VCULX vs. VCGAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VCULX (VALIC Company I Growth Fund) and VCGAX (VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund) are both mutual funds - VCULX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VCGAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VCULX returned 15.09%/yr vs 13.16%/yr for VCGAX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VCULX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for VCGAX.

Performance

VCULX vs. VCGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Growth Fund (VCULX) and VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCULX achieves a 5.14% return, which is significantly lower than VCGAX's 7.85% return. Over the past 10 years, VCULX has outperformed VCGAX with an annualized return of 15.09%, while VCGAX has yielded a comparatively lower 13.16% annualized return.

VCULX

• 1D: 3.01%
• 1M: -2.48%
• 6M: 5.19%
• YTD: 5.14%
• 1Y: 12.10%
• 3Y*: 18.68%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: 15.09%
• ALL TIME*: 8.80%

VCGAX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 0.94%
• 6M: 7.51%
• YTD: 7.85%
• 1Y: 18.04%
• 3Y*: 14.99%
• 5Y*: 9.50%
• 10Y*: 13.16%
• ALL TIME*: 4.87%

*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)
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VCULX VALIC Company I Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VCULX vs. VCGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCULX VALIC Company I Growth Fund	5.14%	10.84%	32.74%	46.14%	-35.17%	20.88%	42.64%	31.75%	-6.16%	30.29%
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	7.85%	9.41%	23.14%	23.94%	-18.71%	26.34%	24.07%	30.50%	-8.98%	21.09%

Correlation

The correlation between VCULX and VCGAX is 0.82, 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.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2005	0.92

The correlation between VCULX and VCGAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCULX vs. VCGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCULX

VCULX Risk / Return Rank: 14
VCULX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
VCULX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
VCULX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VCULX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VCULX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VCGAX

VCGAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VCGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VCGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VCGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VCGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VCGAX 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.

VCULX vs. VCGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Growth Fund (VCULX) and VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX). 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.

	VCULX	VCGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.55	1.33	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	1.94	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.23	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.61	1.67	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.92	7.05	-5.13

VCULX vs. VCGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCULX Sharpe Ratio is 0.55, which is lower than the VCGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCULX and VCGAX, 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

VCULX vs. VCGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCULX drawdown since its inception was -51.32%, smaller than the maximum VCGAX drawdown of -71.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCULX and VCGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCULX	VCGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.32%	-71.37%	+20.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.39%	-9.55%	-6.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.46%	-22.35%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.13%	-24.90%	-14.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.13%	-34.41%	-4.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.50%	-0.74%	-6.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.26%	-25.12%	+14.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.17%	2.26%	+2.91%

Volatility

VCULX vs. VCGAX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Growth Fund (VCULX) has a higher volatility of 6.22% compared to VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX) at 3.07%. This indicates that VCULX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCULX	VCGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.22%	3.07%	+3.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.92%	9.42%	+5.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.26%	11.99%	+6.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.42%	16.95%	+6.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.12%	18.35%	+3.77%

VCULX vs. VCGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCULX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than VCGAX's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCULX vs. VCGAX - Dividend Comparison

VCULX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.20%, more than VCGAX's 6.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	6.29%	0.00%	1.69%	4.83%	0.79%	9.20%	10.09%	10.41%	1.01%	3.82%
VCULX VALIC Company I Growth Fund	11.20%	0.00%	0.07%	30.05%	37.81%	12.80%	7.28%	7.63%	0.63%	6.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCULX and VCGAX in my portfolio?

VCULX and VCGAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCULX or VCGAX?

VCULX has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to VCGAX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCULX dropped -51.32% vs VCGAX's -71.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 0.55), 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.