MGF vs. VSBIX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

MGF (MFS Government Markets Income Trust) and VSBIX (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, MGF returned 1.31%/yr vs 1.76%/yr for VSBIX. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MGF charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSBIX.

Performance

MGF vs. VSBIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Government Markets Income Trust (MGF) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSBIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MGF achieves a -1.76% return, which is significantly lower than VSBIX's 0.71% return. Over the past 10 years, MGF has underperformed VSBIX with an annualized return of 1.31%, while VSBIX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.76% annualized return.

MGF

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 1.71%
• 6M: -2.08%
• YTD: -1.76%
• 1Y: 0.18%
• 3Y*: 3.82%
• 5Y*: -1.11%
• 10Y*: 1.31%

VSBIX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.14%
• 6M: 0.71%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 1Y: 3.16%
• 3Y*: 4.46%
• 5Y*: 1.93%
• 10Y*: 1.76%

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

MGF vs. VSBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MGF MFS Government Markets Income Trust	-1.76%	6.24%	4.17%	3.78%	-15.81%	-0.22%	7.80%	10.32%	1.33%	2.62%
VSBIX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.71%	5.11%	4.37%	4.28%	-3.87%	-0.67%	3.11%	3.53%	1.52%	0.40%

Correlation

The correlation between MGF and VSBIX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009	0.16

The correlation between MGF and VSBIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (all time) to 0.30 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MGF vs. VSBIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MGF

MGF Risk / Return Rank: 3
MGF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
MGF Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
MGF Omega Ratio Rank: 3
MGF Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
MGF Martin Ratio Rank: 3

VSBIX

VSBIX Risk / Return Rank: 91
VSBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VSBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VSBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VSBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VSBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

MGF vs. VSBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Government Markets Income Trust (MGF) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSBIX). 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.

	MGF	VSBIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.01	2.42	-2.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	3.87	-3.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.51	-0.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	3.88	-3.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	15.75	-15.80

MGF vs. VSBIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MGF Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is lower than the VSBIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MGF and VSBIX, 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

MGF vs. VSBIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MGF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than VSBIX's maximum drawdown of -5.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MGF and VSBIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MGF	VSBIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-5.74%	-30.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.12%	-0.81%	-5.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.94%	-0.81%	-8.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.88%	-5.74%	-17.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.88%	-5.74%	-17.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.51%	-0.08%	-6.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.86%	-0.58%	-10.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	0.20%	+2.80%

Volatility

MGF vs. VSBIX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Government Markets Income Trust (MGF) has a higher volatility of 4.99% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSBIX) at 0.45%. This indicates that MGF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MGF	VSBIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.99%	0.45%	+4.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.19%	0.96%	+7.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.89%	1.30%	+9.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.38%	1.96%	+9.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.23%	1.54%	+8.69%

MGF vs. VSBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MGF has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than VSBIX's 0.05% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

MGF vs. VSBIX - Dividend Comparison

MGF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.00%, more than VSBIX's 3.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MGF MFS Government Markets Income Trust	8.00%	7.65%	7.81%	7.82%	8.45%	7.71%	7.58%	7.50%	7.81%	7.92%	8.09%	8.05%
VSBIX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.84%	3.99%	4.52%	3.31%	1.14%	0.65%	1.74%	2.28%	1.81%	1.11%	0.80%	0.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MGF and VSBIX in my portfolio?

MGF and VSBIX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MGF or VSBIX?

MGF has higher volatility (4.99%) compared to VSBIX (0.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MGF dropped -35.74% vs VSBIX's -5.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSBIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs -0.01), 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.