MFM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MFM (MFS Municipal Income Trust) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, MFM returned 1.55%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MFM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Municipal Income Trust (MFM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFM achieves a 1.10% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, MFM has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 1.55%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

MFM

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: 11.35%
• 3Y*: 7.06%
• 5Y*: -1.06%
• 10Y*: 1.55%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

MFM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFM MFS Municipal Income Trust	1.10%	6.95%	8.35%	4.11%	-22.63%	9.45%	-0.87%	20.83%	-5.56%	9.45%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between MFM and SPY is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1993	0.10

The correlation between MFM and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.10 (all time) to 0.24 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MFM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFM

MFM Risk / Return Rank: 72
MFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
MFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
MFM Omega Ratio Rank: 65
MFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
MFM Martin Ratio Rank: 78

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

MFM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Municipal Income Trust (MFM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	MFM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	2.38	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	3.24	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.43	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	3.16	-1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	14.72	-8.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFM Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFM and SPY, 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

	MFM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	2.38	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08	0.82	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11	0.87	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.59	-0.38

Drawdowns

MFM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFM drawdown since its inception was -54.24%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.24%	-55.19%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.21%	-8.88%	+2.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.01%	-18.76%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.39%	-24.50%	-9.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.39%	-33.72%	-0.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.03%	-0.70%	-8.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.95%	-9.05%	+0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	1.91%	0.00%

Volatility

MFM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

MFS Municipal Income Trust (MFM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.88% and 2.84%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	2.84%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.11%	8.90%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.62%	11.83%	-1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.15%	17.05%	-2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.72%	17.94%	-3.22%

Dividends

MFM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

MFM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.36%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFM MFS Municipal Income Trust	5.36%	5.08%	4.65%	4.12%	4.85%	4.34%	4.70%	4.71%	5.91%	5.61%	5.72%	5.76%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFM and SPY in my portfolio?

MFM and SPY have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFM or SPY?

MFM has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFM dropped -54.24% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.07), 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.