NESIX vs. VSGAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NESIX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional) and VSGAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, NESIX returned 10.42%/yr vs 5.69%/yr for VSGAX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NESIX charges 1.18%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSGAX.

Performance

NESIX vs. VSGAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NESIX achieves a 80.79% return, which is significantly higher than VSGAX's 17.46% return.

NESIX

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 19.63%
• YTD: 80.79%
• 6M: 75.73%
• 1Y: 122.53%
• 3Y*: 33.39%
• 5Y*: 10.42%
• 10Y*: —

VSGAX

• 1D: -1.07%
• 1M: 3.64%
• YTD: 17.46%
• 6M: 15.68%
• 1Y: 32.13%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 5.69%
• 10Y*: 11.73%

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

NESIX vs. VSGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	80.79%	11.16%	13.47%	5.85%	-29.71%	11.36%	73.06%	55.28%	-4.87%	12.63%
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	17.46%	8.44%	14.94%	23.04%	-28.39%	5.70%	35.26%	32.76%	-5.69%	21.22%

Correlation

The correlation between NESIX and VSGAX 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	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.85

The correlation between NESIX and VSGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NESIX vs. VSGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NESIX

NESIX Risk / Return Rank: 94
NESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
NESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
NESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
NESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VSGAX

VSGAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VSGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VSGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
VSGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VSGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VSGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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. VSGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX). 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.

	NESIX	VSGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.12	1.69	+2.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.50	2.36	+2.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.29	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.26	2.89	+4.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.09	10.99	+19.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NESIX vs. VSGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NESIX Sharpe Ratio is 4.12, which is higher than the VSGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NESIX and VSGAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NESIX	VSGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12	1.69	+2.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.24	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.57	+0.17

Drawdowns

NESIX vs. VSGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NESIX drawdown since its inception was -49.61%, which is greater than VSGAX's maximum drawdown of -38.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NESIX and VSGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NESIX	VSGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.61%	-38.70%	-10.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.12%	-11.37%	-5.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.21%	-27.47%	-7.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.61%	-38.36%	-11.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-1.07%	+0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.99%	-8.55%	-6.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.12%	2.98%	+1.14%

Volatility

NESIX vs. VSGAX - Volatility Comparison

Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX) has a higher volatility of 8.84% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) at 5.45%. This indicates that NESIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NESIX	VSGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.84%	5.45%	+3.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.13%	14.84%	+6.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.29%	19.48%	+10.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.29%	23.56%	+5.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.44%	23.00%	+3.44%

NESIX vs. VSGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NESIX has a 1.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VSGAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

NESIX vs. VSGAX - Dividend Comparison

NESIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VSGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%.

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%
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.44%	0.54%	0.54%	0.67%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.81%	1.08%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NESIX and VSGAX in my portfolio?

NESIX and VSGAX 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 VSGAX?

NESIX has higher volatility (8.84%) compared to VSGAX (5.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NESIX dropped -49.61% vs VSGAX's -38.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.12 vs 1.69), 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.