VMSGX vs. VCGAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VMSGX (VALIC Company I Mid Cap Strategic Growth Fund) and VCGAX (VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund) are both mutual funds - VMSGX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VCGAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VMSGX returned 13.86%/yr vs 13.45%/yr for VCGAX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VMSGX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for VCGAX.

Performance

VMSGX vs. VCGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Mid Cap Strategic Growth Fund (VMSGX) and VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMSGX achieves a 11.30% return, which is significantly higher than VCGAX's 5.96% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VMSGX having a 13.86% annualized return and VCGAX not far behind at 13.45%.

VMSGX

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 11.30%
• 6M: 8.39%
• 1Y: 17.49%
• 3Y*: 17.38%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: 13.86%

VCGAX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 5.96%
• 6M: 5.08%
• 1Y: 20.69%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 10.22%
• 10Y*: 13.45%

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

VMSGX vs. VCGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VMSGX VALIC Company I Mid Cap Strategic Growth Fund	11.30%	11.23%	19.79%	22.06%	-23.40%	16.87%	34.60%	37.63%	-8.89%	26.30%
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	5.96%	9.41%	23.14%	23.94%	-18.71%	26.34%	24.07%	30.50%	-8.98%	21.09%

Correlation

The correlation between VMSGX and VCGAX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2004	0.89

The correlation between VMSGX and VCGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VMSGX vs. VCGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMSGX

VMSGX Risk / Return Rank: 17
VMSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VMSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VMSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VMSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VMSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

VCGAX

VCGAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VCGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VCGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VCGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VCGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VCGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

VMSGX vs. VCGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Mid Cap Strategic Growth Fund (VMSGX) and VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX). 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.

	VMSGX	VCGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	1.75	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	2.51	-0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.31	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	2.17	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.06	9.23	-4.17

VMSGX vs. VCGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMSGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the VCGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMSGX and VCGAX, 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

VMSGX vs. VCGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMSGX drawdown since its inception was -66.65%, smaller than the maximum VCGAX drawdown of -71.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMSGX and VCGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMSGX	VCGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.65%	-71.37%	+4.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.17%	-9.55%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.85%	-22.35%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.62%	-24.90%	-8.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.97%	-34.41%	-2.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-1.21%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.04%	-25.21%	+10.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	2.23%	+1.20%

Volatility

VMSGX vs. VCGAX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I Mid Cap Strategic Growth Fund (VMSGX) has a higher volatility of 6.33% compared to VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund (VCGAX) at 3.91%. This indicates that VMSGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMSGX	VCGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.33%	3.91%	+2.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.84%	9.37%	+4.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.14%	11.82%	+5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.89%	16.97%	+3.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.96%	18.41%	+2.55%

VMSGX vs. VCGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMSGX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VCGAX's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

VMSGX vs. VCGAX - Dividend Comparison

VMSGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.15%, more than VCGAX's 6.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCGAX VALIC Company I Systematic Core Fund	6.40%	0.00%	1.69%	4.83%	0.79%	9.20%	10.09%	10.41%	1.01%	3.82%
VMSGX VALIC Company I Mid Cap Strategic Growth Fund	7.15%	0.00%	0.01%	21.01%	11.77%	4.58%	3.89%	8.38%	0.10%	5.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMSGX and VCGAX in my portfolio?

VMSGX and VCGAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VMSGX or VCGAX?

VMSGX has higher volatility (6.33%) compared to VCGAX (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMSGX dropped -66.65% vs VCGAX's -71.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.02), 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.