MLVHX vs. LVAMX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MLVHX (MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund) and LVAMX (LSV U.S. Managed Volatility Fund) are both Low Volatility funds. Over the past 10 years, MLVHX returned 10.57%/yr vs 7.84%/yr for LVAMX. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MLVHX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.94%/yr for LVAMX.

Performance

MLVHX vs. LVAMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund (MLVHX) and LSV U.S. Managed Volatility Fund (LVAMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLVHX achieves a 6.72% return, which is significantly lower than LVAMX's 15.50% return. Over the past 10 years, MLVHX has outperformed LVAMX with an annualized return of 10.57%, while LVAMX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.84% annualized return.

MLVHX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 1.07%
• 6M: 4.42%
• YTD: 6.72%
• 1Y: 12.87%
• 3Y*: 11.61%
• 5Y*: 7.30%
• 10Y*: 10.57%
• ALL TIME*: 10.63%

LVAMX

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 4.36%
• 6M: 12.28%
• YTD: 15.50%
• 1Y: 25.13%
• 3Y*: 11.22%
• 5Y*: 7.56%
• 10Y*: 7.84%
• ALL TIME*: 8.08%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
LVAMX LSV U.S. Managed Volatility Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
MLVHX MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MLVHX vs. LVAMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MLVHX MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund	6.72%	9.96%	13.91%	12.40%	-10.84%	25.42%	11.63%	27.17%	-1.22%	16.17%
LVAMX LSV U.S. Managed Volatility Fund	15.50%	15.33%	2.07%	4.16%	-2.66%	20.97%	-6.86%	22.91%	-2.17%	13.52%

Correlation

The correlation between MLVHX and LVAMX is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2014	0.87

The correlation between MLVHX and LVAMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MLVHX vs. LVAMX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MLVHX

MLVHX Risk / Return Rank: 34
MLVHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
MLVHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
MLVHX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
MLVHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
MLVHX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

LVAMX

LVAMX Risk / Return Rank: 93
LVAMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
LVAMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
LVAMX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
LVAMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
LVAMX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MLVHX vs. LVAMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund (MLVHX) and LSV U.S. Managed Volatility Fund (LVAMX). 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.

	MLVHX	LVAMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	2.44	-1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	3.55	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.44	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	4.65	-3.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.33	16.95	-12.61

MLVHX vs. LVAMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLVHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is lower than the LVAMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLVHX and LVAMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MLVHX vs. LVAMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLVHX drawdown since its inception was -34.14%, roughly equal to the maximum LVAMX drawdown of -33.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLVHX and LVAMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLVHX	LVAMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.14%	-33.38%	-0.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.30%	-5.13%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.92%	-20.84%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.92%	-20.84%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.14%	-33.38%	-0.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-1.06%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.87%	-4.73%	+0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	1.41%	+1.25%

Volatility

MLVHX vs. LVAMX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund (MLVHX) has a higher volatility of 3.22% compared to LSV U.S. Managed Volatility Fund (LVAMX) at 2.92%. This indicates that MLVHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LVAMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLVHX	LVAMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.22%	2.92%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.44%	7.23%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.71%	9.81%	-0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.26%	15.85%	-0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.22%	16.13%	+0.09%

MLVHX vs. LVAMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLVHX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is lower than LVAMX's 0.94% expense ratio.

Dividends

MLVHX vs. LVAMX - Dividend Comparison

MLVHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.37%, less than LVAMX's 18.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LVAMX LSV U.S. Managed Volatility Fund	18.31%	21.15%	3.30%	17.00%	10.71%	6.62%	3.15%	9.37%	6.98%	3.79%	1.98%	2.22%
MLVHX MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund	14.37%	15.40%	13.51%	6.47%	13.00%	5.33%	1.25%	1.17%	4.99%	2.23%	1.19%	1.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MLVHX and LVAMX in my portfolio?

MLVHX and LVAMX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MLVHX or LVAMX?

MLVHX has higher volatility (3.22%) compared to LVAMX (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLVHX dropped -34.14% vs LVAMX's -33.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LVAMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.19), 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.