MQLFX vs. MEIKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MQLFX (MFS Limited Maturity Fund) and MEIKX (MFS Value Fund) are both mutual funds - MQLFX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by MFS, while MEIKX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX returned 2.26%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for MEIKX. At a correlation of -0.07, they often move in opposite directions. MQLFX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for MEIKX.

Performance

MQLFX vs. MEIKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) and MFS Value Fund (MEIKX). 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 lower than MEIKX's 4.52% return. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX has underperformed MEIKX with an annualized return of 2.26%, while MEIKX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.06% 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%

MEIKX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 4.52%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 13.08%
• 3Y*: 13.32%
• 5Y*: 7.88%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

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

MQLFX vs. MEIKX - 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%
MEIKX MFS Value Fund	4.52%	13.37%	11.98%	8.32%	-5.92%	25.59%	4.09%	30.18%	-9.81%	17.26%

Correlation

The correlation between MQLFX and MEIKX is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	-0.07

The correlation between MQLFX and MEIKX shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (all time) to 0.14 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MQLFX vs. MEIKX — 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

MEIKX

MEIKX Risk / Return Rank: 23
MEIKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MEIKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
MEIKX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
MEIKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
MEIKX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. MEIKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) and MFS Value Fund (MEIKX). 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	MEIKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	1.29	+0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	1.88	+1.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.23	+0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	1.98	+1.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.73	6.87	+4.86
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. MEIKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MQLFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is higher than the MEIKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MQLFX and MEIKX, 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	MEIKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	1.29	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.57	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.04	0.61	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.54	0.40	+1.14

Drawdowns

MQLFX vs. MEIKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MQLFX drawdown since its inception was -7.14%, smaller than the maximum MEIKX drawdown of -56.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MQLFX and MEIKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MQLFX	MEIKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.14%	-56.81%	+49.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-6.76%	+5.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.35%	-13.15%	+11.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.14%	-17.50%	+10.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.14%	-36.68%	+29.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-1.80%	+1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.60%	-9.45%	+8.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	1.95%	-1.60%

Volatility

MQLFX vs. MEIKX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) is 0.80%, while MFS Value Fund (MEIKX) has a volatility of 2.35%. This indicates that MQLFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MEIKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MQLFX	MEIKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.80%	2.35%	-1.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.62%	7.75%	-6.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22%	10.37%	-8.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.40%	13.91%	-11.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.17%	16.55%	-14.38%

MQLFX vs. MEIKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MQLFX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than MEIKX's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

MQLFX vs. MEIKX - Dividend Comparison

MQLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.33%, less than MEIKX's 9.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MEIKX MFS Value Fund	9.50%	9.72%	9.49%	8.58%	7.77%	3.43%	2.75%	3.28%	3.76%	4.14%	3.84%	6.12%
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 MEIKX in my portfolio?

MQLFX and MEIKX have a correlation of 0.14, 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 MEIKX?

MEIKX has higher volatility (2.35%) compared to MQLFX (0.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MQLFX dropped -7.14% vs MEIKX's -56.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MQLFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.29), 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.