MSAQX vs. FSEAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MSAQX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio) and FSEAX (Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MSAQX returned 10.88%/yr vs 16.15%/yr for FSEAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MSAQX charges 1.10%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for FSEAX.

Performance

MSAQX vs. FSEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio (MSAQX) and Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund (FSEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSAQX achieves a 20.18% return, which is significantly lower than FSEAX's 39.57% return. Over the past 10 years, MSAQX has underperformed FSEAX with an annualized return of 10.88%, while FSEAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.15% annualized return.

MSAQX

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 13.16%
• YTD: 20.18%
• 6M: 16.23%
• 1Y: 17.11%
• 3Y*: 12.55%
• 5Y*: -3.56%
• 10Y*: 10.88%

FSEAX

• 1D: 1.71%
• 1M: 12.18%
• YTD: 39.57%
• 6M: 44.64%
• 1Y: 74.85%
• 3Y*: 35.25%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: 16.15%

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

MSAQX vs. FSEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSAQX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio	20.18%	2.06%	19.71%	-6.83%	-22.01%	-20.52%	52.55%	44.74%	-13.64%	76.83%
FSEAX Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund	39.57%	36.43%	21.80%	13.58%	-31.26%	-14.91%	73.43%	30.97%	-15.08%	45.13%

Correlation

The correlation between MSAQX and FSEAX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.87

The correlation between MSAQX and FSEAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSAQX vs. FSEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSAQX

MSAQX Risk / Return Rank: 9
MSAQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
MSAQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
MSAQX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
MSAQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
MSAQX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

FSEAX

FSEAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
FSEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FSEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FSEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FSEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FSEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

MSAQX vs. FSEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio (MSAQX) and Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund (FSEAX). 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.

	MSAQX	FSEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	3.87	-3.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	4.61	-3.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.69	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.72	5.65	-4.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.84	20.59	-18.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSAQX vs. FSEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSAQX Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is lower than the FSEAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSAQX and FSEAX, 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

	MSAQX	FSEAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	3.87	-3.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.15	0.38	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.77	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.43	+0.06

Drawdowns

MSAQX vs. FSEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSAQX drawdown since its inception was -61.11%, smaller than the maximum FSEAX drawdown of -65.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSAQX and FSEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSAQX	FSEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.11%	-65.59%	+4.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.57%	-13.42%	-10.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.57%	-17.54%	-6.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.29%	-53.64%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.11%	-58.07%	-3.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.78%	0.00%	-30.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.42%	-24.68%	+0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.13%	3.67%	+5.46%

Volatility

MSAQX vs. FSEAX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio (MSAQX) has a higher volatility of 9.27% compared to Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund (FSEAX) at 8.45%. This indicates that MSAQX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSAQX	FSEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.27%	8.45%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.83%	16.42%	+2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.61%	19.59%	+2.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.54%	22.86%	+1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.38%	21.02%	+1.36%

MSAQX vs. FSEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSAQX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than FSEAX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSAQX vs. FSEAX - Dividend Comparison

MSAQX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FSEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSEAX Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund	0.15%	0.22%	0.00%	0.08%	0.00%	14.14%	14.10%	6.15%	3.44%	0.05%	1.26%	0.44%
MSAQX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	1.82%	0.26%	0.00%	0.88%	1.06%	0.05%	0.69%	1.12%	2.24%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSAQX and FSEAX in my portfolio?

MSAQX and FSEAX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSAQX or FSEAX?

MSAQX has higher volatility (9.27%) compared to FSEAX (8.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSAQX dropped -61.11% vs FSEAX's -65.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.87 vs 0.78), 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.