ASHIX vs. MDHVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ASHIX (Virtus Short Duration High Income Fund) and MDHVX (MainStay MacKay Short Duration High Yield Fund) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, ASHIX returned 4.98%/yr vs 4.63%/yr for MDHVX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ASHIX charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for MDHVX.

Performance

ASHIX vs. MDHVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Short Duration High Income Fund (ASHIX) and MainStay MacKay Short Duration High Yield Fund (MDHVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ASHIX having a 1.68% return and MDHVX slightly higher at 1.75%. Over the past 10 years, ASHIX has outperformed MDHVX with an annualized return of 4.98%, while MDHVX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.63% annualized return.

ASHIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 1.68%
• 6M: 2.10%
• 1Y: 5.87%
• 3Y*: 7.89%
• 5Y*: 4.85%
• 10Y*: 4.98%

MDHVX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 1.75%
• 6M: 1.53%
• 1Y: 5.11%
• 3Y*: 6.53%
• 5Y*: 4.31%
• 10Y*: 4.63%

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

ASHIX vs. MDHVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ASHIX Virtus Short Duration High Income Fund	1.68%	6.61%	7.61%	12.55%	-5.21%	5.35%	6.00%	7.97%	-0.03%	4.27%
MDHVX MainStay MacKay Short Duration High Yield Fund	1.75%	5.38%	6.51%	9.86%	-2.81%	4.38%	2.92%	9.00%	-0.13%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between ASHIX and MDHVX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2012	0.70

The correlation between ASHIX and MDHVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ASHIX vs. MDHVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASHIX

ASHIX Risk / Return Rank: 83
ASHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ASHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
ASHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
ASHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
ASHIX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

MDHVX

MDHVX Risk / Return Rank: 93
MDHVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
MDHVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
MDHVX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
MDHVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
MDHVX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

ASHIX vs. MDHVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Short Duration High Income Fund (ASHIX) and MainStay MacKay Short Duration High Yield Fund (MDHVX). 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.

	ASHIX	MDHVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.95	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.75	4.42	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.78	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	5.01	-1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.28	24.92	-7.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ASHIX vs. MDHVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASHIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the MDHVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASHIX and MDHVX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ASHIX	MDHVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	2.95	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.42	1.68	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.20	1.36	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.39	1.37	+0.02

Drawdowns

ASHIX vs. MDHVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASHIX drawdown since its inception was -19.54%, which is greater than MDHVX's maximum drawdown of -18.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASHIX and MDHVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASHIX	MDHVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.54%	-18.04%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.77%	-1.06%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.20%	-2.65%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.33%	-6.26%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.54%	-18.04%	-1.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.98%	-0.78%	-0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	0.21%	+0.14%

Volatility

ASHIX vs. MDHVX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Short Duration High Income Fund (ASHIX) has a higher volatility of 0.73% compared to MainStay MacKay Short Duration High Yield Fund (MDHVX) at 0.48%. This indicates that ASHIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MDHVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASHIX	MDHVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.73%	0.48%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.06%	1.42%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47%	1.79%	+0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.44%	2.58%	+0.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.16%	3.43%	+0.73%

ASHIX vs. MDHVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASHIX has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than MDHVX's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASHIX vs. MDHVX - Dividend Comparison

ASHIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.55%, more than MDHVX's 5.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASHIX Virtus Short Duration High Income Fund	6.55%	6.68%	7.01%	6.45%	6.22%	5.53%	5.95%	5.41%	5.64%	5.02%	5.36%	6.44%
MDHVX MainStay MacKay Short Duration High Yield Fund	5.33%	5.47%	6.01%	5.53%	4.31%	3.80%	4.44%	4.37%	4.33%	4.03%	4.95%	4.87%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASHIX and MDHVX in my portfolio?

ASHIX and MDHVX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ASHIX or MDHVX?

ASHIX has higher volatility (0.73%) compared to MDHVX (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASHIX dropped -19.54% vs MDHVX's -18.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDHVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 2.45), 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.