VCAAX vs. PUDZX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCAAX (VALIC Company I Asset Allocation Fund) and PUDZX (PGIM Real Assets Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, VCAAX returned 6.94%/yr vs 6.87%/yr for PUDZX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCAAX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for PUDZX.

Performance

VCAAX vs. PUDZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Asset Allocation Fund (VCAAX) and PGIM Real Assets Fund (PUDZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCAAX achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly lower than PUDZX's 13.05% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VCAAX having a 6.94% annualized return and PUDZX not far behind at 6.87%.

VCAAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.66%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 6M: 3.63%
• 1Y: 14.56%
• 3Y*: 11.16%
• 5Y*: 6.51%
• 10Y*: 6.94%

PUDZX

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: -1.56%
• YTD: 13.05%
• 6M: 12.98%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 13.43%
• 5Y*: 8.14%
• 10Y*: 6.87%

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

VCAAX vs. PUDZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCAAX VALIC Company I Asset Allocation Fund	4.04%	5.41%	15.01%	18.27%	-16.22%	16.75%	11.79%	15.20%	-12.65%	13.26%
PUDZX PGIM Real Assets Fund	13.05%	13.40%	8.61%	3.26%	-2.76%	18.49%	4.84%	16.29%	-9.20%	6.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VCAAX and PUDZX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between VCAAX and PUDZX has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VCAAX vs. PUDZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCAAX

VCAAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VCAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VCAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VCAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VCAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VCAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

PUDZX

PUDZX Risk / Return Rank: 89
PUDZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PUDZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
PUDZX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
PUDZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
PUDZX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

VCAAX vs. PUDZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Asset Allocation Fund (VCAAX) and PGIM Real Assets Fund (PUDZX). 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.

	VCAAX	PUDZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.90	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	3.95	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.54	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	6.09	-4.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.11	22.64	-14.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCAAX vs. PUDZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCAAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is lower than the PUDZX Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCAAX and PUDZX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCAAX	PUDZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	2.90	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.78	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.71	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.54	-0.40

Drawdowns

VCAAX vs. PUDZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCAAX drawdown since its inception was -57.75%, which is greater than PUDZX's maximum drawdown of -21.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCAAX and PUDZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCAAX	PUDZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.75%	-21.53%	-36.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.65%	-3.56%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.79%	-8.20%	-8.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.63%	-17.98%	-2.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.36%	-21.53%	-5.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.10%	+2.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.43%	-5.26%	-14.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.86%	0.96%	+0.90%

Volatility

VCAAX vs. PUDZX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Asset Allocation Fund (VCAAX) has a higher volatility of 2.42% compared to PGIM Real Assets Fund (PUDZX) at 2.04%. This indicates that VCAAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PUDZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCAAX	PUDZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.42%	2.04%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.15%	6.08%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.65%	7.52%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.20%	10.54%	+0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.03%	9.70%	+1.33%

VCAAX vs. PUDZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCAAX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than PUDZX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCAAX vs. PUDZX - Dividend Comparison

VCAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.03%, more than PUDZX's 7.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PUDZX PGIM Real Assets Fund	7.73%	8.93%	6.67%	3.66%	9.10%	13.00%	4.94%	3.40%	2.14%	2.10%	1.39%	1.72%
VCAAX VALIC Company I Asset Allocation Fund	8.03%	0.00%	1.38%	5.83%	18.12%	0.96%	2.65%	9.63%	1.77%	2.12%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCAAX and PUDZX in my portfolio?

VCAAX and PUDZX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCAAX or PUDZX?

VCAAX has higher volatility (2.42%) compared to PUDZX (2.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCAAX dropped -57.75% vs PUDZX's -21.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PUDZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 1.99), 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.