NEAIX vs. NEAGX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NEAIX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class) and NEAGX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds from Needham. Over the past 5 years, NEAIX returned 23.19%/yr vs 23.60%/yr for NEAGX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NEAIX charges 1.20%/yr vs 1.86%/yr for NEAGX.

Performance

NEAIX vs. NEAGX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEAIX achieves a 54.77% return, which is significantly lower than NEAGX's 59.55% return.

NEAIX

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 12.83%
• YTD: 54.77%
• 6M: 60.01%
• 1Y: 94.71%
• 3Y*: 37.81%
• 5Y*: 23.19%
• 10Y*: —

NEAGX

• 1D: 3.25%
• 1M: 17.09%
• YTD: 59.55%
• 6M: 61.01%
• 1Y: 96.36%
• 3Y*: 38.65%
• 5Y*: 23.60%
• 10Y*: 22.51%

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

NEAIX vs. NEAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	54.77%	26.99%	14.86%	38.37%	-27.02%	38.46%	52.49%	44.68%	-15.64%	10.07%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	59.55%	26.40%	14.31%	37.65%	-27.53%	37.56%	51.53%	43.82%	-16.09%	9.48%

Correlation

The correlation between NEAIX and NEAGX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	1.00

The correlation between NEAIX and NEAGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NEAIX vs. NEAGX — 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: 97
NEAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NEAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
NEAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

NEAGX

NEAGX Risk / Return Rank: 94
NEAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
NEAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
NEAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAGX 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.

NEAIX vs. NEAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX). 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	NEAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.71	3.91	-0.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.22	4.40	-0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.59	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.67	7.20	-0.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	26.99	29.00	-2.01
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. NEAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEAIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.71, which is comparable to the NEAGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEAIX and NEAGX, 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

	NEAIX	NEAGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.71	3.91	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95	0.96	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.94	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.66	+0.23

Drawdowns

NEAIX vs. NEAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEAIX drawdown since its inception was -35.93%, smaller than the maximum NEAGX drawdown of -41.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEAIX and NEAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEAIX	NEAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.93%	-41.80%	+5.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.98%	-14.01%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.21%	-28.49%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.93%	-36.31%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.31%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	0.00%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.60%	-8.67%	+0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	3.47%	-0.01%

Volatility

NEAIX vs. NEAGX - Volatility Comparison

Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX) have volatilities of 9.80% and 10.14%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEAIX	NEAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.80%	10.14%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.25%	20.45%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.68%	25.81%	-0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.54%	24.57%	-0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.58%	24.15%	+0.43%

NEAIX vs. NEAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEAIX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAGX's 1.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

NEAIX vs. NEAGX - Dividend Comparison

NEAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, less than NEAGX's 1.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	1.34%	2.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	7.10%	3.91%	10.64%	16.57%	5.17%	6.72%	11.88%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	1.30%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.84%	3.80%	10.42%	16.35%	5.14%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NEAIX and NEAGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, NEAIX and NEAGX 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, NEAIX or NEAGX?

NEAGX has higher volatility (10.14%) compared to NEAIX (9.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NEAIX dropped -35.93% vs NEAGX's -41.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.91 vs 3.71), 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.