VCNIX vs. VGT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VCNIX (VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both funds - VCNIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, VCNIX returned 17.11%/yr vs 24.01%/yr for VGT. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VCNIX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

VCNIX vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund (VCNIX) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCNIX achieves a 12.09% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 22.47% return. Over the past 10 years, VCNIX has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 17.11%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.01% annualized return.

VCNIX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: -3.61%
• 6M: 9.96%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 1Y: 24.48%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.27%
• 10Y*: 17.11%
• ALL TIME*: 6.70%

VGT

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: 0.44%
• 6M: 22.59%
• YTD: 22.47%
• 1Y: 37.19%
• 3Y*: 29.10%
• 5Y*: 18.09%
• 10Y*: 24.01%
• ALL TIME*: 14.92%

*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)
VCNIX VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$454.00M	$507.98M	$575.23M

VCNIX vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCNIX VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund	12.09%	-2.43%	25.36%	54.21%	-32.55%	26.89%	48.24%	38.63%	-4.76%	32.35%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	22.47%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between VCNIX and VGT is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.94

The correlation between VCNIX and VGT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCNIX vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCNIX

VCNIX Risk / Return Rank: 36
VCNIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VCNIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VCNIX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VCNIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VCNIX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 60
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

VCNIX vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund (VCNIX) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	VCNIX	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	1.54	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	2.09	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.26	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	2.28	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	6.12	-0.18

VCNIX vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCNIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is comparable to the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCNIX and VGT, 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

VCNIX vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCNIX drawdown since its inception was -76.68%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCNIX and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCNIX	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.68%	-54.63%	-22.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.01%	-16.40%	+4.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.53%	-27.23%	-10.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.53%	-35.07%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.53%	-35.07%	-2.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.77%	-8.34%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.58%	-7.95%	-20.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	6.09%	-2.36%

Volatility

VCNIX vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund (VCNIX) is 7.16%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 8.34%. This indicates that VCNIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCNIX	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.16%	8.34%	-1.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.14%	20.11%	-3.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.14%	24.25%	-5.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.34%	25.85%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.93%	24.90%	-0.97%

VCNIX vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCNIX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCNIX vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

VCNIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.04%, more than VGT's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCNIX VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund	9.04%	0.00%	3.76%	10.90%	13.50%	7.28%	2.40%	1.57%	0.55%	4.57%	0.00%	0.00%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.38%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCNIX and VGT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VCNIX and VGT 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, VCNIX or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (8.34%) compared to VCNIX (7.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCNIX dropped -76.68% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.16), 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.