VLSMX vs. BWBIX
VLSMX (VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund) and BWBIX (Baron WealthBuilder Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 5 years, VLSMX returned 5.55%/yr vs 3.19%/yr for BWBIX. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VLSMX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for BWBIX.
Performance
VLSMX vs. BWBIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VLSMX achieves a 5.58% return, which is significantly higher than BWBIX's 0.60% return.
VLSMX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -0.44%
- 6M
- 3.71%
- YTD
- 5.58%
- 1Y
- 13.11%
- 3Y*
- 10.96%
- 5Y*
- 5.55%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 5.55%
BWBIX
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- -5.58%
- 6M
- 2.30%
- YTD
- 0.60%
- 1Y
- 9.45%
- 3Y*
- 11.07%
- 5Y*
- 3.19%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 11.96%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VLSMX vs. BWBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VLSMX VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund | 5.58% | 11.90% | 10.83% | 13.95% | -14.66% | 3.57% |
BWBIX Baron WealthBuilder Fund | 0.60% | 10.23% | 19.62% | 25.77% | -32.58% | 6.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between VLSMX and BWBIX is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.73 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.82 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021 | 0.85 |
The correlation between VLSMX and BWBIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VLSMX vs. BWBIX — Risk / Return Rank
VLSMX
BWBIX
VLSMX vs. BWBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund (VLSMX) and Baron WealthBuilder Fund (BWBIX). 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.
| VLSMX | BWBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.43 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.10 | +0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.02 | 0.69 | +1.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.67 | 2.12 | +6.55 |
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Drawdowns
VLSMX vs. BWBIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VLSMX drawdown since its inception was -20.09%, smaller than the maximum BWBIX drawdown of -39.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLSMX and BWBIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VLSMX | BWBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.09% | -39.14% | +19.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.29% | -11.65% | +5.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.69% | -21.59% | +9.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.09% | -39.14% | +19.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.93% | -6.07% | +5.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.06% | -11.55% | +6.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.46% | 3.80% | -2.34% |
Volatility
VLSMX vs. BWBIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund (VLSMX) is 2.32%, while Baron WealthBuilder Fund (BWBIX) has a volatility of 4.30%. This indicates that VLSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BWBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VLSMX | BWBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.32% | 4.30% | -1.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.84% | 12.20% | -5.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.11% | 16.10% | -7.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.93% | 21.30% | -11.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.88% | 23.09% | -13.21% |
VLSMX vs. BWBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VLSMX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than BWBIX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VLSMX vs. BWBIX - Dividend Comparison
VLSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.07%, less than BWBIX's 7.56% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BWBIX Baron WealthBuilder Fund | 7.56% | 7.61% | 0.77% | 0.06% | 3.21% | 3.75% | 1.24% | 3.51% | 0.14% |
VLSMX VALIC Company I Moderate Growth Lifestyle Fund | 6.07% | 0.00% | 2.12% | 11.91% | 9.84% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VLSMX and BWBIX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BWBIX has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to VLSMX (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLSMX dropped -20.09% vs BWBIX's -39.14%.
VLSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 0.50), 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.
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