NEEGX vs. BFGFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NEEGX (Needham Growth Fund) and BFGFX (Baron Focused Growth Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NEEGX returned 17.07%/yr vs 21.53%/yr for BFGFX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NEEGX charges 1.78%/yr vs 1.32%/yr for BFGFX.

Performance

NEEGX vs. BFGFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX) and Baron Focused Growth Fund (BFGFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEEGX achieves a 65.21% return, which is significantly higher than BFGFX's 4.24% return. Over the past 10 years, NEEGX has underperformed BFGFX with an annualized return of 17.07%, while BFGFX has yielded a comparatively higher 21.53% annualized return.

NEEGX

• 1D: 1.92%
• 1M: 12.74%
• YTD: 65.21%
• 6M: 61.80%
• 1Y: 99.86%
• 3Y*: 30.16%
• 5Y*: 15.00%
• 10Y*: 17.07%

BFGFX

• 1D: -6.26%
• 1M: 5.58%
• YTD: 4.24%
• 6M: 2.21%
• 1Y: 23.68%
• 3Y*: 20.77%
• 5Y*: 11.94%
• 10Y*: 21.53%

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

NEEGX vs. BFGFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEEGX Needham Growth Fund	65.21%	8.76%	14.45%	26.85%	-33.57%	27.63%	41.73%	42.33%	-10.56%	8.33%
BFGFX Baron Focused Growth Fund	4.24%	21.94%	29.52%	27.40%	-28.21%	18.67%	122.38%	30.05%	3.76%	26.36%

Correlation

The correlation between NEEGX and BFGFX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2004	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between NEEGX and BFGFX has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NEEGX vs. BFGFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEEGX

NEEGX Risk / Return Rank: 93
NEEGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEEGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NEEGX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
NEEGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
NEEGX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

BFGFX

BFGFX Risk / Return Rank: 31
BFGFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
BFGFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
BFGFX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
BFGFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
BFGFX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

NEEGX vs. BFGFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX) and Baron Focused Growth Fund (BFGFX). 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.

	NEEGX	BFGFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.45	1.17	+2.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	2.03	+1.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.26	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.51	2.58	+4.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.00	6.95	+18.04

NEEGX vs. BFGFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEEGX Sharpe Ratio is 3.45, which is higher than the BFGFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEEGX and BFGFX, 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

NEEGX vs. BFGFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEEGX drawdown since its inception was -53.60%, smaller than the maximum BFGFX drawdown of -59.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEEGX and BFGFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEEGX	BFGFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.60%	-59.52%	+5.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.27%	-9.94%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.66%	-21.00%	-17.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.35%	-35.93%	-7.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.35%	-43.62%	+0.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-9.94%	+9.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.88%	-12.33%	+1.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.98%	3.68%	+0.30%

Volatility

NEEGX vs. BFGFX - Volatility Comparison

Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX) has a higher volatility of 12.90% compared to Baron Focused Growth Fund (BFGFX) at 12.08%. This indicates that NEEGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BFGFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEEGX	BFGFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.90%	12.08%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.94%	15.73%	+7.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.97%	22.02%	+6.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.72%	22.84%	+5.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.53%	24.23%	+1.30%

NEEGX vs. BFGFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEEGX has a 1.78% expense ratio, which is higher than BFGFX's 1.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

NEEGX vs. BFGFX - Dividend Comparison

NEEGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, while BFGFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFGFX Baron Focused Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	12.28%	15.53%	2.85%	1.78%	1.07%	2.11%	6.02%	5.80%
NEEGX Needham Growth Fund	4.58%	7.57%	3.92%	0.00%	1.78%	6.92%	5.73%	11.31%	17.79%	9.70%	4.22%	6.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NEEGX and BFGFX in my portfolio?

NEEGX and BFGFX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NEEGX or BFGFX?

NEEGX has higher volatility (12.90%) compared to BFGFX (12.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NEEGX dropped -53.60% vs BFGFX's -59.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEEGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.45 vs 1.17), 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.