MSCI vs. MA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

MSCI (MSCI Inc.) and MA (Mastercard Incorporated) are both stocks. Both are in the Financial Services sector — MSCI in Financial Data & Stock Exchanges, MA in Credit Services. Over the past 10 years, MSCI returned 24.26%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for MA. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MSCI vs. MA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSCI achieves a 5.89% return, which is significantly higher than MA's -14.65% return. Over the past 10 years, MSCI has outperformed MA with an annualized return of 24.26%, while MA has yielded a comparatively lower 18.40% annualized return.

MSCI

• 1D: -2.03%
• 1M: 3.36%
• YTD: 5.89%
• 6M: 13.15%
• 1Y: 7.51%
• 3Y*: 9.71%
• 5Y*: 6.47%
• 10Y*: 24.26%

MA

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -1.98%
• YTD: -14.65%
• 6M: -9.84%
• 1Y: -17.21%
• 3Y*: 10.21%
• 5Y*: 6.59%
• 10Y*: 18.40%

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

MSCI vs. MA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSCI MSCI Inc.	5.89%	-3.17%	7.31%	22.90%	-23.34%	38.14%	74.38%	77.19%	17.95%	62.63%
MA Mastercard Incorporated	-14.65%	9.04%	24.17%	23.40%	-2.66%	1.16%	20.19%	59.16%	25.31%	47.69%

Correlation

The correlation between MSCI and MA 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	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2007	0.49

The correlation between MSCI and MA shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (3 years) to 0.55 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap MSCI : $44.26B MA : $433.70B
EPS MSCI : $17.28 MA : $17.28
PE Ratio MSCI : 34.89 MA : 28.11
PEG Ratio MSCI : 2.16 MA : 1.64
PS Ratio MSCI : 14.21 MA : 12.90
Total Revenue (TTM) MSCI : $3.24B MA : $33.94B
Gross Profit (TTM) MSCI : $2.68B MA : $26.70B
EBITDA (TTM) MSCI : $1.99B MA : $21.23B

Return for Risk

MSCI vs. MA — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSCI

MSCI Risk / Return Rank: 50
MSCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
MSCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
MSCI Omega Ratio Rank: 45
MSCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
MSCI Martin Ratio Rank: 54

MA

MA Risk / Return Rank: 9
MA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
MA Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
MA Omega Ratio Rank: 13
MA Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
MA Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

MSCI vs. MA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA). 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.

	MSCI	MA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.26	-0.78	+1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.56	-0.97	+1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	0.88	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	-0.83	+1.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.10	-1.68	+2.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSCI vs. MA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSCI Sharpe Ratio is 0.26, which is higher than the MA Sharpe Ratio of -0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSCI and MA, 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

	MSCI	MA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26	-0.78	+1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	0.28	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.69	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.83	-0.28

Drawdowns

MSCI vs. MA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSCI drawdown since its inception was -69.06%, which is greater than MA's maximum drawdown of -62.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSCI and MA.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSCI	MA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.06%	-62.67%	-6.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.07%	-20.91%	+2.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.99%	-20.91%	-5.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.74%	-28.25%	-15.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.74%	-41.00%	-2.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.35%	-18.55%	+12.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.08%	-9.82%	-3.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.90%	10.26%	-3.36%

Volatility

MSCI vs. MA - Volatility Comparison

MSCI Inc. (MSCI) has a higher volatility of 8.23% compared to Mastercard Incorporated (MA) at 6.33%. This indicates that MSCI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSCI	MA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.23%	6.33%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.75%	17.37%	+3.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.72%	22.28%	+6.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.73%	23.99%	+6.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.19%	26.93%	+4.26%

Dividends

MSCI vs. MA - Dividend Comparison

MSCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, more than MA's 0.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MA Mastercard Incorporated	0.67%	0.53%	0.50%	0.53%	0.56%	0.49%	0.45%	0.44%	0.53%	0.58%	0.74%	0.66%
MSCI MSCI Inc.	1.28%	1.25%	1.07%	0.98%	0.98%	0.59%	0.65%	0.98%	1.30%	1.04%	1.27%	1.11%

Financials

MSCI vs. MA - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between MSCI Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

MSCI - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSCI Inc. reported a gross profit of 709.00M and revenue of 850.80M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 83.3%.

MA - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a gross profit of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 58.4%.

MSCI - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSCI Inc. reported an operating income of 456.90M and revenue of 850.80M, resulting in an operating margin of 53.7%.

MA - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported an operating income of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 58.4%.

MSCI - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSCI Inc. reported a net income of 406.00M and revenue of 850.80M, resulting in a net margin of 47.7%.

MA - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a net income of 3.88B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in a net margin of 46.2%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSCI and MA in my portfolio?

MSCI and MA 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, MSCI or MA?

MSCI has higher volatility (8.23%) compared to MA (6.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSCI dropped -69.06% vs MA's -62.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MSCI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.26 vs -0.78), 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.