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Needham Small Cap Growth Fund: 4Q20 Commentary

MARKET OVERVIEW In 4Q20, the S&P 500 returned 12.15%; Russell 2000 returned 31.37%. For the year ending December 31, 2020, the S&P 500 returned 18.40%; Russell 2000 returned 19.96%.  During 4Q20, low-quality and value factors outperformed, while high-quality, momentum and low-volatility underperformed.[1] [2]  Top-performing industries were energy, materials, financials and consumer discretionary as COVID-19 vaccines […]

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Needham Growth Fund: 4Q20 Commentary

MARKET OVERVIEW In 4Q20, the S&P 500 returned 12.15%; Russell 2000 returned 31.37%. For the year ending December 31, 2020, the S&P 500 returned 18.40%; Russell 2000 returned 19.96%.  Recent commentary indicates accommodative monetary and fiscal policy, which have long provided a tailwind for equities, will continue.  In late August, the Federal Reserve adopted a […]

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Needham Aggressive Growth Fund: 4Q20 Commentary

MARKET OVERVIEW In 4Q20, the S&P 500 returned 12.15%; Russell 2000 returned 31.37%. For the year ending December 31, 2020, the S&P 500 returned 18.40%; Russell 2000 returned 19.96%.  Recent commentary indicates accommodative monetary and fiscal policy, which have long provided a tailwind for equities, will continue.  In late August, the Federal Reserve adopted a […]

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Needham Small Cap Growth Fund: 3Q20 Commentary

Market Review U.S. equities rallied for the second quarter in a row; S&P 500 returned 8.93% in 3Q20; Russell 2000 returned 4.93%. YTD at September 30, the S&P 500 returned 5.57%; Russell 2000 returned -8.69%. 3Q20 experienced significant improvement in economic activity and a recovery in the U.S. labor market.  Companies were able to navigate […]

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Needham Growth Fund: 3Q20 Commentary

MARKET REVIEW U.S. equities rallied for the second quarter in a row; S&P 500 returned 8.93%; Russell 2000 returned 4.93%. YTD at September 30, the S&P 500 returned 5.57%; Russell 2000 returned -8.69%. 3Q20 U.S. GDP estimates called for 32% quarter-on-quarter growth, well ahead of the initial 12% estimate on July 311.  In late August, […]

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Needham Aggressive Growth Fund: 3Q20 Commentary

MARKET REVIEW U.S. equities rallied for the second quarter in a row; S&P 500 returned 8.93%; Russell 2000 returned 4.93%. YTD at September 30, the S&P 500 returned 5.57%; Russell 2000 returned -8.69%. 3Q20 U.S. GDP estimates called for 32% quarter-on-quarter growth, well ahead of the initial 12% estimate on July 311.  In late August, […]

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Needham Small Cap Growth Fund: 2Q20 Commentary

MARKET REVIEW U.S. markets moved sharply (although not broadly) higher from March lows in response to dramatic fiscal and monetary action. Social distancing drove very rapid business model change, rewarding companies that support virtual work, and harming service and high contact businesses. COVID-19 put enormous physical and economic strain on healthcare systems and providers, while […]

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Needham Growth Fund: 2Q20 Commentary

MARKET REVIEW In 2Q20, U.S. equities rallied from their worst quarter since 2008; S&P 500 returned 20.54%; Russell 2000 returned 25.42%. YTD at June 30, the S&P 500 returned -3.08%; Russell 2000 returned -12.98%. The March 23 market bottom was coincident with the Fed’s announcement of unlimited quantitative easing and the House’s passage of The […]

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Needham Aggressive Growth Fund: 2Q20 Commentary

MARKET REVIEW In 2Q20, U.S. equities rallied from their worst quarter since 2008; S&P 500 returned 20.54%; Russell 2000 returned 25.42%. YTD at June 30, the S&P 500 returned -3.08%; Russell 2000 returned -12.98%. The March 23 market bottom was coincident with the Fed’s announcement of unlimited quantitative easing and the House’s passage of The […]

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Money Life with Chuck Jaffe: Market Call with John Barr

June 26, 2020 – The Money Life with Chuck Jaffe podcast today features John Barr in the “Market Call” and “Hold ‘Em or Fold ‘Em” segments (“John Barr of the Needham Growth and Needham Aggressive Growth Funds talks stocks in the Market Call”). Please click for 16-minute audio of John’s segments. The full one-hour program […]

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