BHYAX vs. MSFRX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BHYAX (BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares) and MSFRX (MFS Total Return Fund) are both mutual funds - BHYAX is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index, while MSFRX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, BHYAX returned 5.33%/yr vs 7.96%/yr for MSFRX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BHYAX charges 0.93%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for MSFRX.

Performance

BHYAX vs. MSFRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX) 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, BHYAX achieves a 1.19% return, which is significantly lower than MSFRX's 3.29% return. Over the past 10 years, BHYAX has underperformed MSFRX with an annualized return of 5.33%, while MSFRX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.96% annualized return.

BHYAX

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -0.17%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 6M: 1.84%
• 1Y: 7.08%
• 3Y*: 8.33%
• 5Y*: 3.77%
• 10Y*: 5.33%

MSFRX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 3.29%
• 6M: 4.86%
• 1Y: 11.70%
• 3Y*: 12.50%
• 5Y*: 6.28%
• 10Y*: 7.96%

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

BHYAX vs. MSFRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BHYAX BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares	1.19%	8.96%	7.55%	12.19%	-11.63%	5.21%	5.54%	15.15%	-3.24%	8.03%
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	3.29%	10.98%	14.73%	10.34%	-9.70%	14.00%	9.72%	20.20%	-5.80%	12.18%

Correlation

The correlation between BHYAX and MSFRX is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 1998	0.38

The correlation between BHYAX and MSFRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BHYAX vs. MSFRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BHYAX

BHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 78
BHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
BHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

MSFRX

MSFRX Risk / Return Rank: 42
MSFRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
MSFRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
MSFRX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
MSFRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
MSFRX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

BHYAX vs. MSFRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX) 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.

	BHYAX	MSFRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.79	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	2.72	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.33	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.45	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.86	7.28	+7.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BHYAX vs. MSFRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BHYAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the MSFRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BHYAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BHYAX	MSFRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	1.79	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.65	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	0.76	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.14	0.65	+0.49

Drawdowns

BHYAX vs. MSFRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BHYAX drawdown since its inception was -35.18%, smaller than the maximum MSFRX drawdown of -37.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BHYAX and MSFRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BHYAX	MSFRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.18%	-37.28%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.30%	-4.96%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.10%	-8.56%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.60%	-17.02%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.25%	-24.70%	+1.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-1.86%	+1.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.86%	-5.00%	+2.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.47%	1.67%	-1.20%

Volatility

BHYAX vs. MSFRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX) is 1.16%, while MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) has a volatility of 1.78%. This indicates that BHYAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSFRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BHYAX	MSFRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	1.78%	-0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.66%	4.93%	-2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44%	6.78%	-3.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.20%	9.74%	-4.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.90%	10.45%	-4.55%

BHYAX vs. MSFRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BHYAX has a 0.93% expense ratio, which is higher than MSFRX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

BHYAX vs. MSFRX - Dividend Comparison

BHYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.75%, less than MSFRX's 8.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BHYAX BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares	6.75%	6.71%	6.56%	5.30%	4.60%	4.42%	4.83%	5.39%	6.02%	5.50%	5.65%	6.01%
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	8.77%	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 BHYAX and MSFRX in my portfolio?

BHYAX and MSFRX have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BHYAX or MSFRX?

MSFRX has higher volatility (1.78%) compared to BHYAX (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BHYAX dropped -35.18% vs MSFRX's -37.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.79), 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.