MCFIX vs. ANBAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MCFIX (Mercer Core Fixed Income Fund) and ANBAX (American Funds Strategic Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, MCFIX returned -0.06%/yr vs -1.01%/yr for ANBAX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MCFIX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for ANBAX.

Performance

MCFIX vs. ANBAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Mercer Core Fixed Income Fund (MCFIX) and American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (ANBAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MCFIX achieves a -1.10% return, which is significantly lower than ANBAX's -0.81% return.

MCFIX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.23%
• YTD: -1.10%
• 6M: -0.91%
• 1Y: 3.23%
• 3Y*: 3.77%
• 5Y*: -0.06%
• 10Y*: —

ANBAX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: -0.81%
• 6M: -0.70%
• 1Y: 2.54%
• 3Y*: 2.08%
• 5Y*: -1.01%
• 10Y*: —

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

MCFIX vs. ANBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MCFIX Mercer Core Fixed Income Fund	-1.10%	6.64%	2.02%	6.47%	-13.69%	-1.05%	4.75%	3.31%
ANBAX American Funds Strategic Bond Fund	-0.81%	7.18%	-0.61%	1.52%	-12.74%	-1.13%	18.10%	4.80%

Correlation

The correlation between MCFIX and ANBAX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2019	0.82

The correlation between MCFIX and ANBAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MCFIX vs. ANBAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MCFIX

MCFIX Risk / Return Rank: 10
MCFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
MCFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
MCFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
MCFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
MCFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

ANBAX

ANBAX Risk / Return Rank: 6
ANBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
ANBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
ANBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
ANBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
ANBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

MCFIX vs. ANBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mercer Core Fixed Income Fund (MCFIX) and American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (ANBAX). 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.

	MCFIX	ANBAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.86	0.54	+0.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	0.78	+0.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.11	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	0.64	+0.38
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.01	1.93	+1.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MCFIX vs. ANBAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCFIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is higher than the ANBAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCFIX and ANBAX, 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

	MCFIX	ANBAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86	0.54	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	-0.16	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.39	-0.25

Drawdowns

MCFIX vs. ANBAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCFIX drawdown since its inception was -21.68%, which is greater than ANBAX's maximum drawdown of -19.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCFIX and ANBAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCFIX	ANBAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.68%	-19.33%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.75%	-3.96%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.32%	-7.21%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.72%	-19.33%	+0.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.08%	-7.70%	+1.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.55%	-5.69%	-2.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.26%	1.32%	-0.06%

Volatility

MCFIX vs. ANBAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Mercer Core Fixed Income Fund (MCFIX) is 1.32%, while American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (ANBAX) has a volatility of 1.53%. This indicates that MCFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ANBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MCFIX	ANBAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	1.53%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.77%	3.04%	-0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.13%	4.33%	-0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.04%	6.31%	-0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.12%	5.41%	+0.71%

MCFIX vs. ANBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCFIX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than ANBAX's 0.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

MCFIX vs. ANBAX - Dividend Comparison

MCFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.31%, more than ANBAX's 3.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ANBAX American Funds Strategic Bond Fund	3.00%	2.78%	3.07%	2.91%	5.31%	1.74%	3.87%	3.09%	3.51%	1.76%
MCFIX Mercer Core Fixed Income Fund	4.31%	3.89%	4.54%	3.68%	3.31%	2.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCFIX and ANBAX in my portfolio?

MCFIX and ANBAX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MCFIX or ANBAX?

ANBAX has higher volatility (1.53%) compared to MCFIX (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCFIX dropped -21.68% vs ANBAX's -19.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MCFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs 0.54), 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.