MQLFX vs. VISTX
Compare and contrast key facts about MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) and Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX).
MQLFX is managed by MFS. It was launched on Feb 26, 1992. VISTX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Jun 19, 2015.
Performance
MQLFX vs. VISTX - Performance Comparison
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MQLFX vs. VISTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MQLFX MFS Limited Maturity Fund | -0.14% | 5.71% | 4.44% | 5.30% | -4.69% | -0.20% | 4.20% | 4.74% | 1.17% | 1.28% |
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund | 0.25% | 5.68% | 5.56% | 4.98% | -3.73% | -0.04% | 3.92% | 4.20% | 1.83% | 1.42% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MQLFX achieves a -0.14% return, which is significantly lower than VISTX's 0.25% return. Over the past 10 years, MQLFX has underperformed VISTX with an annualized return of 2.20%, while VISTX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.43% annualized return.
MQLFX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -1.18%
- YTD
- -0.14%
- 6M
- 0.84%
- 1Y
- 3.75%
- 3Y*
- 4.50%
- 5Y*
- 2.02%
- 10Y*
- 2.20%
VISTX
- 1D
- 0.15%
- 1M
- -0.64%
- YTD
- 0.25%
- 6M
- 1.45%
- 1Y
- 4.26%
- 3Y*
- 4.94%
- 5Y*
- 2.45%
- 10Y*
- 2.43%
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MQLFX vs. VISTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MQLFX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than VISTX's 0.02% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
MQLFX vs. VISTX — Risk / Return Rank
MQLFX
VISTX
MQLFX vs. VISTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) and Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX). 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 | VISTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.86 | 3.01 | -1.15 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 3.17 | 4.73 | -1.56 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.49 | 1.68 | -0.20 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.18 | 5.24 | -2.06 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.45 | 21.26 | -7.81 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MQLFX | VISTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.86 | 3.01 | -1.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.86 | 1.33 | -0.47 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.03 | 1.66 | -0.63 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.53 | 1.70 | -0.16 |
Correlation
The correlation between MQLFX and VISTX is 0.61, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
MQLFX vs. VISTX - Dividend Comparison
MQLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.04%, less than VISTX's 4.11% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MQLFX MFS Limited Maturity Fund | 4.04% | 4.34% | 3.47% | 2.85% | 1.38% | 1.46% | 2.27% | 2.60% | 2.18% | 1.61% | 1.27% | 1.24% |
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund | 4.11% | 4.53% | 5.03% | 3.91% | 1.76% | 1.85% | 2.33% | 2.72% | 2.32% | 1.78% | 1.51% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
MQLFX vs. VISTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MQLFX drawdown since its inception was -7.14%, which is greater than VISTX's maximum drawdown of -5.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MQLFX and VISTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MQLFX | VISTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -7.14% | -5.64% | -1.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.35% | -0.86% | -0.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.14% | -5.64% | -1.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -7.14% | -5.64% | -1.50% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.18% | -0.64% | -0.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.60% | -0.69% | +0.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.32% | 0.21% | +0.11% |
Volatility
MQLFX vs. VISTX - Volatility Comparison
MFS Limited Maturity Fund (MQLFX) has a higher volatility of 0.67% compared to Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) at 0.47%. This indicates that MQLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VISTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MQLFX | VISTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.67% | 0.47% | +0.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.54% | 0.85% | +0.69% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.22% | 1.45% | +0.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.37% | 1.85% | +0.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.15% | 1.47% | +0.68% |