MLFIX vs. MEIKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MLFIX (MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund) and MEIKX (MFS Value Fund) are both mutual funds - MLFIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by MFS, while MEIKX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, MLFIX returned 10.57%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for MEIKX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MLFIX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for MEIKX.

Performance

MLFIX vs. MEIKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund (MLFIX) and MFS Value Fund (MEIKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLFIX achieves a 8.82% return, which is significantly higher than MEIKX's 4.52% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MLFIX having a 10.57% annualized return and MEIKX not far behind at 10.06%.

MLFIX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 8.82%
• 6M: 9.41%
• 1Y: 19.05%
• 3Y*: 15.51%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: 10.57%

MEIKX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 4.52%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 13.08%
• 3Y*: 13.32%
• 5Y*: 7.88%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

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

MLFIX vs. MEIKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MLFIX MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund	8.82%	15.08%	12.35%	16.29%	-15.32%	18.94%	13.13%	26.08%	-7.51%	20.79%
MEIKX MFS Value Fund	4.52%	13.37%	11.98%	8.32%	-5.92%	25.59%	4.09%	30.18%	-9.81%	17.26%

Correlation

The correlation between MLFIX and MEIKX is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	0.90

The correlation between MLFIX and MEIKX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MLFIX vs. MEIKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MLFIX

MLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 52
MLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
MLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
MLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
MLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
MLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

MEIKX

MEIKX Risk / Return Rank: 23
MEIKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MEIKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
MEIKX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
MEIKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
MEIKX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

MLFIX vs. MEIKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund (MLFIX) and MFS Value Fund (MEIKX). 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.

	MLFIX	MEIKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.29	+0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	1.88	+1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.23	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	1.98	+0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.47	6.87	+4.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MLFIX vs. MEIKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLFIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the MEIKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLFIX and MEIKX, 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

	MLFIX	MEIKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.29	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.57	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.61	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.40	+0.08

Drawdowns

MLFIX vs. MEIKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLFIX drawdown since its inception was -54.99%, roughly equal to the maximum MEIKX drawdown of -56.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLFIX and MEIKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLFIX	MEIKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.99%	-56.81%	+1.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-6.76%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.76%	-13.15%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.37%	-17.50%	-4.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.66%	-36.68%	+5.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.80%	+1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.06%	-9.45%	+2.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.69%	1.95%	-0.26%

Volatility

MLFIX vs. MEIKX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund (MLFIX) has a higher volatility of 2.51% compared to MFS Value Fund (MEIKX) at 2.35%. This indicates that MLFIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MEIKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLFIX	MEIKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	2.35%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.15%	7.75%	-0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.12%	10.37%	-1.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.65%	13.91%	-1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.94%	16.55%	-2.61%

MLFIX vs. MEIKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLFIX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than MEIKX's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

MLFIX vs. MEIKX - Dividend Comparison

MLFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.15%, less than MEIKX's 9.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MEIKX MFS Value Fund	9.50%	9.72%	9.49%	8.58%	7.77%	3.43%	2.75%	3.28%	3.76%	4.14%	3.84%	6.12%
MLFIX MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund	7.15%	7.79%	5.41%	3.58%	6.61%	8.92%	3.07%	5.79%	6.06%	3.56%	6.91%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MLFIX and MEIKX in my portfolio?

MLFIX and MEIKX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MLFIX or MEIKX?

MLFIX has higher volatility (2.51%) compared to MEIKX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLFIX dropped -54.99% vs MEIKX's -56.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.29), 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.