MSEX vs. FIW

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MSEX (Middlesex Water Company) is a stock, while FIW (First Trust Water ETF) is Water Equities fund tracking the ISE Clean Edge Water Index. Over the past 10 years, MSEX returned 5.25%/yr vs 12.14%/yr for FIW. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSEX achieves a 5.96% return, which is significantly higher than FIW's -4.05% return. Over the past 10 years, MSEX has underperformed FIW with an annualized return of 5.25%, while FIW has yielded a comparatively higher 12.14% annualized return.

MSEX

• 1D: 1.80%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 5.96%
• 6M: 5.00%
• 1Y: -5.35%
• 3Y*: -11.83%
• 5Y*: -7.50%
• 10Y*: 5.25%

FIW

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -2.15%
• YTD: -4.05%
• 6M: -6.21%
• 1Y: 0.08%
• 3Y*: 7.74%
• 5Y*: 5.43%
• 10Y*: 12.14%

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

MSEX vs. FIW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSEX Middlesex Water Company	5.96%	-1.65%	-18.00%	-15.19%	-33.75%	68.50%	15.78%	21.12%	36.54%	-4.92%
FIW First Trust Water ETF	-4.05%	7.20%	8.38%	20.35%	-15.70%	32.00%	21.15%	37.37%	-9.23%	24.69%

Correlation

The correlation between MSEX and FIW is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2007	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between MSEX and FIW has dropped to 0.29 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

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: 30
MSEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
MSEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
MSEX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
MSEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
MSEX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

FIW

FIW Risk / Return Rank: 8
FIW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
FIW Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
FIW Omega Ratio Rank: 8
FIW Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
FIW Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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	-0.18	0.01	-0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.04	0.12	-0.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.01	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.31	-0.06	-0.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.55	-0.15	-0.40
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 -0.18, which is lower than the FIW Sharpe Ratio of 0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSEX and FIW, 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

	MSEX	FIW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18	0.01	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.24	0.30	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	0.61	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.43	-0.11

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	-21.04%	-13.81%	-7.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.52%	-18.32%	-26.20%
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	-51.99%	-10.01%	-41.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.84%	-8.30%	-4.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.95%	5.29%	+6.66%

Volatility

MSEX vs. FIW - Volatility Comparison

Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW) have volatilities of 4.51% and 4.55%, 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

	MSEX	FIW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	4.55%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.91%	11.44%	+6.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.19%	15.53%	+14.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.15%	18.35%	+12.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.35%	19.90%	+12.45%

Dividends

MSEX vs. FIW - Dividend Comparison

MSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than FIW's 0.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
MSEX Middlesex Water Company	2.69%	2.74%	2.50%	1.92%	1.50%	1.16%	1.44%	1.54%	1.71%	2.15%	1.88%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSEX and FIW in my portfolio?

MSEX and FIW have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSEX or FIW?

FIW has higher volatility (4.55%) compared to MSEX (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSEX dropped -60.51% vs FIW's -52.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.01 vs -0.18), 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.