MSACX vs. DFWVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MSACX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio) and DFWVX (DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MSACX returned 8.95%/yr vs 29.51%/yr for DFWVX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MSACX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for DFWVX.

Performance

MSACX vs. DFWVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio (MSACX) and DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund (DFWVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MSACX having a 17.05% return and DFWVX slightly higher at 17.30%. Over the past 10 years, MSACX has underperformed DFWVX with an annualized return of 8.95%, while DFWVX has yielded a comparatively higher 29.51% annualized return.

MSACX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 5.92%
• YTD: 17.05%
• 6M: 5.92%
• 1Y: 17.93%
• 3Y*: 16.30%
• 5Y*: 4.86%
• 10Y*: 8.95%

DFWVX

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 5.65%
• YTD: 17.30%
• 6M: 20.85%
• 1Y: 41.46%
• 3Y*: 24.46%
• 5Y*: 16.46%
• 10Y*: 29.51%

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

MSACX vs. DFWVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSACX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio	17.05%	21.80%	7.17%	12.50%	-21.58%	2.26%	30.48%	22.42%	-15.15%	24.79%
DFWVX DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund	17.30%	40.30%	6.66%	17.37%	-6.41%	32.65%	-0.40%	344.89%	-16.69%	28.21%

Correlation

The correlation between MSACX and DFWVX 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	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.88

The correlation between MSACX and DFWVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSACX vs. DFWVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSACX

MSACX Risk / Return Rank: 14
MSACX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
MSACX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
MSACX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
MSACX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
MSACX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

DFWVX

DFWVX Risk / Return Rank: 88
DFWVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DFWVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFWVX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
DFWVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DFWVX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

MSACX vs. DFWVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio (MSACX) and DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund (DFWVX). 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.

	MSACX	DFWVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	3.26	-2.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.12	4.35	-3.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.61	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	4.20	-2.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.43	15.89	-11.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSACX vs. DFWVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSACX Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the DFWVX Sharpe Ratio of 3.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSACX and DFWVX, 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

	MSACX	DFWVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	3.26	-2.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	1.03	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.85	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.72	-0.34

Drawdowns

MSACX vs. DFWVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSACX drawdown since its inception was -55.43%, which is greater than DFWVX's maximum drawdown of -41.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSACX and DFWVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSACX	DFWVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.43%	-41.32%	-14.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.85%	-9.91%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.85%	-14.11%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.36%	-24.59%	-12.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.36%	-41.32%	+3.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.25%	-7.08%	-5.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.96%	2.60%	+1.36%

Volatility

MSACX vs. DFWVX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio (MSACX) has a higher volatility of 5.00% compared to DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund (DFWVX) at 4.18%. This indicates that MSACX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFWVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSACX	DFWVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	4.18%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.77%	10.52%	+8.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.69%	12.77%	+6.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.74%	16.06%	+2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	34.91%	-16.63%

MSACX vs. DFWVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSACX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than DFWVX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSACX vs. DFWVX - Dividend Comparison

MSACX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFWVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.37%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFWVX DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund	3.37%	3.66%	4.28%	4.30%	3.75%	15.97%	2.43%	110.54%	5.26%	2.70%	2.92%	2.77%
MSACX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	3.49%	3.41%	1.73%	8.51%	0.04%	1.25%	1.70%	2.04%	2.42%	0.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSACX and DFWVX in my portfolio?

MSACX and DFWVX 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, MSACX or DFWVX?

MSACX has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to DFWVX (4.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSACX dropped -55.43% vs DFWVX's -41.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFWVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.26 vs 0.90), 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.