CMU vs. HSTIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CMU (MFS High Yield Municipal Trust) is a stock, while HSTIX (Homestead Stock Index Fund) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Homestead. Over the past 10 years, CMU returned 1.67%/yr vs 15.22%/yr for HSTIX. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CMU vs. HSTIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS High Yield Municipal Trust (CMU) and Homestead Stock Index Fund (HSTIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CMU achieves a 0.68% return, which is significantly lower than HSTIX's 11.48% return. Over the past 10 years, CMU has underperformed HSTIX with an annualized return of 1.67%, while HSTIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.22% annualized return.

CMU

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -4.42%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: 1.88%
• 1Y: 10.46%
• 3Y*: 8.41%
• 5Y*: -1.31%
• 10Y*: 1.67%

HSTIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.77%
• YTD: 11.48%
• 6M: 11.47%
• 1Y: 28.38%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: 14.02%
• 10Y*: 15.22%

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

CMU vs. HSTIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CMU MFS High Yield Municipal Trust	0.68%	5.39%	11.56%	10.28%	-27.23%	7.38%	-2.18%	19.12%	-4.45%	10.79%
HSTIX Homestead Stock Index Fund	11.48%	17.36%	24.40%	27.24%	-18.53%	28.07%	17.81%	30.77%	-4.98%	21.17%

Correlation

The correlation between CMU and HSTIX is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 1999	0.11

The correlation between CMU and HSTIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (all time) to 0.24 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CMU vs. HSTIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CMU

CMU Risk / Return Rank: 71
CMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
CMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
CMU Omega Ratio Rank: 69
CMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
CMU Martin Ratio Rank: 75

HSTIX

HSTIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
HSTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
HSTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
HSTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
HSTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
HSTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

CMU vs. HSTIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS High Yield Municipal Trust (CMU) and Homestead Stock Index Fund (HSTIX). 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.

	CMU	HSTIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	2.47	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	3.36	-1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.45	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	3.26	-1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.86	15.19	-10.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CMU vs. HSTIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CMU Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the HSTIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CMU and HSTIX, 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

	CMU	HSTIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	2.47	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.11	0.83	-0.94
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11	0.85	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.40	-0.28

Drawdowns

CMU vs. HSTIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CMU drawdown since its inception was -57.31%, roughly equal to the maximum HSTIX drawdown of -55.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CMU and HSTIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CMU	HSTIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.31%	-55.64%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.09%	-8.97%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.20%	-18.79%	+2.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.25%	-24.78%	-12.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.25%	-33.82%	-3.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.57%	0.00%	-10.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.02%	-11.58%	-1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	1.92%	+0.24%

Volatility

CMU vs. HSTIX - Volatility Comparison

MFS High Yield Municipal Trust (CMU) has a higher volatility of 3.42% compared to Homestead Stock Index Fund (HSTIX) at 2.82%. This indicates that CMU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HSTIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CMU	HSTIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	2.82%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.95%	8.97%	-2.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.14%	11.86%	-2.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.40%	16.92%	-4.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.67%	18.06%	-3.39%

Dividends

CMU vs. HSTIX - Dividend Comparison

CMU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.45%, more than HSTIX's 1.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CMU MFS High Yield Municipal Trust	8.45%	5.38%	4.69%	4.05%	5.58%	4.52%	4.93%	4.81%	6.09%	5.87%	6.13%	6.22%
HSTIX Homestead Stock Index Fund	1.63%	1.82%	1.08%	2.49%	1.91%	2.13%	1.40%	1.98%	1.98%	0.89%	1.51%	1.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CMU and HSTIX in my portfolio?

CMU and HSTIX have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CMU or HSTIX?

CMU has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to HSTIX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CMU dropped -57.31% vs HSTIX's -55.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HSTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.16), 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.