MFEGX vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MFEGX (MFS Growth Fund Class A) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000® Growth Index, while ^GSPC (S&P 500 Index) is an index. Over the past 10 years, MFEGX returned 18.02%/yr vs 13.75%/yr for ^GSPC. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

MFEGX vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Growth Fund Class A (MFEGX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFEGX achieves a 6.54% return, which is significantly lower than ^GSPC's 11.16% return. Over the past 10 years, MFEGX has outperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 18.02%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively lower 13.75% annualized return.

MFEGX

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: 4.89%
• YTD: 6.54%
• 6M: 5.68%
• 1Y: 18.28%
• 3Y*: 27.05%
• 5Y*: 14.33%
• 10Y*: 18.02%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.25%
• YTD: 11.16%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.20%
• 3Y*: 21.12%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: 13.75%

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

MFEGX vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFEGX MFS Growth Fund Class A	6.54%	12.06%	51.46%	35.81%	-31.31%	23.28%	36.29%	37.35%	2.04%	30.52%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	11.16%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Correlation

The correlation between MFEGX and ^GSPC is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 1993	0.88

The correlation between MFEGX and ^GSPC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MFEGX vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFEGX

MFEGX Risk / Return Rank: 14
MFEGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
MFEGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
MFEGX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
MFEGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
MFEGX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 79
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

MFEGX vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Growth Fund Class A (MFEGX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	MFEGX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.39	-1.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	3.25	-1.55
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.43	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	3.16	-2.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.59	14.61	-11.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFEGX vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFEGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFEGX and ^GSPC, 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

	MFEGX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	2.39	-1.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.75	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.76	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.47	+0.02

Drawdowns

MFEGX vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFEGX drawdown since its inception was -72.42%, which is greater than ^GSPC's maximum drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFEGX and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFEGX	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.42%	-56.78%	-15.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.39%	-9.10%	-8.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.28%	-18.90%	-4.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.27%	-25.43%	-10.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.27%	-33.92%	-2.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.23%	-10.72%	-11.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.36%	1.97%	+3.39%

Volatility

MFEGX vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

MFS Growth Fund Class A (MFEGX) has a higher volatility of 3.55% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 2.84%. This indicates that MFEGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFEGX	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.55%	2.84%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	8.98%	+3.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.86%	11.87%	+3.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.11%	16.90%	+5.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.35%	18.07%	+3.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFEGX and ^GSPC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, MFEGX and ^GSPC 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, MFEGX or ^GSPC?

MFEGX has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to ^GSPC (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFEGX dropped -72.42% vs ^GSPC's -56.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^GSPC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.21), 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.