LFIIX vs. MFEKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LFIIX (MFS Lifetime 2055 Fund) and MFEKX (MFS Growth R6) are both mutual funds - LFIIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by MFS, while MFEKX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, LFIIX returned 11.14%/yr vs 17.77%/yr for MFEKX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LFIIX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for MFEKX.

Performance

LFIIX vs. MFEKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Lifetime 2055 Fund (LFIIX) and MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LFIIX achieves a 10.61% return, which is significantly higher than MFEKX's 6.33% return. Over the past 10 years, LFIIX has underperformed MFEKX with an annualized return of 11.14%, while MFEKX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.77% annualized return.

LFIIX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 10.61%
• 6M: 11.34%
• 1Y: 21.78%
• 3Y*: 16.93%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 11.14%

MFEKX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 4.76%
• YTD: 6.33%
• 6M: 6.01%
• 1Y: 17.76%
• 3Y*: 26.68%
• 5Y*: 14.46%
• 10Y*: 17.77%

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

LFIIX vs. MFEKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LFIIX MFS Lifetime 2055 Fund	10.61%	16.32%	13.17%	16.86%	-15.66%	20.39%	13.28%	26.76%	-7.89%	21.19%
MFEKX MFS Growth R6	6.33%	12.44%	49.62%	36.27%	-31.07%	23.71%	31.77%	37.82%	2.40%	30.97%

Correlation

The correlation between LFIIX and MFEKX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.85

The correlation between LFIIX and MFEKX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LFIIX vs. MFEKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LFIIX

LFIIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
LFIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
LFIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
LFIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
LFIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
LFIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

MFEKX

MFEKX Risk / Return Rank: 14
MFEKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
MFEKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
MFEKX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
MFEKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
MFEKX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

LFIIX vs. MFEKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Lifetime 2055 Fund (LFIIX) and MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX). 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.

	LFIIX	MFEKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	1.16	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	1.64	+1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.21	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	1.06	+1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.34	3.46	+7.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LFIIX vs. MFEKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFIIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is higher than the MFEKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFIIX and MFEKX, 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

	LFIIX	MFEKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	1.16	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.66	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.84	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.87	-0.13

Drawdowns

LFIIX vs. MFEKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFIIX drawdown since its inception was -32.79%, smaller than the maximum MFEKX drawdown of -36.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFIIX and MFEKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFIIX	MFEKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.79%	-36.06%	+3.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.35%	-17.27%	+8.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.48%	-23.22%	+8.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.17%	-36.06%	+12.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.79%	-36.06%	+3.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.34%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.87%	-5.64%	+1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.96%	5.30%	-3.34%

Volatility

LFIIX vs. MFEKX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Lifetime 2055 Fund (LFIIX) is 2.87%, while MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX) has a volatility of 3.59%. This indicates that LFIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFEKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LFIIX	MFEKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.87%	3.59%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.27%	12.24%	-3.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.54%	15.83%	-5.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.97%	21.89%	-7.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.95%	21.20%	-6.25%

LFIIX vs. MFEKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFIIX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than MFEKX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

LFIIX vs. MFEKX - Dividend Comparison

LFIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.18%, less than MFEKX's 13.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LFIIX MFS Lifetime 2055 Fund	6.18%	6.84%	4.56%	3.56%	6.36%	8.07%	2.32%	3.79%	3.50%	2.69%	2.70%	1.33%
MFEKX MFS Growth R6	13.94%	14.82%	25.31%	4.82%	1.04%	2.74%	3.55%	1.57%	3.88%	2.49%	1.70%	3.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LFIIX and MFEKX in my portfolio?

LFIIX and MFEKX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LFIIX or MFEKX?

MFEKX has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to LFIIX (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFIIX dropped -32.79% vs MFEKX's -36.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LFIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 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.