MSSMX vs. VISGX
MSSMX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Inception Fund Class A) and VISGX (Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MSSMX returned 15.01%/yr vs 10.62%/yr for VISGX. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MSSMX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for VISGX.
Performance
MSSMX vs. VISGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSSMX achieves a 2.93% return, which is significantly lower than VISGX's 13.27% return. Over the past 10 years, MSSMX has outperformed VISGX with an annualized return of 15.01%, while VISGX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.62% annualized return.
MSSMX
- 1D
- 2.93%
- 1M
- -4.22%
- 6M
- 7.61%
- YTD
- 2.93%
- 1Y
- -0.27%
- 3Y*
- 9.66%
- 5Y*
- -8.92%
- 10Y*
- 15.01%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.62%
VISGX
- 1D
- 2.23%
- 1M
- -4.70%
- 6M
- 9.29%
- YTD
- 13.27%
- 1Y
- 23.41%
- 3Y*
- 13.02%
- 5Y*
- 4.02%
- 10Y*
- 10.62%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.03%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
MSSMX vs. VISGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSSMX Morgan Stanley Institutional Inception Fund Class A | 2.93% | 0.76% | 29.15% | 54.22% | -59.57% | -4.29% | 149.49% | 77.58% | -0.03% | 22.42% |
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 13.27% | 8.18% | 14.80% | 22.91% | -28.50% | 5.58% | 35.11% | 32.60% | -5.81% | 21.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSSMX and VISGX 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 (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.84 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 1998 | 0.89 |
The correlation between MSSMX and VISGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MSSMX vs. VISGX — Risk / Return Rank
MSSMX
VISGX
MSSMX vs. VISGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Inception Fund Class A (MSSMX) and Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX). 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.
| MSSMX | VISGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.17 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.10 | 1.76 | -1.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.20 | 5.98 | -6.19 |
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Drawdowns
MSSMX vs. VISGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSSMX drawdown since its inception was -76.24%, which is greater than VISGX's maximum drawdown of -58.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSSMX and VISGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSSMX | VISGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -76.24% | -58.74% | -17.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -32.92% | -11.39% | -21.53% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -32.92% | -27.58% | -5.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -71.12% | -38.41% | -32.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -76.24% | -38.70% | -37.54% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -48.60% | -6.66% | -41.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -24.72% | -11.56% | -13.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.49% | 3.36% | +13.13% |
Volatility
MSSMX vs. VISGX - Volatility Comparison
Morgan Stanley Institutional Inception Fund Class A (MSSMX) has a higher volatility of 8.53% compared to Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) at 5.23%. This indicates that MSSMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VISGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSSMX | VISGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.53% | 5.23% | +3.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.96% | 16.14% | +7.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 31.29% | 20.70% | +10.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 38.12% | 23.74% | +14.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 34.42% | 23.03% | +11.39% |
MSSMX vs. VISGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MSSMX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VISGX's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
MSSMX vs. VISGX - Dividend Comparison
MSSMX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VISGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSSMX Morgan Stanley Institutional Inception Fund Class A | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.16% | 0.00% | 0.14% | 36.28% | 13.10% | 45.60% | 18.04% | 57.39% | 3.76% | 9.73% |
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 0.33% | 0.33% | 0.42% | 0.56% | 0.46% | 0.23% | 0.35% | 0.47% | 0.65% | 0.71% | 0.97% | 0.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MSSMX and VISGX 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.
MSSMX has higher volatility (8.53%) compared to VISGX (5.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSSMX dropped -76.24% vs VISGX's -58.74%.
VISGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs -0.11), 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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