- Issuer
- MFS
- Inception Date
- Jan 1, 2003
- Category
- Government Bonds
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
- Asset Class Size
- Multi-Cap
- Asset Class Style
- Blend
Share Price Chart
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Performance
MGF Performance Chart
MFS Government Markets Income Trust (MGF) is down 2.1% since the beginning of the year. MGF is currently trading at $3 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of MGF shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $962.
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Returns By Period
MFS Government Markets Income Trust (MGF) has returned -2.10% so far this year and 0.15% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, MGF has returned 1.37% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.88% annually.
MFS Government Markets Income Trust
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.64%
- YTD
- -2.10%
- 6M
- -0.29%
- 1Y
- 0.15%
- 3Y*
- 3.60%
- 5Y*
- -0.77%
- 10Y*
- 1.37%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- YTD
- 9.16%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- 1Y
- 25.22%
- 3Y*
- 19.78%
- 5Y*
- 11.99%
- 10Y*
- 13.88%
MGF Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since May 20, 1987, MGF's average daily return is +0.01%, while the average monthly return is +0.22%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 26.3 years.
Historically, 54% of months were positive and 46% were negative. The best month was Dec 2008 with a return of +10.2%, while the worst month was Sep 2008 at -12.0%. The longest winning streak lasted 8 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 8 months.
On a daily basis, MGF closed higher 39% of trading days. The best single day was Oct 13, 2008 with a return of +10.2%, while the worst single day was Oct 19, 1987 at -9.8%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1.13% | -1.02% | -1.03% | -0.05% | -1.41% | 0.29% | -2.10% | ||||||
| 2025 | 1.30% | 1.60% | 2.23% | 0.00% | -2.08% | 2.43% | -0.98% | 1.28% | 1.60% | -0.98% | 2.60% | -2.74% | 6.24% |
| 2024 | 1.27% | -3.13% | 4.57% | -2.50% | -0.33% | 0.65% | 3.92% | 2.53% | 3.11% | -3.02% | -0.95% | -1.62% | 4.17% |
| 2023 | 4.89% | -4.61% | 1.58% | 1.86% | -1.15% | -1.49% | 0.96% | 0.34% | -4.05% | -2.96% | 5.07% | 3.88% | 3.78% |
| 2022 | -2.68% | -4.49% | -2.44% | -4.66% | 6.84% | -6.75% | 2.93% | -2.17% | -6.53% | 1.61% | 4.00% | -1.74% | -15.81% |
| 2021 | -1.34% | -0.94% | -0.05% | 0.85% | 0.41% | 1.76% | -0.06% | 0.62% | -1.66% | -1.24% | 1.34% | 0.15% | -0.22% |
Benchmark Metrics
MFS Government Markets Income Trust has an annualized alpha of 2.30%, beta of 0.10, and R2 of 0.02 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since May 20, 1987.
- This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (10.55%) than losses (6.65%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of 0.10 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.02 this fund is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this fund's risk.
- R2 of 0.02 means this fund moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index - capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 2.30%
- Beta
- 0.10
- R²
- 0.02
- Upside Capture
- 10.55%
- Downside Capture
- 6.65%
Expense Ratio
MGF has an expense ratio of 0.02%, which is considered low.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
MGF ranks 3 for risk / return — in the bottom 3% of mutual funds on our site. This means you're taking on significantly more risk than the returns justify. Consider whether the potential upside is worth the volatility, or explore alternatives with better risk / return profiles.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Government Markets Income Trust (MGF) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
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.
| MGF | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.66 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.37 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.03 | 2.78 | -2.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.06 | 12.44 | -12.38 |
Dividends
Dividend History
MFS Government Markets Income Trust provided a 8.03% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.23 per share.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.23 | $0.23 | $0.24 | $0.25 | $0.28 | $0.33 | $0.35 | $0.34 | $0.35 | $0.38 | $0.41 | $0.43 |
Dividend yield | 8.03% | 7.65% | 7.81% | 7.82% | 8.45% | 7.71% | 7.58% | 7.50% | 7.81% | 7.92% | 8.09% | 8.05% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for MFS Government Markets Income Trust. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.11 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.23 |
| 2024 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.24 |
| 2023 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.25 |
| 2022 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.28 |
| 2021 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.33 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the MFS Government Markets Income Trust. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the MFS Government Markets Income Trust was 35.74%, occurring on Dec 30, 1999. Recovery took 1361 trading sessions.
The current MFS Government Markets Income Trust drawdown is 6.84%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 bear market1999 | -35.74%Dec 1999 | 10y 5mo | 5y 5mo | 15y 10moAug 1989 - Jun 2005 |
Bear market2022 | -22.88%Oct 2022 | 1y 1mo | — | 4y 9moSep 2021 - now |
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -21.63%Oct 2008 | 1mo 1d | 1mo 19d | 2mo 20dSep 2008 - Nov 2008 |
Black Monday1987 | -20.78%Oct 1987 | 2mo 9d | 2mo 13d | 4mo 22dAug 1987 - Dec 1987 |
2013 correction2013 | -19.21%Aug 2013 | 11mo 19d | 2y 12mo | 3y 11moSep 2012 - Aug 2016 |
Drawdown Indicators
| MGF | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.74% | -56.78% | +21.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.05% | -9.10% | +3.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.94% | -18.90% | +9.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.88% | -25.43% | +2.55% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.88% | -33.92% | +11.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.84% | -1.80% | -5.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.87% | -10.71% | -0.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.81% | 2.03% | +0.78% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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