VLEOX vs. NEAGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VLEOX (Value Line Small Cap Opportunities Fund) and NEAGX (Needham Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VLEOX returned 11.85%/yr vs 22.99%/yr for NEAGX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VLEOX charges 1.16%/yr vs 1.86%/yr for NEAGX.

Performance

VLEOX vs. NEAGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Value Line Small Cap Opportunities Fund (VLEOX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLEOX achieves a 10.51% return, which is significantly lower than NEAGX's 64.16% return. Over the past 10 years, VLEOX has underperformed NEAGX with an annualized return of 11.85%, while NEAGX has yielded a comparatively higher 22.99% annualized return.

VLEOX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: 10.51%
• 6M: 7.84%
• 1Y: 18.49%
• 3Y*: 13.80%
• 5Y*: 7.21%
• 10Y*: 11.85%

NEAGX

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 11.45%
• YTD: 64.16%
• 6M: 61.68%
• 1Y: 94.43%
• 3Y*: 39.56%
• 5Y*: 23.57%
• 10Y*: 22.99%

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

VLEOX vs. NEAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLEOX Value Line Small Cap Opportunities Fund	10.51%	6.27%	14.23%	22.01%	-19.12%	15.16%	26.65%	25.32%	-4.97%	17.66%
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	64.16%	26.40%	14.31%	37.65%	-27.53%	37.56%	51.53%	43.82%	-16.09%	8.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VLEOX and NEAGX is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2001	0.83

The correlation between VLEOX and NEAGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VLEOX vs. NEAGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VLEOX

VLEOX Risk / Return Rank: 25
VLEOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
VLEOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VLEOX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VLEOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VLEOX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

NEAGX

NEAGX Risk / Return Rank: 93
NEAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NEAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NEAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
NEAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
NEAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VLEOX vs. NEAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Value Line Small Cap Opportunities Fund (VLEOX) and Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX). 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.

	VLEOX	NEAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	3.50	-2.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	3.97	-2.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.54	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	6.83	-4.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.75	26.82	-20.07

VLEOX vs. NEAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLEOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is lower than the NEAGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLEOX and NEAGX, 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

VLEOX vs. NEAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLEOX drawdown since its inception was -55.86%, which is greater than NEAGX's maximum drawdown of -41.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLEOX and NEAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLEOX	NEAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.86%	-41.80%	-14.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.58%	-14.01%	+3.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.89%	-28.49%	+5.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.68%	-36.31%	+5.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.30%	-36.31%	+1.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.47%	-8.66%	-0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	3.56%	-0.57%

Volatility

VLEOX vs. NEAGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Value Line Small Cap Opportunities Fund (VLEOX) is 4.14%, while Needham Aggressive Growth Fund (NEAGX) has a volatility of 11.64%. This indicates that VLEOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEAGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLEOX	NEAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.14%	11.64%	-7.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	22.15%	-9.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.51%	27.36%	-10.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.34%	24.92%	-5.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.01%	24.34%	-4.33%

VLEOX vs. NEAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLEOX has a 1.16% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAGX's 1.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

VLEOX vs. NEAGX - Dividend Comparison

VLEOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.79%, more than NEAGX's 1.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEAGX Needham Aggressive Growth Fund	1.30%	2.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	7.10%	3.91%	10.64%	16.57%	5.17%	6.72%	11.88%
VLEOX Value Line Small Cap Opportunities Fund	5.79%	6.40%	0.09%	0.82%	2.76%	6.00%	8.02%	23.60%	15.87%	3.64%	5.40%	14.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLEOX and NEAGX in my portfolio?

VLEOX and NEAGX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLEOX or NEAGX?

NEAGX has higher volatility (11.64%) compared to VLEOX (4.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLEOX dropped -55.86% vs NEAGX's -41.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.50 vs 1.23), 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.