VCSTX vs. VCSLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCSTX (VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund) and VCSLX (VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund) are both mutual funds - VCSTX is a Technology Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VCSLX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VCSTX returned 21.97%/yr vs 9.71%/yr for VCSLX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCSTX charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for VCSLX.

Performance

VCSTX vs. VCSLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) 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, VCSTX achieves a 37.85% return, which is significantly higher than VCSLX's 18.38% return. Over the past 10 years, VCSTX has outperformed VCSLX with an annualized return of 21.97%, while VCSLX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.71% annualized return.

VCSTX

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: 18.12%
• YTD: 37.85%
• 6M: 36.32%
• 1Y: 63.70%
• 3Y*: 37.62%
• 5Y*: 18.40%
• 10Y*: 21.97%

VCSLX

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 18.38%
• 6M: 17.05%
• 1Y: 40.52%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 5.17%
• 10Y*: 9.71%

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

VCSTX vs. VCSLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCSTX VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund	37.85%	22.57%	32.60%	55.45%	-38.09%	11.89%	57.90%	39.12%	-9.29%	41.36%
VCSLX VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund	18.38%	7.00%	11.22%	15.99%	-20.41%	14.55%	20.14%	25.04%	-16.08%	14.40%

Correlation

The correlation between VCSTX and VCSLX is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
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 Dec 29, 1995	0.77

The correlation between VCSTX and VCSLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCSTX vs. VCSLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCSTX

VCSTX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VCSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VCSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VCSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VCSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VCSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VCSLX

VCSLX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VCSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VCSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VCSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VCSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VCSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

VCSTX vs. VCSLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) 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.

	VCSTX	VCSLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.90	2.24	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	3.08	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.37	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	3.85	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.20	13.65	-1.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCSTX vs. VCSLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.90, which is comparable to the VCSLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCSTX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCSTX	VCSLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90	2.24	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.23	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.41	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.16	+0.08

Drawdowns

VCSTX vs. VCSLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCSTX drawdown since its inception was -89.61%, which is greater than VCSLX's maximum drawdown of -67.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSTX and VCSLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCSTX	VCSLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.61%	-67.69%	-21.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.03%	-11.16%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.63%	-30.96%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.91%	-31.83%	-13.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.91%	-41.78%	-3.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.15%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.10%	-18.37%	-28.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.38%	3.14%	+2.24%

Volatility

VCSTX vs. VCSLX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) has a higher volatility of 7.34% compared to VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund (VCSLX) at 5.57%. This indicates that VCSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCSLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCSTX	VCSLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.34%	5.57%	+1.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.44%	13.62%	+4.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.74%	19.14%	+3.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.99%	22.72%	+4.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.56%	23.59%	+1.97%

VCSTX vs. VCSLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCSTX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSLX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCSTX vs. VCSLX - Dividend Comparison

VCSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.41%, more than VCSLX's 5.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCSLX VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund	5.16%	0.00%	1.17%	26.50%	13.32%	5.39%	13.29%	9.37%	1.18%	5.80%
VCSTX VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund	5.41%	0.00%	0.00%	16.31%	42.68%	11.14%	8.13%	19.76%	0.00%	6.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCSTX and VCSLX in my portfolio?

VCSTX and VCSLX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCSTX or VCSLX?

VCSTX has higher volatility (7.34%) compared to VCSLX (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSTX dropped -89.61% vs VCSLX's -67.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 2.24), 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.