MSEX vs. HRL
MSEX (Middlesex Water Company) and HRL (Hormel Foods Corporation) are both stocks. MSEX operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities), while HRL operates in Packaged Foods (Consumer Defensive). Over the past 10 years, MSEX returned 5.43%/yr vs -1.18%/yr for HRL. Their 0.19 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
MSEX vs. HRL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSEX achieves a 15.19% return, which is significantly higher than HRL's 9.69% return. Over the past 10 years, MSEX has outperformed HRL with an annualized return of 5.43%, while HRL has yielded a comparatively lower -1.18% annualized return.
MSEX
- 1D
- 2.67%
- 1M
- 1.29%
- 6M
- 10.88%
- YTD
- 15.19%
- 1Y
- 14.06%
- 3Y*
- -8.48%
- 5Y*
- -9.05%
- 10Y*
- 5.43%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.57%
HRL
- 1D
- -1.42%
- 1M
- 1.73%
- 6M
- 4.30%
- YTD
- 9.69%
- 1Y
- -6.30%
- 3Y*
- -11.32%
- 5Y*
- -8.56%
- 10Y*
- -1.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.31%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $92.12M | $94.55M | $119.06M | |
| $6.97M | $11.03M | $8.63M |
MSEX vs. HRL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSEX Middlesex Water Company | 15.19% | -1.65% | -18.00% | -15.19% | -33.75% | 68.50% | 15.78% | 21.12% | 36.54% | -4.92% |
HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | 9.69% | -21.27% | 1.21% | -27.49% | -4.67% | 6.99% | 5.38% | 7.85% | 19.68% | 6.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSEX and HRL is 0.29, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.30 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.19 |
The correlation between MSEX and HRL shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (all time) to 0.34 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MSEX:
$1.07B
HRL:
$13.76B
MSEX:
$3.49
HRL:
$0.85
MSEX:
16.44
HRL:
29.50
MSEX:
3.82
HRL:
1.13
MSEX:
$206.14M
HRL:
$12.22B
MSEX:
$65.77M
HRL:
$1.92B
MSEX:
$91.33M
HRL:
$868.07M
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Return for Risk
MSEX vs. HRL — Risk / Return Rank
MSEX
HRL
MSEX vs. HRL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) and Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL). 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.
| MSEX | HRL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.68 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.89 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 0.99 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.67 | -0.21 | +0.88 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.16 | -0.36 | +1.52 |
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Drawdowns
MSEX vs. HRL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSEX drawdown since its inception was -60.51%, roughly equal to the maximum HRL drawdown of -58.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSEX and HRL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSEX | HRL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.51% | -58.46% | -2.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -21.04% | -29.82% | +8.78% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.09% | -46.94% | +3.85% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -60.51% | -58.46% | -2.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -60.51% | -58.46% | -2.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -47.81% | -46.75% | -1.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.01% | -12.00% | -1.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.11% | 17.70% | -5.59% |
Volatility
MSEX vs. HRL - Volatility Comparison
Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) has a higher volatility of 7.79% compared to Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) at 6.95%. This indicates that MSEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HRL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSEX | HRL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.79% | 6.95% | +0.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.68% | 21.46% | -2.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.22% | 30.32% | -0.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.45% | 24.45% | +6.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.33% | 23.45% | +8.88% |
Dividends
MSEX vs. HRL - Dividend Comparison
MSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.48%, less than HRL's 4.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | 4.67% | 4.89% | 3.60% | 3.43% | 2.28% | 2.01% | 2.00% | 1.86% | 1.76% | 1.87% | 1.67% | 1.26% |
MSEX Middlesex Water Company | 2.48% | 2.74% | 2.50% | 1.92% | 1.50% | 1.16% | 1.44% | 1.54% | 1.71% | 2.15% | 1.88% | 2.92% |
Financials
MSEX vs. HRL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Middlesex Water Company and Hormel Foods Corporation. 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
MSEX vs. HRL - Profitability Comparison
MSEX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Middlesex Water Company reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 56.36M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
HRL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Hormel Foods Corporation reported a gross profit of 518.51M and revenue of 2.97B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 17.4%.
MSEX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Middlesex Water Company reported an operating income of 18.23M and revenue of 56.36M, resulting in an operating margin of 32.4%.
HRL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Hormel Foods Corporation reported an operating income of 217.11M and revenue of 2.97B, resulting in an operating margin of 7.3%.
MSEX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Middlesex Water Company reported a net income of 14.77M and revenue of 56.36M, resulting in a net margin of 26.2%.
HRL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Hormel Foods Corporation reported a net income of 157.50M and revenue of 2.97B, resulting in a net margin of 5.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSEX and HRL 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.
MSEX has higher volatility (7.79%) compared to HRL (6.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSEX dropped -60.51% vs HRL's -58.46%.
MSEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.47 vs -0.21), 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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