VSCGX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSCGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSCGX returned 6.62%/yr vs 9.83%/yr for VBIAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSCGX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

Performance

VSCGX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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 VBIAX's 7.35% return. Over the past 10 years, VSCGX has underperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 6.62%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.83% 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%

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 3.71%
• YTD: 7.35%
• 6M: 7.26%
• 1Y: 19.35%
• 3Y*: 15.04%
• 5Y*: 8.01%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

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

VSCGX vs. VBIAX - 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%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.35%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VSCGX and VBIAX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.91

The correlation between VSCGX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VSCGX vs. VBIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSCGX	VBIAX
Technology	27.4%	33.5%
Financial Services	16.1%	12.0%
Industrials	12.3%	9.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.3%	9.2%
Communication Services	8.0%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.7%
Energy	4.3%	3.7%
Basic Materials	4.3%	2.0%
Utilities	2.7%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.5%	2.4%

Return for Risk

VSCGX vs. VBIAX — 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

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.52	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	3.59	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.47	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	3.42	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.45	15.60	-3.15
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. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSCGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSCGX and VBIAX, 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	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.52	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.73	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.88	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.64	+0.22

Drawdowns

VSCGX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSCGX drawdown since its inception was -30.62%, smaller than the maximum VBIAX drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCGX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSCGX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.62%	-35.90%	+5.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.19%	-5.83%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.71%	-11.70%	+4.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.15%	-21.53%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.15%	-22.78%	+2.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-4.44%	+1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	1.27%	-0.09%

Volatility

VSCGX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) have volatilities of 2.17% and 2.26%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSCGX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.17%	2.26%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.09%	6.11%	-1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.16%	7.90%	-1.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.70%	11.05%	-3.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.37%	11.21%	-3.84%

VSCGX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSCGX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% 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

VSCGX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VSCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.24%, which matches VBIAX's 5.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.21%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
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 VBIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VSCGX and VBIAX 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 VBIAX?

VBIAX has higher volatility (2.26%) compared to VSCGX (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSCGX dropped -30.62% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 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.