MPBAX vs. NRIIX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

MPBAX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Global Strategist Portfolio) and NRIIX (Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund) are both Global Allocation funds. Over the past 10 years, MPBAX returned 7.44%/yr vs 5.75%/yr for NRIIX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MPBAX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for NRIIX.

Performance

MPBAX vs. NRIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Global Strategist Portfolio (MPBAX) and Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MPBAX achieves a 7.39% return, which is significantly higher than NRIIX's 5.58% return. Over the past 10 years, MPBAX has outperformed NRIIX with an annualized return of 7.44%, while NRIIX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.75% annualized return.

MPBAX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.11%
• YTD: 7.39%
• 6M: 7.92%
• 1Y: 17.83%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: 5.18%
• 10Y*: 7.44%

NRIIX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -0.68%
• YTD: 5.58%
• 6M: 7.02%
• 1Y: 11.99%
• 3Y*: 11.13%
• 5Y*: 4.95%
• 10Y*: 5.75%

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

MPBAX vs. NRIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MPBAX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Global Strategist Portfolio	7.39%	17.66%	7.48%	14.29%	-16.71%	8.62%	11.53%	18.05%	-6.31%	16.67%
NRIIX Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund	5.58%	12.55%	7.56%	10.38%	-11.50%	10.58%	-3.45%	22.74%	-6.10%	12.39%

Correlation

The correlation between MPBAX and NRIIX is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2011	0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between MPBAX and NRIIX has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MPBAX vs. NRIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MPBAX

MPBAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
MPBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
MPBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
MPBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
MPBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
MPBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

NRIIX

NRIIX Risk / Return Rank: 52
NRIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
NRIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
NRIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
NRIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
NRIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

MPBAX vs. NRIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Global Strategist Portfolio (MPBAX) and Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX). 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.

	MPBAX	NRIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	2.11	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	3.02	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.39	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.50	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.34	10.12	+0.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MPBAX vs. NRIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MPBAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the NRIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MPBAX and NRIIX, 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

	MPBAX	NRIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.18	2.11	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.59	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.56	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.76	-0.09

Drawdowns

MPBAX vs. NRIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MPBAX drawdown since its inception was -39.46%, which is greater than NRIIX's maximum drawdown of -37.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MPBAX and NRIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MPBAX	NRIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.46%	-37.35%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.65%	-4.90%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.52%	-8.02%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.16%	-18.44%	-6.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.45%	-37.35%	+10.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-0.82%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.44%	-3.65%	-1.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.71%	1.21%	+0.50%

Volatility

MPBAX vs. NRIIX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Global Strategist Portfolio (MPBAX) has a higher volatility of 2.70% compared to Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX) at 1.71%. This indicates that MPBAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NRIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MPBAX	NRIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.70%	1.71%	+0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.84%	4.52%	+2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.15%	5.81%	+2.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.02%	8.41%	+1.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.63%	10.23%	+0.40%

MPBAX vs. NRIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MPBAX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is lower than NRIIX's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

MPBAX vs. NRIIX - Dividend Comparison

MPBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.31%, more than NRIIX's 6.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MPBAX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Global Strategist Portfolio	6.31%	6.77%	2.70%	0.00%	0.61%	7.91%	1.32%	1.74%	14.65%	6.52%	1.15%	0.11%
NRIIX Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund	6.24%	6.71%	5.39%	6.70%	5.81%	4.34%	4.63%	5.99%	5.82%	5.73%	5.47%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MPBAX and NRIIX in my portfolio?

MPBAX and NRIIX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MPBAX or NRIIX?

MPBAX has higher volatility (2.70%) compared to NRIIX (1.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MPBAX dropped -39.46% vs NRIIX's -37.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MPBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 2.11), 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.