MSEGX vs. JEPQ

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

MSEGX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Growth Portfolio) and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) are both funds - MSEGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Morgan Stanley, while JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index. MSEGX is actively managed, while JEPQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MSEGX returned 23.36%/yr vs 20.72%/yr for JEPQ. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MSEGX charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPQ.

Performance

MSEGX vs. JEPQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Growth Portfolio (MSEGX) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSEGX achieves a -8.75% return, which is significantly lower than JEPQ's 10.23% return.

MSEGX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: -8.75%
• 6M: -8.31%
• 1Y: 1.53%
• 3Y*: 23.36%
• 5Y*: -1.14%
• 10Y*: 16.26%

JEPQ

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 3.31%
• YTD: 10.23%
• 6M: 11.56%
• 1Y: 29.39%
• 3Y*: 20.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MSEGX vs. JEPQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
MSEGX Morgan Stanley Institutional Growth Portfolio	-8.75%	24.43%	46.29%	49.87%	-31.44%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.23%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-11.16%

Correlation

The correlation between MSEGX and JEPQ is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.73

The correlation between MSEGX and JEPQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSEGX vs. JEPQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSEGX

MSEGX Risk / Return Rank: 4
MSEGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
MSEGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
MSEGX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
MSEGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
MSEGX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 81
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

MSEGX vs. JEPQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Growth Portfolio (MSEGX) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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.

	MSEGX	JEPQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	2.31	-2.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.24	3.06	-2.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.46	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.03	3.35	-3.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.06	15.94	-15.88

MSEGX vs. JEPQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSEGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the JEPQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSEGX and JEPQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MSEGX vs. JEPQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSEGX drawdown since its inception was -69.57%, which is greater than JEPQ's maximum drawdown of -20.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSEGX and JEPQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSEGX	JEPQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.57%	-20.07%	-49.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.83%	-8.82%	-19.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.54%	-20.07%	-12.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.13%	0.00%	-21.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.50%	-3.41%	-16.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.26%	1.85%	+11.41%

Volatility

MSEGX vs. JEPQ - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Growth Portfolio (MSEGX) has a higher volatility of 9.48% compared to JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) at 5.42%. This indicates that MSEGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JEPQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSEGX	JEPQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.48%	5.42%	+4.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.14%	10.44%	+11.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.75%	12.78%	+15.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.79%	16.76%	+23.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.85%	16.76%	+17.09%

MSEGX vs. JEPQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSEGX has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than JEPQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSEGX vs. JEPQ - Dividend Comparison

MSEGX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while JEPQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.00%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.00%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MSEGX Morgan Stanley Institutional Growth Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	0.42%	0.00%	18.70%	26.52%	10.03%	22.75%	5.67%	22.18%	13.17%	7.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSEGX and JEPQ in my portfolio?

MSEGX and JEPQ have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSEGX or JEPQ?

MSEGX has higher volatility (9.48%) compared to JEPQ (5.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSEGX dropped -69.57% vs JEPQ's -20.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 0.03), 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.