MSSGX vs. VRTGX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MSSGX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio) and VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MSSGX returned 15.81%/yr vs 11.40%/yr for VRTGX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MSSGX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTGX.

Performance

MSSGX vs. VRTGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio (MSSGX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSSGX achieves a 5.24% return, which is significantly lower than VRTGX's 16.85% return. Over the past 10 years, MSSGX has outperformed VRTGX with an annualized return of 15.81%, while VRTGX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.40% annualized return.

MSSGX

• 1D: -3.71%
• 1M: 6.04%
• YTD: 5.24%
• 6M: -3.10%
• 1Y: 6.04%
• 3Y*: 17.77%
• 5Y*: -7.87%
• 10Y*: 15.81%

VRTGX

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 13.68%
• 1Y: 37.55%
• 3Y*: 18.22%
• 5Y*: 5.71%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

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

MSSGX vs. VRTGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSSGX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio	5.24%	1.07%	29.65%	54.44%	-59.42%	-3.74%	150.29%	66.18%	0.26%	22.58%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	16.85%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between MSSGX and VRTGX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.84

The correlation between MSSGX and VRTGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSSGX vs. VRTGX — 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: 4
MSSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
MSSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
MSSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
MSSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VRTGX 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.

MSSGX vs. VRTGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio (MSSGX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). 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	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.22	1.77	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.52	2.45	-1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.29	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.20	2.55	-2.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.43	9.17	-8.74
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. VRTGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSSGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is lower than the VRTGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSSGX and VRTGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MSSGX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22	1.77	-1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.21	0.23	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.47	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.51	-0.08

Drawdowns

MSSGX vs. VRTGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSSGX drawdown since its inception was -76.01%, which is greater than VRTGX's maximum drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSSGX and VRTGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSSGX	VRTGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.01%	-41.97%	-34.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.84%	-14.80%	-18.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.84%	-28.54%	-4.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.07%	-40.48%	-32.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.01%	-41.97%	-34.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.50%	-1.38%	-45.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.18%	-10.43%	-11.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.34%	4.10%	+11.24%

Volatility

MSSGX vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio (MSSGX) has a higher volatility of 9.47% compared to Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) at 6.62%. This indicates that MSSGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VRTGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSSGX	VRTGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.47%	6.62%	+2.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.50%	15.82%	+6.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.91%	21.42%	+8.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.90%	24.56%	+13.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.72%	24.51%	+9.21%

MSSGX vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSSGX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTGX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSSGX vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison

MSSGX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VRTGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSSGX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Inception Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	0.99%	0.00%	0.39%	24.63%	9.61%	34.65%	14.40%	47.33%	3.32%	8.67%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.61%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSSGX and VRTGX in my portfolio?

MSSGX and VRTGX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSSGX or VRTGX?

MSSGX has higher volatility (9.47%) compared to VRTGX (6.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSSGX dropped -76.01% vs VRTGX's -41.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.22), 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.