VCSTX vs. VTSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VCSTX (VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VCSTX is a Technology Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VCSTX returned 22.13%/yr vs 15.29%/yr for VTSAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCSTX charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSAX.

Performance

VCSTX vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCSTX achieves a 35.01% return, which is significantly higher than VTSAX's 10.33% return. Over the past 10 years, VCSTX has outperformed VTSAX with an annualized return of 22.13%, while VTSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.29% annualized return.

VCSTX

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 6.95%
• YTD: 35.01%
• 6M: 33.05%
• 1Y: 56.84%
• 3Y*: 36.36%
• 5Y*: 16.75%
• 10Y*: 22.13%

VTSAX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 10.33%
• 6M: 9.19%
• 1Y: 25.93%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 15.29%

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

VCSTX vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCSTX VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund	35.01%	22.57%	32.60%	55.45%	-38.09%	11.89%	57.90%	39.12%	-9.29%	41.36%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.33%	17.12%	23.23%	26.51%	-19.52%	25.72%	20.98%	30.79%	-5.18%	21.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VCSTX and VTSAX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.86

The correlation between VCSTX and VTSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCSTX vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCSTX

VCSTX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VCSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
VCSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VCSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VCSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VCSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). 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.

	VCSTX	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.13	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.88	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	3.05	+0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.62	13.67	-3.05

VCSTX vs. VTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the VTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCSTX and VTSAX, 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

VCSTX vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCSTX drawdown since its inception was -89.61%, which is greater than VTSAX's maximum drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSTX and VTSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCSTX	VTSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.61%	-55.33%	-34.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.03%	-8.92%	-8.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.63%	-19.36%	-9.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.91%	-25.36%	-19.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.91%	-34.97%	-9.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.06%	-1.47%	-0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.02%	-8.99%	-38.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.56%	1.99%	+3.57%

Volatility

VCSTX vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund (VCSTX) has a higher volatility of 11.89% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) at 4.77%. This indicates that VCSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCSTX	VTSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.89%	4.77%	+7.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.75%	10.05%	+10.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.03%	12.83%	+12.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.39%	17.45%	+9.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.77%	18.46%	+7.31%

VCSTX vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCSTX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than VTSAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCSTX vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison

VCSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.52%, more than VTSAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCSTX VALIC Company I Science & Technology Fund	5.52%	0.00%	0.00%	16.31%	42.68%	11.14%	8.13%	19.76%	0.00%	6.21%	0.00%	0.00%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.11%	1.26%	1.42%	1.65%	1.20%	1.41%	1.76%	2.03%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCSTX and VTSAX in my portfolio?

VCSTX and VTSAX have a correlation of 0.81, 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 VTSAX?

VCSTX has higher volatility (11.89%) compared to VTSAX (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSTX dropped -89.61% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.13), 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.