VSCGX vs. AOM
VSCGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund) and AOM (iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, VSCGX returned 6.72%/yr vs 6.31%/yr for AOM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSCGX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AOM.
Performance
VSCGX vs. AOM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSCGX achieves a 5.32% return, which is significantly higher than AOM's 4.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VSCGX has outperformed AOM with an annualized return of 6.72%, while AOM has yielded a comparatively lower 6.31% annualized return.
VSCGX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 1.06%
- YTD
- 5.32%
- 6M
- 5.13%
- 1Y
- 13.40%
- 3Y*
- 12.15%
- 5Y*
- 5.43%
- 10Y*
- 6.72%
AOM
- 1D
- -0.76%
- 1M
- 0.20%
- YTD
- 4.39%
- 6M
- 4.21%
- 1Y
- 12.96%
- 3Y*
- 10.58%
- 5Y*
- 4.63%
- 10Y*
- 6.31%
VSCGX vs. AOM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund | 5.32% | 12.87% | 11.65% | 12.72% | -15.00% | 6.04% | 11.51% | 15.69% | -2.95% | 10.02% |
AOM iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF | 4.39% | 13.28% | 7.95% | 12.38% | -14.54% | 6.93% | 10.02% | 15.58% | -3.88% | 11.63% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSCGX and AOM is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2008 | 0.89 |
The correlation between VSCGX and AOM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VSCGX vs. AOM — Risk / Return Rank
VSCGX
AOM
VSCGX vs. AOM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund (VSCGX) and iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF (AOM). 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.
| VSCGX | AOM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.37 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.35 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.70 | 2.55 | +0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.58 | 10.96 | +0.62 |
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Drawdowns
VSCGX vs. AOM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSCGX drawdown since its inception was -30.62%, which is greater than AOM's maximum drawdown of -19.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCGX and AOM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSCGX | AOM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.62% | -19.96% | -10.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.19% | -5.11% | -0.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.71% | -6.85% | +0.14% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.15% | -19.96% | -0.19% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.15% | -19.96% | -0.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.31% | -1.04% | +0.73% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.99% | -2.69% | -0.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.21% | 1.19% | +0.02% |
Volatility
VSCGX vs. AOM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund (VSCGX) is 2.58%, while iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF (AOM) has a volatility of 2.78%. This indicates that VSCGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AOM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSCGX | AOM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.58% | 2.78% | -0.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.53% | 5.70% | -0.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.54% | 6.94% | -0.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.76% | 8.21% | -0.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.40% | 7.94% | -0.54% |
VSCGX vs. AOM - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSCGX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than AOM's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VSCGX vs. AOM - Dividend Comparison
VSCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.26%, more than AOM's 3.00% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AOM iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF | 3.00% | 2.98% | 3.10% | 2.79% | 2.27% | 1.56% | 2.02% | 2.66% | 2.53% | 3.31% | 2.14% | 1.98% |
VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund | 5.26% | 5.50% | 11.03% | 5.23% | 2.79% | 4.18% | 3.28% | 2.62% | 3.81% | 1.65% | 2.43% | 3.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, VSCGX and AOM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
AOM has higher volatility (2.78%) compared to VSCGX (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSCGX dropped -30.62% vs AOM's -19.96%.
VSCGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.88), 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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