NEAIX vs. FTXSX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) and FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund (FTXSX).

NEAIX is an actively managed fund by Needham. It was launched on Dec 30, 2016. FTXSX is a passively managed fund by Fuller & Thaler Asset Mgmt that tracks the performance of the Russell 2000 Growth Index. It was launched on Dec 21, 2017.

Performance

NEAIX vs. FTXSX - Performance Comparison

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

NEAIX vs. FTXSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	12.01%	26.99%	14.86%	38.37%	-27.02%	38.46%	52.49%	44.68%	-17.77%
FTXSX FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund	1.97%	12.44%	28.86%	33.15%	-27.48%	25.50%	51.32%	19.19%	-3.71%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEAIX achieves a 12.01% return, which is significantly higher than FTXSX's 1.97% return.

NEAIX

• 1D: 4.32%
• 1M: -7.73%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 14.41%
• 1Y: 61.23%
• 3Y*: 27.45%
• 5Y*: 15.66%
• 10Y*: —

FTXSX

• 1D: 5.46%
• 1M: -7.15%
• YTD: 1.97%
• 6M: 3.39%
• 1Y: 33.47%
• 3Y*: 20.33%
• 5Y*: 10.25%
• 10Y*: —

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

NEAIX vs. FTXSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEAIX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXSX's 1.00% expense ratio.

NEAIX

Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class

FTXSX

FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund

Return for Risk

NEAIX vs. FTXSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEAIX

NEAIX Risk / Return Rank: 93
NEAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
NEAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
NEAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
NEAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

FTXSX

FTXSX Risk / Return Rank: 62
FTXSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FTXSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FTXSX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
FTXSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
FTXSX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

NEAIX vs. FTXSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	NEAIX	FTXSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.16	+1.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	1.66	+1.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.23	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	2.11	+2.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.43	8.53	+6.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NEAIX vs. FTXSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEAIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the FTXSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEAIX and FTXSX, 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

	NEAIX	FTXSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	1.16	+1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.39	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.54	+0.21

Correlation

The correlation between NEAIX and FTXSX is 0.85, 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

NEAIX vs. FTXSX - Dividend Comparison

NEAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, while FTXSX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	1.80%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.84%	3.80%	10.42%	16.35%	5.14%
FTXSX FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	17.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

NEAIX vs. FTXSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEAIX drawdown since its inception was -35.93%, smaller than the maximum FTXSX drawdown of -45.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEAIX and FTXSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEAIX	FTXSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.93%	-45.03%	+9.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.98%	-15.82%	+1.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.93%	-39.58%	+3.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.73%	-7.58%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.73%	-12.70%	+3.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.92%	3.92%	0.00%

Volatility

NEAIX vs. FTXSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) is 11.64%, while FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund (FTXSX) has a volatility of 12.43%. This indicates that NEAIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEAIX	FTXSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.64%	12.43%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.83%	21.01%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.92%	30.19%	-1.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.33%	26.54%	-2.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.46%	27.64%	-3.18%