MGRVX vs. FPE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MGRVX (MFS International Growth Fund Class R4) and FPE (First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF) are both funds - MGRVX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by MFS, while FPE is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. Over the past 10 years, MGRVX returned 9.95%/yr vs 5.04%/yr for FPE. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MGRVX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FPE.

Performance

MGRVX vs. FPE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS International Growth Fund Class R4 (MGRVX) and First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MGRVX achieves a 4.12% return, which is significantly higher than FPE's 0.97% return. Over the past 10 years, MGRVX has outperformed FPE with an annualized return of 9.95%, while FPE has yielded a comparatively lower 5.04% annualized return.

MGRVX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 5.08%
• 1Y: 11.71%
• 3Y*: 12.48%
• 5Y*: 6.41%
• 10Y*: 9.95%

FPE

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.97%
• 6M: 1.26%
• 1Y: 8.50%
• 3Y*: 10.04%
• 5Y*: 3.08%
• 10Y*: 5.04%

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

MGRVX vs. FPE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MGRVX MFS International Growth Fund Class R4	4.12%	21.04%	9.10%	14.82%	-15.10%	9.50%	15.70%	27.19%	-8.87%	32.47%
FPE First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF	0.97%	9.21%	11.17%	6.84%	-12.77%	5.24%	6.00%	18.15%	-4.98%	11.26%

Correlation

The correlation between MGRVX and FPE is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2013	0.40

The correlation between MGRVX and FPE shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (all time) to 0.59 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MGRVX vs. FPE — Risk / Return Rank

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

MGRVX

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

FPE

FPE Risk / Return Rank: 61
FPE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FPE Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FPE Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FPE Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
FPE Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

MGRVX vs. FPE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS International Growth Fund Class R4 (MGRVX) and First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPE). 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.

	MGRVX	FPE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	2.22	-1.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.25	3.15	-1.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.47	-0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.89	2.09	-1.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.02	9.47	-6.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MGRVX vs. FPE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MGRVX Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the FPE Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MGRVX and FPE, 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

	MGRVX	FPE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	2.22	-1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.47	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.50	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.53	-0.09

Drawdowns

MGRVX vs. FPE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MGRVX drawdown since its inception was -36.30%, which is greater than FPE's maximum drawdown of -33.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MGRVX and FPE.

Drawdown Indicators

	MGRVX	FPE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.30%	-33.35%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.40%	-4.08%	-8.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.61%	-4.66%	-8.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.56%	-19.65%	-10.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.56%	-33.35%	+2.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.73%	-0.84%	-1.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-3.33%	-3.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	0.90%	+2.77%

Volatility

MGRVX vs. FPE - Volatility Comparison

MFS International Growth Fund Class R4 (MGRVX) has a higher volatility of 3.94% compared to First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPE) at 1.10%. This indicates that MGRVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FPE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MGRVX	FPE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	1.10%	+2.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.70%	3.09%	+7.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.26%	3.85%	+9.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.60%	6.61%	+8.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.75%	10.17%	+5.58%

MGRVX vs. FPE - Expense Ratio Comparison

MGRVX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is lower than FPE's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

MGRVX vs. FPE - Dividend Comparison

MGRVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.28%, less than FPE's 5.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPE First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF	5.84%	5.81%	5.68%	6.03%	5.67%	4.48%	4.88%	5.32%	6.14%	5.39%	5.97%	5.49%
MGRVX MFS International Growth Fund Class R4	5.28%	5.50%	6.21%	2.73%	2.94%	6.84%	0.72%	1.48%	4.10%	2.53%	1.22%	1.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MGRVX and FPE in my portfolio?

MGRVX and FPE have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MGRVX or FPE?

MGRVX has higher volatility (3.94%) compared to FPE (1.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MGRVX dropped -36.30% vs FPE's -33.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FPE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 0.84), 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.