MSCI vs. NDAQ
MSCI (MSCI Inc.) and NDAQ (Nasdaq, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Financial Data & Stock Exchanges industry within the Financial Services sector. Over the past 10 years, MSCI returned 23.27%/yr vs 15.35%/yr for NDAQ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
MSCI vs. NDAQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSCI achieves a -2.01% return, which is significantly higher than NDAQ's -20.35% return. Over the past 10 years, MSCI has outperformed NDAQ with an annualized return of 23.27%, while NDAQ has yielded a comparatively lower 15.35% annualized return.
MSCI
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- -11.62%
- YTD
- -2.01%
- 6M
- -4.02%
- 1Y
- -1.84%
- 3Y*
- 7.26%
- 5Y*
- 2.04%
- 10Y*
- 23.27%
NDAQ
- 1D
- -2.18%
- 1M
- -16.64%
- YTD
- -20.35%
- 6M
- -21.75%
- 1Y
- -12.64%
- 3Y*
- 17.12%
- 5Y*
- 7.02%
- 10Y*
- 15.35%
MSCI vs. NDAQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCI MSCI Inc. | -2.01% | -3.17% | 7.31% | 22.90% | -23.34% | 38.14% | 74.38% | 77.19% | 17.95% | 62.63% |
NDAQ Nasdaq, Inc. | -20.35% | 27.19% | 34.85% | -3.66% | -11.19% | 60.13% | 25.99% | 33.88% | 8.21% | 16.76% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSCI and NDAQ is 0.57, 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 | 0.57 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2007 | 0.53 |
The correlation between MSCI and NDAQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (3 years) to 0.62 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MSCI:
$40.96B
NDAQ:
$43.93B
MSCI:
$17.37
NDAQ:
$3.32
MSCI:
32.13
NDAQ:
23.13
MSCI:
1.99
NDAQ:
2.22
MSCI:
13.09
NDAQ:
5.35
MSCI:
$3.24B
NDAQ:
$8.27B
MSCI:
$2.68B
NDAQ:
$4.53B
MSCI:
$1.99B
NDAQ:
$3.11B
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Return for Risk
MSCI vs. NDAQ — Risk / Return Rank
MSCI
NDAQ
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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MSCI | NDAQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.02 | 0.93 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.10 | -0.54 | +0.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.26 | -1.25 | +0.99 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSCI | NDAQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.06% | -68.48% | -0.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.07% | -23.39% | +5.32% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.99% | -23.39% | -2.60% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.33% | -23.39% | +10.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.07% | -23.79% | +10.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.23% | 10.17% | -2.94% |
Volatility
MSCI vs. NDAQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for MSCI Inc. (MSCI) is 8.88%, while Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) has a volatility of 11.58%. This indicates that MSCI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NDAQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSCI | NDAQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.88% | 11.58% | -2.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.91% | 22.52% | -0.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 29.16% | 26.27% | +2.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.84% | 24.29% | +6.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.20% | 24.40% | +6.80% |
Dividends
MSCI vs. NDAQ - Dividend Comparison
MSCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, less than NDAQ's 1.46% yield.
| Position | 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. | 1.46% | 1.08% | 1.22% | 1.48% | 1.27% | 1.00% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 2.08% | 1.90% | 1.80% | 1.55% |
Financials
MSCI vs. NDAQ - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between MSCI Inc. and Nasdaq, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
MSCI vs. NDAQ - Profitability Comparison
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%.
NDAQ - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.41B and revenue of 2.14B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 65.8%.
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%.
NDAQ - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. reported an operating income of 657.00M and revenue of 2.14B, resulting in an operating margin of 30.7%.
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%.
NDAQ - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. reported a net income of 519.00M and revenue of 2.14B, resulting in a net margin of 24.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSCI and NDAQ have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NDAQ has higher volatility (11.58%) compared to MSCI (8.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSCI dropped -69.06% vs NDAQ's -68.48%.
MSCI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.06 vs -0.48), 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.
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