MEIAX vs. NFJEX

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

MEIAX (MFS Value Fund) and NFJEX (Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MEIAX returned 9.83%/yr vs 9.83%/yr for NFJEX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MEIAX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for NFJEX.

Performance

MEIAX vs. NFJEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Value Fund (MEIAX) and Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund (NFJEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MEIAX achieves a 9.74% return, which is significantly lower than NFJEX's 22.58% return. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: MEIAX at 9.83% and NFJEX at 9.83%.

MEIAX

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 2.90%
• 6M: 5.62%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 1Y: 15.63%
• 3Y*: 13.34%
• 5Y*: 8.68%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

NFJEX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.21%
• 6M: 18.47%
• YTD: 22.58%
• 1Y: 30.32%
• 3Y*: 15.10%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

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

MEIAX vs. NFJEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MEIAX MFS Value Fund	9.74%	12.97%	11.60%	7.92%	-6.25%	25.11%	3.71%	29.73%	-10.11%	16.97%
NFJEX Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund	22.58%	8.46%	5.29%	19.79%	-13.63%	28.90%	-2.13%	25.12%	-10.15%	15.49%

Correlation

The correlation between MEIAX and NFJEX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2000	0.93

The correlation between MEIAX and NFJEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MEIAX vs. NFJEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MEIAX

MEIAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
MEIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
MEIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
MEIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
MEIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
MEIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

NFJEX

NFJEX Risk / Return Rank: 87
NFJEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
NFJEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
NFJEX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
NFJEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
NFJEX 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.

MEIAX vs. NFJEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Value Fund (MEIAX) and Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund (NFJEX). 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.

	MEIAX	NFJEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	2.38	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	3.44	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.42	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	4.21	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.11	14.45	-6.33

MEIAX vs. NFJEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MEIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is lower than the NFJEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MEIAX and NFJEX, 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

MEIAX vs. NFJEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MEIAX drawdown since its inception was -52.85%, smaller than the maximum NFJEX drawdown of -61.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEIAX and NFJEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MEIAX	NFJEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.85%	-61.94%	+9.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.78%	-7.38%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.26%	-19.69%	+6.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.72%	-23.29%	+5.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.71%	-39.25%	+2.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.52%	-9.57%	+3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	2.15%	-0.18%

Volatility

MEIAX vs. NFJEX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Value Fund (MEIAX) has a higher volatility of 2.45% compared to Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund (NFJEX) at 2.21%. This indicates that MEIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFJEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MEIAX	NFJEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.45%	2.21%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.60%	9.63%	-2.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.51%	13.09%	-2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.91%	16.55%	-2.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.46%	18.04%	-1.58%

MEIAX vs. NFJEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MEIAX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than NFJEX's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

MEIAX vs. NFJEX - Dividend Comparison

MEIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.65%, less than NFJEX's 10.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MEIAX MFS Value Fund	8.65%	9.34%	9.10%	8.21%	7.36%	3.10%	2.42%	2.97%	3.36%	3.87%	2.84%	5.73%
NFJEX Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund	10.05%	12.61%	3.51%	14.16%	19.01%	6.43%	1.96%	14.20%	27.33%	27.35%	6.05%	2.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MEIAX and NFJEX in my portfolio?

MEIAX and NFJEX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MEIAX or NFJEX?

MEIAX has higher volatility (2.45%) compared to NFJEX (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEIAX dropped -52.85% vs NFJEX's -61.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFJEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.53), 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.