VISGX vs. NEAIX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VISGX (Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund) and NEAIX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VISGX returned 3.96%/yr vs 18.00%/yr for NEAIX. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VISGX charges 0.19%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for NEAIX.

Performance

VISGX vs. NEAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) 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, VISGX achieves a 12.92% return, which is significantly lower than NEAIX's 33.50% return.

VISGX

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -4.98%
• 6M: 8.26%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 1Y: 23.04%
• 3Y*: 13.14%
• 5Y*: 3.96%
• 10Y*: 10.74%
• ALL TIME*: 9.02%

NEAIX

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -11.22%
• 6M: 19.29%
• YTD: 33.50%
• 1Y: 51.23%
• 3Y*: 25.33%
• 5Y*: 18.00%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.67%

*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)
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VISGX vs. NEAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund	12.92%	8.18%	14.80%	22.91%	-28.50%	5.58%	35.11%	32.60%	-5.81%	21.78%
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	33.50%	26.99%	14.86%	38.37%	-27.02%	38.46%	52.49%	44.68%	-15.64%	10.07%

Correlation

The correlation between VISGX and NEAIX is 0.87, 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.	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.85

The correlation between VISGX and NEAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VISGX vs. NEAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VISGX

VISGX Risk / Return Rank: 33
VISGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VISGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VISGX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VISGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VISGX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

NEAIX

NEAIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
NEAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
NEAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NEAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
NEAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
NEAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

VISGX vs. NEAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) 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.

	VISGX	NEAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	1.57	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	2.06	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.26	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	2.01	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.23	8.54	-2.31

VISGX vs. NEAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VISGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the NEAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VISGX 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

VISGX vs. NEAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VISGX drawdown since its inception was -58.74%, which is greater than NEAIX's maximum drawdown of -35.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VISGX and NEAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VISGX	NEAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.74%	-35.93%	-22.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.39%	-24.09%	+12.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.58%	-28.21%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.41%	-35.93%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.70%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.94%	-19.69%	+12.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.56%	-8.60%	-2.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	5.67%	-2.30%

Volatility

VISGX vs. NEAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) is 5.18%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEAIX) has a volatility of 12.97%. This indicates that VISGX 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

	VISGX	NEAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.18%	12.97%	-7.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.10%	26.27%	-10.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.70%	30.84%	-10.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.74%	25.66%	-1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.03%	25.06%	-2.03%

VISGX vs. NEAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VISGX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAIX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

VISGX vs. NEAIX - Dividend Comparison

VISGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than NEAIX's 1.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEAIX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class	1.51%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.84%	3.80%	10.42%	16.35%	5.14%	0.00%	0.00%
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund	0.33%	0.33%	0.42%	0.56%	0.46%	0.23%	0.35%	0.47%	0.65%	0.71%	0.97%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VISGX and NEAIX in my portfolio?

VISGX and NEAIX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VISGX or NEAIX?

NEAIX has higher volatility (12.97%) compared to VISGX (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VISGX dropped -58.74% vs NEAIX's -35.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.02), 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.