MSCOX vs. VSGAX

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

MSCOX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Inception Portfolio Class C) and VSGAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. MSCOX is actively managed, while VSGAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MSCOX returned -10.32%/yr vs 4.27%/yr for VSGAX. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MSCOX charges 2.10%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSGAX.

Performance

MSCOX vs. VSGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Inception Portfolio Class C (MSCOX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

MSCOX

• 1D: -4.29%
• 1M: -4.38%
• 6M: -1.94%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 1Y: -8.13%
• 3Y*: 9.57%
• 5Y*: -10.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.83%

VSGAX

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: -4.49%
• 6M: 6.36%
• YTD: 13.39%
• 1Y: 19.53%
• 3Y*: 13.81%
• 5Y*: 4.27%
• 10Y*: 10.84%
• ALL TIME*: 11.96%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MSCOX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Inception Portfolio Class C	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MSCOX vs. VSGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSCOX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Inception Portfolio Class C	-0.00%	0.00%	28.07%	52.94%	-59.90%	-5.01%	147.58%	35.22%	-0.81%	3.20%
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.39%	8.44%	14.94%	23.04%	-28.39%	5.70%	35.26%	32.76%	-5.69%	10.54%

Correlation

The correlation between MSCOX and VSGAX is 0.80, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2017	0.84

The correlation between MSCOX and VSGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSCOX vs. VSGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSCOX

MSCOX Risk / Return Rank: 3
MSCOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
MSCOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
MSCOX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
MSCOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
MSCOX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

VSGAX

VSGAX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VSGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VSGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VSGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VSGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VSGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

MSCOX vs. VSGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Inception Portfolio Class C (MSCOX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX). 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.

	MSCOX	VSGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.26	1.00	-1.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.17	1.50	-1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.18	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.25	1.80	-2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.49	6.31	-6.80

MSCOX vs. VSGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSCOX Sharpe Ratio is -0.26, which is lower than the VSGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSCOX and VSGAX, 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

MSCOX vs. VSGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSCOX drawdown since its inception was -76.57%, which is greater than VSGAX's maximum drawdown of -38.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSCOX and VSGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSCOX	VSGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.57%	-38.70%	-37.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.16%	-11.37%	-21.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.16%	-27.47%	-5.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-71.56%	-38.36%	-33.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.97%	-6.62%	-45.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.65%	-8.49%	-26.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.54%	3.24%	+13.30%

Volatility

MSCOX vs. VSGAX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Inception Portfolio Class C (MSCOX) has a higher volatility of 8.05% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) at 4.61%. This indicates that MSCOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSCOX	VSGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.05%	4.61%	+3.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.78%	15.85%	+7.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.05%	20.47%	+10.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.14%	23.70%	+14.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.46%	23.03%	+11.43%

MSCOX vs. VSGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSCOX has a 2.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VSGAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSCOX vs. VSGAX - Dividend Comparison

MSCOX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VSGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSCOX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Inception Portfolio Class C	0.00%	0.00%	0.61%	0.00%	0.15%	38.66%	13.71%	23.55%	18.35%	57.78%	0.00%	0.00%
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.44%	0.54%	0.54%	0.67%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.81%	1.08%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSCOX and VSGAX in my portfolio?

MSCOX and VSGAX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSCOX or VSGAX?

MSCOX has higher volatility (8.05%) compared to VSGAX (4.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSCOX dropped -76.57% vs VSGAX's -38.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs -0.26), 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.