MS vs. FXAIX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Morgan Stanley (MS) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX).

FXAIX is a passively managed fund by Fidelity that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Feb 17, 1988.

Performance

MS vs. FXAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley (MS) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MS vs. FXAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MS Morgan Stanley	-6.79%	45.16%	39.73%	13.93%	-10.34%	46.65%	38.09%	32.67%	-22.76%	26.61%
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	-7.05%	17.84%	25.01%	26.29%	-18.14%	28.71%	18.42%	31.48%	-4.43%	21.82%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with MS having a -6.79% return and FXAIX slightly lower at -7.05%. Over the past 10 years, MS has outperformed FXAIX with an annualized return of 23.94%, while FXAIX has yielded a comparatively lower 13.75% annualized return.

MS

• 1D: 3.91%
• 1M: -1.17%
• YTD: -6.79%
• 6M: 4.73%
• 1Y: 44.84%
• 3Y*: 27.43%
• 5Y*: 19.81%
• 10Y*: 23.94%

FXAIX

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -7.68%
• YTD: -7.05%
• 6M: -4.59%
• 1Y: 14.42%
• 3Y*: 17.17%
• 5Y*: 11.40%
• 10Y*: 13.75%

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

Return for Risk

MS vs. FXAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MS

MS Risk / Return Rank: 83
MS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
MS Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
MS Omega Ratio Rank: 82
MS Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
MS Martin Ratio Rank: 85

FXAIX

FXAIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
FXAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
FXAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
FXAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
FXAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
FXAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

MS vs. FXAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley (MS) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). 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.

	MS	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	0.84	+0.64
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	1.30	+0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.20	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	1.05	+1.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.75	5.13	+2.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MS vs. FXAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MS Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is higher than the FXAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MS and FXAIX, 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

	MS	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	0.84	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.68	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.77	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.75	-0.48

Correlation

The correlation between MS and FXAIX is 0.68, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

MS vs. FXAIX - Dividend Comparison

MS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, more than FXAIX's 1.20% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MS Morgan Stanley	2.39%	2.17%	2.82%	3.49%	3.47%	2.14%	2.04%	2.54%	2.77%	1.72%	1.66%	1.73%
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	1.20%	1.11%	1.25%	1.45%	1.69%	1.22%	1.60%	2.06%	2.72%	1.97%	2.52%	2.83%

Drawdowns

MS vs. FXAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MS drawdown since its inception was -88.12%, which is greater than FXAIX's maximum drawdown of -33.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MS and FXAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MS	FXAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.12%	-33.79%	-54.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.83%	-12.13%	-6.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.38%	-24.50%	-7.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.33%	-33.79%	-17.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.47%	-8.89%	-4.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.88%	-3.83%	-30.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.00%	2.50%	+3.50%

Volatility

MS vs. FXAIX - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley (MS) has a higher volatility of 8.31% compared to Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) at 4.24%. This indicates that MS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MS	FXAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.31%	4.24%	+4.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.70%	9.08%	+11.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.56%	18.13%	+12.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.58%	16.88%	+11.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.51%	18.03%	+13.48%