PROVX vs. MSEQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PROVX (Provident Trust Strategy Fund) and MSEQX (Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio Class I) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PROVX returned 12.69%/yr vs 17.37%/yr for MSEQX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PROVX charges 0.93%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for MSEQX.

Performance

PROVX vs. MSEQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Provident Trust Strategy Fund (PROVX) and Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio Class I (MSEQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PROVX achieves a 1.91% return, which is significantly higher than MSEQX's -1.20% return. Over the past 10 years, PROVX has underperformed MSEQX with an annualized return of 12.69%, while MSEQX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.37% annualized return.

PROVX

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: -2.38%
• YTD: 1.91%
• 6M: 1.62%
• 1Y: 18.04%
• 3Y*: 15.86%
• 5Y*: 7.24%
• 10Y*: 12.69%

MSEQX

• 1D: -1.57%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: -1.20%
• 6M: -2.94%
• 1Y: 9.09%
• 3Y*: 29.17%
• 5Y*: 1.84%
• 10Y*: 17.37%

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

PROVX vs. MSEQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PROVX Provident Trust Strategy Fund	1.91%	13.10%	19.73%	17.59%	-22.62%	31.96%	19.47%	25.71%	-1.31%	29.40%
MSEQX Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio Class I	-1.20%	24.78%	46.65%	50.36%	-60.18%	-0.00%	115.60%	38.25%	5.38%	43.91%

Correlation

The correlation between PROVX and MSEQX is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 1991	0.75

Over the past year, the correlation between PROVX and MSEQX has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PROVX vs. MSEQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PROVX

PROVX Risk / Return Rank: 24
PROVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
PROVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
PROVX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PROVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PROVX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

MSEQX

MSEQX Risk / Return Rank: 5
MSEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
MSEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
MSEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
MSEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
MSEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

PROVX vs. MSEQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Provident Trust Strategy Fund (PROVX) and Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio Class I (MSEQX). 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.

	PROVX	MSEQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	0.35	+1.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	0.67	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.08	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	0.35	+1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.11	0.76	+4.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PROVX vs. MSEQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PROVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is higher than the MSEQX Sharpe Ratio of 0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PROVX and MSEQX, 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

	PROVX	MSEQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	0.35	+1.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.05	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.52	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.47	+0.03

Drawdowns

PROVX vs. MSEQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PROVX drawdown since its inception was -57.65%, smaller than the maximum MSEQX drawdown of -69.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PROVX and MSEQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PROVX	MSEQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.65%	-69.48%	+11.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.54%	-27.73%	+15.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.92%	-32.52%	+16.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.48%	-69.48%	+42.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.48%	-69.48%	+42.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.46%	-13.64%	+10.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.19%	-16.89%	+3.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.51%	12.82%	-9.31%

Volatility

PROVX vs. MSEQX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Provident Trust Strategy Fund (PROVX) is 2.68%, while Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio Class I (MSEQX) has a volatility of 8.13%. This indicates that PROVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSEQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PROVX	MSEQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	8.13%	-5.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.56%	21.32%	-11.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.26%	27.99%	-15.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.67%	39.71%	-24.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.19%	33.76%	-17.57%

PROVX vs. MSEQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PROVX has a 0.93% expense ratio, which is higher than MSEQX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

PROVX vs. MSEQX - Dividend Comparison

PROVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.48%, while MSEQX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSEQX Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio Class I	0.00%	0.00%	0.55%	0.05%	16.79%	24.24%	9.36%	21.39%	5.38%	21.18%	12.71%	7.55%
PROVX Provident Trust Strategy Fund	16.48%	16.80%	6.94%	4.61%	19.17%	0.35%	9.04%	4.40%	5.80%	1.54%	1.92%	7.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PROVX and MSEQX in my portfolio?

PROVX and MSEQX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PROVX or MSEQX?

MSEQX has higher volatility (8.13%) compared to PROVX (2.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PROVX dropped -57.65% vs MSEQX's -69.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PROVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 0.35), 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.