NEAGX vs. JESGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NEAGX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund) and JESGX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, NEAGX returned 23.57%/yr vs 2.72%/yr for JESGX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NEAGX charges 1.86%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for JESGX.

Performance

NEAGX vs. JESGX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEAGX achieves a 64.16% return, which is significantly higher than JESGX's 15.67% return.

NEAGX

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 11.45%
• YTD: 64.16%
• 6M: 61.68%
• 1Y: 94.43%
• 3Y*: 39.56%
• 5Y*: 23.57%
• 10Y*: 22.99%

JESGX

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: 5.99%
• YTD: 15.67%
• 6M: 13.20%
• 1Y: 34.43%
• 3Y*: 16.67%
• 5Y*: 2.72%
• 10Y*: —

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

NEAGX vs. JESGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	64.16%	26.40%	14.31%	37.65%	-27.53%	37.56%	51.53%	43.82%	-16.09%	9.38%
JESGX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust	15.67%	12.66%	11.64%	16.10%	-30.38%	1.18%	51.23%	37.96%	-5.17%	22.94%

Correlation

The correlation between NEAGX and JESGX is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.81

The correlation between NEAGX and JESGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NEAGX vs. JESGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEAGX

NEAGX Risk / Return Rank: 93
NEAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NEAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
NEAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

JESGX

JESGX Risk / Return Rank: 54
JESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
JESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
JESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
JESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
JESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

NEAGX vs. JESGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX) and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust (JESGX). 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.

	NEAGX	JESGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.50	1.98	+1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.97	2.84	+1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.34	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.83	2.82	+4.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.82	10.69	+16.13

NEAGX vs. JESGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEAGX Sharpe Ratio is 3.50, which is higher than the JESGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEAGX and JESGX, 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

NEAGX vs. JESGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEAGX drawdown since its inception was -41.80%, roughly equal to the maximum JESGX drawdown of -42.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEAGX and JESGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEAGX	JESGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.80%	-42.87%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.01%	-13.84%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.49%	-26.97%	-1.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.31%	-41.18%	+4.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.31%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.66%	-14.78%	+6.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	3.49%	+0.07%

Volatility

NEAGX vs. JESGX - Volatility Comparison

Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX) has a higher volatility of 11.64% compared to John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust (JESGX) at 6.68%. This indicates that NEAGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JESGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEAGX	JESGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.64%	6.68%	+4.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.15%	14.67%	+7.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.36%	19.83%	+7.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.92%	24.03%	+0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.34%	24.42%	-0.08%

NEAGX vs. JESGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEAGX has a 1.86% expense ratio, which is higher than JESGX's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

NEAGX vs. JESGX - Dividend Comparison

NEAGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, more than JESGX's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JESGX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust	0.06%	0.07%	0.00%	0.00%	41.46%	17.95%	10.63%	37.80%	7.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	1.30%	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 NEAGX and JESGX in my portfolio?

NEAGX and JESGX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NEAGX or JESGX?

NEAGX has higher volatility (11.64%) compared to JESGX (6.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NEAGX dropped -41.80% vs JESGX's -42.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.50 vs 1.98), 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.