%	-23.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.86%	-13.98%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.84%	-35.93%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.65%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.90%	-11.55%	+1.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.44%	-8.73%	-0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	3.89%	-0.51%

Volatility

LKSCX vs. NEAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for LKCM Small Cap Equity Fund (LKSCX) is 6.32%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) has a volatility of 10.98%. This indicates that LKSCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LKSCX	NEAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.32%	10.98%	-4.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.88%	19.41%	-6.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.65%	28.68%	-7.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.65%	24.28%	-2.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.10%	24.42%	-1.32%