MSEX vs. FIW

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW).

FIW is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the ISE Clean Edge Water Index. It was launched on May 8, 2007.

Performance

MSEX vs. FIW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MSEX vs. FIW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSEX Middlesex Water Company	5.19%	-1.65%	-18.00%	-15.19%	-33.75%	68.50%	15.78%	21.12%	36.54%	-4.92%
FIW First Trust Water ETF	-3.98%	7.20%	8.38%	20.35%	-15.70%	32.00%	21.15%	37.37%	-9.23%	24.69%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSEX achieves a 5.19% return, which is significantly higher than FIW's -3.98% return. Over the past 10 years, MSEX has underperformed FIW with an annualized return of 7.32%, while FIW has yielded a comparatively higher 12.89% annualized return.

MSEX

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: -3.41%
• YTD: 5.19%
• 6M: 1.18%
• 1Y: -15.86%
• 3Y*: -10.29%
• 5Y*: -6.02%
• 10Y*: 7.32%

FIW

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: -7.88%
• YTD: -3.98%
• 6M: -7.06%
• 1Y: 3.99%
• 3Y*: 8.37%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 12.89%

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

Return for Risk

MSEX vs. FIW — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSEX

MSEX Risk / Return Rank: 20
MSEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
MSEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
MSEX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
MSEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
MSEX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

FIW

FIW Risk / Return Rank: 18
FIW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
FIW Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
FIW Omega Ratio Rank: 16
FIW Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
FIW Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

MSEX vs. FIW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW). 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.

	MSEX	FIW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.52	0.21	-0.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.55	0.46	-1.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.05	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.61	0.33	-0.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.90	1.04	-1.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSEX vs. FIW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSEX Sharpe Ratio is -0.52, which is lower than the FIW Sharpe Ratio of 0.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSEX and FIW, 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

	MSEX	FIW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.52	0.21	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.20	0.35	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	0.65	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.43	-0.12

Correlation

The correlation between MSEX and FIW is 0.52, 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

MSEX vs. FIW - Dividend Comparison

MSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, more than FIW's 0.79% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSEX Middlesex Water Company	2.66%	2.74%	2.50%	1.92%	1.50%	1.16%	1.44%	1.54%	1.71%	2.15%	1.88%	2.92%
FIW First Trust Water ETF	0.79%	0.69%	0.69%	0.68%	0.67%	0.37%	0.56%	0.55%	0.73%	1.13%	0.51%	0.76%

Drawdowns

MSEX vs. FIW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSEX drawdown since its inception was -60.51%, which is greater than FIW's maximum drawdown of -52.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSEX and FIW.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSEX	FIW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.51%	-52.75%	-7.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.57%	-12.74%	-12.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-60.51%	-28.53%	-31.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.51%	-36.60%	-23.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-52.34%	-9.95%	-42.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.66%	-8.29%	-4.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.41%	4.01%	+13.40%

Volatility

MSEX vs. FIW - Volatility Comparison

Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) has a higher volatility of 7.19% compared to First Trust Water ETF (FIW) at 5.83%. This indicates that MSEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FIW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSEX	FIW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.19%	5.83%	+1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.69%	11.03%	+13.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.33%	18.65%	+11.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.93%	18.30%	+12.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.34%	19.88%	+12.46%