GWOAX vs. MFWIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GWOAX (GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund) and MFWIX (MFS Global Total Return Fund Class I) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GWOAX returned 12.17%/yr vs 6.57%/yr for MFWIX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GWOAX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for MFWIX.

Performance

GWOAX vs. MFWIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund (GWOAX) and MFS Global Total Return Fund Class I (MFWIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GWOAX achieves a 16.38% return, which is significantly higher than MFWIX's 5.40% return. Over the past 10 years, GWOAX has outperformed MFWIX with an annualized return of 12.17%, while MFWIX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.57% annualized return.

GWOAX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 16.38%
• 6M: 18.34%
• 1Y: 37.95%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 10.98%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

MFWIX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 5.40%
• 6M: 6.70%
• 1Y: 14.26%
• 3Y*: 10.98%
• 5Y*: 4.98%
• 10Y*: 6.57%

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

GWOAX vs. MFWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GWOAX GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund	16.38%	28.37%	6.14%	22.49%	-14.10%	18.53%	10.53%	26.56%	-12.95%	25.63%
MFWIX MFS Global Total Return Fund Class I	5.40%	15.70%	4.25%	10.52%	-10.62%	8.59%	9.63%	18.49%	-6.96%	15.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GWOAX and MFWIX 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	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2006	0.91

The correlation between GWOAX and MFWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GWOAX vs. MFWIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GWOAX

GWOAX Risk / Return Rank: 88
GWOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
GWOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
GWOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
GWOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
GWOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

MFWIX

MFWIX Risk / Return Rank: 39
MFWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
MFWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
MFWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
MFWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
MFWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

GWOAX vs. MFWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund (GWOAX) and MFS Global Total Return Fund Class I (MFWIX). 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.

	GWOAX	MFWIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	1.92	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.23	2.80	+1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.36	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	2.11	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.30	7.51	+9.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GWOAX vs. MFWIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GWOAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the MFWIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GWOAX and MFWIX, 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

	GWOAX	MFWIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.07	1.92	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.55	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.68	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.72	-0.25

Drawdowns

GWOAX vs. MFWIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GWOAX drawdown since its inception was -49.84%, which is greater than MFWIX's maximum drawdown of -33.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GWOAX and MFWIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GWOAX	MFWIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.84%	-33.01%	-16.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-6.73%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.11%	-8.63%	-7.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.21%	-20.22%	-5.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.28%	-23.36%	-11.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.99%	+0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.00%	-3.82%	-5.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	1.89%	+0.30%

Volatility

GWOAX vs. MFWIX - Volatility Comparison

GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund (GWOAX) has a higher volatility of 3.36% compared to MFS Global Total Return Fund Class I (MFWIX) at 2.13%. This indicates that GWOAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MFWIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GWOAX	MFWIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.36%	2.13%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.48%	5.66%	+3.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.39%	7.38%	+5.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.22%	9.14%	+6.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.50%	9.63%	+6.87%

GWOAX vs. MFWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GWOAX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than MFWIX's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

GWOAX vs. MFWIX - Dividend Comparison

GWOAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, less than MFWIX's 8.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GWOAX GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund	3.83%	4.46%	0.60%	6.10%	7.27%	12.75%	3.85%	4.33%	3.02%	3.05%	6.43%	12.47%
MFWIX MFS Global Total Return Fund Class I	8.32%	8.77%	9.36%	3.98%	2.94%	10.71%	7.53%	4.70%	3.64%	2.36%	1.40%	4.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GWOAX and MFWIX in my portfolio?

GWOAX and MFWIX 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, GWOAX or MFWIX?

GWOAX has higher volatility (3.36%) compared to MFWIX (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GWOAX dropped -49.84% vs MFWIX's -33.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GWOAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 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.