MSACX vs. LIAGX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

MSACX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio) and LIAGX (Lord Abbett International Growth Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, MSACX returned 4.78%/yr vs 7.65%/yr for LIAGX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MSACX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.81%/yr for LIAGX.

Performance

MSACX vs. LIAGX - 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 Lord Abbett International Growth Fund (LIAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSACX achieves a 15.58% return, which is significantly lower than LIAGX's 24.40% return.

MSACX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.23%
• 6M: 9.34%
• YTD: 15.58%
• 1Y: 14.79%
• 3Y*: 15.33%
• 5Y*: 4.78%
• 10Y*: 8.97%

LIAGX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.47%
• 6M: 17.04%
• YTD: 24.40%
• 1Y: 34.44%
• 3Y*: 20.57%
• 5Y*: 7.65%
• 10Y*: —

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

MSACX vs. LIAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
MSACX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio	15.58%	21.80%	7.17%	12.50%	-21.58%	-5.12%
LIAGX Lord Abbett International Growth Fund	24.40%	25.09%	9.43%	15.73%	-26.63%	0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between MSACX and LIAGX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2021	0.91

The correlation between MSACX and LIAGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSACX vs. LIAGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSACX

MSACX Risk / Return Rank: 15
MSACX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
MSACX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
MSACX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
MSACX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
MSACX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

LIAGX

LIAGX Risk / Return Rank: 45
LIAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
LIAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
LIAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
LIAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
LIAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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. LIAGX - 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 Lord Abbett International Growth Fund (LIAGX). 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.

	MSACX	LIAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	1.37	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.88	1.90	-1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.26	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.01	2.29	-1.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.42	8.50	-5.08

MSACX vs. LIAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSACX Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the LIAGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSACX and LIAGX, 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

MSACX vs. LIAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSACX drawdown since its inception was -55.43%, which is greater than LIAGX's maximum drawdown of -37.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSACX and LIAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSACX	LIAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.43%	-37.87%	-17.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.85%	-14.56%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.85%	-17.11%	+3.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.36%	-37.87%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.95%	-6.77%	+2.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.22%	-13.04%	+0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.09%	3.91%	+0.18%

Volatility

MSACX vs. LIAGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Active International Allocation Portfolio (MSACX) is 8.25%, while Lord Abbett International Growth Fund (LIAGX) has a volatility of 11.84%. This indicates that MSACX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LIAGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSACX	LIAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.25%	11.84%	-3.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.98%	21.96%	-6.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.55%	24.22%	-2.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.10%	19.55%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	19.50%	-1.34%

MSACX vs. LIAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSACX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than LIAGX's 0.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSACX vs. LIAGX - Dividend Comparison

MSACX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while LIAGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIAGX Lord Abbett International Growth Fund	0.30%	0.38%	0.48%	0.71%	0.89%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 LIAGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, MSACX and LIAGX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, MSACX or LIAGX?

LIAGX has higher volatility (11.84%) compared to MSACX (8.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSACX dropped -55.43% vs LIAGX's -37.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs 0.65), 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.