MLFIX vs. MLLIX
MLFIX (MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund) and MLLIX (MFS Lifetime Income Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from MFS. Over the past 10 years, MLFIX returned 10.34%/yr vs 4.87%/yr for MLLIX. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.00% expense ratio.
Performance
MLFIX vs. MLLIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MLFIX achieves a 9.59% return, which is significantly higher than MLLIX's 3.48% return. Over the past 10 years, MLFIX has outperformed MLLIX with an annualized return of 10.34%, while MLLIX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.87% annualized return.
MLFIX
- 1D
- 1.16%
- 1M
- 0.44%
- 6M
- 6.51%
- YTD
- 9.59%
- 1Y
- 16.97%
- 3Y*
- 13.67%
- 5Y*
- 7.79%
- 10Y*
- 10.34%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.06%
MLLIX
- 1D
- 0.32%
- 1M
- -0.32%
- 6M
- 2.18%
- YTD
- 3.48%
- 1Y
- 7.47%
- 3Y*
- 7.16%
- 5Y*
- 3.05%
- 10Y*
- 4.87%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.07%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
MLFIX vs. MLLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLFIX MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund | 9.59% | 15.08% | 12.35% | 16.29% | -15.32% | 18.94% | 13.13% | 26.08% | -7.51% | 20.79% |
MLLIX MFS Lifetime Income Fund | 3.48% | 9.32% | 5.62% | 9.12% | -11.99% | 6.63% | 10.06% | 13.91% | -2.37% | 8.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between MLFIX and MLLIX is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.84 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.84 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.85 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2005 | 0.84 |
The correlation between MLFIX and MLLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MLFIX vs. MLLIX — Risk / Return Rank
MLFIX
MLLIX
MLFIX vs. MLLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund (MLFIX) and MFS Lifetime Income Fund (MLLIX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MLFIX | MLLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.31 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.11 | 1.97 | +0.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.99 | 8.67 | +0.32 |
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Drawdowns
MLFIX vs. MLLIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MLFIX drawdown since its inception was -54.99%, which is greater than MLLIX's maximum drawdown of -17.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLFIX and MLLIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MLFIX | MLLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.99% | -17.32% | -37.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.29% | -3.86% | -3.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.76% | -4.93% | -7.83% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.37% | -16.08% | -6.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.66% | -16.08% | -15.58% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.31% | -0.64% | +0.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.01% | -2.14% | -4.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.71% | 0.88% | +0.83% |
Volatility
MLFIX vs. MLLIX - Volatility Comparison
MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund (MLFIX) has a higher volatility of 2.35% compared to MFS Lifetime Income Fund (MLLIX) at 1.06%. This indicates that MLFIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MLLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MLFIX | MLLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.35% | 1.06% | +1.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.75% | 3.66% | +4.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.67% | 4.51% | +5.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.69% | 5.95% | +6.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.85% | 5.71% | +8.14% |
MLFIX vs. MLLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MLFIX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than MLLIX's 0.00% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
MLFIX vs. MLLIX - Dividend Comparison
MLFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.10%, less than MLLIX's 7.43% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLFIX MFS Lifetime 2040 Fund | 7.10% | 7.79% | 5.41% | 3.58% | 6.61% | 8.92% | 3.07% | 5.79% | 6.06% | 3.56% | 6.91% | 2.20% |
MLLIX MFS Lifetime Income Fund | 7.43% | 6.01% | 6.26% | 3.70% | 3.92% | 6.12% | 3.18% | 3.80% | 4.20% | 3.56% | 4.21% | 2.51% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MLFIX and MLLIX 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.
MLFIX has higher volatility (2.35%) compared to MLLIX (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLFIX dropped -54.99% vs MLLIX's -17.32%.
MLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.59), 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.
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