NBGNX vs. IJT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NBGNX (Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund) and IJT (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NBGNX returned 8.93%/yr vs 10.80%/yr for IJT. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NBGNX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IJT.

Performance

NBGNX vs. IJT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund (NBGNX) and iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NBGNX achieves a 5.92% return, which is significantly lower than IJT's 16.04% return. Over the past 10 years, NBGNX has underperformed IJT with an annualized return of 8.93%, while IJT has yielded a comparatively higher 10.80% annualized return.

NBGNX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -0.91%
• YTD: 5.92%
• 6M: 5.07%
• 1Y: 8.36%
• 3Y*: 6.13%
• 5Y*: 2.41%
• 10Y*: 8.93%

IJT

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 16.04%
• 6M: 15.93%
• 1Y: 28.51%
• 3Y*: 14.61%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 10.80%

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

NBGNX vs. IJT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NBGNX Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund	5.92%	-4.70%	9.04%	15.57%	-19.49%	18.07%	24.86%	29.47%	-6.91%	15.83%
IJT iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF	16.04%	5.26%	9.33%	17.11%	-21.32%	22.37%	19.22%	20.98%	-4.40%	14.47%

Correlation

The correlation between NBGNX and IJT is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2000	0.92

The correlation between NBGNX and IJT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NBGNX vs. IJT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBGNX

NBGNX Risk / Return Rank: 6
NBGNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
NBGNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
NBGNX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
NBGNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
NBGNX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

IJT

IJT Risk / Return Rank: 53
IJT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
IJT Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
IJT Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IJT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
IJT Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

NBGNX vs. IJT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund (NBGNX) and iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT). 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.

	NBGNX	IJT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	1.63	-1.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	2.40	-1.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.29	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.75	3.15	-2.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.02	10.95	-8.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NBGNX vs. IJT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBGNX Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the IJT Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBGNX and IJT, 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

	NBGNX	IJT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50	1.63	-1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.27	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.47	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.39	+0.26

Drawdowns

NBGNX vs. IJT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBGNX drawdown since its inception was -51.75%, smaller than the maximum IJT drawdown of -57.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBGNX and IJT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBGNX	IJT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.75%	-57.61%	+5.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.77%	-9.08%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.51%	-27.41%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.33%	-29.24%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.53%	-42.03%	+7.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.78%	-0.90%	-8.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.15%	-10.31%	+3.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.99%	2.61%	+1.38%

Volatility

NBGNX vs. IJT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund (NBGNX) is 4.08%, while iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT) has a volatility of 4.61%. This indicates that NBGNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IJT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBGNX	IJT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	4.61%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.30%	12.49%	-1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.07%	17.55%	-1.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.66%	21.50%	-1.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.22%	23.03%	-2.81%

NBGNX vs. IJT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBGNX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than IJT's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBGNX vs. IJT - Dividend Comparison

NBGNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.44%, more than IJT's 0.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IJT iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF	0.76%	0.91%	1.06%	1.02%	1.08%	0.63%	0.68%	0.92%	0.92%	0.86%	1.03%	1.14%
NBGNX Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund	15.44%	16.36%	2.15%	3.03%	11.05%	10.92%	3.84%	5.82%	12.24%	13.89%	11.21%	18.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBGNX and IJT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, NBGNX and IJT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NBGNX or IJT?

IJT has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to NBGNX (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBGNX dropped -51.75% vs IJT's -57.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 0.50), 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.