VCSTX vs. VTCAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCSTX (VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund) and VTCAX (Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VCSTX returned 21.97%/yr vs 9.41%/yr for VTCAX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCSTX charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VTCAX.

Performance

VCSTX vs. VTCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) and Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX). 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 VTCAX's -0.55% return. Over the past 10 years, VCSTX has outperformed VTCAX with an annualized return of 21.97%, while VTCAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.41% 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%

VTCAX

• 1D: -1.43%
• 1M: -1.93%
• YTD: -0.55%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 21.55%
• 3Y*: 24.41%
• 5Y*: 8.05%
• 10Y*: 9.41%

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

VCSTX vs. VTCAX - 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%
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.55%	26.28%	33.10%	44.73%	-38.78%	14.09%	28.95%	28.03%	-16.51%	-5.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VCSTX and VTCAX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.72

The correlation between VCSTX and VTCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCSTX vs. VTCAX — 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

VTCAX

VTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 22
VTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
VTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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. VTCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) and Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX). 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	VTCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.90	1.38	+1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	2.07	+1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.25	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	1.56	+2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.20	5.96	+6.24
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. VTCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.90, which is higher than the VTCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCSTX and VTCAX, 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	VTCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90	1.38	+1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.38	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.45	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.43	-0.18

Drawdowns

VCSTX vs. VTCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCSTX drawdown since its inception was -89.61%, which is greater than VTCAX's maximum drawdown of -57.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSTX and VTCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCSTX	VTCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.61%	-57.11%	-32.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.03%	-13.56%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.63%	-21.19%	-7.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.91%	-46.58%	+1.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.91%	-46.58%	+1.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.92%	+3.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.10%	-11.89%	-35.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.38%	3.55%	+1.83%

Volatility

VCSTX vs. VTCAX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) has a higher volatility of 7.34% compared to Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) at 4.17%. This indicates that VCSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCSTX	VTCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.34%	4.17%	+3.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.44%	11.12%	+7.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.74%	15.38%	+7.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.99%	21.24%	+5.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.56%	21.00%	+4.56%

VCSTX vs. VTCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCSTX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than VTCAX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCSTX vs. VTCAX - Dividend Comparison

VCSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.41%, more than VTCAX's 0.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.99%	0.95%	1.06%	1.04%	0.88%	1.20%	0.73%	0.89%	2.77%	3.84%	2.68%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCSTX and VTCAX in my portfolio?

VCSTX and VTCAX have a correlation of 0.53, 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 VTCAX?

VCSTX has higher volatility (7.34%) compared to VTCAX (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSTX dropped -89.61% vs VTCAX's -57.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 1.38), 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.