MRBIX vs. SEATX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MRBIX (MFS Total Return Bond Fund) and SEATX (SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, MRBIX returned 1.95%/yr vs 2.78%/yr for SEATX. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MRBIX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for SEATX.

Performance

MRBIX vs. SEATX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Total Return Bond Fund (MRBIX) and SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund (SEATX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MRBIX achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly lower than SEATX's 2.10% return. Over the past 10 years, MRBIX has underperformed SEATX with an annualized return of 1.95%, while SEATX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.78% annualized return.

MRBIX

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 4.78%
• 3Y*: 4.28%
• 5Y*: 0.11%
• 10Y*: 1.95%

SEATX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 2.10%
• 6M: 2.31%
• 1Y: 5.05%
• 3Y*: 4.64%
• 5Y*: 0.44%
• 10Y*: 2.78%

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

MRBIX vs. SEATX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MRBIX MFS Total Return Bond Fund	0.31%	7.35%	1.77%	6.45%	-14.52%	-0.84%	8.83%	9.96%	-1.03%	4.15%
SEATX SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund	2.10%	2.12%	5.75%	5.57%	-13.10%	4.00%	6.20%	10.58%	0.56%	8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between MRBIX and SEATX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2008	0.45

Over the past year, MRBIX and SEATX have become more correlated (0.66) than their long-term average of 0.45, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

MRBIX vs. SEATX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MRBIX

MRBIX Risk / Return Rank: 26
MRBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
MRBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
MRBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
MRBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
MRBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

SEATX

SEATX Risk / Return Rank: 38
SEATX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SEATX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
SEATX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SEATX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
SEATX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

MRBIX vs. SEATX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Total Return Bond Fund (MRBIX) and SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund (SEATX). 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.

	MRBIX	SEATX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.76	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	2.84	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	1.87	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.76	6.93	-1.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MRBIX vs. SEATX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MRBIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the SEATX Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MRBIX and SEATX, 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

	MRBIX	SEATX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	1.76	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.10	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.61	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	0.84	+0.13

Drawdowns

MRBIX vs. SEATX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MRBIX drawdown since its inception was -19.25%, smaller than the maximum SEATX drawdown of -28.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MRBIX and SEATX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MRBIX	SEATX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.25%	-28.46%	+9.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.77%	-2.84%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.29%	-6.80%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.25%	-17.71%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.25%	-17.71%	-1.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.50%	-0.11%	-1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-3.49%	+1.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	0.76%	+0.19%

Volatility

MRBIX vs. SEATX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Total Return Bond Fund (MRBIX) has a higher volatility of 1.30% compared to SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund (SEATX) at 1.14%. This indicates that MRBIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SEATX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MRBIX	SEATX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.30%	1.14%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.70%	2.26%	+0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.85%	3.02%	+0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.73%	4.29%	+1.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.92%	4.56%	+0.36%

MRBIX vs. SEATX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MRBIX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than SEATX's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

MRBIX vs. SEATX - Dividend Comparison

MRBIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, less than SEATX's 4.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MRBIX MFS Total Return Bond Fund	4.17%	4.21%	3.69%	3.42%	2.39%	3.42%	3.00%	3.06%	2.87%	2.65%	3.02%	3.76%
SEATX SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund	4.69%	4.52%	4.63%	3.38%	3.16%	3.37%	4.28%	5.63%	4.76%	4.65%	4.10%	4.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MRBIX and SEATX in my portfolio?

MRBIX and SEATX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MRBIX or SEATX?

MRBIX has higher volatility (1.30%) compared to SEATX (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MRBIX dropped -19.25% vs SEATX's -28.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEATX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.42), 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.