MGRDX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MGRDX (MFS International Growth Fund R6) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - MGRDX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by MFS, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. MGRDX is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MGRDX returned 10.06%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MGRDX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

MGRDX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS International Growth Fund R6 (MGRDX) 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, MGRDX achieves a 4.17% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, MGRDX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.06%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

MGRDX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: 4.17%
• 6M: 5.12%
• 1Y: 11.83%
• 3Y*: 12.62%
• 5Y*: 6.54%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

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)

MGRDX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MGRDX MFS International Growth Fund R6	4.17%	21.18%	9.22%	14.99%	-15.00%	9.61%	15.82%	27.32%	-8.79%	32.56%
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 MGRDX and SPY is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	0.77

The correlation between MGRDX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MGRDX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

MGRDX

MGRDX Risk / Return Rank: 10
MGRDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
MGRDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
MGRDX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
MGRDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
MGRDX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

MGRDX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS International Growth Fund R6 (MGRDX) 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.

	MGRDX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	2.38	-1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	3.24	-1.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.43	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.90	3.16	-2.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.05	14.72	-11.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MGRDX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MGRDX Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MGRDX 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

	MGRDX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	2.38	-1.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.82	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.87	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.59	-0.29

Drawdowns

MGRDX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MGRDX drawdown since its inception was -60.75%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MGRDX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	MGRDX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.75%	-55.19%	-5.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.39%	-8.88%	-3.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.58%	-18.76%	+5.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.60%	-24.50%	-6.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.60%	-33.72%	+3.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.71%	-0.70%	-2.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.43%	-9.05%	-3.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.66%	1.91%	+1.75%

Volatility

MGRDX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

MFS International Growth Fund R6 (MGRDX) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that MGRDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MGRDX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	2.84%	+1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.68%	8.90%	+1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.26%	11.83%	+1.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.62%	17.05%	-1.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.77%	17.94%	-2.17%

MGRDX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

MGRDX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

MGRDX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

MGRDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.40%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MGRDX MFS International Growth Fund R6	5.40%	5.63%	6.35%	2.90%	3.06%	6.97%	0.80%	1.51%	4.20%	2.61%	1.45%	1.20%
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 MGRDX and SPY in my portfolio?

MGRDX and SPY 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, MGRDX or SPY?

MGRDX has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MGRDX dropped -60.75% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.85), 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.