VCULX vs. VSSVX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VCULX (VALIC Company I Growth Fund) and VSSVX (VALIC Company I Small Cap Special Values Fund) are both mutual funds - VCULX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VSSVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VCULX returned 16.17%/yr vs 6.97%/yr for VSSVX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCULX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for VSSVX.

Performance

VCULX vs. VSSVX - 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 Small Cap Special Values Fund (VSSVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCULX achieves a 9.49% return, which is significantly lower than VSSVX's 15.04% return. Over the past 10 years, VCULX has outperformed VSSVX with an annualized return of 16.17%, while VSSVX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.97% 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%

VSSVX

• 1D: 2.31%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 15.04%
• 6M: 12.78%
• 1Y: 23.12%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: 3.34%
• 10Y*: 6.97%

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

VCULX vs. VSSVX - 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%
VSSVX VALIC Company I Small Cap Special Values Fund	15.04%	-12.52%	6.53%	18.97%	-13.61%	29.58%	1.79%	28.53%	-20.39%	11.27%

Correlation

The correlation between VCULX and VSSVX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2005	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between VCULX and VSSVX has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VCULX vs. VSSVX — 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

VSSVX

VSSVX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VSSVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VSSVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
VSSVX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VSSVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
VSSVX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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. VSSVX - 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 Small Cap Special Values Fund (VSSVX). 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	VSSVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.27	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	2.01	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.23	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	1.70	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.85	5.07	-0.22

VCULX vs. VSSVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCULX Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the VSSVX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCULX and VSSVX, 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. VSSVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCULX drawdown since its inception was -51.32%, smaller than the maximum VSSVX drawdown of -68.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCULX and VSSVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCULX	VSSVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.32%	-68.85%	+17.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.39%	-13.52%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.46%	-32.14%	+5.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.13%	-32.14%	-6.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.13%	-44.25%	+5.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.68%	-7.61%	+3.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.29%	-15.81%	+5.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.81%	4.53%	+0.28%

Volatility

VCULX vs. VSSVX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Growth Fund (VCULX) has a higher volatility of 6.89% compared to VALIC Company I Small Cap Special Values Fund (VSSVX) at 6.05%. This indicates that VCULX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSSVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCULX	VSSVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.89%	6.05%	+0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.97%	12.65%	+1.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.20%	18.04%	-0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.25%	20.34%	+2.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.08%	21.79%	+0.29%

VCULX vs. VSSVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCULX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than VSSVX's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCULX vs. VSSVX - Dividend Comparison

VCULX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.75%, more than VSSVX's 8.74% 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%
VSSVX VALIC Company I Small Cap Special Values Fund	8.74%	0.00%	4.41%	13.57%	7.01%	2.83%	9.91%	13.88%	1.57%	7.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCULX and VSSVX in my portfolio?

VCULX and VSSVX have a correlation of 0.40, 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 VSSVX?

VCULX has higher volatility (6.89%) compared to VSSVX (6.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCULX dropped -51.32% vs VSSVX's -68.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCULX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.27), 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.