MSTMX vs. MSTRX
MSTMX (Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund) and MSTRX (Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - MSTMX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by Morningstar, while MSTRX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Morningstar. Over the past 5 years, MSTMX returned 2.05%/yr vs -0.97%/yr for MSTRX. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MSTMX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for MSTRX.
Performance
MSTMX vs. MSTRX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSTMX achieves a 1.91% return, which is significantly higher than MSTRX's -0.03% return.
MSTMX
- 1D
- -0.11%
- 1M
- 1.30%
- YTD
- 1.91%
- 6M
- 2.23%
- 1Y
- 7.33%
- 3Y*
- 7.59%
- 5Y*
- 2.05%
- 10Y*
- —
MSTRX
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- 0.96%
- YTD
- -0.03%
- 6M
- 0.28%
- 1Y
- 3.08%
- 3Y*
- 3.12%
- 5Y*
- -0.97%
- 10Y*
- —
MSTMX vs. MSTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSTMX Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund | 1.91% | 10.03% | 4.60% | 10.77% | -13.11% | -2.86% | 6.45% | 10.53% | -0.23% |
MSTRX Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund | -0.03% | 4.87% | 1.75% | 5.54% | -15.53% | -1.56% | 9.57% | 9.34% | 2.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSTMX and MSTRX is 0.69, 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 | 0.69 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2018 | 0.54 |
The correlation between MSTMX and MSTRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (all time) to 0.74 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MSTMX vs. MSTRX — Risk / Return Rank
MSTMX
MSTRX
MSTMX vs. MSTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund (MSTMX) and Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund (MSTRX). 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.
| MSTMX | MSTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.17 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.24 | 1.25 | +0.99 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.21 | 3.25 | +4.96 |
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Drawdowns
MSTMX vs. MSTRX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSTMX drawdown since its inception was -21.37%, roughly equal to the maximum MSTRX drawdown of -20.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSTMX and MSTRX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSTMX | MSTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -21.37% | -20.97% | -0.40% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.09% | -3.06% | -1.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.79% | -6.67% | +0.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.20% | -20.77% | -0.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.42% | -6.39% | +5.97% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.98% | -7.11% | +2.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.09% | 1.31% | -0.22% |
Volatility
MSTMX vs. MSTRX - Volatility Comparison
Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund (MSTMX) has a higher volatility of 1.41% compared to Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund (MSTRX) at 1.24%. This indicates that MSTMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MSTRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSTMX | MSTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.41% | 1.24% | +0.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.45% | 2.83% | +0.62% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.56% | 4.11% | +0.45% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.51% | 6.25% | -0.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.77% | 5.65% | +0.12% |
MSTMX vs. MSTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MSTMX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than MSTRX's 0.55% expense ratio.
Dividends
MSTMX vs. MSTRX - Dividend Comparison
MSTMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, more than MSTRX's 2.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSTMX Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund | 4.21% | 4.00% | 6.01% | 5.26% | 1.42% | 4.17% | 2.68% | 6.18% | 0.37% |
MSTRX Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund | 2.59% | 2.60% | 4.02% | 3.42% | 2.50% | 2.13% | 4.93% | 5.23% | 0.29% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MSTMX and MSTRX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSTMX has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to MSTRX (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSTMX dropped -21.37% vs MSTRX's -20.97%.
MSTMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 0.93), 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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