MQLFX vs. IGSB
MQLFX (MFS Limited Maturity Fund) and IGSB (iShares 1-5 Year Investment Grade 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 BofA 1-5 Year US Corporate Index. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX returned 2.25%/yr vs 2.72%/yr for IGSB. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MQLFX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for IGSB.
Performance
MQLFX vs. IGSB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MQLFX achieves a 1.20% return, which is significantly higher than IGSB's 1.08% return. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX has underperformed IGSB with an annualized return of 2.25%, while IGSB has yielded a comparatively higher 2.72% annualized return.
MQLFX
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- 0.52%
- 6M
- 1.20%
- YTD
- 1.20%
- 1Y
- 3.85%
- 3Y*
- 4.89%
- 5Y*
- 2.21%
- 10Y*
- 2.25%
IGSB
- 1D
- 0.15%
- 1M
- 0.60%
- 6M
- 1.07%
- YTD
- 1.08%
- 1Y
- 4.19%
- 3Y*
- 5.85%
- 5Y*
- 2.50%
- 10Y*
- 2.72%
MQLFX vs. IGSB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MQLFX MFS Limited Maturity Fund | 1.20% | 5.71% | 4.44% | 5.30% | -4.69% | -0.20% | 4.20% | 4.74% | 1.17% | 1.28% |
IGSB iShares 1-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 1.08% | 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 11, 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.
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Return for Risk
MQLFX vs. IGSB — Risk / Return Rank
MQLFX
IGSB
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 1-5 Year Investment Grade 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.
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.
| MQLFX | IGSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.41 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.74 | 2.82 | -0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.54 | 11.35 | -0.81 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MQLFX | IGSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.05% | +0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.60% | -0.85% | +0.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.35% | 0.36% | -0.01% |
Volatility
MQLFX vs. IGSB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) is 0.55%, while iShares 1-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) has a volatility of 0.71%. This indicates that MQLFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MQLFX | IGSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.55% | 0.71% | -0.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.64% | 1.52% | +0.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.20% | 1.95% | +0.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.41% | 2.94% | -0.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.17% | 3.47% | -1.30% |
MQLFX vs. IGSB - Expense Ratio Comparison
MQLFX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than IGSB's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
MQLFX vs. IGSB - Dividend Comparison
MQLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.31%, less than IGSB's 4.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGSB iShares 1-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 4.59% | 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 | 4.31% | 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
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.
IGSB has higher volatility (0.71%) compared to MQLFX (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MQLFX dropped -7.14% vs IGSB's -13.38%.
IGSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.68), 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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