MIEKX vs. SPDW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MIEKX (MFS International Equity Fund Class R6) and SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) are both funds - MIEKX is a International Equity fund actively managed by MFS, while SPDW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index. MIEKX is actively managed, while SPDW is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MIEKX returned 11.97%/yr vs 19.77%/yr for SPDW. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MIEKX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPDW.

Performance

MIEKX vs. SPDW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS International Equity Fund Class R6 (MIEKX) and SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MIEKX achieves a 3.23% return, which is significantly lower than SPDW's 15.00% return.

MIEKX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.67%
• YTD: 3.23%
• 6M: 5.75%
• 1Y: 10.23%
• 3Y*: 11.97%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPDW

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 5.56%
• YTD: 15.00%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 32.15%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.38%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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

MIEKX vs. SPDW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MIEKX MFS International Equity Fund Class R6	3.23%	23.12%	4.02%	5.55%
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	15.00%	34.75%	3.55%	6.64%

Correlation

The correlation between MIEKX and SPDW is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2023	0.91

The correlation between MIEKX and SPDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MIEKX vs. SPDW — Risk / Return Rank

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

MIEKX

MIEKX Risk / Return Rank: 9
MIEKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
MIEKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
MIEKX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
MIEKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
MIEKX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

SPDW

SPDW Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SPDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPDW Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. SPDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS International Equity Fund Class R6 (MIEKX) and SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW). 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	SPDW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.72	2.07	-1.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.10	2.87	-1.77
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.37	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	2.80	-1.96
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.96	10.93	-7.97
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. SPDW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MIEKX Sharpe Ratio is 0.72, which is lower than the SPDW Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MIEKX and SPDW, 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

	MIEKX	SPDW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72	2.07	-1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.24	+0.64

Drawdowns

MIEKX vs. SPDW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MIEKX drawdown since its inception was -13.42%, smaller than the maximum SPDW drawdown of -60.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MIEKX and SPDW.

Drawdown Indicators

	MIEKX	SPDW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.42%	-60.02%	+46.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.30%	-11.55%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.42%	-13.53%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.21%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-0.87%	-0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-12.91%	+10.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	2.95%	+0.25%

Volatility

MIEKX vs. SPDW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS International Equity Fund Class R6 (MIEKX) is 3.46%, while SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) has a volatility of 5.63%. This indicates that MIEKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MIEKX	SPDW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.46%	5.63%	-2.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.21%	13.17%	-2.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.17%	15.60%	-2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.23%	16.49%	-3.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.23%	17.26%	-4.03%

MIEKX vs. SPDW - Expense Ratio Comparison

MIEKX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDW's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

MIEKX vs. SPDW - Dividend Comparison

MIEKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, less than SPDW's 2.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MIEKX MFS International Equity Fund Class R6	2.52%	2.60%	1.41%	1.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	2.87%	3.30%	3.19%	2.75%	3.12%	3.04%	1.87%	3.13%	3.08%	1.86%	3.11%	2.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MIEKX and SPDW in my portfolio?

MIEKX and SPDW have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MIEKX or SPDW?

SPDW has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to MIEKX (3.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MIEKX dropped -13.42% vs SPDW's -60.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 0.72), 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.