MSCI vs. VTI
MSCI (MSCI Inc.) is a stock, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, MSCI returned 24.29%/yr vs 15.31%/yr for VTI. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
MSCI vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSCI achieves a 2.01% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 10.35% return. Over the past 10 years, MSCI has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 24.29%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.31% annualized return.
MSCI
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -1.31%
- YTD
- 2.01%
- 6M
- 1.49%
- 1Y
- 8.11%
- 3Y*
- 9.02%
- 5Y*
- 3.22%
- 10Y*
- 24.29%
VTI
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 10.35%
- 6M
- 9.59%
- 1Y
- 27.18%
- 3Y*
- 21.19%
- 5Y*
- 12.36%
- 10Y*
- 15.31%
MSCI vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCI MSCI Inc. | 2.01% | -3.17% | 7.31% | 22.90% | -23.34% | 38.14% | 74.38% | 77.19% | 17.95% | 62.63% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 10.35% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSCI and VTI is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2007 | 0.61 |
Over the past year, the correlation between MSCI and VTI has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
MSCI vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
MSCI
VTI
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.
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.
| MSCI | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 1.38 | -0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.45 | 3.06 | -2.61 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.16 | 13.68 | -12.52 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSCI | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.06% | -55.45% | -13.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.07% | -8.92% | -9.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.99% | -19.30% | -6.69% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.78% | -1.48% | -8.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.07% | -8.01% | -5.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.00% | 1.99% | +5.01% |
Volatility
MSCI vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
MSCI Inc. (MSCI) has a higher volatility of 8.23% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.74%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| MSCI | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.23% | 4.74% | +3.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.10% | 9.96% | +11.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.90% | 12.76% | +16.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.74% | 17.49% | +13.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.20% | 18.35% | +12.85% |
Dividends
MSCI vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
MSCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, more than VTI's 1.02% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCI MSCI Inc. | 1.33% | 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 | 1.02% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MSCI and VTI have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSCI has higher volatility (8.23%) compared to VTI (4.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSCI dropped -69.06% vs VTI's -55.45%.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 0.28), 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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