VIKSX vs. NEEIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VIKSX (Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) and NEEIX (Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VIKSX returned -1.61%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for NEEIX. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VIKSX charges 1.06%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for NEEIX.

Performance

VIKSX vs. NEEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (VIKSX) and Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIKSX achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly lower than NEEIX's 34.81% return.

VIKSX

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: -2.75%
• 6M: 1.18%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 1Y: -7.40%
• 3Y*: 2.42%
• 5Y*: -1.61%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.62%

NEEIX

• 1D: 5.86%
• 1M: -9.99%
• 6M: 17.35%
• YTD: 34.81%
• 1Y: 52.00%
• 3Y*: 18.86%
• 5Y*: 10.10%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.98%

*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)
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VIKSX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VIKSX vs. NEEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VIKSX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	0.29%	-8.33%	12.39%	18.92%	-22.54%	5.38%	3.23%
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class	34.81%	9.32%	19.26%	27.30%	-33.26%	28.13%	2.81%

Correlation

The correlation between VIKSX and NEEIX is 0.47, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2020	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between VIKSX and NEEIX has dropped to 0.47 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VIKSX vs. NEEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIKSX

VIKSX Risk / Return Rank: 1
VIKSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
VIKSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
VIKSX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
VIKSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VIKSX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

NEEIX

NEEIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
NEEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
NEEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
NEEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NEEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
NEEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

VIKSX vs. NEEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (VIKSX) and Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEEIX). 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.

	VIKSX	NEEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.57	1.44	-2.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.74	1.95	-2.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.25	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.45	2.03	-2.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.87	8.46	-9.33

VIKSX vs. NEEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIKSX Sharpe Ratio is -0.57, which is lower than the NEEIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIKSX and NEEIX, 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

VIKSX vs. NEEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIKSX drawdown since its inception was -34.44%, smaller than the maximum NEEIX drawdown of -43.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIKSX and NEEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIKSX	NEEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.44%	-43.11%	+8.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.39%	-23.12%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.02%	-36.13%	+10.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.44%	-43.11%	+8.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.04%	-18.62%	+2.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.87%	-10.82%	-3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.07%	5.66%	+5.41%

Volatility

VIKSX vs. NEEIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (VIKSX) is 4.82%, while Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEEIX) has a volatility of 12.98%. This indicates that VIKSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIKSX	NEEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.82%	12.98%	-8.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.10%	26.84%	-13.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.95%	32.46%	-15.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.98%	29.43%	-10.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.79%	26.32%	-7.53%

VIKSX vs. NEEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIKSX has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is lower than NEEIX's 1.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIKSX vs. NEEIX - Dividend Comparison

VIKSX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NEEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.31%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class	5.31%	7.16%	7.48%	0.00%	1.72%	6.70%	5.58%	11.09%	17.58%	9.64%
VIKSX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIKSX and NEEIX in my portfolio?

VIKSX and NEEIX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIKSX or NEEIX?

NEEIX has higher volatility (12.98%) compared to VIKSX (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIKSX dropped -34.44% vs NEEIX's -43.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs -0.57), 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.