VSGX vs. MCSE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VSGX (Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF) and MCSE (Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. VSGX is passively managed, while MCSE is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VSGX returned 17.29%/yr vs -0.12%/yr for MCSE. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VSGX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for MCSE.

Performance

VSGX vs. MCSE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF (VSGX) and Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSGX achieves a 13.46% return, which is significantly higher than MCSE's 1.12% return.

VSGX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -1.24%
• 6M: 7.67%
• YTD: 13.46%
• 1Y: 28.16%
• 3Y*: 17.29%
• 5Y*: 7.99%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.68%

MCSE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.12%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: -0.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.07%

*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)
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSGX Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF	$9.41M	$12.03M	$14.69M

VSGX vs. MCSE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VSGX Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF	13.46%	30.77%	5.72%	15.62%	9.45%
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	1.12%	7.79%	-9.46%	14.86%	10.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VSGX and MCSE is 0.45, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2022	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between VSGX and MCSE has dropped to 0.45 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VSGX vs. MCSE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSGX	MCSE
Technology	29.1%	31.1%
Financial Services	26.8%	2.1%
Industrials	9.2%	18.1%
Healthcare	8.9%	20.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	13.8%
Basic Materials	5.3%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	5.0%
Communication Services	4.1%	4.7%
Real Estate	2.8%	-
Utilities	0.7%	-
Energy	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

VSGX vs. MCSE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VSGX

VSGX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

MCSE

MCSE Risk / Return Rank: 19
MCSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MCSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
MCSE Omega Ratio Rank: 22
MCSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
MCSE Martin Ratio Rank: 17

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VSGX vs. MCSE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF (VSGX) and Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE). 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.

	VSGX	MCSE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	0.37	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	0.58	+1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.10	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	0.37	+1.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.83	0.92	+6.91

VSGX vs. MCSE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is higher than the MCSE Sharpe Ratio of 0.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSGX and MCSE, 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

VSGX vs. MCSE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSGX drawdown since its inception was -33.09%, which is greater than MCSE's maximum drawdown of -26.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGX and MCSE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSGX	MCSE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.09%	-26.36%	-6.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.84%	-10.42%	-2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.83%	-26.36%	+12.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.25%	-10.51%	+6.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.68%	-8.79%	+1.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.55%	4.36%	-0.81%

Volatility

VSGX vs. MCSE - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF (VSGX) has a higher volatility of 5.96% compared to Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE) at 0.00%. This indicates that VSGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MCSE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSGX	MCSE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.96%	0.00%	+5.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.56%	1.91%	+14.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.37%	10.71%	+7.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.72%	19.08%	-2.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.18%	19.08%	-0.90%

VSGX vs. MCSE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSGX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than MCSE's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSGX vs. MCSE - Dividend Comparison

VSGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, less than MCSE's 3.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	3.74%	3.78%	0.63%	0.57%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSGX Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF	2.99%	3.23%	3.10%	2.77%	2.61%	2.49%	1.67%	2.28%	0.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSGX and MCSE in my portfolio?

VSGX and MCSE have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSGX or MCSE?

VSGX has higher volatility (5.96%) compared to MCSE (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSGX dropped -33.09% vs MCSE's -26.36%.

Which ETF is better, VSGX or MCSE?

On 3-year performance, VSGX leads with 17.29% vs -0.12% for MCSE. On fees, VSGX is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, MCSE has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSGX or MCSE?

Over the 3-year period, VSGX has performed better with a 17.29% return vs -0.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSGX or MCSE?

VSGX is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for MCSE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VSGX or MCSE?

MCSE has the higher dividend yield at 3.74%, compared with 2.99% for VSGX.

What is the main difference between VSGX and MCSE?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Franklin. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VSGX and 0.59% for MCSE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 0.37), 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.