OBMCX vs. NEAIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

OBMCX (Oberweis Micro Cap Fund) and NEAIX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, OBMCX returned 20.28%/yr vs 24.24%/yr for NEAIX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. OBMCX charges 1.48%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for NEAIX.

Performance

OBMCX vs. NEAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Oberweis Micro Cap Fund (OBMCX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OBMCX achieves a 52.27% return, which is significantly lower than NEAIX's 64.46% return.

OBMCX

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: 8.34%
• YTD: 52.27%
• 6M: 47.81%
• 1Y: 81.13%
• 3Y*: 30.63%
• 5Y*: 20.28%
• 10Y*: 22.47%

NEAIX

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 11.49%
• YTD: 64.46%
• 6M: 61.98%
• 1Y: 95.22%
• 3Y*: 40.19%
• 5Y*: 24.24%
• 10Y*: —

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

OBMCX vs. NEAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OBMCX Oberweis Micro Cap Fund	52.27%	14.70%	22.82%	18.87%	-10.57%	53.20%	29.91%	21.94%	-12.04%	27.90%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	64.46%	26.99%	14.86%	38.37%	-27.02%	38.46%	52.49%	44.68%	-15.64%	10.07%

Correlation

The correlation between OBMCX and NEAIX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.85

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

Return for Risk

OBMCX vs. NEAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

OBMCX

OBMCX Risk / Return Rank: 92
OBMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
OBMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
OBMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
OBMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
OBMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

NEAIX

NEAIX Risk / Return Rank: 93
NEAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
NEAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
NEAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

OBMCX vs. NEAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Oberweis Micro Cap Fund (OBMCX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX). 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.

	OBMCX	NEAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.23	3.53	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	3.99	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.54	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.77	6.90	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.80	27.14	-0.35

OBMCX vs. NEAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OBMCX Sharpe Ratio is 3.23, which is comparable to the NEAIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OBMCX and NEAIX, 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

OBMCX vs. NEAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OBMCX drawdown since its inception was -68.24%, which is greater than NEAIX's maximum drawdown of -35.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OBMCX and NEAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	OBMCX	NEAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.24%	-35.93%	-32.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.45%	-13.98%	+1.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.11%	-28.21%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.11%	-35.93%	+7.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.04%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.39%	-8.56%	-7.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	3.55%	-0.41%

Volatility

OBMCX vs. NEAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Oberweis Micro Cap Fund (OBMCX) is 10.03%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) has a volatility of 11.64%. This indicates that OBMCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OBMCX	NEAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.03%	11.64%	-1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.16%	22.14%	-1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.14%	27.35%	-1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.41%	24.93%	+1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.01%	24.74%	+1.27%

OBMCX vs. NEAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

OBMCX has a 1.48% expense ratio, which is higher than NEAIX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

OBMCX vs. NEAIX - Dividend Comparison

OBMCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than NEAIX's 1.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	1.22%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.84%	3.80%	10.42%	16.35%	5.14%	0.00%	0.00%
OBMCX Oberweis Micro Cap Fund	0.93%	1.41%	2.53%	0.00%	1.37%	24.35%	0.00%	0.00%	19.67%	11.76%	0.05%	3.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OBMCX and NEAIX in my portfolio?

OBMCX and NEAIX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OBMCX or NEAIX?

NEAIX has higher volatility (11.64%) compared to OBMCX (10.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OBMCX dropped -68.24% vs NEAIX's -35.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.53 vs 3.23), 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.