WIGRX vs. NESIX

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

WIGRX (Wasatch Core Growth Fund Institutional Class) and NESIX (Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, WIGRX returned 0.68%/yr vs 6.61%/yr for NESIX. Their 0.80 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. WIGRX charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.18%/yr for NESIX.

Performance

WIGRX vs. NESIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wasatch Core Growth Fund Institutional Class (WIGRX) 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, WIGRX achieves a 5.10% return, which is significantly lower than NESIX's 57.55% return.

WIGRX

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -2.19%
• 6M: -0.36%
• YTD: 5.10%
• 1Y: -2.81%
• 3Y*: 5.83%
• 5Y*: 0.68%
• 10Y*: 10.84%
• ALL TIME*: 11.33%

NESIX

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -11.05%
• 6M: 38.80%
• YTD: 57.55%
• 1Y: 70.98%
• 3Y*: 25.97%
• 5Y*: 6.61%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.68%

*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
WIGRX Wasatch Core Growth Fund Institutional Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

WIGRX vs. NESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WIGRX Wasatch Core Growth Fund Institutional Class	5.10%	-10.26%	13.24%	33.58%	-30.75%	20.89%	36.92%	33.49%	-3.63%	24.47%
NESIX Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional	57.55%	11.16%	13.47%	5.85%	-29.71%	11.36%	73.06%	55.28%	-4.87%	12.63%

Correlation

The correlation between WIGRX and NESIX is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.80

The correlation between WIGRX and NESIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WIGRX vs. NESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WIGRX

WIGRX Risk / Return Rank: 3
WIGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
WIGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
WIGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
WIGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
WIGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

NESIX

NESIX Risk / Return Rank: 87
NESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
NESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
NESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
NESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
NESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

WIGRX vs. NESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wasatch Core Growth Fund Institutional Class (WIGRX) 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.

	WIGRX	NESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.14	2.21	-2.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.06	2.74	-2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.34	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	4.31	-4.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.45	13.98	-14.43

WIGRX vs. NESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WIGRX Sharpe Ratio is -0.14, which is lower than the NESIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WIGRX 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

WIGRX vs. NESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WIGRX drawdown since its inception was -40.07%, smaller than the maximum NESIX drawdown of -49.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WIGRX and NESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WIGRX	NESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.07%	-49.61%	+9.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.43%	-17.12%	+1.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.59%	-35.21%	+7.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.07%	-49.61%	+9.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.63%	-15.80%	+1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.60%	-14.87%	+6.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.04%	5.27%	+0.77%

Volatility

WIGRX vs. NESIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Wasatch Core Growth Fund Institutional Class (WIGRX) is 4.95%, while Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional (NESIX) has a volatility of 12.03%. This indicates that WIGRX 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

	WIGRX	NESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.95%	12.03%	-7.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.48%	24.94%	-10.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.64%	33.52%	-13.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.10%	30.01%	-6.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.08%	26.76%	-3.68%

WIGRX vs. NESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WIGRX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than NESIX's 1.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

WIGRX vs. NESIX - Dividend Comparison

WIGRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.94%, 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%
WIGRX Wasatch Core Growth Fund Institutional Class	7.94%	8.34%	9.02%	0.00%	0.70%	16.54%	7.12%	10.61%	10.06%	6.20%	0.20%	12.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WIGRX and NESIX in my portfolio?

WIGRX and NESIX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WIGRX or NESIX?

NESIX has higher volatility (12.03%) compared to WIGRX (4.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WIGRX dropped -40.07% vs NESIX's -49.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs -0.14), 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.