PCBIX vs. NEEGX
PCBIX (Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class) and NEEGX (Needham Growth Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PCBIX returned 11.82%/yr vs 14.06%/yr for NEEGX. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PCBIX charges 0.67%/yr vs 1.78%/yr for NEEGX.
Performance
PCBIX vs. NEEGX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PCBIX achieves a -3.74% return, which is significantly lower than NEEGX's 34.50% return. Over the past 10 years, PCBIX has underperformed NEEGX with an annualized return of 11.82%, while NEEGX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.06% annualized return.
PCBIX
- 1D
- -1.39%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- 6M
- -3.13%
- YTD
- -3.74%
- 1Y
- -7.35%
- 3Y*
- 9.29%
- 5Y*
- 4.47%
- 10Y*
- 11.82%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.93%
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 |
PCBIX vs. NEEGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PCBIX Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class | -3.74% | 1.62% | 23.63% | 25.92% | -23.16% | 25.22% | 18.25% | 49.40% | -6.86% | 25.32% |
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 PCBIX and NEEGX is 0.35, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.53 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.67 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2001 | 0.79 |
Over the past year, the correlation between PCBIX and NEEGX has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PCBIX vs. NEEGX — Risk / Return Rank
PCBIX
NEEGX
PCBIX vs. NEEGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class (PCBIX) 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.
| PCBIX | NEEGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.72 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.91 | 1.24 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.48 | 2.00 | -2.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.94 | 8.32 | -9.26 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
PCBIX vs. NEEGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PCBIX drawdown since its inception was -50.25%, smaller than the maximum NEEGX drawdown of -53.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCBIX and NEEGX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PCBIX | NEEGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.25% | -53.60% | +3.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.29% | -23.15% | +3.86% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.29% | -38.66% | +19.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.17% | -43.35% | +12.18% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.56% | -43.35% | +2.79% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.03% | -18.65% | +8.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.58% | -10.88% | +4.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.82% | 5.68% | +4.14% |
Volatility
PCBIX vs. NEEGX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class (PCBIX) is 5.19%, while Needham Growth Fund (NEEGX) has a volatility of 12.98%. This indicates that PCBIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEEGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PCBIX | NEEGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.19% | 12.98% | -7.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.00% | 26.85% | -14.85% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.15% | 32.47% | -17.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.75% | 29.42% | -10.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.14% | 25.90% | -6.76% |
PCBIX vs. NEEGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PCBIX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is lower than NEEGX's 1.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
PCBIX vs. NEEGX - Dividend Comparison
PCBIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.04%, more than NEEGX's 5.63% yield.
| 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% |
PCBIX Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class | 6.04% | 5.81% | 6.40% | 2.51% | 3.18% | 7.96% | 1.08% | 9.02% | 12.24% | 3.31% | 2.49% | 6.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PCBIX and NEEGX have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NEEGX has higher volatility (12.98%) compared to PCBIX (5.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCBIX dropped -50.25% vs NEEGX's -53.60%.
NEEGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs -0.61), 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.
Find the right allocation for PCBIX and NEEGX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer