VKSIX vs. NEEIX
VKSIX (Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund) and NEEIX (Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VKSIX returned -0.67%/yr vs 10.28%/yr for NEEIX. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VKSIX charges 1.02%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for NEEIX.
Performance
VKSIX vs. NEEIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VKSIX achieves a -4.34% return, which is significantly lower than NEEIX's 35.91% return.
VKSIX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -1.28%
- 6M
- -6.80%
- YTD
- -4.34%
- 1Y
- -10.41%
- 3Y*
- 1.45%
- 5Y*
- -0.67%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 8.26%
NEEIX
- 1D
- 0.82%
- 1M
- -9.25%
- 6M
- 17.09%
- YTD
- 35.91%
- 1Y
- 53.25%
- 3Y*
- 19.26%
- 5Y*
- 10.28%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 15.07%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VKSIX vs. NEEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund | -4.34% | -4.36% | 9.07% | 23.61% | -23.83% | 19.54% | 33.45% | 38.81% | -6.68% |
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class | 35.91% | 9.32% | 19.26% | 27.30% | -33.26% | 28.13% | 42.39% | 43.15% | -13.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between VKSIX and NEEIX is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.43 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.60 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2018 | 0.76 |
Over the past year, the correlation between VKSIX and NEEIX has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
VKSIX vs. NEEIX — Risk / Return Rank
VKSIX
NEEIX
VKSIX vs. NEEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) 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.
| VKSIX | NEEIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 1.27 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.71 | 2.21 | -2.92 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.32 | 9.05 | -10.37 |
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Drawdowns
VKSIX vs. NEEIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VKSIX drawdown since its inception was -35.59%, smaller than the maximum NEEIX drawdown of -43.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VKSIX and NEEIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VKSIX | NEEIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.59% | -43.11% | +7.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.71% | -23.12% | +7.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.29% | -36.13% | +15.84% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.49% | -43.11% | +10.62% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.65% | -17.95% | +2.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.01% | -10.83% | +1.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.44% | 5.64% | +2.80% |
Volatility
VKSIX vs. NEEIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) is 4.88%, while Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class (NEEIX) has a volatility of 12.55%. This indicates that VKSIX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VKSIX | NEEIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.88% | 12.55% | -7.67% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.18% | 26.85% | -14.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.22% | 32.46% | -16.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.28% | 29.42% | -10.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.89% | 26.31% | -5.42% |
VKSIX vs. NEEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VKSIX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is lower than NEEIX's 1.21% expense ratio.
Dividends
VKSIX vs. NEEIX - Dividend Comparison
VKSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than NEEIX's 5.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEEIX Needham Growth Fund Institutional Class | 5.27% | 7.16% | 7.48% | 0.00% | 1.72% | 6.70% | 5.58% | 11.09% | 17.58% | 9.64% |
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund | 0.36% | 0.34% | 0.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.13% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 1.47% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VKSIX and NEEIX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NEEIX has higher volatility (12.55%) compared to VKSIX (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VKSIX dropped -35.59% vs NEEIX's -43.11%.
NEEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs -0.69), 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.
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