MEGIX vs. VRGWX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

MEGIX (Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio) and VRGWX (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, MEGIX returned -1.72%/yr vs 12.64%/yr for VRGWX. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MEGIX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VRGWX.

Performance

MEGIX vs. VRGWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio (MEGIX) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MEGIX achieves a -10.79% return, which is significantly lower than VRGWX's 0.30% return.

MEGIX

• 1D: -2.16%
• 1M: -8.12%
• 6M: -2.53%
• YTD: -10.79%
• 1Y: -6.05%
• 3Y*: 23.24%
• 5Y*: -1.72%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.07%

VRGWX

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -2.43%
• 6M: 1.53%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 1Y: 10.12%
• 3Y*: 19.26%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: 17.87%
• ALL TIME*: 16.61%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MEGIX Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VRGWX Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MEGIX vs. VRGWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MEGIX Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio	-10.79%	35.72%	46.59%	48.66%	-60.94%	-0.20%	117.49%	31.82%	7.73%	19.35%
VRGWX Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.30%	18.32%	33.25%	42.65%	-29.18%	32.42%	38.38%	36.30%	-1.59%	25.88%

Correlation

The correlation between MEGIX and VRGWX is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.78

The correlation between MEGIX and VRGWX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MEGIX vs. VRGWX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MEGIX

MEGIX Risk / Return Rank: 2
MEGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
MEGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
MEGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
MEGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
MEGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VRGWX

VRGWX Risk / Return Rank: 10
VRGWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VRGWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VRGWX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VRGWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
VRGWX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MEGIX vs. VRGWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio (MEGIX) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	MEGIX	VRGWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.32	0.46	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.26	0.75	-1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.09	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.34	0.50	-0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.65	1.48	-2.13

MEGIX vs. VRGWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MEGIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.32, which is lower than the VRGWX Sharpe Ratio of 0.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MEGIX and VRGWX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MEGIX vs. VRGWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MEGIX drawdown since its inception was -69.99%, which is greater than VRGWX's maximum drawdown of -32.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEGIX and VRGWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MEGIX	VRGWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.99%	-32.70%	-37.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.03%	-16.19%	-11.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.12%	-23.44%	-8.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.99%	-32.70%	-37.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.54%	-7.97%	-12.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.93%	-4.89%	-18.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.69%	5.40%	+9.29%

Volatility

MEGIX vs. VRGWX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio (MEGIX) has a higher volatility of 7.39% compared to Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX) at 6.43%. This indicates that MEGIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VRGWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MEGIX	VRGWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.39%	6.43%	+0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.37%	14.06%	+9.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.00%	17.52%	+12.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.01%	21.93%	+18.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.65%	21.29%	+13.36%

MEGIX vs. VRGWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MEGIX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than VRGWX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

MEGIX vs. VRGWX - Dividend Comparison

MEGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.65%, more than VRGWX's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MEGIX Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio	12.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	163.32%	34.82%	7.97%	5.35%	24.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VRGWX Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.49%	0.35%	0.56%	0.71%	0.99%	4.18%	0.77%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	1.52%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MEGIX and VRGWX in my portfolio?

MEGIX and VRGWX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MEGIX or VRGWX?

MEGIX has higher volatility (7.39%) compared to VRGWX (6.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEGIX dropped -69.99% vs VRGWX's -32.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRGWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.46 vs -0.32), 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.