ADVLX vs. MWNIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ADVLX (Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund) and MWNIX (MFS International New Discovery Fund) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ADVLX returned 9.56%/yr vs 6.48%/yr for MWNIX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ADVLX charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for MWNIX.

Performance

ADVLX vs. MWNIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund (ADVLX) and MFS International New Discovery Fund (MWNIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ADVLX achieves a 13.92% return, which is significantly higher than MWNIX's 7.72% return. Over the past 10 years, ADVLX has outperformed MWNIX with an annualized return of 9.56%, while MWNIX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.48% annualized return.

ADVLX

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: 1.99%
• YTD: 13.92%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 41.59%
• 3Y*: 20.18%
• 5Y*: 6.69%
• 10Y*: 9.56%

MWNIX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 7.72%
• 6M: 7.82%
• 1Y: 12.59%
• 3Y*: 9.69%
• 5Y*: 3.31%
• 10Y*: 6.48%

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

ADVLX vs. MWNIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ADVLX Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund	13.92%	49.91%	4.50%	2.73%	-26.24%	12.89%	15.65%	23.42%	-15.41%	29.58%
MWNIX MFS International New Discovery Fund	7.72%	16.88%	0.90%	13.03%	-18.63%	5.06%	9.98%	22.85%	-10.41%	30.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ADVLX and MWNIX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014	0.85

The correlation between ADVLX and MWNIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ADVLX vs. MWNIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ADVLX

ADVLX Risk / Return Rank: 63
ADVLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
ADVLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ADVLX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
ADVLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
ADVLX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

MWNIX

MWNIX Risk / Return Rank: 13
MWNIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
MWNIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
MWNIX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
MWNIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
MWNIX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

ADVLX vs. MWNIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund (ADVLX) and MFS International New Discovery Fund (MWNIX). 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.

	ADVLX	MWNIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	0.98	+1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	1.46	+1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.19	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	0.99	+2.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.77	3.36	+8.41

ADVLX vs. MWNIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADVLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the MWNIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADVLX and MWNIX, 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

ADVLX vs. MWNIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADVLX drawdown since its inception was -38.90%, smaller than the maximum MWNIX drawdown of -58.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADVLX and MWNIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADVLX	MWNIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.90%	-58.38%	+19.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.60%	-11.78%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.29%	-15.12%	-1.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.90%	-33.67%	-5.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.90%	-34.72%	-4.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-0.90%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.05%	-9.56%	-2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	3.47%	-0.05%

Volatility

ADVLX vs. MWNIX - Volatility Comparison

Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund (ADVLX) has a higher volatility of 4.52% compared to MFS International New Discovery Fund (MWNIX) at 4.15%. This indicates that ADVLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MWNIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ADVLX	MWNIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	4.15%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.13%	10.06%	+5.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.92%	11.93%	+6.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.77%	13.26%	+5.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	13.99%	+3.55%

ADVLX vs. MWNIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ADVLX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than MWNIX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ADVLX vs. MWNIX - Dividend Comparison

ADVLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, less than MWNIX's 3.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADVLX Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund	0.76%	0.87%	1.59%	1.59%	1.38%	0.96%	0.83%	1.71%	2.15%	5.97%	1.30%	2.67%
MWNIX MFS International New Discovery Fund	3.01%	3.24%	7.61%	4.05%	5.68%	5.06%	3.90%	2.67%	6.68%	1.63%	1.09%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADVLX and MWNIX in my portfolio?

ADVLX and MWNIX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADVLX or MWNIX?

ADVLX has higher volatility (4.52%) compared to MWNIX (4.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADVLX dropped -38.90% vs MWNIX's -58.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ADVLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 0.98), 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.