MTLFX vs. DCARX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MTLFX (MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund) and DCARX (DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, MTLFX returned 1.75%/yr vs 2.55%/yr for DCARX. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MTLFX charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DCARX.

Performance

MTLFX vs. DCARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund (MTLFX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MTLFX achieves a 0.91% return, which is significantly lower than DCARX's 2.03% return.

MTLFX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 0.91%
• 6M: 1.30%
• 1Y: 4.83%
• 3Y*: 4.60%
• 5Y*: 1.75%
• 10Y*: 2.10%

DCARX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.07%
• 1Y: 3.47%
• 3Y*: 3.27%
• 5Y*: 2.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

MTLFX vs. DCARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MTLFX MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund	0.91%	6.04%	3.41%	4.36%	-5.65%	0.70%	3.27%	5.50%	1.28%	0.72%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	2.03%	2.64%	3.16%	2.63%	-1.06%	6.21%	2.35%	5.08%	-0.46%	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between MTLFX and DCARX is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2017	0.24

The correlation between MTLFX and DCARX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.24 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MTLFX vs. DCARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MTLFX

MTLFX Risk / Return Rank: 67
MTLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
MTLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
MTLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
MTLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
MTLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

DCARX

DCARX Risk / Return Rank: 96
DCARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DCARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DCARX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

MTLFX vs. DCARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund (MTLFX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). 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.

	MTLFX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	3.27	-0.64
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.26	5.44	-1.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.85	1.95	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	7.25	-4.92
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	20.39	-12.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MTLFX vs. DCARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MTLFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the DCARX Sharpe Ratio of 3.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MTLFX and DCARX, 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

	MTLFX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	3.27	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	1.14	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.54	0.96	+0.58

Drawdowns

MTLFX vs. DCARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MTLFX drawdown since its inception was -8.98%, smaller than the maximum DCARX drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MTLFX and DCARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MTLFX	DCARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.98%	-12.27%	+3.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.08%	-0.47%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.50%	-1.39%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.66%	-4.79%	-3.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.98%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	0.00%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.88%	-0.74%	-0.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	0.17%	+0.48%

Volatility

MTLFX vs. DCARX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund (MTLFX) has a higher volatility of 0.64% compared to DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX) at 0.44%. This indicates that MTLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DCARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MTLFX	DCARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	0.44%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.45%	0.86%	+0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84%	1.04%	+0.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.24%	2.24%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.51%	2.91%	-0.40%

MTLFX vs. DCARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MTLFX has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DCARX's 0.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

MTLFX vs. DCARX - Dividend Comparison

MTLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.09%, less than DCARX's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.22%	3.11%	3.52%	1.84%	0.90%	0.78%	1.12%	1.43%	1.27%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%
MTLFX MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund	3.09%	4.06%	3.34%	2.32%	1.13%	1.30%	1.75%	2.27%	2.13%	2.07%	1.95%	1.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MTLFX and DCARX in my portfolio?

MTLFX and DCARX have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MTLFX or DCARX?

MTLFX has higher volatility (0.64%) compared to DCARX (0.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MTLFX dropped -8.98% vs DCARX's -12.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DCARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.27 vs 2.63), 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.