VSCGX vs. TAIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSCGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund) and TAIAX (American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth and Income Portfolio) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, VSCGX returned 6.62%/yr vs 7.85%/yr for TAIAX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSCGX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for TAIAX.

Performance

VSCGX vs. TAIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX) and American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth and Income Portfolio (TAIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSCGX achieves a 5.65% return, which is significantly lower than TAIAX's 6.28% return. Over the past 10 years, VSCGX has underperformed TAIAX with an annualized return of 6.62%, while TAIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.85% annualized return.

VSCGX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 2.69%
• YTD: 5.65%
• 6M: 5.96%
• 1Y: 14.61%
• 3Y*: 12.39%
• 5Y*: 5.61%
• 10Y*: 6.62%

TAIAX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 6.28%
• 6M: 6.84%
• 1Y: 16.67%
• 3Y*: 12.59%
• 5Y*: 7.00%
• 10Y*: 7.85%

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

VSCGX vs. TAIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund	5.65%	12.87%	11.65%	12.72%	-15.00%	6.04%	11.51%	15.69%	-2.95%	10.02%
TAIAX American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth and Income Portfolio	6.28%	13.27%	10.09%	11.74%	-10.18%	13.47%	7.46%	16.26%	-2.17%	14.25%

Correlation

The correlation between VSCGX and TAIAX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2012	0.89

The correlation between VSCGX and TAIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSCGX vs. TAIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSCGX

VSCGX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VSCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VSCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VSCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VSCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VSCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

TAIAX

TAIAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
TAIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
TAIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
TAIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
TAIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
TAIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

VSCGX vs. TAIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX) and American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth and Income Portfolio (TAIAX). 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.

	VSCGX	TAIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.65	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	3.75	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.53	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	2.75	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.45	12.72	-0.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSCGX vs. TAIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSCGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the TAIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSCGX and TAIAX, 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

	VSCGX	TAIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.65	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.92	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.96	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	1.06	-0.20

Drawdowns

VSCGX vs. TAIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSCGX drawdown since its inception was -30.62%, which is greater than TAIAX's maximum drawdown of -21.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCGX and TAIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSCGX	TAIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.62%	-21.42%	-9.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.19%	-6.16%	+0.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.71%	-8.75%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.15%	-16.76%	-3.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.15%	-21.42%	+1.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-2.20%	-0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	1.33%	-0.15%

Volatility

VSCGX vs. TAIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX) has a higher volatility of 2.17% compared to American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth and Income Portfolio (TAIAX) at 2.01%. This indicates that VSCGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TAIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSCGX	TAIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.17%	2.01%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.09%	5.30%	-0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.16%	6.41%	-0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.70%	7.62%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.37%	8.19%	-0.82%

VSCGX vs. TAIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSCGX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than TAIAX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSCGX vs. TAIAX - Dividend Comparison

VSCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.24%, more than TAIAX's 4.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TAIAX American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth and Income Portfolio	4.87%	5.18%	5.16%	4.29%	4.37%	3.40%	2.65%	4.01%	4.54%	4.04%	2.77%	3.38%
VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund	5.24%	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

Can I hold both VSCGX and TAIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VSCGX and TAIAX 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.

Which is riskier, VSCGX or TAIAX?

VSCGX has higher volatility (2.17%) compared to TAIAX (2.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSCGX dropped -30.62% vs TAIAX's -21.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TAIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.40), 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.