MFBFX vs. MSFRX
MFBFX (MFS Corporate Bond Fund) and MSFRX (MFS Total Return Fund) are both mutual funds - MFBFX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by MFS, while MSFRX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, MFBFX returned 1.98%/yr vs 8.05%/yr for MSFRX. Their 0.20 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. MFBFX charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for MSFRX.
Performance
MFBFX vs. MSFRX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MFBFX achieves a -0.89% return, which is significantly lower than MSFRX's 6.34% return. Over the past 10 years, MFBFX has underperformed MSFRX with an annualized return of 1.98%, while MSFRX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.05% annualized return.
MFBFX
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -1.70%
- 6M
- -1.27%
- YTD
- -0.89%
- 1Y
- 1.58%
- 3Y*
- 4.04%
- 5Y*
- -0.86%
- 10Y*
- 1.98%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.29%
MSFRX
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- 1.25%
- 6M
- 3.43%
- YTD
- 6.34%
- 1Y
- 12.42%
- 3Y*
- 11.88%
- 5Y*
- 6.84%
- 10Y*
- 8.05%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.81%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
MFBFX vs. MSFRX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MFBFX MFS Corporate Bond Fund | -0.89% | 7.35% | 2.03% | 8.09% | -17.27% | -1.47% | 11.01% | 14.43% | -3.19% | 6.08% |
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund | 6.34% | 10.98% | 14.73% | 10.34% | -9.70% | 14.00% | 9.72% | 20.20% | -5.80% | 12.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between MFBFX and MSFRX is 0.44, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.44 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.41 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1980 | 0.20 |
Over the past year, MFBFX and MSFRX have become more correlated (0.44) than their long-term average of 0.20, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
MFBFX vs. MSFRX — Risk / Return Rank
MFBFX
MSFRX
MFBFX vs. MSFRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Corporate Bond Fund (MFBFX) and MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX). 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.
| MFBFX | MSFRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.99 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.56 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.30 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.84 | 2.34 | -1.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.47 | 6.73 | -4.27 |
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Drawdowns
MFBFX vs. MSFRX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MFBFX drawdown since its inception was -29.78%, smaller than the maximum MSFRX drawdown of -37.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFBFX and MSFRX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MFBFX | MSFRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.78% | -37.28% | +7.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.17% | -4.96% | +1.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.74% | -8.35% | +2.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.44% | -17.02% | -6.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -23.44% | -24.70% | +1.26% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.41% | -0.88% | -3.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.18% | -4.99% | -1.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.07% | 1.72% | -0.65% |
Volatility
MFBFX vs. MSFRX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for MFS Corporate Bond Fund (MFBFX) is 0.95%, while MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) has a volatility of 2.54%. This indicates that MFBFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSFRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MFBFX | MSFRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.95% | 2.54% | -1.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.15% | 5.30% | -2.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.01% | 7.06% | -3.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 9.78% | -3.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.74% | 10.45% | -4.71% |
MFBFX vs. MSFRX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MFBFX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than MSFRX's 0.72% expense ratio.
Dividends
MFBFX vs. MSFRX - Dividend Comparison
MFBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.20%, less than MSFRX's 8.33% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MFBFX MFS Corporate Bond Fund | 4.20% | 4.54% | 3.74% | 3.16% | 2.46% | 5.61% | 3.47% | 3.01% | 3.15% | 3.07% | 3.27% | 4.16% |
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund | 8.33% | 8.93% | 14.87% | 6.19% | 5.38% | 8.33% | 6.93% | 3.22% | 4.99% | 5.67% | 3.54% | 5.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MFBFX and MSFRX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSFRX has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to MFBFX (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFBFX dropped -29.78% vs MSFRX's -37.28%.
MSFRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 0.66), 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.
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