MLFIX vs. MFEKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MLFIX (MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund) and MFEKX (MFS Growth R6) are both mutual funds - MLFIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by MFS, while MFEKX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, MLFIX returned 10.57%/yr vs 17.77%/yr for MFEKX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MLFIX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for MFEKX.

Performance

MLFIX vs. MFEKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund (MLFIX) and MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX). 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 MFEKX's 6.33% return. Over the past 10 years, MLFIX has underperformed MFEKX with an annualized return of 10.57%, while MFEKX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.77% annualized return.

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%

MFEKX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 4.76%
• YTD: 6.33%
• 6M: 6.01%
• 1Y: 17.76%
• 3Y*: 26.68%
• 5Y*: 14.46%
• 10Y*: 17.77%

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

MLFIX vs. MFEKX - 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%
MFEKX MFS Growth R6	6.33%	12.44%	49.62%	36.27%	-31.07%	23.71%	31.77%	37.82%	2.40%	30.97%

Correlation

The correlation between MLFIX and MFEKX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2011	0.86

The correlation between MLFIX and MFEKX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MLFIX vs. MFEKX — 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

MFEKX

MFEKX Risk / Return Rank: 14
MFEKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
MFEKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
MFEKX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
MFEKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
MFEKX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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. MFEKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund (MLFIX) and MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX). 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	MFEKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.16	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	1.64	+1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.21	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	1.06	+1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.47	3.46	+8.01
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. MFEKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLFIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the MFEKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLFIX and MFEKX, 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	MFEKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.16	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.66	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.84	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.87	-0.40

Drawdowns

MLFIX vs. MFEKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLFIX drawdown since its inception was -54.99%, which is greater than MFEKX's maximum drawdown of -36.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLFIX and MFEKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLFIX	MFEKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.99%	-36.06%	-18.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-17.27%	+9.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.76%	-23.22%	+10.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.37%	-36.06%	+13.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.66%	-36.06%	+4.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.34%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.06%	-5.64%	-1.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.69%	5.30%	-3.61%

Volatility

MLFIX vs. MFEKX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund (MLFIX) is 2.51%, while MFS Growth R6 (MFEKX) has a volatility of 3.59%. This indicates that MLFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFEKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLFIX	MFEKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	3.59%	-1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.15%	12.24%	-5.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.12%	15.83%	-6.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.65%	21.89%	-9.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.94%	21.20%	-7.26%

MLFIX vs. MFEKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLFIX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than MFEKX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

MLFIX vs. MFEKX - Dividend Comparison

MLFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.15%, less than MFEKX's 13.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFEKX MFS Growth R6	13.94%	14.82%	25.31%	4.82%	1.04%	2.74%	3.55%	1.57%	3.88%	2.49%	1.70%	3.64%
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 MFEKX in my portfolio?

MLFIX and MFEKX have a correlation of 0.76, 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 MFEKX?

MFEKX has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to MLFIX (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLFIX dropped -54.99% vs MFEKX's -36.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.16), 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.