MPEGX vs. VMGRX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MPEGX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Discovery Portfolio) and VMGRX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MPEGX returned 13.55%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for VMGRX. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MPEGX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for VMGRX.

Performance

MPEGX vs. VMGRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Discovery Portfolio (MPEGX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund (VMGRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MPEGX achieves a -0.08% return, which is significantly higher than VMGRX's -2.41% return. Over the past 10 years, MPEGX has outperformed VMGRX with an annualized return of 13.55%, while VMGRX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.47% annualized return.

MPEGX

• 1D: 2.29%
• 1M: -3.76%
• 6M: 5.72%
• YTD: -0.08%
• 1Y: -8.83%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: -5.55%
• 10Y*: 13.55%
• ALL TIME*: 12.76%

VMGRX

• 1D: 3.59%
• 1M: -6.30%
• 6M: 0.62%
• YTD: -2.41%
• 1Y: 0.25%
• 3Y*: 8.57%
• 5Y*: 1.28%
• 10Y*: 9.47%
• ALL TIME*: 8.39%

*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)
MPEGX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Discovery Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VMGRX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MPEGX vs. VMGRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MPEGX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Discovery Portfolio	-0.08%	14.05%	42.38%	46.66%	-63.39%	-12.37%	142.68%	39.73%	12.19%	39.39%
VMGRX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund	-2.41%	8.80%	17.73%	24.15%	-30.13%	9.21%	33.40%	32.06%	-3.52%	21.60%

Correlation

The correlation between MPEGX and VMGRX is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 1997	0.89

The correlation between MPEGX and VMGRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MPEGX vs. VMGRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MPEGX

MPEGX Risk / Return Rank: 3
MPEGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
MPEGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
MPEGX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
MPEGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
MPEGX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

VMGRX

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

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.

MPEGX vs. VMGRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Discovery Portfolio (MPEGX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund (VMGRX). 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.

	MPEGX	VMGRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.27	-0.14	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.18	-0.05	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	0.99	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.28	-0.16	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.56	-0.47	-0.09

MPEGX vs. VMGRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MPEGX Sharpe Ratio is -0.27, which is lower than the VMGRX Sharpe Ratio of -0.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MPEGX and VMGRX, 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

MPEGX vs. VMGRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MPEGX drawdown since its inception was -75.29%, roughly equal to the maximum VMGRX drawdown of -71.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MPEGX and VMGRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MPEGX	VMGRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.29%	-71.74%	-3.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.46%	-19.09%	-8.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.53%	-26.85%	-1.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.99%	-39.71%	-33.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-75.29%	-39.71%	-35.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.22%	-8.21%	-30.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.29%	-24.38%	+3.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.82%	6.40%	+7.42%

Volatility

MPEGX vs. VMGRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Discovery Portfolio (MPEGX) is 6.97%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund (VMGRX) has a volatility of 7.34%. This indicates that MPEGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VMGRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MPEGX	VMGRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.97%	7.34%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.22%	17.71%	+4.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.17%	21.24%	+7.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.33%	23.61%	+16.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.65%	22.42%	+12.23%

MPEGX vs. VMGRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MPEGX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than VMGRX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

MPEGX vs. VMGRX - Dividend Comparison

MPEGX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VMGRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 18.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MPEGX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Discovery Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	35.82%	7.63%	12.05%	23.88%	41.11%	67.79%	13.20%
VMGRX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund	18.18%	17.74%	1.80%	0.39%	0.26%	34.53%	6.30%	10.43%	14.53%	3.13%	0.67%	8.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MPEGX and VMGRX in my portfolio?

MPEGX and VMGRX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MPEGX or VMGRX?

VMGRX has higher volatility (7.34%) compared to MPEGX (6.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MPEGX dropped -75.29% vs VMGRX's -71.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMGRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.14 vs -0.27), 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.