AAETX vs. MSFRX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AAETX (American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund) and MSFRX (MFS Total Return Fund) are both mutual funds - AAETX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by American Funds, while MSFRX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, AAETX returned 9.26%/yr vs 8.08%/yr for MSFRX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AAETX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for MSFRX.

Performance

AAETX vs. MSFRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) and MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAETX achieves a 5.36% return, which is significantly higher than MSFRX's 2.35% return. Over the past 10 years, AAETX has outperformed MSFRX with an annualized return of 9.26%, while MSFRX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.08% annualized return.

AAETX

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: 5.36%
• 6M: 5.20%
• 1Y: 14.47%
• 3Y*: 12.99%
• 5Y*: 6.58%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

MSFRX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -0.40%
• YTD: 2.35%
• 6M: 2.16%
• 1Y: 9.71%
• 3Y*: 11.90%
• 5Y*: 6.48%
• 10Y*: 8.08%

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

AAETX vs. MSFRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.36%	15.41%	10.50%	14.08%	-14.74%	12.79%	14.81%	19.64%	-4.56%	18.11%
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	2.35%	10.98%	14.73%	10.34%	-9.70%	14.00%	9.72%	20.20%	-5.80%	12.18%

Correlation

The correlation between AAETX and MSFRX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2007	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between AAETX and MSFRX has dropped to 0.66 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AAETX vs. MSFRX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAETX

AAETX Risk / Return Rank: 53
AAETX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
AAETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
AAETX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AAETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
AAETX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

MSFRX

MSFRX Risk / Return Rank: 32
MSFRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
MSFRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
MSFRX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
MSFRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
MSFRX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

AAETX vs. MSFRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) and MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX). 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.

	AAETX	MSFRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.52	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	2.30	+0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.27	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	2.11	+0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.89	6.09	+4.79

AAETX vs. MSFRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAETX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is higher than the MSFRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAETX and MSFRX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAETX vs. MSFRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAETX drawdown since its inception was -49.49%, which is greater than MSFRX's maximum drawdown of -37.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAETX and MSFRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAETX	MSFRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.49%	-37.28%	-12.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.12%	-4.96%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.67%	-8.56%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-17.02%	-3.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.37%	-24.70%	+2.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-2.76%	+2.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.39%	-5.00%	-1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.39%	1.71%	-0.32%

Volatility

AAETX vs. MSFRX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) has a higher volatility of 2.81% compared to MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) at 2.04%. This indicates that AAETX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MSFRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAETX	MSFRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.81%	2.04%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	5.04%	+1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.63%	6.89%	+0.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.78%	9.75%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	10.47%	+0.20%

AAETX vs. MSFRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAETX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than MSFRX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAETX vs. MSFRX - Dividend Comparison

AAETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.01%, less than MSFRX's 8.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund	6.01%	6.33%	3.73%	2.69%	4.39%	6.47%	3.57%	3.95%	4.46%	2.46%	3.46%	5.52%
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	8.85%	8.93%	14.87%	6.19%	5.38%	8.33%	6.93%	3.22%	4.99%	5.67%	3.54%	5.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAETX and MSFRX in my portfolio?

AAETX and MSFRX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAETX or MSFRX?

AAETX has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to MSFRX (2.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAETX dropped -49.49% vs MSFRX's -37.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAETX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.52), 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.