^BSESN vs. ^BSE500

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

^BSESN (S&P BSE SENSEX) and ^BSE500 (S&P BSE-500) are both indexes. Over the past 10 years, ^BSESN returned 10.77%/yr vs 12.53%/yr for ^BSE500. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep.

Performance

^BSESN vs. ^BSE500 - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a ₹10,000 investment in S&P BSE SENSEX (^BSESN) and S&P BSE-500 (^BSE500). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^BSESN achieves a -12.40% return, which is significantly lower than ^BSE500's -5.92% return. Over the past 10 years, ^BSESN has underperformed ^BSE500 with an annualized return of 10.77%, while ^BSE500 has yielded a comparatively higher 12.53% annualized return.

^BSESN

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -2.94%
• YTD: -12.40%
• 6M: -12.32%
• 1Y: -8.26%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: 7.40%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

^BSE500

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -0.81%
• YTD: -5.92%
• 6M: -5.73%
• 1Y: -1.76%
• 3Y*: 11.93%
• 5Y*: 10.58%
• 10Y*: 12.53%

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

^BSESN vs. ^BSE500 - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^BSESN S&P BSE SENSEX	-12.40%	9.06%	8.17%	18.74%	4.44%	21.99%	15.75%	14.38%	5.91%	27.91%
^BSE500 S&P BSE-500	-5.92%	6.41%	14.55%	24.85%	3.34%	30.11%	16.80%	7.75%	-3.08%	35.94%

Correlation

The correlation between ^BSESN and ^BSE500 is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2011	0.95

The correlation between ^BSESN and ^BSE500 has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

^BSESN vs. ^BSE500 — Risk / Return Rank

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

^BSESN

^BSESN Risk / Return Rank: 1
^BSESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
^BSESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
^BSESN Omega Ratio Rank: 1
^BSESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
^BSESN Martin Ratio Rank: 1

^BSE500

^BSE500 Risk / Return Rank: 6
^BSE500 Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
^BSE500 Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
^BSE500 Omega Ratio Rank: 6
^BSE500 Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
^BSE500 Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

^BSESN vs. ^BSE500 - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P BSE SENSEX (^BSESN) and S&P BSE-500 (^BSE500). 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.

	^BSESN	^BSE500	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.64	-0.13	-0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.81	-0.08	-0.73
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	0.99	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.53	-0.15	-0.38
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.42	-0.48	-0.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^BSESN vs. ^BSE500 - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^BSESN Sharpe Ratio is -0.64, which is lower than the ^BSE500 Sharpe Ratio of -0.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^BSESN and ^BSE500, 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

	^BSESN	^BSE500	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.64	-0.13	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.75	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.79	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.71	-0.24

Drawdowns

^BSESN vs. ^BSE500 - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^BSESN drawdown since its inception was -60.91%, which is greater than ^BSE500's maximum drawdown of -38.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^BSESN and ^BSE500.

Drawdown Indicators

	^BSESN	^BSE500	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.91%	-38.39%	-22.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.11%	-14.86%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.18%	-18.96%	+2.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.85%	-18.96%	+2.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.07%	-38.39%	+0.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.03%	-8.78%	-4.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.75%	-5.95%	-7.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.97%	4.49%	+1.48%

Volatility

^BSESN vs. ^BSE500 - Volatility Comparison

S&P BSE SENSEX (^BSESN) and S&P BSE-500 (^BSE500) have volatilities of 3.94% and 4.05%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^BSESN	^BSE500	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	4.05%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.59%	12.23%	-0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.12%	13.78%	-0.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.83%	14.33%	-0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.35%	16.19%	+0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^BSESN and ^BSE500 in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, ^BSESN and ^BSE500 move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ^BSESN or ^BSE500?

^BSE500 has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to ^BSESN (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^BSESN dropped -60.91% vs ^BSE500's -38.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^BSE500 currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.13 vs -0.64), 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.