VLCGX vs. VCNIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VLCGX (VALIC Company I Large Capital Growth Fund) and VCNIX (VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VLCGX returned 11.51%/yr vs 18.59%/yr for VCNIX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VLCGX charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for VCNIX.

Performance

VLCGX vs. VCNIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Large Capital Growth Fund (VLCGX) and VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund (VCNIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLCGX achieves a 9.13% return, which is significantly lower than VCNIX's 21.53% return. Over the past 10 years, VLCGX has underperformed VCNIX with an annualized return of 11.51%, while VCNIX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.59% annualized return.

VLCGX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 5.00%
• YTD: 9.13%
• 6M: 8.89%
• 1Y: 20.03%
• 3Y*: 6.71%
• 5Y*: 4.95%
• 10Y*: 11.51%

VCNIX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 10.94%
• YTD: 21.53%
• 6M: 19.86%
• 1Y: 41.89%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 13.30%
• 10Y*: 18.59%

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

VLCGX vs. VCNIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLCGX VALIC Company I Large Capital Growth Fund	9.13%	-13.56%	16.33%	23.73%	-18.84%	26.09%	23.00%	39.89%	-4.04%	28.56%
VCNIX VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund	21.53%	-2.43%	25.36%	54.21%	-32.55%	26.89%	48.24%	38.63%	-4.76%	32.35%

Correlation

The correlation between VLCGX and VCNIX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2004	0.90

The correlation between VLCGX and VCNIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VLCGX vs. VCNIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLCGX

VLCGX Risk / Return Rank: 35
VLCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VLCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VLCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VLCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VLCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VCNIX

VCNIX Risk / Return Rank: 77
VCNIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VCNIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VCNIX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VCNIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VCNIX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

VLCGX vs. VCNIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Large Capital Growth Fund (VLCGX) and VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund (VCNIX). 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.

	VLCGX	VCNIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.78	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	3.67	-1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.47	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	3.61	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.80	13.91	-5.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLCGX vs. VCNIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLCGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is lower than the VCNIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLCGX and VCNIX, 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

	VLCGX	VCNIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	2.78	-1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	0.54	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.79	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.27	+0.04

Drawdowns

VLCGX vs. VCNIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLCGX drawdown since its inception was -52.12%, smaller than the maximum VCNIX drawdown of -76.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLCGX and VCNIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLCGX	VCNIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.12%	-76.68%	+24.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.45%	-12.01%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.01%	-37.53%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.01%	-37.53%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.01%	-37.53%	+1.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.35%	0.00%	-9.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.95%	-28.74%	+17.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	3.11%	-0.73%

Volatility

VLCGX vs. VCNIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VALIC Company I Large Capital Growth Fund (VLCGX) is 3.05%, while VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund (VCNIX) has a volatility of 4.51%. This indicates that VLCGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCNIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLCGX	VCNIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	4.51%	-1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.39%	12.17%	-2.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	15.64%	-3.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.54%	24.88%	-4.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.25%	23.74%	-3.49%

VLCGX vs. VCNIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLCGX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than VCNIX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

VLCGX vs. VCNIX - Dividend Comparison

VLCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.57%, more than VCNIX's 8.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCNIX VALIC Company I Nasdaq-100 Index Fund	8.34%	0.00%	3.76%	10.90%	13.50%	7.28%	2.40%	1.57%	0.55%	4.57%
VLCGX VALIC Company I Large Capital Growth Fund	9.57%	0.00%	6.08%	9.19%	13.16%	8.61%	6.80%	6.20%	0.63%	3.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLCGX and VCNIX in my portfolio?

VLCGX and VCNIX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLCGX or VCNIX?

VCNIX has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to VLCGX (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLCGX dropped -52.12% vs VCNIX's -76.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCNIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 1.75), 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.