MFALX vs. USMTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MFALX (MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund) and USMTX (JPMorgan Ultra-Short Municipal Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, MFALX returned 0.40%/yr vs 1.93%/yr for USMTX. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MFALX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for USMTX.

Performance

MFALX vs. USMTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) and JPMorgan Ultra-Short Municipal Fund (USMTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFALX achieves a 1.88% return, which is significantly higher than USMTX's 0.79% return.

MFALX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.92%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 2.17%
• 1Y: 7.99%
• 3Y*: 3.83%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: 1.72%

USMTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.79%
• 6M: 1.01%
• 1Y: 2.65%
• 3Y*: 3.12%
• 5Y*: 1.93%
• 10Y*: —

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

MFALX vs. USMTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFALX MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund	1.88%	4.49%	1.31%	5.87%	-11.27%	1.87%	4.05%	7.24%	1.04%	4.49%
USMTX JPMorgan Ultra-Short Municipal Fund	0.79%	2.96%	3.30%	3.46%	-0.71%	-0.05%	1.07%	2.01%	1.32%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between MFALX and USMTX is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.36

The correlation between MFALX and USMTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (1 year) to 0.41 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MFALX vs. USMTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFALX

MFALX Risk / Return Rank: 62
MFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
MFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
MFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
MFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
MFALX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

USMTX

USMTX Risk / Return Rank: 99
USMTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
USMTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
USMTX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
USMTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
USMTX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

MFALX vs. USMTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) and JPMorgan Ultra-Short Municipal Fund (USMTX). 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.

	MFALX	USMTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	4.52	-2.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.74	10.05	-6.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	5.63	-4.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	8.91	-6.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.45	49.19	-40.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFALX vs. USMTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is lower than the USMTX Sharpe Ratio of 4.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFALX and USMTX, 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

	MFALX	USMTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	4.52	-2.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	2.69	-2.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	2.12	-0.91

Drawdowns

MFALX vs. USMTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFALX drawdown since its inception was -16.68%, which is greater than USMTX's maximum drawdown of -1.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFALX and USMTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFALX	USMTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.68%	-1.98%	-14.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.24%	-0.30%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.01%	-0.50%	-6.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.68%	-1.92%	-14.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	0.00%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.95%	-0.18%	-1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	0.05%	+0.88%

Volatility

MFALX vs. USMTX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) has a higher volatility of 1.24% compared to JPMorgan Ultra-Short Municipal Fund (USMTX) at 0.20%. This indicates that MFALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFALX	USMTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.24%	0.20%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.42%	0.44%	+1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.30%	0.59%	+2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.61%	0.72%	+3.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.35%	0.75%	+3.60%

MFALX vs. USMTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFALX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than USMTX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFALX vs. USMTX - Dividend Comparison

MFALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.21%, more than USMTX's 2.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFALX MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund	3.21%	4.22%	2.79%	2.34%	1.62%	1.57%	2.21%	2.92%	3.32%	3.39%	3.59%	3.89%
USMTX JPMorgan Ultra-Short Municipal Fund	2.52%	2.62%	3.05%	2.58%	0.89%	0.25%	0.76%	1.49%	1.31%	0.78%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFALX and USMTX in my portfolio?

MFALX and USMTX have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFALX or USMTX?

MFALX has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to USMTX (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFALX dropped -16.68% vs USMTX's -1.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USMTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.52 vs 2.41), 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.