MIEKX vs. SMMD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MFS International Equity Fund Class R6 (MIEKX) and iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD).

MIEKX is an actively managed fund by MFS. It was launched on Jan 31, 1996. SMMD is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Russell 2500 Index. It was launched on Jul 6, 2017.

Performance

MIEKX vs. SMMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS International Equity Fund Class R6 (MIEKX) and iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MIEKX vs. SMMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MIEKX MFS International Equity Fund Class R6	-6.59%	23.12%	4.02%	5.55%
SMMD iShares Russell 2500 ETF	2.10%	11.72%	11.87%	15.48%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MIEKX achieves a -6.59% return, which is significantly lower than SMMD's 2.10% return.

MIEKX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -10.88%
• YTD: -6.59%
• 6M: -3.52%
• 1Y: 7.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMMD

• 1D: 3.53%
• 1M: -5.15%
• YTD: 2.10%
• 6M: 4.19%
• 1Y: 23.65%
• 3Y*: 13.21%
• 5Y*: 5.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

MIEKX vs. SMMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

MIEKX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than SMMD's 0.15% expense ratio.

MIEKX

MFS International Equity Fund Class R6

SMMD

iShares Russell 2500 ETF

Return for Risk

MIEKX vs. SMMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

MIEKX

MIEKX Risk / Return Rank: 16
MIEKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
MIEKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
MIEKX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
MIEKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
MIEKX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

SMMD

SMMD Risk / Return Rank: 65
SMMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SMMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SMMD Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SMMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SMMD Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

MIEKX vs. SMMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS International Equity Fund Class R6 (MIEKX) and iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD). 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.

	MIEKX	SMMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	1.08	-0.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.67	1.62	-0.95
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.22	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	1.67	-1.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.89	7.05	-5.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MIEKX vs. SMMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MIEKX Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is lower than the SMMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MIEKX and SMMD, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MIEKX	SMMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45	1.08	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.25	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.42	+0.23

Correlation

The correlation between MIEKX and SMMD is 0.65, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

MIEKX vs. SMMD - Dividend Comparison

MIEKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.78%, more than SMMD's 1.22% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MIEKX MFS International Equity Fund Class R6	2.78%	2.60%	1.41%	1.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMMD iShares Russell 2500 ETF	1.22%	1.28%	1.27%	1.44%	1.79%	1.12%	1.31%	1.50%	2.45%	0.68%

Drawdowns

MIEKX vs. SMMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MIEKX drawdown since its inception was -13.42%, smaller than the maximum SMMD drawdown of -41.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MIEKX and SMMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MIEKX	SMMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.42%	-41.06%	+27.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.30%	-14.02%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.88%	-6.47%	-4.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.79%	-8.52%	+5.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	3.32%	-0.27%

Volatility

MIEKX vs. SMMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS International Equity Fund Class R6 (MIEKX) is 6.03%, while iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) has a volatility of 7.30%. This indicates that MIEKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MIEKX	SMMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	7.30%	-1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	13.19%	-3.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.87%	22.05%	-7.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.08%	20.80%	-7.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.08%	22.46%	-9.38%