MSFRX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

MSFRX (MFS Total Return Fund) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, MSFRX returned 8.06%/yr vs 9.44%/yr for VBIAX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MSFRX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

Performance

MSFRX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MSFRX having a 5.86% return and VBIAX slightly higher at 6.08%. Over the past 10 years, MSFRX has underperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 8.06%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.44% annualized return.

MSFRX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 0.80%
• 6M: 2.92%
• YTD: 5.86%
• 1Y: 11.92%
• 3Y*: 11.77%
• 5Y*: 6.74%
• 10Y*: 8.06%
• ALL TIME*: 6.80%

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -0.55%
• 6M: 4.68%
• YTD: 6.08%
• 1Y: 13.66%
• 3Y*: 13.03%
• 5Y*: 6.98%
• 10Y*: 9.44%
• ALL TIME*: 7.17%

*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)
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MSFRX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	5.86%	10.98%	14.73%	10.34%	-9.70%	14.00%	9.72%	20.20%	-5.80%	12.18%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	6.08%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between MSFRX and VBIAX is 0.55, 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.	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.92

Over the past year, the correlation between MSFRX and VBIAX has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.92, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MSFRX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSFRX

MSFRX Risk / Return Rank: 63
MSFRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
MSFRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
MSFRX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
MSFRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
MSFRX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

MSFRX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.

	MSFRX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.51	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.15	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	2.22	+0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.76	9.45	-2.69

MSFRX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSFRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSFRX and VBIAX, 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

MSFRX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSFRX drawdown since its inception was -37.28%, roughly equal to the maximum VBIAX drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSFRX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSFRX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.28%	-35.90%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.96%	-5.83%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.35%	-11.70%	+3.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.02%	-21.53%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.70%	-22.78%	-1.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-1.19%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-4.42%	-0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	1.36%	+0.36%

Volatility

MSFRX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) has a higher volatility of 2.57% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 2.32%. This indicates that MSFRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSFRX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.57%	2.32%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.32%	6.83%	-1.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.06%	8.55%	-1.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.78%	11.14%	-1.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.45%	11.23%	-0.78%

MSFRX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSFRX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSFRX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

MSFRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.37%, more than VBIAX's 5.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	8.37%	8.93%	14.87%	6.19%	5.38%	8.33%	6.93%	3.22%	4.99%	5.67%	3.54%	5.55%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.36%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSFRX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

MSFRX and VBIAX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSFRX or VBIAX?

MSFRX has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to VBIAX (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSFRX dropped -37.28% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MSFRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.51), 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.