NCLEX vs. NESGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NCLEX (Nicholas Limited Edition Fund) and NESGX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NCLEX returned 7.44%/yr vs 20.34%/yr for NESGX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NCLEX charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for NESGX.

Performance

NCLEX vs. NESGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nicholas Limited Edition Fund (NCLEX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NCLEX achieves a -7.51% return, which is significantly lower than NESGX's 83.39% return. Over the past 10 years, NCLEX has underperformed NESGX with an annualized return of 7.44%, while NESGX has yielded a comparatively higher 20.34% annualized return.

NCLEX

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: -7.51%
• 6M: -9.33%
• 1Y: -12.00%
• 3Y*: 0.15%
• 5Y*: -1.65%
• 10Y*: 7.44%

NESGX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 10.48%
• YTD: 83.39%
• 6M: 78.75%
• 1Y: 120.96%
• 3Y*: 34.45%
• 5Y*: 9.77%
• 10Y*: 20.34%

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

NCLEX vs. NESGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NCLEX Nicholas Limited Edition Fund	-7.51%	-10.41%	11.91%	17.17%	-23.71%	19.07%	22.67%	27.36%	-0.94%	19.93%
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund	83.39%	10.50%	12.76%	5.68%	-30.21%	10.59%	71.90%	54.42%	-5.43%	11.96%

Correlation

The correlation between NCLEX and NESGX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2002	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between NCLEX and NESGX has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.83, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NCLEX vs. NESGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NCLEX

NCLEX Risk / Return Rank: 1
NCLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
NCLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
NCLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
NCLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
NCLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

NESGX

NESGX Risk / Return Rank: 95
NESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
NESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
NESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
NESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
NESGX 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.

NCLEX vs. NESGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nicholas Limited Edition Fund (NCLEX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX). 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.

	NCLEX	NESGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.62	3.99	-4.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.78	4.33	-5.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.56	-0.65
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.49	7.27	-7.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.98	29.61	-30.59

NCLEX vs. NESGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCLEX Sharpe Ratio is -0.62, which is lower than the NESGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCLEX and NESGX, 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

NCLEX vs. NESGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCLEX drawdown since its inception was -48.68%, roughly equal to the maximum NESGX drawdown of -50.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCLEX and NESGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCLEX	NESGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.68%	-50.29%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.36%	-17.16%	-4.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.50%	-35.27%	+6.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.50%	-50.05%	+21.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.79%	-50.29%	+14.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.62%	-0.40%	-22.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-11.64%	+3.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.72%	4.20%	+6.52%

Volatility

NCLEX vs. NESGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nicholas Limited Edition Fund (NCLEX) is 4.54%, while Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) has a volatility of 11.99%. This indicates that NCLEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NESGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCLEX	NESGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	11.99%	-7.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	22.21%	-9.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.04%	31.33%	-14.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.55%	29.57%	-10.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.23%	26.02%	-6.79%

NCLEX vs. NESGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCLEX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than NESGX's 1.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

NCLEX vs. NESGX - Dividend Comparison

NCLEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.15%, while NESGX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NCLEX Nicholas Limited Edition Fund	8.15%	7.53%	2.51%	2.43%	6.22%	16.44%	5.10%	5.66%	10.72%	7.97%	10.68%	8.05%
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	4.16%	25.09%	13.69%	8.43%	22.26%	8.94%	6.67%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCLEX and NESGX in my portfolio?

NCLEX and NESGX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NCLEX or NESGX?

NESGX has higher volatility (11.99%) compared to NCLEX (4.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCLEX dropped -48.68% vs NESGX's -50.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs -0.62), 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.