MFSG vs. MFSI

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MFSG (MFS Active Growth ETF) and MFSI (MFS Active International ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MFSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by MFS, while MFSI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by MFS. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MFSG returned 8.76% vs 21.20% for MFSI. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MFSG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for MFSI.

Performance

MFSG vs. MFSI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Active Growth ETF (MFSG) and MFS Active International ETF (MFSI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFSG achieves a 3.45% return, which is significantly lower than MFSI's 9.70% return.

MFSG

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: -1.11%
• 6M: 4.16%
• YTD: 3.45%
• 1Y: 8.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.79%

MFSI

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 2.78%
• 6M: 7.40%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 1Y: 21.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.34%

*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)
MFSG MFS Active Growth ETF	$1.55M	$1.84M	$2.29M
MFSI MFS Active International ETF	$6.35M	$6.69M	$6.66M

MFSG vs. MFSI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MFSG MFS Active Growth ETF	3.45%	14.51%	-2.99%
MFSI MFS Active International ETF	9.70%	26.43%	-3.45%

Correlation

The correlation between MFSG and MFSI is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2024	0.64

The correlation between MFSG and MFSI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MFSG vs. MFSI — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFSG

MFSG Risk / Return Rank: 19
MFSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
MFSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
MFSG Omega Ratio Rank: 18
MFSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
MFSG Martin Ratio Rank: 20

MFSI

MFSI Risk / Return Rank: 53
MFSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
MFSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
MFSI Omega Ratio Rank: 52
MFSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
MFSI Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

MFSG vs. MFSI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Active Growth ETF (MFSG) and MFS Active International ETF (MFSI). 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.

	MFSG	MFSI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.34	1.32	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	1.90	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.24	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.38	1.80	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.26	6.83	-5.57

MFSG vs. MFSI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFSG Sharpe Ratio is 0.34, which is lower than the MFSI Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFSG and MFSI, 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

MFSG vs. MFSI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFSG drawdown since its inception was -23.24%, which is greater than MFSI's maximum drawdown of -13.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFSG and MFSI.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFSG	MFSI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.24%	-13.67%	-9.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.15%	-11.17%	-4.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.78%	-0.23%	-4.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.56%	-1.94%	-2.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.90%	2.95%	+1.95%

Volatility

MFSG vs. MFSI - Volatility Comparison

MFS Active Growth ETF (MFSG) has a higher volatility of 5.85% compared to MFS Active International ETF (MFSI) at 4.42%. This indicates that MFSG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MFSI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFSG	MFSI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.85%	4.42%	+1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.61%	13.23%	+1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.97%	15.29%	+2.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.83%	16.33%	+5.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.83%	16.33%	+5.50%

MFSG vs. MFSI - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFSG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than MFSI's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFSG vs. MFSI - Dividend Comparison

MFSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than MFSI's 0.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
MFSG MFS Active Growth ETF	0.07%	0.08%
MFSI MFS Active International ETF	0.75%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFSG and MFSI in my portfolio?

MFSG and MFSI have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFSG or MFSI?

MFSG has higher volatility (5.85%) compared to MFSI (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFSG dropped -23.24% vs MFSI's -13.67%.

Which ETF is better, MFSG or MFSI?

On 1-year performance, MFSI leads with 21.20% vs 8.76% for MFSG. On fees, MFSG is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, MFSI has been the lower-risk option at 4.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MFSG or MFSI?

Over the 1-year period, MFSI has performed better with a 21.20% return vs 8.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MFSG or MFSI?

MFSG is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for MFSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MFSG or MFSI?

MFSI has the higher dividend yield at 0.75%, compared with 0.07% for MFSG.

What is the main difference between MFSG and MFSI?

MFSG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while MFSI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MFSG and 0.59% for MFSI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MFSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 0.34), 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.