NEEGX vs. EEOFX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX) and Essex Environmental Opportunities Fund (EEOFX).

NEEGX is managed by Needham. It was launched on Jan 2, 1996. EEOFX is managed by Pear Tree Funds. It was launched on Sep 1, 2017.

Performance

NEEGX vs. EEOFX - Performance Comparison

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

NEEGX vs. EEOFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEEGX Needham Growth Fund	15.68%	8.76%	14.45%	26.85%	-33.57%	27.63%	41.73%	42.33%	-10.56%	1.05%
EEOFX Essex Environmental Opportunities Fund	0.37%	23.55%	1.32%	-1.53%	-27.88%	10.83%	62.80%	25.43%	-15.79%	3.20%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEEGX achieves a 15.68% return, which is significantly higher than EEOFX's 0.37% return.

NEEGX

• 1D: 4.73%
• 1M: -6.88%
• YTD: 15.68%
• 6M: 17.81%
• 1Y: 49.67%
• 3Y*: 18.80%
• 5Y*: 7.05%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

EEOFX

• 1D: 3.58%
• 1M: -6.79%
• YTD: 0.37%
• 6M: -0.31%
• 1Y: 33.61%
• 3Y*: 5.36%
• 5Y*: -1.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

NEEGX vs. EEOFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEEGX has a 1.78% expense ratio, which is lower than EEOFX's 2.11% expense ratio.

EEOFX

Essex Environmental Opportunities Fund

NEEGX

Needham Growth Fund

Return for Risk

NEEGX vs. EEOFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEEGX

NEEGX Risk / Return Rank: 84
NEEGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
NEEGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
NEEGX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
NEEGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
NEEGX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

EEOFX

EEOFX Risk / Return Rank: 75
EEOFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EEOFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
EEOFX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
EEOFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
EEOFX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. EEOFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX) and Essex Environmental Opportunities Fund (EEOFX). 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.

	NEEGX	EEOFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	1.52	+0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	2.12	+0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	2.09	+1.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.67	6.79	+3.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NEEGX vs. EEOFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEEGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is comparable to the EEOFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEEGX and EEOFX, 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

	NEEGX	EEOFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.56	1.52	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	-0.07	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.28	+0.27

Correlation

The correlation between NEEGX and EEOFX is 0.81, 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

NEEGX vs. EEOFX - Dividend Comparison

NEEGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.54%, more than EEOFX's 0.06% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEEGX Needham Growth Fund	6.54%	7.57%	3.92%	0.00%	1.78%	6.92%	5.73%	11.31%	17.79%	9.70%	4.22%	6.74%
EEOFX Essex Environmental Opportunities Fund	0.06%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	6.63%	1.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

NEEGX vs. EEOFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEEGX drawdown since its inception was -53.60%, which is greater than EEOFX's maximum drawdown of -50.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEEGX and EEOFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEEGX	EEOFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.60%	-50.17%	-3.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.15%	-13.49%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.35%	-50.17%	+6.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.54%	-22.58%	+15.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.95%	-19.83%	+8.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.61%	4.28%	+0.33%

Volatility

NEEGX vs. EEOFX - Volatility Comparison

Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX) has a higher volatility of 11.31% compared to Essex Environmental Opportunities Fund (EEOFX) at 7.95%. This indicates that NEEGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EEOFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEEGX	EEOFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.31%	7.95%	+3.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.91%	16.62%	+4.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.23%	23.25%	+8.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.04%	24.89%	+3.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.01%	24.72%	+0.29%