MHITX vs. GOVT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MHITX (MFS High Income Fund) and GOVT (iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF) are both funds - MHITX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by MFS, while GOVT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, MHITX returned 4.44%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for GOVT. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MHITX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for GOVT.

Performance

MHITX vs. GOVT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS High Income Fund (MHITX) and iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MHITX achieves a 0.99% return, which is significantly higher than GOVT's 0.07% return. Over the past 10 years, MHITX has outperformed GOVT with an annualized return of 4.44%, while GOVT has yielded a comparatively lower 0.88% annualized return.

MHITX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.99%
• 6M: 1.85%
• 1Y: 6.72%
• 3Y*: 7.22%
• 5Y*: 2.98%
• 10Y*: 4.44%

GOVT

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 0.07%
• 6M: -0.03%
• 1Y: 3.96%
• 3Y*: 2.89%
• 5Y*: -0.33%
• 10Y*: 0.88%

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

MHITX vs. GOVT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MHITX MFS High Income Fund	0.99%	8.72%	5.56%	11.12%	-11.60%	3.20%	4.49%	14.48%	-3.28%	6.20%
GOVT iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF	0.07%	3.77%	2.95%	4.17%	-13.39%	-1.11%	7.28%	7.36%	0.26%	2.19%

Correlation

The correlation between MHITX and GOVT is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2012	0.06

Over the past year, MHITX and GOVT have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

MHITX vs. GOVT — Risk / Return Rank

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

MHITX

MHITX Risk / Return Rank: 59
MHITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
MHITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
MHITX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
MHITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
MHITX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

GOVT

GOVT Risk / Return Rank: 28
GOVT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
GOVT Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GOVT Omega Ratio Rank: 28
GOVT Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GOVT Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

MHITX vs. GOVT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS High Income Fund (MHITX) and iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT). 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.

	MHITX	GOVT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	1.10	+0.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	1.66	+1.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.19	+0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	1.27	+1.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.58	3.78	+9.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MHITX vs. GOVT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MHITX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the GOVT Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MHITX and GOVT, 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

	MHITX	GOVT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	1.10	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	-0.06	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.17	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.26	+0.35

Drawdowns

MHITX vs. GOVT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MHITX drawdown since its inception was -46.76%, which is greater than GOVT's maximum drawdown of -19.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MHITX and GOVT.

Drawdown Indicators

	MHITX	GOVT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.76%	-19.07%	-27.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.55%	-2.85%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.88%	-5.43%	+1.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.17%	-16.60%	+0.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.29%	-19.07%	-0.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.01%	+7.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.33%	-5.25%	-2.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.53%	0.96%	-0.43%

Volatility

MHITX vs. GOVT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS High Income Fund (MHITX) is 0.89%, while iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT) has a volatility of 1.12%. This indicates that MHITX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GOVT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MHITX	GOVT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.89%	1.12%	-0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	2.54%	+0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.73%	3.64%	+0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.43%	6.04%	-0.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.63%	5.23%	+0.40%

MHITX vs. GOVT - Expense Ratio Comparison

MHITX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than GOVT's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

MHITX vs. GOVT - Dividend Comparison

MHITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.22%, more than GOVT's 3.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GOVT iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF	3.58%	3.49%	3.14%	2.65%	1.77%	0.96%	2.17%	1.98%	1.97%	1.57%	1.40%	1.25%
MHITX MFS High Income Fund	6.22%	6.04%	5.07%	4.68%	4.07%	4.34%	4.49%	4.65%	5.06%	4.85%	5.39%	6.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MHITX and GOVT in my portfolio?

MHITX and GOVT have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MHITX or GOVT?

GOVT has higher volatility (1.12%) compared to MHITX (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MHITX dropped -46.76% vs GOVT's -19.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MHITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.10), 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.