NESGX vs. NEEGX
NESGX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund) and NEEGX (Needham Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - NESGX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Needham, while NEEGX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Needham. Over the past 10 years, NESGX returned 17.52%/yr vs 14.06%/yr for NEEGX. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. NESGX charges 1.85%/yr vs 1.78%/yr for NEEGX.
Performance
NESGX vs. NEEGX - 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 NEEGX's 34.50% return. Over the past 10 years, NESGX has outperformed NEEGX with an annualized return of 17.52%, while NEEGX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.06% 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%
NEEGX
- 1D
- 5.86%
- 1M
- -10.02%
- 6M
- 17.12%
- YTD
- 34.50%
- 1Y
- 51.33%
- 3Y*
- 16.90%
- 5Y*
- 8.81%
- 10Y*
- 14.06%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.59%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
NEEGX Needham Growth Fund | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
NESGX vs. NEEGX - 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% |
NEEGX Needham Growth Fund | 34.50% | 8.76% | 14.45% | 26.85% | -33.57% | 27.63% | 41.73% | 42.33% | -10.56% | 8.33% |
Correlation
The correlation between NESGX and NEEGX is 0.94, 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. | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.90 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2002 | 0.89 |
The correlation between NESGX and NEEGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NESGX vs. NEEGX — Risk / Return Rank
NESGX
NEEGX
NESGX vs. NEEGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) and Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX). 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 | NEEGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.24 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.00 | 2.00 | +1.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.77 | 8.32 | +3.45 |
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Drawdowns
NESGX vs. NEEGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NESGX drawdown since its inception was -50.29%, smaller than the maximum NEEGX drawdown of -53.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NESGX and NEEGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NESGX | NEEGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.29% | -53.60% | +3.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -22.14% | -23.15% | +1.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -35.27% | -38.66% | +3.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.05% | -43.35% | -6.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.29% | -43.35% | -6.94% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -18.09% | -18.65% | +0.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.64% | -10.88% | -0.76% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.67% | 5.68% | -0.01% |
Volatility
NESGX vs. NEEGX - Volatility Comparison
Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) and Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX) have volatilities of 13.35% and 12.98%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| NESGX | NEEGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.35% | 12.98% | +0.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 26.13% | 26.85% | -0.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 34.31% | 32.47% | +1.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.16% | 29.42% | +0.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.40% | 25.90% | +0.50% |
NESGX vs. NEEGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
NESGX has a 1.85% expense ratio, which is higher than NEEGX's 1.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
NESGX vs. NEEGX - Dividend Comparison
NESGX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NEEGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.63%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEEGX Needham Growth Fund | 5.63% | 7.57% | 3.92% | 0.00% | 1.78% | 6.92% | 5.73% | 11.31% | 17.79% | 9.70% | 4.22% | 6.74% |
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
With a correlation of 0.94, NESGX and NEEGX 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.
NESGX has higher volatility (13.35%) compared to NEEGX (12.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NESGX dropped -50.29% vs NEEGX's -53.60%.
NESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.42), 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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