MSEX vs. SCL
MSEX (Middlesex Water Company) and SCL (Stepan Company) are both stocks. MSEX operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities), while SCL operates in Specialty Chemicals (Basic Materials). Over the past 10 years, MSEX returned 4.97%/yr vs -0.19%/yr for SCL. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MSEX vs. SCL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSEX achieves a 5.78% return, which is significantly lower than SCL's 10.27% return. Over the past 10 years, MSEX has outperformed SCL with an annualized return of 4.97%, while SCL has yielded a comparatively lower -0.19% annualized return.
MSEX
- 1D
- -1.41%
- 1M
- 2.77%
- YTD
- 5.78%
- 6M
- 4.49%
- 1Y
- -3.59%
- 3Y*
- -12.32%
- 5Y*
- -7.76%
- 10Y*
- 4.97%
SCL
- 1D
- 0.29%
- 1M
- -2.10%
- YTD
- 10.27%
- 6M
- 17.06%
- 1Y
- -3.04%
- 3Y*
- -17.43%
- 5Y*
- -15.44%
- 10Y*
- -0.19%
MSEX vs. SCL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSEX Middlesex Water Company | 5.78% | -1.65% | -18.00% | -15.19% | -33.75% | 68.50% | 15.78% | 21.12% | 36.54% | -4.92% |
SCL Stepan Company | 10.27% | -24.60% | -30.29% | -9.74% | -12.91% | 5.24% | 17.75% | 39.96% | -5.21% | -2.06% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSEX and SCL is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 1992 | 0.25 |
Fundamentals
MSEX:
$3.22
SCL:
-$0.62
MSEX:
3.61
SCL:
0.50
MSEX:
$199.11M
SCL:
$2.34B
MSEX:
$66.33M
SCL:
$259.28M
MSEX:
$86.27M
SCL:
$96.49M
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Return for Risk
MSEX vs. SCL — Risk / Return Rank
MSEX
SCL
MSEX vs. SCL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) and Stepan Company (SCL). 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 | SCL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.02 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.17 | -0.09 | -0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.30 | -0.16 | -0.14 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MSEX | SCL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.12 | -0.08 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.25 | -0.51 | +0.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.15 | -0.01 | +0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.25 | +0.07 |
Drawdowns
MSEX vs. SCL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSEX drawdown since its inception was -60.51%, smaller than the maximum SCL drawdown of -66.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSEX and SCL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSEX | SCL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.51% | -66.78% | +6.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -21.04% | -32.78% | +11.74% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -44.52% | -54.78% | +10.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -60.51% | -65.22% | +4.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -60.51% | -66.78% | +6.27% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -52.07% | -58.63% | +6.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.86% | -16.99% | +4.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.07% | 19.37% | -7.30% |
Volatility
MSEX vs. SCL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) is 5.32%, while Stepan Company (SCL) has a volatility of 6.53%. This indicates that MSEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSEX | SCL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.32% | 6.53% | -1.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.12% | 30.83% | -12.71% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.28% | 36.41% | -6.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 31.16% | 30.29% | +0.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.34% | 31.60% | +0.74% |
Dividends
MSEX vs. SCL - Dividend Comparison
MSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, less than SCL's 3.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSEX Middlesex Water Company | 2.70% | 2.74% | 2.50% | 1.92% | 1.50% | 1.16% | 1.44% | 1.54% | 1.71% | 2.15% | 1.88% | 2.92% |
SCL Stepan Company | 3.05% | 3.27% | 2.33% | 1.55% | 1.63% | 1.01% | 0.95% | 1.00% | 1.25% | 1.06% | 0.95% | 1.47% |
Financials
MSEX vs. SCL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Middlesex Water Company and Stepan 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. SCL - 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%.
SCL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported a gross profit of 64.85M and revenue of 604.51M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 10.7%.
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%.
SCL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported an operating income of -49.62M and revenue of 604.51M, resulting in an operating margin of -8.2%.
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%.
SCL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported a net income of -41.41M and revenue of 604.51M, resulting in a net margin of -6.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSEX and SCL have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SCL has higher volatility (6.53%) compared to MSEX (5.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSEX dropped -60.51% vs SCL's -66.78%.
SCL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.08 vs -0.12), 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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