VCBCX vs. VCSLX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

VCBCX (VALIC Company I Blue Chip Growth Fund) and VCSLX (VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund) are both mutual funds - VCBCX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VCSLX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VCBCX returned 14.26%/yr vs 10.23%/yr for VCSLX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCBCX charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for VCSLX.

Performance

VCBCX vs. VCSLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Blue Chip Growth Fund (VCBCX) and VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund (VCSLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCBCX achieves a -0.23% return, which is significantly lower than VCSLX's 20.25% return. Over the past 10 years, VCBCX has outperformed VCSLX with an annualized return of 14.26%, while VCSLX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.23% annualized return.

VCBCX

• 1D: -1.43%
• 1M: -4.36%
• YTD: -0.23%
• 6M: -1.69%
• 1Y: 14.73%
• 3Y*: 17.73%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 14.26%

VCSLX

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 3.79%
• YTD: 20.25%
• 6M: 17.18%
• 1Y: 38.80%
• 3Y*: 17.05%
• 5Y*: 5.00%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

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

VCBCX vs. VCSLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCBCX VALIC Company I Blue Chip Growth Fund	-0.23%	7.70%	34.71%	44.42%	-38.26%	16.36%	35.27%	29.63%	-3.72%	36.31%
VCSLX VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund	20.25%	7.00%	11.22%	15.99%	-20.41%	14.55%	20.14%	25.04%	-16.08%	14.40%

Correlation

The correlation between VCBCX and VCSLX is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2000	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between VCBCX and VCSLX has dropped to 0.59 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VCBCX vs. VCSLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCBCX

VCBCX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VCBCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VCBCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VCBCX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VCBCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VCBCX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VCSLX

VCSLX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VCSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VCSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VCSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VCSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VCSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VCBCX vs. VCSLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Blue Chip Growth Fund (VCBCX) and VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund (VCSLX). 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.

	VCBCX	VCSLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	2.07	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	2.85	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.34	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	3.66	-2.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.47	12.93	-9.47

VCBCX vs. VCSLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCBCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the VCSLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCBCX and VCSLX, 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

VCBCX vs. VCSLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCBCX drawdown since its inception was -55.01%, smaller than the maximum VCSLX drawdown of -67.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCBCX and VCSLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCBCX	VCSLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.01%	-67.69%	+12.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.94%	-11.16%	-4.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.70%	-30.96%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.31%	-31.83%	-11.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.31%	-41.78%	-1.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.89%	-0.99%	-5.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.45%	-18.34%	+4.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.75%	3.15%	+1.60%

Volatility

VCBCX vs. VCSLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VALIC Company I Blue Chip Growth Fund (VCBCX) is 5.71%, while VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund (VCSLX) has a volatility of 6.51%. This indicates that VCBCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCSLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCBCX	VCSLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.71%	6.51%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.39%	14.41%	-2.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.71%	19.75%	-4.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.98%	22.81%	+1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.79%	23.61%	-0.82%

VCBCX vs. VCSLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCBCX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSLX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCBCX vs. VCSLX - Dividend Comparison

VCBCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.67%, more than VCSLX's 5.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCBCX VALIC Company I Blue Chip Growth Fund	14.67%	0.00%	10.23%	16.65%	25.75%	8.99%	8.63%	11.48%	0.07%	8.44%
VCSLX VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund	5.08%	0.00%	1.17%	26.50%	13.32%	5.39%	13.29%	9.37%	1.18%	5.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCBCX and VCSLX in my portfolio?

VCBCX and VCSLX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCBCX or VCSLX?

VCSLX has higher volatility (6.51%) compared to VCBCX (5.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCBCX dropped -55.01% vs VCSLX's -67.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.06), 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.