MAGSX vs. VMGAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MAGSX (Madison Aggressive Allocation Fund) and VMGAX (Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - MAGSX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Madison Funds, while VMGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, MAGSX returned 7.69%/yr vs 19.39%/yr for VMGAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MAGSX charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VMGAX.

Performance

MAGSX vs. VMGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Madison Aggressive Allocation Fund (MAGSX) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with MAGSX having a 11.80% return and VMGAX slightly lower at 11.29%. Over the past 10 years, MAGSX has underperformed VMGAX with an annualized return of 7.69%, while VMGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 19.39% annualized return.

MAGSX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 11.80%
• 6M: 12.39%
• 1Y: 22.10%
• 3Y*: 12.80%
• 5Y*: 5.44%
• 10Y*: 7.69%

VMGAX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 8.54%
• YTD: 11.29%
• 6M: 10.76%
• 1Y: 31.60%
• 3Y*: 27.29%
• 5Y*: 16.86%
• 10Y*: 19.39%

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

MAGSX vs. VMGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MAGSX Madison Aggressive Allocation Fund	11.80%	12.48%	6.46%	12.32%	-15.38%	9.50%	9.65%	19.21%	-6.59%	18.04%
VMGAX Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.29%	20.73%	32.98%	51.57%	-33.55%	28.50%	41.02%	37.54%	-2.86%	29.49%

Correlation

The correlation between MAGSX and VMGAX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2007	0.88

The correlation between MAGSX and VMGAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MAGSX vs. VMGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAGSX

MAGSX Risk / Return Rank: 52
MAGSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
MAGSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
MAGSX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
MAGSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
MAGSX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

VMGAX

VMGAX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VMGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VMGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VMGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VMGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
VMGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

MAGSX vs. VMGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Madison Aggressive Allocation Fund (MAGSX) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMGAX). 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.

	MAGSX	VMGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	2.01	+0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.08	2.71	+0.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.35	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	1.95	+0.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.23	6.74	+4.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAGSX vs. VMGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAGSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the VMGAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAGSX and VMGAX, 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

	MAGSX	VMGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	2.01	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.75	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.89	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.65	-0.29

Drawdowns

MAGSX vs. VMGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAGSX drawdown since its inception was -56.06%, which is greater than VMGAX's maximum drawdown of -47.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAGSX and VMGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAGSX	VMGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.06%	-47.97%	-8.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.63%	-16.78%	+8.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.35%	-23.45%	+8.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.13%	-36.03%	+14.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.20%	-36.03%	+12.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.29%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.47%	-7.44%	-2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	4.83%	-2.80%

Volatility

MAGSX vs. VMGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Madison Aggressive Allocation Fund (MAGSX) is 3.32%, while Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMGAX) has a volatility of 3.80%. This indicates that MAGSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VMGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAGSX	VMGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.32%	3.80%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.57%	12.39%	-3.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.62%	16.23%	-5.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.18%	22.71%	-10.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.07%	21.90%	-8.83%

MAGSX vs. VMGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAGSX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than VMGAX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

MAGSX vs. VMGAX - Dividend Comparison

MAGSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.52%, more than VMGAX's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MAGSX Madison Aggressive Allocation Fund	5.52%	6.17%	2.02%	1.89%	1.26%	9.97%	8.66%	5.42%	10.79%	5.89%	3.82%	9.57%
VMGAX Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.32%	0.36%	0.44%	0.51%	0.71%	0.42%	0.65%	0.86%	1.13%	1.23%	1.53%	1.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MAGSX and VMGAX in my portfolio?

MAGSX and VMGAX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAGSX or VMGAX?

VMGAX has higher volatility (3.80%) compared to MAGSX (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAGSX dropped -56.06% vs VMGAX's -47.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MAGSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 2.01), 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.