FBDAX vs. MDVAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FBDAX (Franklin Total Return Fund) and MDVAX (MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, FBDAX returned 1.75%/yr vs 2.22%/yr for MDVAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FBDAX charges 0.63%/yr vs 1.07%/yr for MDVAX.

Performance

FBDAX vs. MDVAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Total Return Fund (FBDAX) and MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FBDAX achieves a 0.57% return, which is significantly lower than MDVAX's 2.59% return. Over the past 10 years, FBDAX has underperformed MDVAX with an annualized return of 1.75%, while MDVAX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.22% annualized return.

FBDAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 0.57%
• 6M: 0.60%
• 1Y: 5.74%
• 3Y*: 4.27%
• 5Y*: 0.10%
• 10Y*: 1.75%

MDVAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 2.59%
• 6M: 2.58%
• 1Y: 8.43%
• 3Y*: 5.96%
• 5Y*: 0.38%
• 10Y*: 2.22%

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

FBDAX vs. MDVAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FBDAX Franklin Total Return Fund	0.57%	7.17%	2.00%	6.00%	-14.70%	-0.59%	7.39%	9.78%	-1.56%	3.71%
MDVAX MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund	2.59%	8.40%	2.47%	5.81%	-17.01%	1.95%	8.08%	10.12%	-1.55%	4.52%

Correlation

The correlation between FBDAX and MDVAX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 1999	0.84

The correlation between FBDAX and MDVAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FBDAX vs. MDVAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FBDAX

FBDAX Risk / Return Rank: 25
FBDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
FBDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
FBDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
FBDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
FBDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

MDVAX

MDVAX Risk / Return Rank: 83
MDVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
MDVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
MDVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
MDVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
MDVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

FBDAX vs. MDVAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Total Return Fund (FBDAX) and MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX). 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.

	FBDAX	MDVAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.58	-1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	4.27	-2.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.53	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	3.82	-1.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.93	16.10	-10.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FBDAX vs. MDVAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FBDAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is lower than the MDVAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FBDAX and MDVAX, 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

	FBDAX	MDVAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	2.58	-1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.06	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.42	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.71	+0.17

Drawdowns

FBDAX vs. MDVAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBDAX drawdown since its inception was -20.02%, smaller than the maximum MDVAX drawdown of -23.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBDAX and MDVAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBDAX	MDVAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.02%	-23.02%	+3.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	-2.21%	-0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.07%	-5.44%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.02%	-23.02%	+3.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.02%	-23.02%	+3.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.84%	-3.38%	+1.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.76%	-3.47%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.52%	+0.45%

Volatility

FBDAX vs. MDVAX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Total Return Fund (FBDAX) has a higher volatility of 1.45% compared to MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX) at 0.95%. This indicates that FBDAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MDVAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FBDAX	MDVAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.45%	0.95%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.90%	2.18%	+0.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.99%	3.29%	+0.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.84%	6.46%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.09%	5.27%	-0.18%

FBDAX vs. MDVAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FBDAX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is lower than MDVAX's 1.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FBDAX vs. MDVAX - Dividend Comparison

FBDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, more than MDVAX's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBDAX Franklin Total Return Fund	4.53%	4.37%	4.05%	3.36%	3.56%	2.48%	3.18%	4.12%	3.03%	2.30%	1.85%	3.56%
MDVAX MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund	3.99%	3.91%	2.45%	4.87%	3.76%	4.06%	7.20%	2.90%	2.86%	2.64%	2.11%	0.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FBDAX and MDVAX in my portfolio?

FBDAX and MDVAX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FBDAX or MDVAX?

FBDAX has higher volatility (1.45%) compared to MDVAX (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FBDAX dropped -20.02% vs MDVAX's -23.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDVAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 1.45), 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.