MSEX vs. NWN
MSEX (Middlesex Water Company) and NWN (Northwest Natural Holding Company) are both stocks. Both are in the Utilities sector — MSEX in Utilities - Regulated Water, NWN in Utilities - Regulated Gas. Over the past 10 years, MSEX returned 5.25%/yr vs 2.23%/yr for NWN. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MSEX vs. NWN - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MSEX having a 5.96% return and NWN slightly higher at 6.08%. Over the past 10 years, MSEX has outperformed NWN with an annualized return of 5.25%, while NWN has yielded a comparatively lower 2.23% 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%
NWN
- 1D
- 1.61%
- 1M
- -8.04%
- YTD
- 6.08%
- 6M
- 2.70%
- 1Y
- 24.58%
- 3Y*
- 8.89%
- 5Y*
- 2.30%
- 10Y*
- 2.23%
MSEX vs. NWN - 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% |
NWN Northwest Natural Holding Company | 6.08% | 23.75% | 6.77% | -14.45% | 1.49% | 10.26% | -35.52% | 25.46% | 4.48% | 2.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSEX and NWN is 0.54, 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 | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 1990 | 0.32 |
Over the past year, MSEX and NWN have become more correlated (0.54) than their long-term average of 0.32, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Fundamentals
MSEX:
$3.22
NWN:
$4.01
MSEX:
16.37
NWN:
12.13
MSEX:
2.68
NWN:
3.18
MSEX:
3.61
NWN:
1.16
MSEX:
$199.11M
NWN:
$1.29B
MSEX:
$66.33M
NWN:
$288.00M
MSEX:
$86.27M
NWN:
$426.96M
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
MSEX vs. NWN — Risk / Return Rank
MSEX
NWN
MSEX vs. NWN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) and Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN). 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 | NWN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.18 | 1.24 | -1.42 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | 1.68 | -1.72 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.24 | -0.24 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.31 | 1.77 | -2.08 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.55 | 5.76 | -6.30 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MSEX | NWN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.18 | 1.24 | -1.42 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.24 | 0.10 | -0.34 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.16 | 0.08 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.31 | +0.01 |
Drawdowns
MSEX vs. NWN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSEX drawdown since its inception was -60.51%, which is greater than NWN's maximum drawdown of -46.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSEX and NWN.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MSEX | NWN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.51% | -46.27% | -14.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -21.04% | -13.46% | -7.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -44.52% | -18.39% | -26.13% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -60.51% | -32.09% | -28.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -60.51% | -46.27% | -14.24% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -51.99% | -17.57% | -34.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.84% | -12.13% | -0.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.95% | 4.14% | +7.81% |
Volatility
MSEX vs. NWN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) is 4.51%, while Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN) has a volatility of 10.25%. This indicates that MSEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NWN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MSEX | NWN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.51% | 10.25% | -5.74% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.91% | 15.83% | +2.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.19% | 19.93% | +10.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 31.15% | 22.84% | +8.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.35% | 28.14% | +4.21% |
Dividends
MSEX vs. NWN - Dividend Comparison
MSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, less than NWN's 4.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
NWN Northwest Natural Holding Company | 4.05% | 4.20% | 4.94% | 4.99% | 4.06% | 3.94% | 4.16% | 2.58% | 3.13% | 3.16% | 3.13% | 3.68% |
Financials
MSEX vs. NWN - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Middlesex Water Company and Northwest Natural Holding Company. 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. NWN - Profitability Comparison
MSEX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Middlesex Water Company reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 48.71M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
NWN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Northwest Natural Holding Company reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 490.40M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
MSEX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Middlesex Water Company reported an operating income of 13.10M and revenue of 48.71M, resulting in an operating margin of 26.9%.
NWN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Northwest Natural Holding Company reported an operating income of 162.87M and revenue of 490.40M, resulting in an operating margin of 33.2%.
MSEX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Middlesex Water Company reported a net income of 10.61M and revenue of 48.71M, resulting in a net margin of 21.8%.
NWN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Northwest Natural Holding Company reported a net income of 97.49M and revenue of 490.40M, resulting in a net margin of 19.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSEX and NWN have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NWN has higher volatility (10.25%) compared to MSEX (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSEX dropped -60.51% vs NWN's -46.27%.
NWN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 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.
Find the right allocation for MSEX and NWN
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer