INTAX vs. MEDIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

INTAX (Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund) and MEDIX (MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund) are both mutual funds - INTAX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Columbia, while MEDIX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, INTAX returned 2.26%/yr vs 3.73%/yr for MEDIX. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. INTAX charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.81%/yr for MEDIX.

Performance

INTAX vs. MEDIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund (INTAX) and MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund (MEDIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with INTAX having a 2.38% return and MEDIX slightly higher at 2.46%. Over the past 10 years, INTAX has underperformed MEDIX with an annualized return of 2.26%, while MEDIX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.73% annualized return.

INTAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 2.38%
• 6M: 2.77%
• 1Y: 8.75%
• 3Y*: 4.69%
• 5Y*: 0.42%
• 10Y*: 2.26%

MEDIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 2.46%
• 6M: 3.09%
• 1Y: 12.40%
• 3Y*: 9.48%
• 5Y*: 2.13%
• 10Y*: 3.73%

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

INTAX vs. MEDIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
INTAX Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund	2.38%	3.80%	3.72%	7.92%	-14.56%	2.65%	5.05%	8.83%	0.51%	7.32%
MEDIX MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund	2.46%	12.48%	5.92%	9.42%	-15.97%	-2.40%	8.01%	14.12%	-4.99%	9.64%

Correlation

The correlation between INTAX and MEDIX is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 1998	0.25

Over the past year, INTAX and MEDIX have become more correlated (0.59) than their long-term average of 0.25, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

INTAX vs. MEDIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

INTAX

INTAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
INTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
INTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
INTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
INTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
INTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

MEDIX

MEDIX Risk / Return Rank: 84
MEDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
MEDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
MEDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
MEDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
MEDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

INTAX vs. MEDIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund (INTAX) and MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund (MEDIX). 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.

	INTAX	MEDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	3.25	-0.83
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.87	5.40	-1.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.70	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	3.09	-0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.34	13.52	-4.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

INTAX vs. MEDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the MEDIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INTAX and MEDIX, 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

	INTAX	MEDIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	3.25	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.36	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.64	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.98	-0.30

Drawdowns

INTAX vs. MEDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INTAX drawdown since its inception was -36.87%, roughly equal to the maximum MEDIX drawdown of -35.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INTAX and MEDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	INTAX	MEDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.87%	-35.31%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-4.12%	+1.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.91%	-7.48%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.74%	-27.40%	+6.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.74%	-27.40%	+6.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.15%	-4.44%	-0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	0.94%	-0.01%

Volatility

INTAX vs. MEDIX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund (INTAX) and MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund (MEDIX) have volatilities of 1.35% and 1.39%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	INTAX	MEDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	1.39%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.55%	3.22%	-0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.63%	3.92%	-0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.68%	5.89%	-0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.42%	5.87%	-0.45%

INTAX vs. MEDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

INTAX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is lower than MEDIX's 0.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

INTAX vs. MEDIX - Dividend Comparison

INTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, less than MEDIX's 5.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
INTAX Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund	3.77%	4.97%	3.79%	3.08%	2.76%	2.45%	2.46%	3.45%	3.79%	3.76%	4.09%	4.36%
MEDIX MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund	5.04%	5.22%	5.68%	4.90%	5.51%	4.33%	4.07%	4.59%	4.87%	4.46%	4.86%	5.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both INTAX and MEDIX in my portfolio?

INTAX and MEDIX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INTAX or MEDIX?

MEDIX has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to INTAX (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INTAX dropped -36.87% vs MEDIX's -35.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MEDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 2.43), 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.