VCGAX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCGAX (VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VCGAX returned 10.27%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for VFFSX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VCGAX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

VCGAX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCGAX achieves a 7.11% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 11.71% return.

VCGAX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 7.31%
• 1Y: 21.70%
• 3Y*: 17.56%
• 5Y*: 10.27%
• 10Y*: 13.43%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

VCGAX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	7.11%	9.41%	23.14%	23.94%	-18.71%	26.34%	24.07%	30.50%	-8.98%	20.01%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.71%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VCGAX and VFFSX is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.98

The correlation between VCGAX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCGAX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCGAX

VCGAX Risk / Return Rank: 44
VCGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VCGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VCGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VCGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VCGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.52	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	3.42	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.46	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	3.36	-0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.28	15.70	-5.42
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. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCGAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCGAX and VFFSX, 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	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.52	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.85	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.86	-0.61

Drawdowns

VCGAX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCGAX drawdown since its inception was -71.37%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCGAX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCGAX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.37%	-33.82%	-37.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.55%	-8.90%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.35%	-18.75%	-3.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.90%	-24.51%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	0.00%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.26%	-4.50%	-20.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	1.90%	+0.31%

Volatility

VCGAX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) have volatilities of 2.79% and 2.83%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCGAX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.79%	2.83%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.79%	8.98%	-0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.52%	11.86%	-0.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	16.90%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.39%	18.41%	-0.02%

VCGAX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCGAX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCGAX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

VCGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.33%, more than VFFSX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	6.33%	0.00%	1.69%	4.83%	0.79%	9.20%	10.09%	10.41%	1.01%	3.82%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCGAX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VCGAX and VFFSX 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, VCGAX or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to VCGAX (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCGAX dropped -71.37% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.98), 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.