NESGX vs. NESIX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX).

NESGX is managed by Needham. It was launched on May 22, 2002. NESIX is managed by Needham. It was launched on Dec 30, 2016.

Performance

NESGX vs. NESIX - Performance Comparison

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

NESGX vs. NESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NESGX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund	15.34%	10.50%	12.76%	5.68%	-30.21%	10.59%	71.90%	54.42%	-5.43%	12.03%
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	15.52%	11.16%	13.47%	5.85%	-29.71%	11.36%	73.06%	55.28%	-4.87%	12.63%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with NESGX having a 15.34% return and NESIX slightly higher at 15.52%.

NESGX

• 1D: 5.32%
• 1M: -3.72%
• YTD: 15.34%
• 6M: 15.45%
• 1Y: 55.17%
• 3Y*: 12.89%
• 5Y*: 1.14%
• 10Y*: 14.90%

NESIX

• 1D: 5.37%
• 1M: -3.69%
• YTD: 15.52%
• 6M: 15.78%
• 1Y: 56.14%
• 3Y*: 13.44%
• 5Y*: 1.70%
• 10Y*: —

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

NESGX vs. NESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NESGX has a 1.85% expense ratio, which is higher than NESIX's 1.18% expense ratio.

NESGX

Needham Small Cap Growth Fund

NESIX

Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional

Return for Risk

NESGX vs. NESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NESGX

NESGX Risk / Return Rank: 83
NESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
NESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
NESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
NESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
NESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

NESIX

NESIX Risk / Return Rank: 84
NESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
NESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
NESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
NESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
NESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

NESGX vs. NESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX). 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.

	NESGX	NESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	1.61	-0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.20	-0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.29	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	3.17	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.44	10.66	-0.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NESGX vs. NESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NESGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the NESIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NESGX and NESIX, 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

	NESGX	NESIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.58	1.61	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.06	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.55	-0.03

Correlation

The correlation between NESGX and NESIX is 1.00, 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

NESGX vs. NESIX - Dividend Comparison

Neither NESGX nor NESIX has paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.93%	23.92%	13.26%	8.25%	21.96%	8.89%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

NESGX vs. NESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NESGX drawdown since its inception was -50.29%, roughly equal to the maximum NESIX drawdown of -49.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NESGX and NESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NESGX	NESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.29%	-49.61%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.27%	-17.25%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.05%	-49.61%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.31%	-4.27%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.74%	-15.26%	+3.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.14%	5.13%	+0.01%

Volatility

NESGX vs. NESIX - Volatility Comparison

Needham Small Cap Growth Fund (NESGX) and Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX) have volatilities of 12.14% and 12.19%, 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

	NESGX	NESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.14%	12.19%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.43%	23.47%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.37%	35.37%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.13%	29.15%	-0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.56%	26.35%	-0.79%