DLBMX vs. MEFAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DLBMX (MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund) and MEFAX (MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - DLBMX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by MassMutual, while MEFAX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by MassMutual. Over the past 10 years, DLBMX returned 14.12%/yr vs 10.32%/yr for MEFAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 1.20% expense ratio.

Performance

DLBMX vs. MEFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund (DLBMX) and MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund (MEFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DLBMX achieves a 11.19% return, which is significantly higher than MEFAX's 5.32% return. Over the past 10 years, DLBMX has outperformed MEFAX with an annualized return of 14.12%, while MEFAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.32% annualized return.

DLBMX

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 1.11%
• YTD: 11.19%
• 6M: 11.05%
• 1Y: 22.59%
• 3Y*: 15.12%
• 5Y*: 13.25%
• 10Y*: 14.12%

MEFAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 2.74%
• YTD: 5.32%
• 6M: 5.34%
• 1Y: 12.16%
• 3Y*: 9.99%
• 5Y*: 3.13%
• 10Y*: 10.32%

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

DLBMX vs. MEFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DLBMX MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund	11.19%	8.07%	12.30%	17.43%	-16.19%	64.90%	19.75%	25.54%	-11.14%	13.90%
MEFAX MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund	5.32%	3.19%	10.80%	19.11%	-24.58%	13.75%	25.52%	40.75%	-3.88%	24.12%

Correlation

The correlation between DLBMX and MEFAX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2000	0.90

The correlation between DLBMX and MEFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DLBMX vs. MEFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DLBMX

DLBMX Risk / Return Rank: 23
DLBMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
DLBMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
DLBMX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
DLBMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
DLBMX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

MEFAX

MEFAX Risk / Return Rank: 12
MEFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
MEFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
MEFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
MEFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
MEFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

DLBMX vs. MEFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund (DLBMX) and MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund (MEFAX). 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.

	DLBMX	MEFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	0.86	+0.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	1.33	+0.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.15	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.81	1.22	+0.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.94	4.45	+2.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DLBMX vs. MEFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DLBMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is higher than the MEFAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DLBMX and MEFAX, 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

	DLBMX	MEFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	0.86	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.11	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.43	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.39	+0.04

Drawdowns

DLBMX vs. MEFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DLBMX drawdown since its inception was -65.12%, which is greater than MEFAX's maximum drawdown of -56.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DLBMX and MEFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DLBMX	MEFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.12%	-56.04%	-9.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.42%	-10.45%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.84%	-34.46%	+9.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.39%	-45.14%	+15.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.55%	-45.14%	+2.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.67%	-14.19%	+12.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.21%	-11.43%	+1.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	2.85%	+0.38%

Volatility

DLBMX vs. MEFAX - Volatility Comparison

MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund (DLBMX) has a higher volatility of 4.95% compared to MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund (MEFAX) at 3.87%. This indicates that DLBMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MEFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DLBMX	MEFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.95%	3.87%	+1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.72%	11.27%	+1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.28%	14.66%	+2.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.67%	27.46%	+4.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.18%	23.94%	+4.24%

DLBMX vs. MEFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DLBMX and MEFAX have an expense ratio of 1.20%.

Dividends

DLBMX vs. MEFAX - Dividend Comparison

DLBMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.09%, less than MEFAX's 32.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DLBMX MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund	9.09%	10.11%	9.33%	4.73%	0.88%	35.42%	7.82%	0.46%	11.94%	13.55%	3.14%	11.15%
MEFAX MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund	32.43%	34.16%	21.40%	7.62%	20.71%	29.49%	6.92%	12.81%	12.06%	7.66%	5.32%	10.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DLBMX and MEFAX in my portfolio?

DLBMX and MEFAX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DLBMX or MEFAX?

DLBMX has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to MEFAX (3.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DLBMX dropped -65.12% vs MEFAX's -56.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DLBMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 0.86), 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.