STSGX vs. NESIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

STSGX (American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund) and NESIX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, STSGX returned 4.57%/yr vs 5.79%/yr for NESIX. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. STSGX charges 1.30%/yr vs 1.18%/yr for NESIX.

Performance

STSGX vs. NESIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STSGX achieves a 11.04% return, which is significantly lower than NESIX's 53.35% return.

STSGX

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: -5.11%
• 6M: 6.95%
• YTD: 11.04%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: 14.37%
• 5Y*: 4.57%
• 10Y*: 11.30%
• ALL TIME*: 9.01%

NESIX

• 1D: 5.20%
• 1M: -10.40%
• 6M: 37.70%
• YTD: 53.35%
• 1Y: 75.27%
• 3Y*: 24.27%
• 5Y*: 5.79%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.33%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
STSGX American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

STSGX vs. NESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STSGX American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund	11.04%	11.67%	15.45%	19.21%	-28.91%	14.26%	37.45%	22.54%	1.72%	19.23%
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	53.35%	11.16%	13.47%	5.85%	-29.71%	11.36%	73.06%	55.28%	-4.87%	12.63%

Correlation

The correlation between STSGX and NESIX is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.83

The correlation between STSGX and NESIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STSGX vs. NESIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

STSGX

STSGX Risk / Return Rank: 26
STSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
STSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
STSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
STSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
STSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

NESIX

NESIX Risk / Return Rank: 81
NESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
NESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
NESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
NESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
NESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

STSGX vs. NESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (STSGX) 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.

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.

	STSGX	NESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	1.97	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	2.50	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.31	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	3.05	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.67	11.98	-7.30

STSGX vs. NESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STSGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is lower than the NESIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STSGX and NESIX, 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

STSGX vs. NESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STSGX drawdown since its inception was -56.50%, which is greater than NESIX's maximum drawdown of -49.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STSGX and NESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STSGX	NESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.50%	-49.61%	-6.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.89%	-22.10%	+9.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.81%	-35.21%	+10.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.43%	-49.61%	+12.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.66%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.04%	-18.05%	+12.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.65%	-14.87%	+3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	5.66%	-1.84%

Volatility

STSGX vs. NESIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (STSGX) is 4.75%, while Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX) has a volatility of 13.35%. This indicates that STSGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NESIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STSGX	NESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.75%	13.35%	-8.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.41%	26.14%	-10.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.56%	34.33%	-13.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.09%	30.18%	-7.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.79%	26.86%	-4.07%

STSGX vs. NESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STSGX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than NESIX's 1.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

STSGX vs. NESIX - Dividend Comparison

STSGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.38%, while NESIX has not 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%
STSGX American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund	10.38%	11.53%	8.27%	1.52%	15.04%	23.70%	11.41%	11.76%	45.22%	3.68%	0.88%	5.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STSGX and NESIX in my portfolio?

STSGX and NESIX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STSGX or NESIX?

NESIX has higher volatility (13.35%) compared to STSGX (4.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STSGX dropped -56.50% vs NESIX's -49.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 0.87), 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.