MQLFX vs. IGSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MQLFX (MFS Limited Maturity Fund) and IGSB (iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both funds - MQLFX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by MFS, while IGSB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX returned 2.26%/yr vs 2.74%/yr for IGSB. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MQLFX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IGSB.

Performance

MQLFX vs. IGSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) and iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MQLFX achieves a 0.85% return, which is significantly higher than IGSB's 0.72% return. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX has underperformed IGSB with an annualized return of 2.26%, while IGSB has yielded a comparatively higher 2.74% annualized return.

MQLFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.85%
• 6M: 1.07%
• 1Y: 4.23%
• 3Y*: 4.76%
• 5Y*: 2.17%
• 10Y*: 2.26%

IGSB

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.01%
• 1Y: 4.72%
• 3Y*: 5.66%
• 5Y*: 2.43%
• 10Y*: 2.74%

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

MQLFX vs. IGSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MQLFX MFS Limited Maturity Fund	0.85%	5.71%	4.44%	5.30%	-4.69%	-0.20%	4.20%	4.74%	1.17%	1.28%
IGSB iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.72%	6.96%	4.97%	6.40%	-5.63%	-0.56%	5.37%	7.11%	1.25%	1.27%

Correlation

The correlation between MQLFX and IGSB is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2007	0.47

The correlation between MQLFX and IGSB shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (all time) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MQLFX vs. IGSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

MQLFX

MQLFX Risk / Return Rank: 58
MQLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
MQLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
MQLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
MQLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
MQLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

IGSB

IGSB Risk / Return Rank: 75
IGSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
IGSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
IGSB Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IGSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
IGSB Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

MQLFX vs. IGSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) and iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB). 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.

	MQLFX	IGSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.46	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.84	-0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.49	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.25	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.73	13.22	-1.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MQLFX vs. IGSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MQLFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the IGSB Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MQLFX and IGSB, 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

	MQLFX	IGSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	2.46	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.83	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.04	0.79	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.54	0.70	+0.84

Drawdowns

MQLFX vs. IGSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MQLFX drawdown since its inception was -7.14%, smaller than the maximum IGSB drawdown of -13.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MQLFX and IGSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	MQLFX	IGSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.14%	-13.38%	+6.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-1.46%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.35%	-1.46%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.14%	-9.46%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.14%	-13.38%	+6.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.32%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.60%	-0.85%	+0.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	0.36%	-0.01%

Volatility

MQLFX vs. IGSB - Volatility Comparison

MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) has a higher volatility of 0.80% compared to iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) at 0.57%. This indicates that MQLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IGSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MQLFX	IGSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.80%	0.57%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.62%	1.41%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22%	1.92%	+0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.40%	2.93%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.17%	3.46%	-1.29%

MQLFX vs. IGSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

MQLFX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than IGSB's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

MQLFX vs. IGSB - Dividend Comparison

MQLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.33%, less than IGSB's 4.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGSB iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.58%	4.44%	4.02%	3.26%	2.07%	1.82%	2.36%	3.06%	2.46%	1.65%	1.45%	1.18%
MQLFX MFS Limited Maturity Fund	4.33%	4.34%	3.47%	2.85%	1.38%	1.46%	2.27%	2.60%	2.18%	1.61%	1.27%	1.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MQLFX and IGSB in my portfolio?

MQLFX and IGSB have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MQLFX or IGSB?

MQLFX has higher volatility (0.80%) compared to IGSB (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MQLFX dropped -7.14% vs IGSB's -13.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 1.84), 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.