HSTIX vs. CMU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

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

Performance

HSTIX vs. CMU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

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

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%

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%

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

HSTIX vs. CMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
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%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

HSTIX vs. CMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

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

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.

HSTIX vs. CMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	HSTIX	CMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	1.16	+1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	1.71	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.22	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.26	1.30	+1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.19	4.86	+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.

HSTIX vs. CMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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

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

Drawdowns

HSTIX vs. CMU - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

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

Volatility

HSTIX vs. CMU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Homestead Stock Index Fund (HSTIX) is 2.82%, while MFS High Yield Municipal Trust (CMU) has a volatility of 3.42%. This indicates that HSTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

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

Dividends

HSTIX vs. CMU - Dividend Comparison

HSTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, less than CMU's 8.45% 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 HSTIX and CMU in my portfolio?

HSTIX and CMU 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, HSTIX or CMU?

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

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.