VCULX vs. VGLSX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VCULX (VALIC Company I Growth Fund) and VGLSX (VALIC Company I Global Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - VCULX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VGLSX is a Global Allocation fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VCULX returned 16.17%/yr vs 6.53%/yr for VGLSX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCULX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for VGLSX.

Performance

VCULX vs. VGLSX - 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 Global Strategy Fund (VGLSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VCULX having a 9.49% return and VGLSX slightly higher at 9.89%. Over the past 10 years, VCULX has outperformed VGLSX with an annualized return of 16.17%, while VGLSX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.53% annualized return.

VCULX

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.82%
• 1Y: 23.77%
• 3Y*: 21.88%
• 5Y*: 11.20%
• 10Y*: 16.17%

VGLSX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 1.37%
• YTD: 9.89%
• 6M: 10.17%
• 1Y: 24.71%
• 3Y*: 15.32%
• 5Y*: 7.25%
• 10Y*: 6.53%

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

VCULX vs. VGLSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCULX VALIC Company I Growth Fund	9.49%	10.84%	32.74%	46.14%	-35.17%	20.88%	42.64%	31.75%	-6.16%	30.29%
VGLSX VALIC Company I Global Strategy Fund	9.89%	16.06%	12.15%	15.50%	-16.78%	8.59%	3.91%	9.79%	-9.49%	13.58%

Correlation

The correlation between VCULX and VGLSX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2005	0.81

The correlation between VCULX and VGLSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCULX vs. VGLSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCULX

VCULX Risk / Return Rank: 22
VCULX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
VCULX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VCULX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VCULX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VCULX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

VGLSX

VGLSX Risk / Return Rank: 86
VGLSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VGLSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
VGLSX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
VGLSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VGLSX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

VCULX vs. VGLSX - 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 Global Strategy Fund (VGLSX). 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	VGLSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	2.81	-1.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	4.01	-2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.54	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	3.42	-1.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.85	14.60	-9.75

VCULX vs. VGLSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCULX Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the VGLSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCULX and VGLSX, 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. VGLSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCULX drawdown since its inception was -51.32%, which is greater than VGLSX's maximum drawdown of -44.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCULX and VGLSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCULX	VGLSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.32%	-44.78%	-6.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.39%	-7.23%	-9.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.46%	-14.42%	-12.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.13%	-23.13%	-16.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.13%	-25.65%	-13.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.68%	-0.48%	-3.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.29%	-12.09%	+1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.81%	1.68%	+3.13%

Volatility

VCULX vs. VGLSX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Growth Fund (VCULX) has a higher volatility of 6.89% compared to VALIC Company I Global Strategy Fund (VGLSX) at 3.52%. This indicates that VCULX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGLSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCULX	VGLSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.89%	3.52%	+3.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.97%	7.50%	+6.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.20%	8.77%	+8.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.25%	10.35%	+12.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.08%	10.92%	+11.16%

VCULX vs. VGLSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCULX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than VGLSX's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCULX vs. VGLSX - Dividend Comparison

VCULX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.75%, more than VGLSX's 2.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCULX VALIC Company I Growth Fund	10.75%	0.00%	0.07%	30.05%	37.81%	12.80%	7.28%	7.63%	0.63%	6.70%
VGLSX VALIC Company I Global Strategy Fund	2.95%	0.00%	0.00%	9.08%	0.00%	4.06%	12.91%	10.88%	0.00%	2.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCULX and VGLSX in my portfolio?

VCULX and VGLSX 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 VGLSX?

VCULX has higher volatility (6.89%) compared to VGLSX (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCULX dropped -51.32% vs VGLSX's -44.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGLSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 1.36), 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.