MBAIX vs. MLAAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MBAIX (MainStay Balanced Fund) and MLAAX (MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - MBAIX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by New York Life, while MLAAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by New York Life. Over the past 10 years, MBAIX returned 7.45%/yr vs 17.07%/yr for MLAAX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MBAIX charges 0.81%/yr vs 0.93%/yr for MLAAX.

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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MBAIX achieves a 4.97% return, which is significantly lower than MLAAX's 6.26% return. Over the past 10 years, MBAIX has underperformed MLAAX with an annualized return of 7.45%, while MLAAX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.07% annualized return.

MBAIX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.14%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 6M: 5.53%
• 1Y: 13.99%
• 3Y*: 10.53%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 7.45%

MLAAX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 7.11%
• YTD: 6.26%
• 6M: 4.97%
• 1Y: 16.12%
• 3Y*: 22.63%
• 5Y*: 12.84%
• 10Y*: 17.07%

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

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MBAIX MainStay Balanced Fund	4.97%	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	6.26%	14.20%	28.95%	43.10%	-31.51%	25.00%	36.95%	33.18%	3.81%	32.19%

Correlation

The correlation between MBAIX and MLAAX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 1995	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between MBAIX and MLAAX has dropped to 0.45 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

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: 56
MBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
MBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
MBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
MBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
MBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

MLAAX

MLAAX Risk / Return Rank: 11
MLAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
MLAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
MLAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
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	2.09	1.03	+1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	1.48	+1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.18	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	0.83	+2.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.37	2.42	+9.95
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 2.09, which is higher than the MLAAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MBAIX and MLAAX, 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

	MBAIX	MLAAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	1.03	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.51	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.67	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.23	+0.56

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	-4.69%	-20.28%	+15.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.37%	-35.43%	+27.06%
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	0.00%	-4.07%	+4.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.56%	-38.81%	+35.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	6.94%	-5.78%

Volatility

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MainStay Balanced Fund (MBAIX) is 1.59%, while MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund (MLAAX) has a volatility of 3.68%. 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	1.59%	3.68%	-2.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.17%	12.30%	-7.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.87%	16.41%	-9.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.40%	25.56%	-16.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.61%	25.71%	-15.10%

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

MBAIX vs. MLAAX - Dividend Comparison

MBAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.63%, less than MLAAX's 22.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MBAIX MainStay Balanced Fund	6.63%	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	22.94%	24.37%	22.54%	10.59%	14.95%	26.64%	5.40%	11.55%	23.59%	17.20%	13.18%	13.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MBAIX and MLAAX in my portfolio?

MBAIX and MLAAX 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, MBAIX or MLAAX?

MLAAX has higher volatility (3.68%) compared to MBAIX (1.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MBAIX dropped -39.74% vs MLAAX's -83.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.03), 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.