MFAIX vs. ACWX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MFAIX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. International Advantage Portfolio) and ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MFAIX returned 10.23%/yr vs 9.57%/yr for ACWX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MFAIX charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWX.

Performance

MFAIX vs. ACWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. International Advantage Portfolio (MFAIX) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFAIX achieves a 1.58% return, which is significantly lower than ACWX's 14.30% return. Over the past 10 years, MFAIX has outperformed ACWX with an annualized return of 10.23%, while ACWX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.57% annualized return.

MFAIX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 5.89%
• YTD: 1.58%
• 6M: 1.77%
• 1Y: 3.22%
• 3Y*: 8.00%
• 5Y*: 0.24%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

ACWX

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 14.30%
• 6M: 17.01%
• 1Y: 32.04%
• 3Y*: 19.35%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 9.57%

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

MFAIX vs. ACWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFAIX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. International Advantage Portfolio	1.58%	15.74%	6.95%	18.38%	-34.47%	13.14%	32.33%	30.27%	-5.21%	44.78%
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	14.30%	32.59%	5.17%	15.63%	-16.07%	7.67%	10.29%	21.05%	-13.99%	27.20%

Correlation

The correlation between MFAIX and ACWX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2010	0.85

The correlation between MFAIX and ACWX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MFAIX vs. ACWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFAIX

MFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 3
MFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
MFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
MFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
MFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
MFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

ACWX

ACWX Risk / Return Rank: 59
ACWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ACWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
ACWX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ACWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
ACWX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

MFAIX vs. ACWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. International Advantage Portfolio (MFAIX) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX). 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.

	MFAIX	ACWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.15	2.08	-1.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.34	2.85	-2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.38	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.17	2.82	-2.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.57	10.96	-10.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFAIX vs. ACWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFAIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.15, which is lower than the ACWX Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFAIX and ACWX, 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

	MFAIX	ACWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15	2.08	-1.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.52	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.55	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.23	+0.30

Drawdowns

MFAIX vs. ACWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFAIX drawdown since its inception was -47.98%, smaller than the maximum ACWX drawdown of -60.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFAIX and ACWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFAIX	ACWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.98%	-60.40%	+12.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.56%	-11.42%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.07%	-13.84%	-9.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.98%	-30.07%	-17.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.98%	-35.38%	-12.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.21%	-1.06%	-7.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-13.34%	+4.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.74%	2.93%	+1.81%

Volatility

MFAIX vs. ACWX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. International Advantage Portfolio (MFAIX) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) have volatilities of 6.01% and 5.74%, 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

	MFAIX	ACWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.01%	5.74%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.63%	13.26%	+1.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.06%	15.51%	+2.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.76%	16.29%	+5.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.34%	17.38%	+1.96%

MFAIX vs. ACWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFAIX has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWX's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFAIX vs. ACWX - Dividend Comparison

MFAIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	2.47%	2.82%	2.97%	2.96%	2.68%	2.74%	1.88%	3.22%	2.60%	2.40%	2.77%	2.51%
MFAIX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. International Advantage Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	0.14%	0.05%	4.55%	0.99%	0.04%	0.26%	1.75%	2.03%	1.67%	15.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFAIX and ACWX in my portfolio?

MFAIX and ACWX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFAIX or ACWX?

MFAIX has higher volatility (6.01%) compared to ACWX (5.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFAIX dropped -47.98% vs ACWX's -60.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 0.15), 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.