VCTPX vs. VCSLX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VCTPX (VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund) and VCSLX (VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund) are both mutual funds - VCTPX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by VALIC, while VCSLX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VCTPX returned 2.39%/yr vs 9.61%/yr for VCSLX. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. VCTPX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for VCSLX.

Performance

VCTPX vs. VCSLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund (VCTPX) 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, VCTPX achieves a 2.23% return, which is significantly lower than VCSLX's 17.36% return. Over the past 10 years, VCTPX has underperformed VCSLX with an annualized return of 2.39%, while VCSLX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.61% annualized return.

VCTPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 2.23%
• 6M: 1.77%
• 1Y: 6.04%
• 3Y*: 3.06%
• 5Y*: 1.03%
• 10Y*: 2.39%

VCSLX

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 3.39%
• YTD: 17.36%
• 6M: 18.23%
• 1Y: 41.51%
• 3Y*: 15.90%
• 5Y*: 4.82%
• 10Y*: 9.61%

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

VCTPX vs. VCSLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCTPX VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund	2.23%	4.22%	1.15%	4.03%	-10.23%	5.10%	8.76%	8.66%	-3.13%	4.86%
VCSLX VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund	17.36%	7.00%	11.22%	15.99%	-20.41%	14.55%	20.14%	25.04%	-16.08%	14.40%

Correlation

The correlation between VCTPX and VCSLX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2004	-0.04

The correlation between VCTPX and VCSLX shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (all time) to 0.23 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCTPX vs. VCSLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCTPX

VCTPX Risk / Return Rank: 50
VCTPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VCTPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VCTPX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VCTPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VCTPX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VCSLX

VCSLX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VCSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VCSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VCSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VCSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VCSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VCTPX vs. VCSLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund (VCTPX) 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.

	VCTPX	VCSLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.20	-0.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	3.03	-0.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.36	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	3.69	-0.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.50	13.13	-3.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCTPX vs. VCSLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCTPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the VCSLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCTPX 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

	VCTPX	VCSLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	2.20	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.21	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.41	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.16	+0.10

Drawdowns

VCTPX vs. VCSLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCTPX drawdown since its inception was -17.48%, smaller than the maximum VCSLX drawdown of -67.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCTPX and VCSLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCTPX	VCSLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.48%	-67.69%	+50.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.84%	-11.16%	+9.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.19%	-30.96%	+25.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.81%	-31.83%	+19.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.81%	-41.78%	+28.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.01%	+1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-18.38%	+12.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.68%	3.14%	-2.46%

Volatility

VCTPX vs. VCSLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund (VCTPX) is 0.94%, while VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund (VCSLX) has a volatility of 5.54%. This indicates that VCTPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCSLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCTPX	VCSLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.94%	5.54%	-4.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.16%	13.60%	-11.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.13%	19.17%	-16.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.60%	22.72%	-17.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.87%	23.59%	-18.72%

VCTPX vs. VCSLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCTPX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSLX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCTPX vs. VCSLX - Dividend Comparison

VCTPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than VCSLX's 5.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCSLX VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund	5.21%	0.00%	1.17%	26.50%	13.32%	5.39%	13.29%	9.37%	1.18%	5.80%
VCTPX VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund	2.56%	0.00%	13.97%	13.35%	8.00%	1.86%	2.20%	1.63%	1.98%	0.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCTPX and VCSLX in my portfolio?

VCTPX and VCSLX have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCTPX or VCSLX?

VCSLX has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to VCTPX (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCTPX dropped -17.48% vs VCSLX's -67.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.87), 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.