MASAX vs. MSPIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MASAX (MainStay MacKay Strategic Bond Fund) and MSPIX (MainStay S&P 500 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - MASAX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by New York Life, while MSPIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by New York Life. Over the past 10 years, MASAX returned 10.69%/yr vs 15.36%/yr for MSPIX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MASAX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for MSPIX.

Performance

MASAX vs. MSPIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MainStay MacKay Strategic Bond Fund (MASAX) and MainStay S&P 500 Index Fund (MSPIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MASAX achieves a 1.40% return, which is significantly lower than MSPIX's 11.43% return. Over the past 10 years, MASAX has underperformed MSPIX with an annualized return of 10.69%, while MSPIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.36% annualized return.

MASAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.79%
• 1Y: 6.50%
• 3Y*: 7.34%
• 5Y*: 17.47%
• 10Y*: 10.69%

MSPIX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 11.43%
• 6M: 11.78%
• 1Y: 29.21%
• 3Y*: 22.36%
• 5Y*: 13.89%
• 10Y*: 15.36%

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

MASAX vs. MSPIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MASAX MainStay MacKay Strategic Bond Fund	1.40%	8.11%	6.23%	9.61%	-7.80%	92.69%	6.19%	6.57%	-1.93%	4.81%
MSPIX MainStay S&P 500 Index Fund	11.43%	17.55%	24.31%	26.29%	-18.33%	28.46%	18.14%	31.02%	-4.47%	21.38%

Correlation

The correlation between MASAX and MSPIX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 1997	0.22

Return for Risk

MASAX vs. MSPIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MASAX

MASAX Risk / Return Rank: 77
MASAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
MASAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
MASAX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
MASAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
MASAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

MSPIX

MSPIX Risk / Return Rank: 74
MSPIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
MSPIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
MSPIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
MSPIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
MSPIX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

MASAX vs. MSPIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MainStay MacKay Strategic Bond Fund (MASAX) and MainStay S&P 500 Index Fund (MSPIX). 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.

	MASAX	MSPIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	2.53	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.97	3.43	+0.54
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.46	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	3.39	-0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.71	15.85	-2.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MASAX vs. MSPIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MASAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.54, which is comparable to the MSPIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MASAX and MSPIX, 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

	MASAX	MSPIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54	2.53	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.83	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.85	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.61	-0.20

Drawdowns

MASAX vs. MSPIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MASAX drawdown since its inception was -18.74%, smaller than the maximum MSPIX drawdown of -55.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MASAX and MSPIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MASAX	MSPIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.74%	-55.30%	+36.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.03%	-8.93%	+6.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.89%	-18.76%	+15.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.37%	-24.64%	+13.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.76%	-33.78%	+20.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	0.00%	-0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-8.70%	+7.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	1.91%	-1.42%

Volatility

MASAX vs. MSPIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MainStay MacKay Strategic Bond Fund (MASAX) is 0.86%, while MainStay S&P 500 Index Fund (MSPIX) has a volatility of 2.81%. This indicates that MASAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSPIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MASAX	MSPIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.86%	2.81%	-1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.77%	9.00%	-7.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54%	11.89%	-9.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.11%	16.91%	+23.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.43%	18.08%	+10.35%

MASAX vs. MSPIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MASAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than MSPIX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

MASAX vs. MSPIX - Dividend Comparison

MASAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.18%, more than MSPIX's 1.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MASAX MainStay MacKay Strategic Bond Fund	5.18%	5.00%	5.24%	4.35%	3.15%	49.01%	2.31%	2.74%	3.34%	2.75%	4.28%	3.62%
MSPIX MainStay S&P 500 Index Fund	1.12%	1.25%	5.31%	4.17%	10.37%	4.57%	8.86%	17.41%	14.61%	15.26%	9.79%	5.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MASAX and MSPIX in my portfolio?

MASAX and MSPIX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MASAX or MSPIX?

MSPIX has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to MASAX (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MASAX dropped -18.74% vs MSPIX's -55.30%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MASAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.53), 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.