VSTIX vs. VCSLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSTIX (VALIC Company I Stock Index Fund) and VCSLX (VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund) are both mutual funds - VSTIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by VALIC, while VCSLX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by VALIC. Over the past 10 years, VSTIX returned 14.65%/yr vs 9.71%/yr for VCSLX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSTIX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for VCSLX.

Performance

VSTIX vs. VCSLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I Stock Index Fund (VSTIX) and VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund (VCSLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSTIX achieves a 11.51% return, which is significantly lower than VCSLX's 18.38% return. Over the past 10 years, VSTIX has outperformed VCSLX with an annualized return of 14.65%, while VCSLX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.71% annualized return.

VSTIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.77%
• YTD: 11.51%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 28.60%
• 3Y*: 21.25%
• 5Y*: 13.34%
• 10Y*: 14.65%

VCSLX

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 18.38%
• 6M: 17.05%
• 1Y: 40.52%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 5.17%
• 10Y*: 9.71%

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

VSTIX vs. VCSLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSTIX VALIC Company I Stock Index Fund	11.51%	14.28%	24.76%	25.62%	-18.11%	28.40%	18.55%	31.05%	-8.09%	21.46%
VCSLX VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund	18.38%	7.00%	11.22%	15.99%	-20.41%	14.55%	20.14%	25.04%	-16.08%	14.40%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTIX and VCSLX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1996	0.83

The correlation between VSTIX and VCSLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSTIX vs. VCSLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTIX

VSTIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VSTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VSTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VSTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VSTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VSTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

VCSLX

VCSLX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VCSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VCSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VCSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VCSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VCSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

VSTIX vs. VCSLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I Stock Index Fund (VSTIX) and VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund (VCSLX). 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.

	VSTIX	VCSLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	2.24	+0.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	3.08	+0.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.37	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	3.85	-0.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.54	13.65	+1.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSTIX vs. VCSLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is comparable to the VCSLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTIX and VCSLX, 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

	VSTIX	VCSLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60	2.24	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.23	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.41	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.16	+0.17

Drawdowns

VSTIX vs. VCSLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTIX drawdown since its inception was -69.93%, roughly equal to the maximum VCSLX drawdown of -67.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTIX and VCSLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTIX	VCSLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.93%	-67.69%	-2.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-11.16%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.05%	-30.96%	+9.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.41%	-31.83%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.52%	-41.78%	+8.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.15%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.66%	-18.37%	-2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	3.14%	-1.24%

Volatility

VSTIX vs. VCSLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VALIC Company I Stock Index Fund (VSTIX) is 2.83%, while VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund (VCSLX) has a volatility of 5.57%. This indicates that VSTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCSLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTIX	VCSLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	5.57%	-2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.86%	13.62%	-4.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.46%	19.14%	-7.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.43%	22.72%	-5.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.37%	23.59%	-5.22%

VSTIX vs. VCSLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTIX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than VCSLX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSTIX vs. VCSLX - Dividend Comparison

VSTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.48%, more than VCSLX's 5.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCSLX VALIC Company I Small Cap Index Fund	5.16%	0.00%	1.17%	26.50%	13.32%	5.39%	13.29%	9.37%	1.18%	5.80%
VSTIX VALIC Company I Stock Index Fund	11.48%	0.00%	6.25%	7.76%	11.33%	5.68%	7.26%	3.37%	1.81%	5.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTIX and VCSLX in my portfolio?

VSTIX and VCSLX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTIX or VCSLX?

VCSLX has higher volatility (5.57%) compared to VSTIX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTIX dropped -69.93% vs VCSLX's -67.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 2.24), 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.