MFEKX vs. VMGAX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

MFEKX (MFS Growth R6) and VMGAX (Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. MFEKX is actively managed, while VMGAX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MFEKX returned 16.84%/yr vs 18.27%/yr for VMGAX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. MFEKX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VMGAX.

Performance

MFEKX vs. VMGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFEKX achieves a 1.45% return, which is significantly lower than VMGAX's 4.77% return. Over the past 10 years, MFEKX has underperformed VMGAX with an annualized return of 16.84%, while VMGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.27% annualized return.

MFEKX

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: -1.09%
• 6M: 2.23%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 1Y: 4.90%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: 11.11%
• 10Y*: 16.84%
• ALL TIME*: 16.50%

VMGAX

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: -0.93%
• 6M: 6.38%
• YTD: 4.77%
• 1Y: 16.42%
• 3Y*: 21.81%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 18.27%
• ALL TIME*: 13.45%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MFEKX MFS Growth R6	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VMGAX Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MFEKX vs. VMGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFEKX MFS Growth R6	1.45%	12.44%	49.62%	36.27%	-31.07%	23.71%	31.77%	37.82%	2.40%	30.97%
VMGAX Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.77%	20.73%	32.98%	51.57%	-33.55%	28.50%	41.02%	37.54%	-2.86%	29.49%

Correlation

The correlation between MFEKX and VMGAX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 26, 2011	0.97

The correlation between MFEKX and VMGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MFEKX vs. VMGAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MFEKX

MFEKX Risk / Return Rank: 6
MFEKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
MFEKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
MFEKX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
MFEKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
MFEKX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VMGAX

VMGAX Risk / Return Rank: 18
VMGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
VMGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VMGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VMGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VMGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MFEKX vs. VMGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMGAX). 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.

	MFEKX	VMGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.15	0.76	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	1.16	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.14	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.15	0.83	-0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.47	2.60	-2.13

MFEKX vs. VMGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFEKX Sharpe Ratio is 0.15, which is lower than the VMGAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFEKX and VMGAX, 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

MFEKX vs. VMGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFEKX drawdown since its inception was -36.06%, smaller than the maximum VMGAX drawdown of -47.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFEKX and VMGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFEKX	VMGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.06%	-47.97%	+11.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.27%	-16.78%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.22%	-23.45%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.06%	-36.03%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.06%	-36.03%	-0.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.91%	-6.12%	+1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.62%	-7.42%	+1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.55%	5.35%	+0.20%

Volatility

MFEKX vs. VMGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX) is 5.29%, while Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMGAX) has a volatility of 5.83%. This indicates that MFEKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VMGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFEKX	VMGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	5.83%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.09%	14.69%	-0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.53%	18.26%	-0.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.14%	23.00%	-0.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.30%	22.02%	-0.72%

MFEKX vs. VMGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFEKX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than VMGAX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFEKX vs. VMGAX - Dividend Comparison

MFEKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.56%, more than VMGAX's 0.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFEKX MFS Growth R6	12.56%	14.82%	25.31%	4.82%	1.04%	2.74%	3.55%	1.57%	3.88%	2.49%	1.70%	3.64%
VMGAX Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.35%	0.36%	0.44%	0.51%	0.71%	0.42%	0.65%	0.86%	1.13%	1.23%	1.53%	1.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFEKX and VMGAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, MFEKX and VMGAX 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, MFEKX or VMGAX?

VMGAX has higher volatility (5.83%) compared to MFEKX (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFEKX dropped -36.06% vs VMGAX's -47.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.76 vs 0.15), 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.