VCULX vs. VLSMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCULX (VALIC Company I Growth Fund) and VLSMX (VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund) are both mutual funds - VCULX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VLSMX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 3 years, VCULX returned 24.48%/yr vs 12.41%/yr for VLSMX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCULX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VLSMX.

Performance

VCULX vs. VLSMX - 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 Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund (VLSMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCULX achieves a 13.55% return, which is significantly higher than VLSMX's 6.24% return.

VCULX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 8.06%
• YTD: 13.55%
• 6M: 12.97%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 24.48%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 16.44%

VLSMX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 6.24%
• 6M: 6.50%
• 1Y: 17.01%
• 3Y*: 12.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VCULX vs. VLSMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VCULX VALIC Company I Growth Fund	13.55%	10.84%	32.74%	46.14%	-35.17%	11.78%
VLSMX VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund	6.24%	11.90%	10.83%	13.95%	-14.66%	3.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VCULX and VLSMX 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2021	0.84

The correlation between VCULX and VLSMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCULX vs. VLSMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCULX

VCULX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VCULX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VCULX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VCULX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VCULX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VCULX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

VLSMX

VLSMX Risk / Return Rank: 61
VLSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VLSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VLSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VLSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VLSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. VLSMX - 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 Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund (VLSMX). 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.

	VCULX	VLSMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.34	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	3.44	-1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.44	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	2.78	-1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.17	12.36	-6.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCULX vs. VLSMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCULX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the VLSMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCULX and VLSMX, 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

	VCULX	VLSMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	2.34	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.60	-0.16

Drawdowns

VCULX vs. VLSMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCULX drawdown since its inception was -51.32%, which is greater than VLSMX's maximum drawdown of -20.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCULX and VLSMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCULX	VLSMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.32%	-20.09%	-31.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.39%	-6.29%	-10.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.46%	-11.69%	-14.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.13%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.31%	-5.20%	-5.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.69%	1.41%	+3.28%

Volatility

VCULX vs. VLSMX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Growth Fund (VCULX) has a higher volatility of 3.76% compared to VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund (VLSMX) at 2.46%. This indicates that VCULX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VLSMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCULX	VLSMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	2.46%	+1.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.69%	6.09%	+6.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.18%	7.47%	+8.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.11%	9.90%	+13.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.01%	9.90%	+12.11%

VCULX vs. VLSMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCULX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than VLSMX's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCULX vs. VLSMX - Dividend Comparison

VCULX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.37%, more than VLSMX's 6.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCULX VALIC Company I Growth Fund	10.37%	0.00%	0.07%	30.05%	37.81%	12.80%	7.28%	7.63%	0.63%	6.70%
VLSMX VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund	6.03%	0.00%	2.12%	11.91%	9.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCULX and VLSMX in my portfolio?

VCULX and VLSMX 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, VCULX or VLSMX?

VCULX has higher volatility (3.76%) compared to VLSMX (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCULX dropped -51.32% vs VLSMX's -20.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.80), 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.