MSFRX vs. IWR
MSFRX (MFS Total Return Fund) and IWR (iShares Russell Midcap ETF) are both funds - MSFRX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by MFS, while IWR is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Index. Over the past 10 years, MSFRX returned 7.96%/yr vs 11.41%/yr for IWR. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MSFRX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWR.
Performance
MSFRX vs. IWR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSFRX achieves a 3.29% return, which is significantly lower than IWR's 10.71% return. Over the past 10 years, MSFRX has underperformed IWR with an annualized return of 7.96%, while IWR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.41% annualized return.
MSFRX
- 1D
- -0.20%
- 1M
- 1.08%
- YTD
- 3.29%
- 6M
- 4.86%
- 1Y
- 11.70%
- 3Y*
- 12.50%
- 5Y*
- 6.28%
- 10Y*
- 7.96%
IWR
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 1.05%
- YTD
- 10.71%
- 6M
- 10.50%
- 1Y
- 19.23%
- 3Y*
- 16.25%
- 5Y*
- 7.68%
- 10Y*
- 11.41%
MSFRX vs. IWR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund | 3.29% | 10.98% | 14.73% | 10.34% | -9.70% | 14.00% | 9.72% | 20.20% | -5.80% | 12.18% |
IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF | 10.71% | 10.37% | 15.21% | 17.05% | -17.48% | 22.44% | 16.93% | 30.23% | -9.10% | 18.25% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSFRX and IWR is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2001 | 0.89 |
The correlation between MSFRX and IWR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MSFRX vs. IWR — Risk / Return Rank
MSFRX
IWR
MSFRX vs. IWR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) and iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR). 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.
| MSFRX | IWR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.25 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.45 | 2.37 | +0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.28 | 9.09 | -1.82 |
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
| MSFRX | IWR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.79 | 1.43 | +0.36 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.65 | 0.42 | +0.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.76 | 0.59 | +0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.65 | 0.49 | +0.16 |
Drawdowns
MSFRX vs. IWR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSFRX drawdown since its inception was -37.28%, smaller than the maximum IWR drawdown of -58.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSFRX and IWR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSFRX | IWR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.28% | -58.78% | +21.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.96% | -8.17% | +3.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.56% | -21.09% | +12.53% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.02% | -26.18% | +9.16% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.70% | -40.59% | +15.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.86% | -2.04% | +0.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.00% | -7.80% | +2.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.67% | 2.12% | -0.45% |
Volatility
MSFRX vs. IWR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) is 1.78%, while iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) has a volatility of 3.59%. This indicates that MSFRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSFRX | IWR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.78% | 3.59% | -1.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.93% | 10.06% | -5.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.78% | 13.54% | -6.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.74% | 18.25% | -8.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.45% | 19.38% | -8.93% |
MSFRX vs. IWR - Expense Ratio Comparison
MSFRX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than IWR's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
MSFRX vs. IWR - Dividend Comparison
MSFRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.77%, more than IWR's 1.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF | 1.17% | 1.29% | 1.27% | 1.43% | 1.59% | 1.04% | 1.28% | 1.43% | 1.98% | 1.52% | 1.72% | 1.59% |
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund | 8.77% | 8.93% | 14.87% | 6.19% | 5.38% | 8.33% | 6.93% | 3.22% | 4.99% | 5.67% | 3.54% | 5.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MSFRX and IWR have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IWR has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to MSFRX (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSFRX dropped -37.28% vs IWR's -58.78%.
MSFRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.43), 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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