MCSIX vs. AVDV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MCSIX (MFS Commodity Strategy Fund) and AVDV (Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF) are both funds - MCSIX is a Commodities fund managed by MFS, while AVDV is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Over the past 5 years, MCSIX returned 11.52%/yr vs 14.12%/yr for AVDV. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MCSIX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for AVDV.

Performance

MCSIX vs. AVDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Commodity Strategy Fund (MCSIX) and Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MCSIX achieves a 24.31% return, which is significantly higher than AVDV's 16.89% return.

MCSIX

• 1D: 1.12%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: 24.31%
• 6M: 25.37%
• 1Y: 39.41%
• 3Y*: 17.19%
• 5Y*: 11.52%
• 10Y*: 7.37%

AVDV

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 3.88%
• YTD: 16.89%
• 6M: 21.27%
• 1Y: 44.33%
• 3Y*: 28.33%
• 5Y*: 14.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

MCSIX vs. AVDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MCSIX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund	24.31%	18.47%	5.08%	-6.13%	13.40%	27.55%	-0.02%	2.89%
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	16.89%	49.37%	8.67%	16.85%	-11.47%	15.80%	5.01%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between MCSIX and AVDV 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	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.37

Over the past year, the correlation between MCSIX and AVDV has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.37, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MCSIX vs. AVDV — Risk / Return Rank

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

MCSIX

MCSIX Risk / Return Rank: 79
MCSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
MCSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
MCSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
MCSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
MCSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

AVDV

AVDV Risk / Return Rank: 80
AVDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
AVDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AVDV Omega Ratio Rank: 84
AVDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
AVDV 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.

MCSIX vs. AVDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Commodity Strategy Fund (MCSIX) and Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV). 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.

	MCSIX	AVDV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	2.87	-0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.80	-0.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.52	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.06	3.55	+1.51
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.54	14.45	+2.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MCSIX vs. AVDV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the AVDV Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCSIX and AVDV, 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

	MCSIX	AVDV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	2.87	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.82	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.81	-0.69

Drawdowns

MCSIX vs. AVDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCSIX drawdown since its inception was -64.20%, which is greater than AVDV's maximum drawdown of -43.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCSIX and AVDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCSIX	AVDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.20%	-43.01%	-21.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.15%	-13.19%	+5.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.74%	-14.17%	+4.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.61%	-28.08%	-9.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.23%	-0.62%	-2.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.29%	-6.78%	-26.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.50%	3.24%	-0.74%

Volatility

MCSIX vs. AVDV - Volatility Comparison

MFS Commodity Strategy Fund (MCSIX) and Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) have volatilities of 4.84% and 4.93%, 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

	MCSIX	AVDV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.84%	4.93%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.70%	13.06%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.93%	15.61%	+0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.65%	17.30%	+17.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.03%	19.73%	+6.30%

MCSIX vs. AVDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCSIX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than AVDV's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

MCSIX vs. AVDV - Dividend Comparison

MCSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.90%, more than AVDV's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	2.72%	3.05%	4.31%	3.29%	3.17%	2.39%	1.67%	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MCSIX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund	12.90%	16.04%	3.30%	2.21%	27.42%	56.01%	0.88%	1.87%	3.50%	3.14%	0.61%	0.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCSIX and AVDV in my portfolio?

MCSIX and AVDV 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, MCSIX or AVDV?

AVDV has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to MCSIX (4.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCSIX dropped -64.20% vs AVDV's -43.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.66), 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.