UCAGX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

UCAGX (USAA Cornerstone Aggressive Fund) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, UCAGX returned 9.11%/yr vs 9.78%/yr for VBAIX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. UCAGX charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

UCAGX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in USAA Cornerstone Aggressive Fund (UCAGX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UCAGX achieves a 11.76% return, which is significantly higher than VBAIX's 7.19% return. Over the past 10 years, UCAGX has underperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 9.11%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.78% annualized return.

UCAGX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 1.38%
• 6M: 8.47%
• YTD: 11.76%
• 1Y: 21.59%
• 3Y*: 15.65%
• 5Y*: 8.56%
• 10Y*: 9.11%
• ALL TIME*: 8.34%

VBAIX

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: 0.46%
• 6M: 6.25%
• YTD: 7.19%
• 1Y: 13.75%
• 3Y*: 15.01%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: 9.78%
• ALL TIME*: 7.45%

*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)
UCAGX USAA Cornerstone Aggressive Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

UCAGX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UCAGX USAA Cornerstone Aggressive Fund	11.76%	19.22%	10.43%	14.37%	-13.55%	16.23%	9.48%	19.96%	-9.34%	17.91%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.19%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%

Correlation

The correlation between UCAGX and VBAIX is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2012	0.93

The correlation between UCAGX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

UCAGX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

UCAGX

UCAGX Risk / Return Rank: 81
UCAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
UCAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
UCAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
UCAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
UCAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

UCAGX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USAA Cornerstone Aggressive Fund (UCAGX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	UCAGX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.74	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.47	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.31	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	2.55	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	10.90	+1.51

UCAGX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UCAGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UCAGX and VBAIX, 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

UCAGX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UCAGX drawdown since its inception was -29.07%, smaller than the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UCAGX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	UCAGX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.07%	-35.82%	+6.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.02%	-5.84%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.61%	-11.57%	-5.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.37%	-21.52%	-3.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.07%	-22.77%	-6.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.19%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.85%	-4.40%	-0.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	1.36%	+0.51%

Volatility

UCAGX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

USAA Cornerstone Aggressive Fund (UCAGX) has a higher volatility of 3.21% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) at 2.55%. This indicates that UCAGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UCAGX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.21%	2.55%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.76%	6.90%	+2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.72%	8.59%	+3.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.27%	11.20%	+3.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.16%	11.26%	+2.90%

UCAGX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

UCAGX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than VBAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

UCAGX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

UCAGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.88%, more than VBAIX's 5.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UCAGX USAA Cornerstone Aggressive Fund	9.88%	11.04%	8.14%	1.96%	4.79%	8.52%	1.89%	2.03%	5.99%	6.74%	1.48%	2.20%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.32%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UCAGX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, UCAGX and VBAIX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, UCAGX or VBAIX?

UCAGX has higher volatility (3.21%) compared to VBAIX (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UCAGX dropped -29.07% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UCAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.74), 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.