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MSCI vs. VIG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

MSCI vs. VIG

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MSCI (MSCI Inc.) is a stock, while VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Over the past 10 years, MSCI returned 24.54%/yr vs 13.24%/yr for VIG. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

MSCI vs. VIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSCI achieves a 5.22% return, which is significantly lower than VIG's 7.68% return. Over the past 10 years, MSCI has outperformed VIG with an annualized return of 24.54%, while VIG has yielded a comparatively lower 13.24% annualized return.

MSCI

1D
0.81%
1M
6.66%
YTD
5.22%
6M
9.54%
1Y
11.93%
3Y*
9.01%
5Y*
5.72%
10Y*
24.54%

VIG

1D
0.53%
1M
2.76%
YTD
7.68%
6M
6.99%
1Y
19.52%
3Y*
15.98%
5Y*
10.74%
10Y*
13.24%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MSCI vs. VIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
MSCI
MSCI Inc.		5.22%-3.17%7.31%22.90%-23.34%38.14%74.38%77.19%17.95%62.63%
VIG
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF		7.68%14.17%16.99%14.51%-9.80%23.76%15.43%29.62%-2.08%22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between MSCI and VIG is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.35

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.49

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.62

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.59

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2007

0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between MSCI and VIG has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

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MSCI Inc.

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

Often compared with MSCI:
MSCI vs. SPYMSCI vs. SPGIMSCI vs. VOOMSCI vs. VWRP.LMSCI vs. VTIMSCI vs. VGTMSCI vs. MS
Often compared with VIG:
VIG vs. SCHDVIG vs. VYMVIG vs. VOOVIG vs. DGROVIG vs. VDIGXVIG vs. VTIVIG vs. VTV

Return for Risk

MSCI vs. VIG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
MSCI
MSCI Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
MSCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MSCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
MSCI Omega Ratio Rank: 4848
Omega Ratio Rank
MSCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
MSCI Martin Ratio Rank: 5757
Martin Ratio Rank
VIG
VIG Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 6060
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

MSCI vs. VIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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.

MSCIVIGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.33
1.80

-1.47

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.65
2.61

-1.96

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.09

1.32

-0.23

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.52

2.32

-1.79

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.37

9.34

-7.98

MSCI vs. VIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSCI Sharpe Ratio is 0.33, which is lower than the VIG Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSCI and VIG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

MSCI vs. VIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSCI drawdown since its inception was -69.06%, which is greater than VIG's maximum drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSCI and VIG.

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Drawdown Indicators

MSCIVIGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-69.06%

-46.81%

-22.25%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-18.07%

-7.91%

-10.16%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.99%

-14.95%

-11.04%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-43.74%

-20.39%

-23.35%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-43.74%

-31.72%

-12.02%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.94%

-0.33%

-6.61%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.07%

-5.51%

-7.56%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

6.92%

1.96%

+4.96%

Volatility

MSCI vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison

MSCI Inc. (MSCI) has a higher volatility of 8.37% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) at 2.93%. This indicates that MSCI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

MSCIVIGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.37%

2.93%

+5.44%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

20.91%

7.78%

+13.13%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

28.70%

10.19%

+18.51%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

30.72%

14.25%

+16.47%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

31.18%

16.06%

+15.12%

Dividends

MSCI vs. VIG - Dividend Comparison

MSCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, less than VIG's 1.47% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
MSCI
MSCI Inc.		1.29%1.25%1.07%0.98%0.98%0.59%0.65%0.98%1.30%1.04%1.27%1.11%
VIG
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF		1.47%1.62%1.73%1.88%1.96%1.55%1.63%1.71%2.08%1.88%2.14%2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

MSCI and VIG have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

MSCI has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to VIG (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSCI dropped -69.06% vs VIG's -46.81%.

VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 0.33), 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.

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