MRBIX vs. BND
MRBIX (MFS Total Return Bond Fund) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both funds - MRBIX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by MFS, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, MRBIX returned 1.68%/yr vs 1.40%/yr for BND. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MRBIX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.
Performance
MRBIX vs. BND - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MRBIX achieves a -0.73% return, which is significantly lower than BND's -0.30% return. Over the past 10 years, MRBIX has outperformed BND with an annualized return of 1.68%, while BND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.40% annualized return.
MRBIX
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- -1.47%
- 6M
- -0.87%
- YTD
- -0.73%
- 1Y
- 1.78%
- 3Y*
- 3.97%
- 5Y*
- -0.45%
- 10Y*
- 1.68%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.18%
BND
- 1D
- 0.24%
- 1M
- -0.97%
- 6M
- -0.42%
- YTD
- -0.30%
- 1Y
- 2.00%
- 3Y*
- 4.04%
- 5Y*
- -0.43%
- 10Y*
- 1.40%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.00%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $459.14M | $504.12M | $590.88M | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
MRBIX vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MRBIX MFS Total Return Bond Fund | -0.73% | 7.35% | 1.77% | 6.45% | -14.52% | -0.84% | 8.83% | 9.96% | -1.03% | 4.15% |
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | -0.30% | 7.08% | 1.38% | 5.65% | -13.11% | -1.86% | 7.71% | 8.84% | -0.12% | 3.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between MRBIX and BND is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007 | 0.84 |
The correlation between MRBIX and BND shifts across timeframes, from 0.84 (all time) to 0.95 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MRBIX vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank
MRBIX
BND
MRBIX vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Total Return Bond Fund (MRBIX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.
| MRBIX | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.09 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.92 | 0.75 | +0.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.25 | 1.86 | +0.38 |
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Drawdowns
MRBIX vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MRBIX drawdown since its inception was -19.25%, roughly equal to the maximum BND drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MRBIX and BND.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MRBIX | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.25% | -18.58% | -0.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.77% | -2.68% | -0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.42% | -4.81% | -0.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.25% | -17.81% | -1.44% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.25% | -18.58% | -0.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.51% | -2.92% | +0.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.46% | -3.06% | +0.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.13% | 1.07% | +0.06% |
Volatility
MRBIX vs. BND - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for MFS Total Return Bond Fund (MRBIX) is 0.91%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) has a volatility of 1.02%. This indicates that MRBIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MRBIX | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.91% | 1.02% | -0.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.89% | 2.91% | -0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.69% | 3.61% | +0.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.73% | 6.03% | -0.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.92% | 5.53% | -0.61% |
MRBIX vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison
MRBIX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
MRBIX vs. BND - Dividend Comparison
MRBIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, less than BND's 4.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 4.04% | 3.86% | 3.67% | 3.09% | 2.60% | 2.12% | 2.38% | 2.72% | 2.81% | 2.54% | 2.51% | 2.57% |
MRBIX MFS Total Return Bond Fund | 3.86% | 4.21% | 3.69% | 3.42% | 2.39% | 3.42% | 3.00% | 3.06% | 2.87% | 2.65% | 3.02% | 3.76% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, MRBIX and BND move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
BND has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to MRBIX (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MRBIX dropped -19.25% vs BND's -18.58%.
MRBIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.69 vs 0.56), 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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