MSTRX vs. MCDWX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MSTRX (Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund) and MCDWX (Manning & Napier Credit Series) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, MSTRX returned -0.83%/yr vs 1.59%/yr for MCDWX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MSTRX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for MCDWX.

Performance

MSTRX vs. MCDWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund (MSTRX) and Manning & Napier Credit Series (MCDWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSTRX achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly lower than MCDWX's 0.56% return.

MSTRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: -0.26%
• 6M: -0.06%
• 1Y: 3.55%
• 3Y*: 3.08%
• 5Y*: -0.83%
• 10Y*: —

MCDWX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.56%
• 6M: 0.80%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: 5.54%
• 5Y*: 1.59%
• 10Y*: —

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

MSTRX vs. MCDWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MSTRX Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund	-0.26%	4.87%	1.75%	5.54%	-15.53%	-1.56%	6.56%
MCDWX Manning & Napier Credit Series	0.56%	7.57%	4.13%	7.31%	-11.13%	0.01%	8.77%

Correlation

The correlation between MSTRX and MCDWX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2020	0.88

The correlation between MSTRX and MCDWX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MSTRX vs. MCDWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSTRX

MSTRX Risk / Return Rank: 10
MSTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
MSTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
MSTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
MSTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
MSTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

MCDWX

MCDWX Risk / Return Rank: 41
MCDWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
MCDWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
MCDWX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
MCDWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
MCDWX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

MSTRX vs. MCDWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund (MSTRX) and Manning & Napier Credit Series (MCDWX). 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.

	MSTRX	MCDWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	1.82	-0.87
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	2.64	-1.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.36	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.99	2.52	-1.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.43	8.26	-5.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSTRX vs. MCDWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSTRX Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the MCDWX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSTRX and MCDWX, 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

	MSTRX	MCDWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	1.82	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.14	0.34	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.59	-0.26

Drawdowns

MSTRX vs. MCDWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSTRX drawdown since its inception was -20.97%, which is greater than MCDWX's maximum drawdown of -15.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSTRX and MCDWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSTRX	MCDWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.97%	-15.96%	-5.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.06%	-2.17%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.67%	-4.22%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.77%	-15.96%	-4.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.60%	-0.95%	-5.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-4.15%	-2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.25%	0.66%	+0.59%

Volatility

MSTRX vs. MCDWX - Volatility Comparison

Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund (MSTRX) has a higher volatility of 1.41% compared to Manning & Napier Credit Series (MCDWX) at 1.07%. This indicates that MSTRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MCDWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSTRX	MCDWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.41%	1.07%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.80%	2.17%	+0.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.24%	2.96%	+1.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.25%	4.63%	+1.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.66%	4.38%	+1.28%

MSTRX vs. MCDWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSTRX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than MCDWX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSTRX vs. MCDWX - Dividend Comparison

MSTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, less than MCDWX's 4.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MCDWX Manning & Napier Credit Series	4.47%	4.83%	4.41%	4.48%	3.25%	4.45%	2.57%	0.00%	0.00%
MSTRX Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund	2.60%	2.60%	4.02%	3.42%	2.50%	2.13%	4.93%	5.23%	0.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSTRX and MCDWX in my portfolio?

MSTRX and MCDWX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSTRX or MCDWX?

MSTRX has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to MCDWX (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSTRX dropped -20.97% vs MCDWX's -15.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MCDWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 0.95), 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.