MDVAX vs. FRIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MDVAX (MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund) and FRIAX (Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class) are both mutual funds - MDVAX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by MassMutual, while FRIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Franklin Templeton. Over the past 10 years, MDVAX returned 2.22%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for FRIAX. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MDVAX charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FRIAX.

Performance

MDVAX vs. FRIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX) and Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MDVAX achieves a 2.59% return, which is significantly lower than FRIAX's 5.29% return. Over the past 10 years, MDVAX has underperformed FRIAX with an annualized return of 2.22%, while FRIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.64% annualized return.

MDVAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 2.59%
• 6M: 2.82%
• 1Y: 8.43%
• 3Y*: 5.96%
• 5Y*: 0.36%
• 10Y*: 2.22%

FRIAX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 5.29%
• 6M: 6.15%
• 1Y: 15.11%
• 3Y*: 10.37%
• 5Y*: 6.39%
• 10Y*: 7.64%

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

MDVAX vs. FRIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MDVAX MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund	2.59%	8.40%	2.47%	5.81%	-17.01%	1.95%	8.08%	10.12%	-1.55%	4.52%
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.29%	12.02%	7.29%	8.84%	-5.36%	17.51%	3.72%	16.02%	-5.23%	8.63%

Correlation

The correlation between MDVAX and FRIAX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 1999	0.04

Over the past year, MDVAX and FRIAX have become more correlated (0.40) than their long-term average of 0.04, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

MDVAX vs. FRIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDVAX

MDVAX Risk / Return Rank: 82
MDVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
MDVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
MDVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
MDVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
MDVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

FRIAX

FRIAX Risk / Return Rank: 92
FRIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FRIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FRIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FRIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FRIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

MDVAX vs. FRIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX) and Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). 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.

	MDVAX	FRIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	3.02	-0.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	4.70	-0.59
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.69	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.97	4.95	-0.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.74	18.98	-2.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDVAX vs. FRIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDVAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the FRIAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDVAX and FRIAX, 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

	MDVAX	FRIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	3.02	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.81	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.82	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.80	-0.09

Drawdowns

MDVAX vs. FRIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDVAX drawdown since its inception was -23.02%, smaller than the maximum FRIAX drawdown of -43.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDVAX and FRIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDVAX	FRIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.02%	-43.23%	+20.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.21%	-3.06%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.44%	-7.35%	+1.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.02%	-13.63%	-9.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.02%	-24.10%	+1.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.38%	-0.33%	-3.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.47%	-3.92%	+0.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.52%	0.80%	-0.28%

Volatility

MDVAX vs. FRIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX) is 0.95%, while Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX) has a volatility of 1.19%. This indicates that MDVAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDVAX	FRIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.95%	1.19%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.19%	3.81%	-1.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.30%	5.05%	-1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.46%	7.98%	-1.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.27%	9.30%	-4.03%

MDVAX vs. FRIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDVAX has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than FRIAX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

MDVAX vs. FRIAX - Dividend Comparison

MDVAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, less than FRIAX's 5.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.71%	5.75%	5.74%	5.67%	5.24%	6.70%	5.37%	5.25%	5.80%	5.20%	4.92%	5.93%
MDVAX MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund	3.99%	3.91%	2.45%	4.87%	3.76%	4.06%	7.20%	2.90%	2.86%	2.64%	2.11%	0.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MDVAX and FRIAX in my portfolio?

MDVAX and FRIAX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MDVAX or FRIAX?

FRIAX has higher volatility (1.19%) compared to MDVAX (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDVAX dropped -23.02% vs FRIAX's -43.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 2.49), 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.