MCSFX vs. BALFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MCSFX (MFS Commodity Strategy Fund) and BALFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - MCSFX is a Commodities fund managed by MFS, while BALFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 5 years, MCSFX returned 10.77%/yr vs 9.67%/yr for BALFX. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MCSFX charges 1.89%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for BALFX.

Performance

MCSFX vs. BALFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Commodity Strategy Fund (MCSFX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MCSFX achieves a 24.44% return, which is significantly higher than BALFX's 9.94% return.

MCSFX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -2.18%
• YTD: 24.44%
• 6M: 24.59%
• 1Y: 38.29%
• 3Y*: 16.16%
• 5Y*: 10.77%
• 10Y*: —

BALFX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 9.94%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: 24.90%
• 3Y*: 17.50%
• 5Y*: 9.67%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

MCSFX vs. BALFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MCSFX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund	24.44%	17.09%	4.32%	-7.25%	12.27%	26.40%	-1.34%	-1.69%
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	9.94%	18.40%	14.91%	13.62%	-12.19%	15.69%	10.81%	10.15%

Correlation

The correlation between MCSFX and BALFX is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2019	0.25

Over the past year, the correlation between MCSFX and BALFX has dropped to 0.02 - well below their long-term average of 0.25, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MCSFX vs. BALFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MCSFX

MCSFX Risk / Return Rank: 72
MCSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
MCSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
MCSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
MCSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
MCSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

BALFX

BALFX Risk / Return Rank: 85
BALFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BALFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BALFX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BALFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BALFX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

MCSFX vs. BALFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Commodity Strategy Fund (MCSFX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX). 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.

	MCSFX	BALFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.93	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	4.09	-0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.56	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.74	3.63	+1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.99	16.41	-1.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MCSFX vs. BALFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCSFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the BALFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCSFX and BALFX, 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

	MCSFX	BALFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.93	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.93	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.95	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.69	-0.36

Drawdowns

MCSFX vs. BALFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCSFX drawdown since its inception was -37.16%, smaller than the maximum BALFX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCSFX and BALFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCSFX	BALFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.16%	-40.20%	+3.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.19%	-7.03%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.60%	-10.67%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.16%	-18.81%	-18.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.03%	0.00%	-3.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.29%	-4.16%	-14.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	1.55%	+1.04%

Volatility

MCSFX vs. BALFX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Commodity Strategy Fund (MCSFX) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) at 2.65%. This indicates that MCSFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BALFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MCSFX	BALFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	2.65%	+2.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.69%	6.86%	+6.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.87%	8.72%	+7.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.15%	10.48%	+23.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.57%	10.66%	+18.91%

MCSFX vs. BALFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCSFX has a 1.89% expense ratio, which is higher than BALFX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

MCSFX vs. BALFX - Dividend Comparison

MCSFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.09%, more than BALFX's 7.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	7.49%	8.22%	7.14%	2.02%	2.24%	4.24%	4.31%	3.44%	5.30%	4.66%	4.18%	5.54%
MCSFX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund	12.09%	15.05%	2.25%	1.04%	26.24%	54.80%	0.15%	0.86%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCSFX and BALFX in my portfolio?

MCSFX and BALFX have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MCSFX or BALFX?

MCSFX has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to BALFX (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCSFX dropped -37.16% vs BALFX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BALFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.47), 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.