MSA vs. VUG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).

VUG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.

Performance

MSA vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MSA vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated	2.65%	-2.14%	-0.71%	18.52%	-3.15%	2.14%	19.79%	36.10%	23.61%	13.97%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	-10.37%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSA achieves a 2.65% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -10.37% return. Over the past 10 years, MSA has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 14.61%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.03% annualized return.

MSA

• 1D: 2.03%
• 1M: -16.10%
• YTD: 2.65%
• 6M: -4.15%
• 1Y: 13.16%
• 3Y*: 8.36%
• 5Y*: 2.84%
• 10Y*: 14.61%

VUG

• 1D: 4.00%
• 1M: -5.12%
• YTD: -10.37%
• 6M: -8.73%
• 1Y: 18.30%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.43%
• 10Y*: 16.03%

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

Return for Risk

MSA vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSA

MSA Risk / Return Rank: 56
MSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
MSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
MSA Omega Ratio Rank: 52
MSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
MSA Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 50
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

MSA vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	MSA	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	0.81	-0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.89	1.31	-0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.18	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.59	1.11	-0.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.80	3.96	-2.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSA vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSA Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSA and VUG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MSA	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	0.81	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.52	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.75	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.57	-0.23

Correlation

The correlation between MSA and VUG is 0.55, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

MSA vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

MSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, more than VUG's 0.46% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated	1.29%	1.31%	1.21%	1.11%	1.26%	1.16%	1.14%	1.30%	1.58%	1.78%	1.89%	2.92%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.46%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Drawdowns

MSA vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSA drawdown since its inception was -70.32%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSA and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSA	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.32%	-50.68%	-19.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.67%	-16.53%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.09%	-35.61%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.39%	-35.61%	-2.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.06%	-13.20%	-5.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.45%	-7.13%	-10.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.76%	4.66%	+2.10%

Volatility

MSA vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) has a higher volatility of 7.73% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 7.00%. This indicates that MSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSA	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.73%	7.00%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.26%	12.65%	+5.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.46%	22.68%	+2.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.43%	22.23%	+2.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.73%	21.38%	+7.35%