MLVHX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund (MLVHX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX).

MLVHX is managed by MFS. It was launched on Dec 5, 2013. VFFSX is managed by Vanguard.

Performance

MLVHX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund (MLVHX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MLVHX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MLVHX MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund	-0.79%	9.96%	13.91%	12.40%	-10.84%	25.42%	11.63%	27.17%	-1.22%	15.71%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	-4.34%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLVHX achieves a -0.79% return, which is significantly higher than VFFSX's -4.34% return.

MLVHX

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: -6.39%
• YTD: -0.79%
• 6M: -0.26%
• 1Y: 7.41%
• 3Y*: 10.99%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 10.29%

VFFSX

• 1D: 2.92%
• 1M: -5.03%
• YTD: -4.34%
• 6M: -2.14%
• 1Y: 17.34%
• 3Y*: 18.30%
• 5Y*: 11.78%
• 10Y*: —

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

MLVHX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLVHX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

MLVHX

MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund

VFFSX

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares

Return for Risk

MLVHX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MLVHX

MLVHX Risk / Return Rank: 20
MLVHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
MLVHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
MLVHX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
MLVHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
MLVHX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

MLVHX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund (MLVHX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	MLVHX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	0.98	-0.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	1.49	-0.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.23	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	1.52	-0.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.52	7.31	-3.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MLVHX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLVHX Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLVHX and VFFSX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MLVHX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54	0.98	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.70	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.77	-0.10

Correlation

The correlation between MLVHX and VFFSX is 0.86, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

MLVHX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

MLVHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.52%, more than VFFSX's 1.21% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MLVHX MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund	15.52%	15.40%	13.51%	6.47%	13.00%	5.33%	1.25%	1.17%	4.99%	2.23%	1.19%	1.90%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.21%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

MLVHX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLVHX drawdown since its inception was -34.14%, roughly equal to the maximum VFFSX drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLVHX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLVHX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.14%	-33.82%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.89%	-12.12%	+2.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.92%	-24.51%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.54%	-6.24%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.89%	-4.57%	+0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	2.52%	-0.17%

Volatility

MLVHX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Low Volatility Equity Fund (MLVHX) is 3.68%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) has a volatility of 5.35%. This indicates that MLVHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLVHX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.68%	5.35%	-1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.98%	9.53%	-2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.44%	18.32%	-4.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.25%	16.91%	-1.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.21%	18.52%	-2.31%