BATAX vs. MSTDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BATAX (BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio) and MSTDX (MassMutual Short Duration Bond Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, BATAX returned 3.59%/yr vs 2.08%/yr for MSTDX. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BATAX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for MSTDX.

Performance

BATAX vs. MSTDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio (BATAX) and MassMutual Short Duration Bond Fund (MSTDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BATAX achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly higher than MSTDX's 0.84% return. Over the past 10 years, BATAX has outperformed MSTDX with an annualized return of 3.59%, while MSTDX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.08% annualized return.

BATAX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 6.24%
• 3Y*: 6.70%
• 5Y*: 3.41%
• 10Y*: 3.59%

MSTDX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.62%
• 5Y*: 1.36%
• 10Y*: 2.08%

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

BATAX vs. MSTDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BATAX BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio	1.87%	7.37%	7.34%	6.43%	-5.87%	1.72%	2.75%	6.76%	2.20%	5.21%
MSTDX MassMutual Short Duration Bond Fund	0.84%	6.18%	6.38%	5.88%	-11.19%	1.79%	2.29%	4.49%	1.68%	2.61%

Correlation

The correlation between BATAX and MSTDX is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.47

Over the past year, BATAX and MSTDX have become more correlated (0.67) than their long-term average of 0.47, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

BATAX vs. MSTDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BATAX

BATAX Risk / Return Rank: 96
BATAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
BATAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
BATAX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
BATAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
BATAX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

MSTDX

MSTDX Risk / Return Rank: 87
MSTDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
MSTDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
MSTDX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
MSTDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
MSTDX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

BATAX vs. MSTDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio (BATAX) and MassMutual Short Duration Bond Fund (MSTDX). 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.

	BATAX	MSTDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.06	2.49	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.71	4.74	+2.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.14	1.66	+0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.69	4.26	+2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.99	17.86	+10.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BATAX vs. MSTDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BATAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.06, which is comparable to the MSTDX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BATAX and MSTDX, 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

	BATAX	MSTDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06	2.49	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.57	0.59	+0.99
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.17	1.01	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	1.25	-0.14

Drawdowns

BATAX vs. MSTDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BATAX drawdown since its inception was -17.42%, which is greater than MSTDX's maximum drawdown of -13.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BATAX and MSTDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BATAX	MSTDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.42%	-13.31%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.94%	-1.06%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.15%	-1.06%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.12%	-13.31%	+5.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.42%	-13.31%	-4.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.11%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.30%	-1.43%	+0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.22%	0.25%	-0.03%

Volatility

BATAX vs. MSTDX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio (BATAX) and MassMutual Short Duration Bond Fund (MSTDX) have volatilities of 0.67% and 0.65%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BATAX	MSTDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.67%	0.65%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.43%	1.37%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04%	1.82%	+0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.18%	2.33%	-0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.07%	2.06%	+1.01%

BATAX vs. MSTDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BATAX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than MSTDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

BATAX vs. MSTDX - Dividend Comparison

BATAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.74%, more than MSTDX's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BATAX BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio	5.74%	5.92%	5.45%	3.91%	3.14%	1.82%	3.22%	4.73%	5.36%	4.10%	0.40%	0.00%
MSTDX MassMutual Short Duration Bond Fund	4.44%	4.36%	2.63%	2.48%	1.46%	1.90%	4.44%	3.35%	3.82%	2.51%	2.36%	2.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BATAX and MSTDX in my portfolio?

BATAX and MSTDX have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BATAX or MSTDX?

BATAX has higher volatility (0.67%) compared to MSTDX (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BATAX dropped -17.42% vs MSTDX's -13.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BATAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 2.49), 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.