EPLCX vs. MSXAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MainStay Epoch U.S. Equity Yield Fund (EPLCX) and NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX).

EPLCX is managed by New York Life. It was launched on Dec 3, 2008. MSXAX is a passively managed fund by New York Life that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jan 2, 2004.

Performance

EPLCX vs. MSXAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MainStay Epoch U.S. Equity Yield Fund (EPLCX) and NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

EPLCX vs. MSXAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EPLCX MainStay Epoch U.S. Equity Yield Fund	1.68%	14.03%	18.42%	8.83%	-2.56%	22.98%	0.24%	23.98%	-5.37%	16.91%
MSXAX NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A	-7.16%	17.26%	23.98%	25.96%	-18.52%	28.13%	17.86%	30.69%	-4.71%	21.07%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPLCX achieves a 1.68% return, which is significantly higher than MSXAX's -7.16% return. Over the past 10 years, EPLCX has underperformed MSXAX with an annualized return of 10.04%, while MSXAX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.18% annualized return.

EPLCX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -6.13%
• YTD: 1.68%
• 6M: 3.55%
• 1Y: 13.54%
• 3Y*: 14.83%
• 5Y*: 10.58%
• 10Y*: 10.04%

MSXAX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -7.71%
• YTD: -7.16%
• 6M: -4.84%
• 1Y: 13.86%
• 3Y*: 16.56%
• 5Y*: 10.85%
• 10Y*: 13.18%

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

EPLCX vs. MSXAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPLCX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than MSXAX's 0.52% expense ratio.

EPLCX

MainStay Epoch U.S. Equity Yield Fund

MSXAX

NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A

Return for Risk

EPLCX vs. MSXAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPLCX

EPLCX Risk / Return Rank: 54
EPLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
EPLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
EPLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
EPLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
EPLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

MSXAX

MSXAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
MSXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
MSXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
MSXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
MSXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
MSXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

EPLCX vs. MSXAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MainStay Epoch U.S. Equity Yield Fund (EPLCX) and NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX). 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.

	EPLCX	MSXAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	0.81	+0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	1.26	+0.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.19	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.19	0.95	+0.23
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.53	4.60	+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.

EPLCX vs. MSXAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPLCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is comparable to the MSXAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPLCX and MSXAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EPLCX	MSXAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	0.81	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.65	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.73	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.51	+0.22

Correlation

The correlation between EPLCX and MSXAX is 0.89, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

EPLCX vs. MSXAX - Dividend Comparison

EPLCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.75%, more than MSXAX's 1.14% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EPLCX MainStay Epoch U.S. Equity Yield Fund	6.75%	7.30%	10.72%	5.56%	3.83%	1.90%	2.36%	4.00%	5.75%	5.55%	1.98%	6.59%
MSXAX NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A	1.14%	1.06%	5.20%	4.04%	10.30%	4.44%	8.78%	17.42%	14.49%	15.18%	9.63%	5.53%

Drawdowns

EPLCX vs. MSXAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPLCX drawdown since its inception was -35.85%, smaller than the maximum MSXAX drawdown of -55.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPLCX and MSXAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPLCX	MSXAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.85%	-55.48%	+19.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.11%	-12.11%	+1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.12%	-24.78%	+8.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.85%	-33.79%	-2.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.21%	-8.97%	+2.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.57%	-7.21%	+3.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	2.58%	-0.20%

Volatility

EPLCX vs. MSXAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MainStay Epoch U.S. Equity Yield Fund (EPLCX) is 3.18%, while NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX) has a volatility of 4.24%. This indicates that EPLCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSXAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPLCX	MSXAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.18%	4.24%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.20%	9.09%	-1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.50%	18.13%	-3.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.45%	16.87%	-3.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.63%	18.03%	-2.40%