MSSGX vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio (MSSGX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

MSSGX is managed by T. Rowe Price. It was launched on Nov 1, 1989.

Performance

MSSGX vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio (MSSGX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MSSGX vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSSGX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio	-14.11%	1.07%	29.65%	54.44%	-59.42%	-3.74%	150.29%	66.18%	0.26%	22.58%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSSGX achieves a -14.11% return, which is significantly lower than ^GSPC's -3.95% return. Over the past 10 years, MSSGX has outperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 14.01%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively lower 12.24% annualized return.

MSSGX

• 1D: 4.64%
• 1M: -5.95%
• YTD: -14.11%
• 6M: -26.10%
• 1Y: -3.37%
• 3Y*: 12.83%
• 5Y*: -11.56%
• 10Y*: 14.01%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

MSSGX vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSSGX

MSSGX Risk / Return Rank: 4
MSSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
MSSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
MSSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
MSSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
MSSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

MSSGX vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio (MSSGX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	MSSGX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.09	0.92	-1.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.11	1.41	-1.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.21	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.11	1.41	-1.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.27	6.61	-6.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSSGX vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSSGX Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSSGX and ^GSPC, 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

	MSSGX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09	0.92	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.31	0.61	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.68	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.46	-0.05

Correlation

The correlation between MSSGX and ^GSPC is 0.72, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

MSSGX vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSSGX drawdown since its inception was -76.01%, which is greater than ^GSPC's maximum drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSSGX and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSSGX	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.01%	-56.78%	-19.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.84%	-12.14%	-20.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.07%	-25.43%	-47.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.01%	-33.92%	-42.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-56.34%	-5.78%	-50.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.05%	-10.75%	-11.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.88%	2.60%	+10.28%

Volatility

MSSGX vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio (MSSGX) has a higher volatility of 10.55% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 5.37%. This indicates that MSSGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSSGX	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.55%	5.37%	+5.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.74%	9.55%	+14.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.07%	18.33%	+14.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.78%	16.90%	+20.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.54%	18.05%	+15.49%