MSCI vs. VTI

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI).

VTI is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. It was launched on Jun 27, 2016.

Performance

MSCI vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

MSCI vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSCI MSCI Inc.	-5.68%	-3.17%	7.31%	22.90%	-23.34%	38.14%	74.38%	77.19%	17.95%	62.63%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	-4.01%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSCI achieves a -5.68% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's -4.01% return. Over the past 10 years, MSCI has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 23.21%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 13.60% annualized return.

MSCI

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: -5.68%
• 6M: -4.33%
• 1Y: -3.40%
• 3Y*: -0.04%
• 5Y*: 5.82%
• 10Y*: 23.21%

VTI

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -5.00%
• YTD: -4.01%
• 6M: -1.66%
• 1Y: 18.11%
• 3Y*: 17.84%
• 5Y*: 10.46%
• 10Y*: 13.60%

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

Return for Risk

MSCI vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSCI

MSCI Risk / Return Rank: 35
MSCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
MSCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
MSCI Omega Ratio Rank: 32
MSCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
MSCI Martin Ratio Rank: 37

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	MSCI	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.11	0.96	-1.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.05	1.48	-1.43
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.23	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.12	1.52	-1.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.34	7.26	-7.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSCI vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSCI Sharpe Ratio is -0.11, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSCI and VTI, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MSCI	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.11	0.96	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.60	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.75	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.48	+0.06

Correlation

The correlation between MSCI and VTI is 0.62, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

MSCI vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

MSCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, more than VTI's 1.17% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSCI MSCI Inc.	1.38%	1.25%	1.07%	0.98%	0.98%	0.59%	0.65%	0.98%	1.30%	1.04%	1.27%	1.11%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.17%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Drawdowns

MSCI vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSCI drawdown since its inception was -69.06%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSCI and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSCI	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.06%	-55.45%	-13.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.07%	-12.30%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.74%	-25.36%	-18.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.74%	-35.00%	-8.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.20%	-6.25%	-9.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.12%	-8.08%	-5.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.48%	2.58%	+3.90%

Volatility

MSCI vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

MSCI Inc. (MSCI) has a higher volatility of 6.58% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 5.45%. This indicates that MSCI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSCI	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.58%	5.45%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.10%	9.73%	+11.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.07%	19.01%	+11.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.55%	17.42%	+13.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.03%	18.29%	+12.74%