MBAIX vs. MLAAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MainStay Balanced Fund (MBAIX) and MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund (MLAAX).

MBAIX is managed by New York Life. It was launched on Apr 30, 1989. MLAAX is managed by New York Life. It was launched on Jul 3, 1995.

Performance

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MainStay Balanced Fund (MBAIX) and MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund (MLAAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MBAIX MainStay Balanced Fund	-1.36%	11.38%	7.59%	7.56%	-5.80%	17.13%	7.73%	19.28%	-7.53%	9.87%
MLAAX MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund	-15.36%	14.20%	28.95%	43.10%	-31.51%	25.00%	36.95%	33.18%	3.81%	32.19%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MBAIX achieves a -1.36% return, which is significantly higher than MLAAX's -15.36% return. Over the past 10 years, MBAIX has underperformed MLAAX with an annualized return of 6.95%, while MLAAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.62% annualized return.

MBAIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -4.42%
• YTD: -1.36%
• 6M: 1.82%
• 1Y: 7.32%
• 3Y*: 8.24%
• 5Y*: 5.50%
• 10Y*: 6.95%

MLAAX

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: -9.71%
• YTD: -15.36%
• 6M: -15.31%
• 1Y: 5.38%
• 3Y*: 17.08%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: 14.62%

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

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MBAIX has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is lower than MLAAX's 0.93% expense ratio.

MLAAX

MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund

MBAIX

MainStay Balanced Fund

Return for Risk

MBAIX vs. MLAAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MBAIX

MBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 39
MBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
MBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
MBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
MBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
MBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

MLAAX

MLAAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
MLAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
MLAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
MLAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
MLAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
MLAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MainStay Balanced Fund (MBAIX) and MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund (MLAAX). 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.

	MBAIX	MLAAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	0.23	+0.61
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	0.50	+0.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.07	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.03	0.09	+0.95
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.45	0.28	+4.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MBAIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is higher than the MLAAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MBAIX and MLAAX, 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

	MBAIX	MLAAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	0.23	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.34	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.57	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.20	+0.58

Correlation

The correlation between MBAIX and MLAAX is 0.77, 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

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Dividend Comparison

MBAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.19%, less than MLAAX's 28.79% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MBAIX MainStay Balanced Fund	6.19%	6.95%	6.14%	2.27%	1.86%	23.51%	2.24%	6.04%	9.37%	7.05%	2.94%	6.93%
MLAAX MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund	28.79%	24.37%	22.54%	10.59%	14.95%	26.64%	5.40%	11.55%	23.59%	17.20%	13.18%	13.61%

Drawdowns

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MBAIX drawdown since its inception was -39.74%, smaller than the maximum MLAAX drawdown of -83.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBAIX and MLAAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MBAIX	MLAAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.74%	-83.01%	+43.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.84%	-20.28%	+13.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.19%	-39.36%	+26.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.87%	-39.36%	+13.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.53%	-23.58%	+19.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.58%	-38.96%	+35.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	6.35%	-4.76%

Volatility

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MainStay Balanced Fund (MBAIX) is 2.25%, while MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund (MLAAX) has a volatility of 5.76%. This indicates that MBAIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLAAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MBAIX	MLAAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	5.76%	-3.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.22%	12.52%	-7.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.50%	22.74%	-13.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.40%	25.55%	-16.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.60%	25.64%	-15.04%