VCGAX vs. QUERX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VCGAX (VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund) and QUERX (AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VCGAX returned 13.36%/yr vs 11.04%/yr for QUERX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCGAX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for QUERX.

Performance

VCGAX vs. QUERX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX) and AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6 (QUERX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VCGAX having a 6.44% return and QUERX slightly lower at 6.42%. Over the past 10 years, VCGAX has outperformed QUERX with an annualized return of 13.36%, while QUERX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.04% annualized return.

VCGAX

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 2.21%
• YTD: 6.44%
• 6M: 6.50%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: 17.32%
• 5Y*: 9.95%
• 10Y*: 13.36%

QUERX

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 2.13%
• YTD: 6.42%
• 6M: 5.93%
• 1Y: 7.82%
• 3Y*: 11.70%
• 5Y*: 6.69%
• 10Y*: 11.04%

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

VCGAX vs. QUERX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	6.44%	9.41%	23.14%	23.94%	-18.71%	26.34%	24.07%	30.50%	-8.98%	21.09%
QUERX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6	6.42%	6.98%	13.98%	9.55%	-13.73%	23.56%	13.20%	28.82%	-0.21%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VCGAX and QUERX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between VCGAX and QUERX has dropped to 0.65 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VCGAX vs. QUERX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCGAX

VCGAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VCGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VCGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VCGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VCGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
VCGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

QUERX

QUERX Risk / Return Rank: 14
QUERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
QUERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
QUERX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
QUERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
QUERX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

VCGAX vs. QUERX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX) and AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6 (QUERX). 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.

	VCGAX	QUERX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	0.96	+0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	1.43	+1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.17	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	1.29	+0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.54	4.33	+5.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCGAX vs. QUERX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCGAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is higher than the QUERX Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCGAX and QUERX, 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

	VCGAX	QUERX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	0.96	+0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.52	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.73	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.72	-0.48

Drawdowns

VCGAX vs. QUERX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCGAX drawdown since its inception was -71.37%, which is greater than QUERX's maximum drawdown of -30.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCGAX and QUERX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCGAX	QUERX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.37%	-30.81%	-40.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.55%	-5.93%	-3.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.35%	-10.21%	-12.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.90%	-22.04%	-2.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	-30.81%	-3.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.58%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-3.92%	-21.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	1.75%	+0.46%

Volatility

VCGAX vs. QUERX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX) has a higher volatility of 2.82% compared to AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6 (QUERX) at 2.07%. This indicates that VCGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUERX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCGAX	QUERX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	2.07%	+0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.81%	5.58%	+3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.54%	7.93%	+3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	13.00%	+3.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.39%	15.22%	+3.17%

VCGAX vs. QUERX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCGAX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than QUERX's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCGAX vs. QUERX - Dividend Comparison

VCGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.37%, less than QUERX's 21.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QUERX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6	21.48%	22.86%	24.47%	24.43%	10.37%	2.62%	1.37%	1.18%	1.74%	2.45%	2.06%	6.28%
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	6.37%	0.00%	1.69%	4.83%	0.79%	9.20%	10.09%	10.41%	1.01%	3.82%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCGAX and QUERX in my portfolio?

VCGAX and QUERX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCGAX or QUERX?

VCGAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to QUERX (2.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCGAX dropped -71.37% vs QUERX's -30.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 0.96), 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.