MCSTX vs. EAPCX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MCSTX (MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4) and EAPCX (Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class A) are both Commodities funds. Over the past 5 years, MCSTX returned 10.27%/yr vs 13.40%/yr for EAPCX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.91% expense ratio.

Performance

MCSTX vs. EAPCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX) and Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class A (EAPCX). 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 MCSTX having a 19.67% return and EAPCX slightly higher at 19.85%.

MCSTX

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 6.14%
• 6M: 9.09%
• YTD: 19.67%
• 1Y: 33.88%
• 3Y*: 12.84%
• 5Y*: 10.27%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.86%

EAPCX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.51%
• 6M: 11.51%
• YTD: 19.85%
• 1Y: 36.85%
• 3Y*: 14.64%
• 5Y*: 13.40%
• 10Y*: 10.62%
• ALL TIME*: 3.73%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EAPCX Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
MCSTX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MCSTX vs. EAPCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MCSTX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4	19.67%	18.51%	5.09%	-6.15%	13.37%	27.60%	-0.21%	-1.04%
EAPCX Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class A	19.85%	22.06%	9.63%	-4.87%	17.26%	29.92%	7.77%	1.69%

Correlation

The correlation between MCSTX and EAPCX is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2019	0.92

The correlation between MCSTX and EAPCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MCSTX vs. EAPCX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MCSTX

MCSTX Risk / Return Rank: 71
MCSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
MCSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
MCSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
MCSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
MCSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

EAPCX

EAPCX Risk / Return Rank: 84
EAPCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
EAPCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
EAPCX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
EAPCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EAPCX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MCSTX vs. EAPCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX) and Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class A (EAPCX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	MCSTX	EAPCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	2.36	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.08	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.41	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.77	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.79	9.01	-1.22

MCSTX vs. EAPCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCSTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is comparable to the EAPCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCSTX and EAPCX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MCSTX vs. EAPCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCSTX drawdown since its inception was -37.67%, smaller than the maximum EAPCX drawdown of -52.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCSTX and EAPCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCSTX	EAPCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.67%	-52.59%	+14.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.72%	-12.23%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.72%	-12.23%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.67%	-18.05%	-19.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.90%	-5.88%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.29%	-22.60%	+5.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.03%	3.78%	+0.25%

Volatility

MCSTX vs. EAPCX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX) has a higher volatility of 4.26% compared to Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class A (EAPCX) at 3.54%. This indicates that MCSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EAPCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MCSTX	EAPCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.26%	3.54%	+0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.02%	11.27%	+1.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.24%	14.37%	+1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.67%	14.55%	+20.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.75%	13.27%	+16.48%

MCSTX vs. EAPCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both MCSTX and EAPCX have an expense ratio of 0.91%.

Dividends

MCSTX vs. EAPCX - Dividend Comparison

MCSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.44%, more than EAPCX's 11.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
EAPCX Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Class A	11.04%	13.23%	5.46%	3.43%	14.80%	13.74%	3.01%	1.11%	0.41%	4.98%	6.49%
MCSTX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4	13.44%	16.08%	3.30%	2.21%	27.44%	56.14%	0.87%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCSTX and EAPCX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, MCSTX and EAPCX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, MCSTX or EAPCX?

MCSTX has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to EAPCX (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCSTX dropped -37.67% vs EAPCX's -52.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EAPCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.92), 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.