MSACX vs. FHLFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MSACX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio) and FHLFX (Fidelity Series International Index Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, MSACX returned 4.86%/yr vs 8.85%/yr for FHLFX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MSACX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for FHLFX.

Performance

MSACX vs. FHLFX - 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 Fidelity Series International Index Fund (FHLFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSACX achieves a 17.05% return, which is significantly higher than FHLFX's 9.53% 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%

FHLFX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 4.09%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 22.51%
• 3Y*: 17.18%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: —

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

MSACX vs. FHLFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%	-10.69%
FHLFX Fidelity Series International Index Fund	9.53%	31.96%	3.67%	18.16%	-14.17%	11.23%	8.09%	21.66%	-10.70%

Correlation

The correlation between MSACX and FHLFX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2018	0.90

The correlation between MSACX and FHLFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSACX vs. FHLFX — 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

FHLFX

FHLFX Risk / Return Rank: 27
FHLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
FHLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FHLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
FHLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
FHLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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. FHLFX - 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 Fidelity Series International Index Fund (FHLFX). 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	FHLFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	1.47	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.12	2.10	-0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.27	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	1.91	-0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.43	7.17	-2.73
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. FHLFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSACX Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the FHLFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSACX and FHLFX, 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	FHLFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	1.47	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.56	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.53	-0.15

Drawdowns

MSACX vs. FHLFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSACX drawdown since its inception was -55.43%, which is greater than FHLFX's maximum drawdown of -33.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSACX and FHLFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSACX	FHLFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.43%	-33.58%	-21.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.85%	-11.37%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.85%	-13.62%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.36%	-29.36%	-8.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.42%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.25%	-6.11%	-6.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.96%	3.03%	+0.93%

Volatility

MSACX vs. FHLFX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio (MSACX) has a higher volatility of 5.00% compared to Fidelity Series International Index Fund (FHLFX) at 4.64%. This indicates that MSACX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FHLFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSACX	FHLFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	4.64%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.77%	12.08%	+6.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.69%	14.83%	+4.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.74%	15.98%	+2.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	17.64%	+0.64%

MSACX vs. FHLFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSACX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than FHLFX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSACX vs. FHLFX - Dividend Comparison

MSACX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FHLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FHLFX Fidelity Series International Index Fund	3.16%	3.46%	2.98%	2.86%	2.60%	2.47%	1.92%	1.95%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 FHLFX in my portfolio?

MSACX and FHLFX have a correlation of 0.88, 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 FHLFX?

MSACX has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to FHLFX (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSACX dropped -55.43% vs FHLFX's -33.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FHLFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 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.