EIPCX vs. MCSTX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

EIPCX (Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class I) and MCSTX (MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4) are both Commodities funds. Over the past 5 years, EIPCX returned 13.69%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for MCSTX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EIPCX charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for MCSTX.

Performance

EIPCX vs. MCSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class I (EIPCX) and MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with EIPCX having a 20.06% return and MCSTX slightly lower at 19.67%.

EIPCX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.57%
• 6M: 11.64%
• YTD: 20.06%
• 1Y: 37.22%
• 3Y*: 14.91%
• 5Y*: 13.69%
• 10Y*: 10.87%
• ALL TIME*: 3.22%

MCSTX

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 6.14%
• 6M: 9.09%
• YTD: 19.67%
• 1Y: 33.88%
• 3Y*: 12.84%
• 5Y*: 10.27%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.86%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EIPCX Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class I	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
MCSTX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

EIPCX vs. MCSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EIPCX Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class I	20.06%	22.27%	9.97%	-4.70%	17.76%	30.13%	7.83%	1.92%
MCSTX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4	19.67%	18.51%	5.09%	-6.15%	13.37%	27.60%	-0.21%	-1.04%

Correlation

The correlation between EIPCX and MCSTX is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2019	0.92

The correlation between EIPCX and MCSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EIPCX vs. MCSTX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EIPCX

EIPCX Risk / Return Rank: 85
EIPCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EIPCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
EIPCX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
EIPCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EIPCX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

MCSTX

MCSTX Risk / Return Rank: 71
MCSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
MCSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
MCSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
MCSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
MCSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EIPCX vs. MCSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class I (EIPCX) and MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	EIPCX	MCSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	1.92	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	2.50	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.34	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	2.46	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.13	7.79	+1.35

EIPCX vs. MCSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EIPCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the MCSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EIPCX and MCSTX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EIPCX vs. MCSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EIPCX drawdown since its inception was -54.05%, which is greater than MCSTX's maximum drawdown of -37.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EIPCX and MCSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EIPCX	MCSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.05%	-37.67%	-16.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.19%	-12.72%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.19%	-12.72%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	-37.67%	+19.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.80%	-6.90%	+1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.06%	-17.29%	-6.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	4.03%	-0.26%

Volatility

EIPCX vs. MCSTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class I (EIPCX) is 3.50%, while MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX) has a volatility of 4.26%. This indicates that EIPCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MCSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EIPCX	MCSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	4.26%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.28%	13.02%	-1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.36%	16.24%	-1.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.57%	34.67%	-20.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.28%	29.75%	-16.47%

EIPCX vs. MCSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EIPCX has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is lower than MCSTX's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

EIPCX vs. MCSTX - Dividend Comparison

EIPCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.10%, less than MCSTX's 13.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
EIPCX Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class I	11.10%	13.33%	5.65%	3.69%	14.93%	13.83%	3.10%	1.54%	0.87%	5.14%	6.59%
MCSTX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4	13.44%	16.08%	3.30%	2.21%	27.44%	56.14%	0.87%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EIPCX and MCSTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, EIPCX and MCSTX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, EIPCX or MCSTX?

MCSTX has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to EIPCX (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EIPCX dropped -54.05% vs MCSTX's -37.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EIPCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.92), 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.