MSCI vs. NDAQ

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ).

Performance

MSCI vs. NDAQ - Performance Comparison

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

MSCI vs. NDAQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSCI MSCI Inc.	-5.68%	-3.17%	7.31%	22.90%	-23.34%	38.14%	74.38%	77.19%	17.95%	62.63%
NDAQ Nasdaq, Inc.	-12.32%	27.19%	34.85%	-3.66%	-11.19%	60.13%	25.99%	33.88%	8.21%	16.76%

Fundamentals

Market Cap MSCI : $41.66B NDAQ : $48.94B
EPS MSCI : $15.54 NDAQ : $3.09
PE Ratio MSCI : 34.68 NDAQ : 27.43
PEG Ratio MSCI : 2.15 NDAQ : 2.64
PS Ratio MSCI : 13.30 NDAQ : 5.97
Total Revenue (TTM) MSCI : $3.13B NDAQ : $8.22B
Gross Profit (TTM) MSCI : $2.58B NDAQ : $3.94B
EBITDA (TTM) MSCI : $1.93B NDAQ : $3.13B

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSCI achieves a -5.68% return, which is significantly higher than NDAQ's -12.32% return. Over the past 10 years, MSCI has outperformed NDAQ with an annualized return of 23.21%, while NDAQ has yielded a comparatively lower 16.29% annualized return.

MSCI

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: -5.68%
• 6M: -4.33%
• 1Y: -3.40%
• 3Y*: -0.04%
• 5Y*: 5.82%
• 10Y*: 23.21%

NDAQ

• 1D: 1.64%
• 1M: -2.76%
• YTD: -12.32%
• 6M: -3.43%
• 1Y: 13.26%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 12.56%
• 10Y*: 16.29%

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

Return for Risk

MSCI vs. NDAQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSCI

MSCI Risk / Return Rank: 35
MSCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
MSCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
MSCI Omega Ratio Rank: 32
MSCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
MSCI Martin Ratio Rank: 37

NDAQ

NDAQ Risk / Return Rank: 57
NDAQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
NDAQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
NDAQ Omega Ratio Rank: 54
NDAQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
NDAQ Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. NDAQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ). 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	NDAQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.11	0.50	-0.61
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.05	0.82	-0.77
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.12	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.12	0.68	-0.80
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.34	1.80	-2.13
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. NDAQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSCI Sharpe Ratio is -0.11, which is lower than the NDAQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSCI and NDAQ, 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

	MSCI	NDAQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.11	0.50	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.53	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.68	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.37	+0.16

Correlation

The correlation between MSCI and NDAQ is 0.53, 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

MSCI vs. NDAQ - Dividend Comparison

MSCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, more than NDAQ's 1.27% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSCI MSCI Inc.	1.38%	1.25%	1.07%	0.98%	0.98%	0.59%	0.65%	0.98%	1.30%	1.04%	1.27%	1.11%
NDAQ Nasdaq, Inc.	1.27%	1.08%	1.22%	1.48%	1.27%	1.00%	1.46%	1.73%	2.08%	1.90%	1.80%	1.55%

Drawdowns

MSCI vs. NDAQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSCI drawdown since its inception was -69.06%, roughly equal to the maximum NDAQ drawdown of -68.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSCI and NDAQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSCI	NDAQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.06%	-68.48%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.07%	-21.76%	+3.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.74%	-32.84%	-10.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.74%	-38.31%	-5.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.20%	-15.67%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.12%	-23.91%	+10.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.48%	8.18%	-1.70%

Volatility

MSCI vs. NDAQ - Volatility Comparison

MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) have volatilities of 6.58% and 6.76%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSCI	NDAQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.58%	6.76%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.10%	19.28%	+1.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.07%	26.65%	+3.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.55%	23.67%	+6.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.03%	24.11%	+6.92%

Financials

MSCI vs. NDAQ - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between MSCI Inc. and Nasdaq, Inc. 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 Apr 2026, MSCI Inc. reported a gross profit of 679.15M and revenue of 822.53M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 82.6%.

NDAQ - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.39B and revenue of 2.08B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 66.9%.

MSCI - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, MSCI Inc. reported an operating income of 463.62M and revenue of 822.53M, resulting in an operating margin of 56.4%.

NDAQ - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. reported an operating income of 630.00M and revenue of 2.08B, resulting in an operating margin of 30.3%.

MSCI - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, MSCI Inc. reported a net income of 284.67M and revenue of 822.53M, resulting in a net margin of 34.6%.

NDAQ - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. reported a net income of 519.00M and revenue of 2.08B, resulting in a net margin of 25.0%.