MQLFX vs. VBIRX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MQLFX (MFS Limited Maturity Fund) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX returned 2.21%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for VBIRX. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MQLFX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

MQLFX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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 VBIRX's 0.14% return. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX has outperformed VBIRX with an annualized return of 2.21%, while VBIRX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.85% annualized return.

MQLFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.34%
• 6M: 0.49%
• YTD: 0.85%
• 1Y: 2.77%
• 3Y*: 4.55%
• 5Y*: 2.11%
• 10Y*: 2.21%
• ALL TIME*: 3.62%

VBIRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 1Y: 2.10%
• 3Y*: 4.40%
• 5Y*: 1.54%
• 10Y*: 1.85%
• ALL TIME*: 2.58%

*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)
MQLFX MFS Limited Maturity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MQLFX vs. VBIRX - 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%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.14%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.86%	1.37%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between MQLFX and VBIRX is 0.75, 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.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.66

The correlation between MQLFX and VBIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (all time) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MQLFX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MQLFX

MQLFX Risk / Return Rank: 77
MQLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
MQLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
MQLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
MQLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
MQLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 57
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

MQLFX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.37	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	2.28	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.27	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	1.98	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.77	5.56	+4.21

MQLFX vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MQLFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MQLFX and VBIRX, 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

MQLFX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MQLFX drawdown since its inception was -7.14%, smaller than the maximum VBIRX drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MQLFX and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MQLFX	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.14%	-8.69%	+1.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-1.54%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.35%	-1.55%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.14%	-8.55%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.14%	-8.69%	+1.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-0.79%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.60%	-0.98%	+0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	0.55%	-0.19%

Volatility

MQLFX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) has a higher volatility of 0.49% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) at 0.46%. This indicates that MQLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MQLFX	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	0.46%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.65%	1.68%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20%	2.24%	-0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.41%	2.98%	-0.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.17%	2.40%	-0.23%

MQLFX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

MQLFX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

MQLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.96%, more than VBIRX's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MQLFX MFS Limited Maturity Fund	3.96%	4.34%	3.47%	2.85%	1.38%	1.46%	2.27%	2.60%	2.18%	1.61%	1.27%	1.24%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.69%	3.83%	3.37%	2.41%	1.46%	1.22%	1.77%	2.24%	2.03%	1.66%	1.50%	1.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MQLFX and VBIRX in my portfolio?

MQLFX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.75, 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 VBIRX?

MQLFX has higher volatility (0.49%) compared to VBIRX (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MQLFX dropped -7.14% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MQLFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.37), 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.