VTCIX vs. TWCUX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VTCIX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Institutional Shares) and TWCUX (American Century Ultra Fund) are both mutual funds - VTCIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while TWCUX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Century. Over the past 10 years, VTCIX returned 15.47%/yr vs 18.33%/yr for TWCUX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTCIX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.93%/yr for TWCUX.

Performance

VTCIX vs. TWCUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Institutional Shares (VTCIX) and American Century Ultra Fund (TWCUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTCIX achieves a 11.08% return, which is significantly higher than TWCUX's 10.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VTCIX has underperformed TWCUX with an annualized return of 15.47%, while TWCUX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.33% annualized return.

VTCIX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 4.98%
• YTD: 11.08%
• 6M: 11.41%
• 1Y: 28.82%
• 3Y*: 22.16%
• 5Y*: 13.35%
• 10Y*: 15.47%

TWCUX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 6.70%
• YTD: 10.11%
• 6M: 8.35%
• 1Y: 26.82%
• 3Y*: 22.10%
• 5Y*: 12.86%
• 10Y*: 18.33%

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

VTCIX vs. TWCUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTCIX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Institutional Shares	11.08%	17.48%	23.81%	26.65%	-19.05%	26.92%	21.09%	31.51%	-4.95%	22.44%
TWCUX American Century Ultra Fund	10.11%	12.66%	29.54%	43.36%	-32.38%	23.47%	49.79%	34.60%	0.70%	31.65%

Correlation

The correlation between VTCIX and TWCUX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 1999	0.94

The correlation between VTCIX and TWCUX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTCIX vs. TWCUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTCIX

VTCIX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VTCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VTCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VTCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

TWCUX

TWCUX Risk / Return Rank: 27
TWCUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
TWCUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
TWCUX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
TWCUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
TWCUX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

VTCIX vs. TWCUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Institutional Shares (VTCIX) and American Century Ultra Fund (TWCUX). 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.

	VTCIX	TWCUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.70	+0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	2.31	+1.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.29	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	1.73	+1.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.54	6.09	+9.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTCIX vs. TWCUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTCIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the TWCUX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTCIX and TWCUX, 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

	VTCIX	TWCUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	1.70	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.57	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.83	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.53	-0.07

Drawdowns

VTCIX vs. TWCUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTCIX drawdown since its inception was -55.17%, smaller than the maximum TWCUX drawdown of -62.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTCIX and TWCUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTCIX	TWCUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.17%	-62.11%	+6.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.79%	-15.72%	+6.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.01%	-24.86%	+5.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.96%	-35.23%	+10.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.56%	-35.23%	+0.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.97%	-16.81%	+4.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	4.48%	-2.59%

Volatility

VTCIX vs. TWCUX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Institutional Shares (VTCIX) is 2.86%, while American Century Ultra Fund (TWCUX) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that VTCIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TWCUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTCIX	TWCUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	3.72%	-0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.10%	12.32%	-3.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.03%	16.33%	-4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	22.56%	-5.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.27%	22.08%	-3.81%

VTCIX vs. TWCUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTCIX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than TWCUX's 0.93% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTCIX vs. TWCUX - Dividend Comparison

VTCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than TWCUX's 10.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TWCUX American Century Ultra Fund	10.51%	11.57%	3.58%	6.09%	7.42%	6.78%	2.80%	4.27%	8.24%	5.85%	4.58%	5.21%
VTCIX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Institutional Shares	0.87%	0.96%	1.07%	1.27%	1.50%	1.07%	1.34%	1.55%	1.86%	1.60%	1.79%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTCIX and TWCUX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VTCIX and TWCUX 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, VTCIX or TWCUX?

TWCUX has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to VTCIX (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTCIX dropped -55.17% vs TWCUX's -62.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTCIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.70), 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.