NESIX vs. QUASX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NESIX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional) and QUASX (AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, NESIX returned 10.69%/yr vs 3.34%/yr for QUASX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NESIX charges 1.18%/yr vs 1.11%/yr for QUASX.

Performance

NESIX vs. QUASX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NESIX achieves a 84.62% return, which is significantly higher than QUASX's 22.99% return.

NESIX

• 1D: 3.45%
• 1M: 10.97%
• YTD: 84.62%
• 6M: 79.78%
• 1Y: 126.23%
• 3Y*: 33.61%
• 5Y*: 10.69%
• 10Y*: —

QUASX

• 1D: 2.71%
• 1M: 4.32%
• YTD: 22.99%
• 6M: 18.25%
• 1Y: 36.87%
• 3Y*: 16.65%
• 5Y*: 3.34%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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

NESIX vs. QUASX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	84.62%	11.16%	13.47%	5.85%	-29.71%	11.36%	73.06%	55.28%	-4.87%	12.63%
QUASX AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio	22.99%	4.85%	18.49%	17.83%	-39.09%	9.76%	53.85%	49.85%	-1.02%	34.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NESIX and QUASX is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.84

The correlation between NESIX and QUASX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NESIX vs. QUASX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NESIX

NESIX Risk / Return Rank: 95
NESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
NESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
NESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
NESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
NESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

QUASX

QUASX Risk / Return Rank: 35
QUASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
QUASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
QUASX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
QUASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
QUASX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

NESIX vs. QUASX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	NESIX	QUASX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.96	1.49	+2.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.30	2.08	+2.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.25	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.25	2.43	+4.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.54	8.92	+20.62

NESIX vs. QUASX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NESIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.96, which is higher than the QUASX Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NESIX and QUASX, 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

NESIX vs. QUASX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NESIX drawdown since its inception was -49.61%, smaller than the maximum QUASX drawdown of -60.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NESIX and QUASX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NESIX	QUASX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.61%	-60.97%	+11.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.12%	-15.02%	-2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.21%	-31.68%	-3.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.61%	-47.37%	-2.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.07%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.93%	-15.73%	+0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.19%	4.09%	+0.10%

Volatility

NESIX vs. QUASX - Volatility Comparison

Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX) has a higher volatility of 12.03% compared to AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (QUASX) at 8.28%. This indicates that NESIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUASX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NESIX	QUASX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.03%	8.28%	+3.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.42%	19.36%	+3.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.32%	24.52%	+6.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.58%	26.50%	+3.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.57%	25.63%	+0.94%

NESIX vs. QUASX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NESIX has a 1.18% expense ratio, which is higher than QUASX's 1.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

NESIX vs. QUASX - Dividend Comparison

Neither NESIX nor QUASX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
QUASX AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	9.07%	9.86%	18.20%	19.70%	9.29%	2.32%	9.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NESIX and QUASX in my portfolio?

NESIX and QUASX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NESIX or QUASX?

NESIX has higher volatility (12.03%) compared to QUASX (8.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NESIX dropped -49.61% vs QUASX's -60.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 1.49), 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.