NESGX vs. DMCRX
NESGX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund) and DMCRX (Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NESGX returned 17.52%/yr vs 20.71%/yr for DMCRX. Their correlation of 0.80 means they have usually moved in the same direction. NESGX charges 1.85%/yr vs 1.38%/yr for DMCRX.
Performance
NESGX vs. DMCRX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NESGX achieves a 52.82% return, which is significantly higher than DMCRX's 19.65% return. Over the past 10 years, NESGX has underperformed DMCRX with an annualized return of 17.52%, while DMCRX has yielded a comparatively higher 20.71% annualized return.
NESGX
- 1D
- 5.19%
- 1M
- -10.43%
- 6M
- 37.28%
- YTD
- 52.82%
- 1Y
- 74.25%
- 3Y*
- 23.55%
- 5Y*
- 5.21%
- 10Y*
- 17.52%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.75%
DMCRX
- 1D
- 3.45%
- 1M
- -6.39%
- 6M
- 13.29%
- YTD
- 19.65%
- 1Y
- 61.22%
- 3Y*
- 25.66%
- 5Y*
- 10.01%
- 10Y*
- 20.71%
- ALL TIME*
- 18.17%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
NESGX vs. DMCRX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 52.82% | 10.50% | 12.76% | 5.68% | -30.21% | 10.59% | 71.90% | 54.42% | -5.43% | 11.96% |
DMCRX Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund | 19.65% | 31.17% | 30.58% | 11.47% | -33.54% | 22.23% | 86.43% | 34.03% | 2.52% | 24.35% |
Correlation
The correlation between NESGX and DMCRX is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.82 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.83 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2013 | 0.80 |
The correlation between NESGX and DMCRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NESGX vs. DMCRX — Risk / Return Rank
NESGX
DMCRX
NESGX vs. DMCRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) and Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund (DMCRX). 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.
| NESGX | DMCRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.31 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.00 | 3.86 | -0.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.77 | 12.20 | -0.42 |
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Drawdowns
NESGX vs. DMCRX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NESGX drawdown since its inception was -50.29%, which is greater than DMCRX's maximum drawdown of -46.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NESGX and DMCRX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NESGX | DMCRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.29% | -46.68% | -3.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -22.14% | -15.46% | -6.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -35.27% | -34.92% | -0.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.05% | -46.68% | -3.37% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.29% | -46.68% | -3.61% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -18.09% | -10.71% | -7.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.64% | -14.71% | +3.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.67% | 4.88% | +0.79% |
Volatility
NESGX vs. DMCRX - Volatility Comparison
Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) has a higher volatility of 13.35% compared to Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund (DMCRX) at 9.43%. This indicates that NESGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DMCRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NESGX | DMCRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.35% | 9.43% | +3.92% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 26.13% | 23.94% | +2.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 34.31% | 30.55% | +3.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.16% | 28.79% | +1.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.40% | 28.12% | -1.72% |
NESGX vs. DMCRX - Expense Ratio Comparison
NESGX has a 1.85% expense ratio, which is higher than DMCRX's 1.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
NESGX vs. DMCRX - Dividend Comparison
NESGX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DMCRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.47%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DMCRX Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund | 11.47% | 13.72% | 3.86% | 0.87% | 8.20% | 48.23% | 19.79% | 14.70% | 33.22% | 8.91% | 0.00% | 4.20% |
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 4.16% | 25.09% | 13.69% | 8.43% | 22.26% | 8.94% | 6.67% | 2.52% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NESGX and DMCRX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NESGX has higher volatility (13.35%) compared to DMCRX (9.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NESGX dropped -50.29% vs DMCRX's -46.68%.
DMCRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.94), 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.
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