MWCIX vs. MWSTX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MWCIX (Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund) and MWSTX (Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund) are both Nontraditional Bonds funds from Metropolitan West Funds. Over the past 10 years, MWCIX returned 2.87%/yr vs 2.89%/yr for MWSTX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MWCIX charges 0.76%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for MWSTX.

Performance

MWCIX vs. MWSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund (MWCIX) and Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund (MWSTX). 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 MWCIX having a 1.41% return and MWSTX slightly higher at 1.46%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MWCIX having a 2.87% annualized return and MWSTX not far ahead at 2.89%.

MWCIX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.41%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 6.28%
• 3Y*: 5.92%
• 5Y*: 2.01%
• 10Y*: 2.87%

MWSTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.46%
• 6M: 1.78%
• 1Y: 5.86%
• 3Y*: 5.87%
• 5Y*: 2.12%
• 10Y*: 2.89%

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

MWCIX vs. MWSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MWCIX Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund	1.41%	7.50%	5.40%	6.07%	-9.39%	0.65%	4.54%	6.49%	1.11%	3.98%
MWSTX Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund	1.46%	6.93%	5.17%	7.39%	-9.59%	1.18%	4.92%	5.84%	1.03%	3.81%

Correlation

The correlation between MWCIX and MWSTX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2011	0.70

The correlation between MWCIX and MWSTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (all time) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MWCIX vs. MWSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MWCIX

MWCIX Risk / Return Rank: 83
MWCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
MWCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
MWCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
MWCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
MWCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

MWSTX

MWSTX Risk / Return Rank: 81
MWSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
MWSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
MWSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
MWSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
MWSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

MWCIX vs. MWSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund (MWCIX) and Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund (MWSTX). 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.

	MWCIX	MWSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.31	+0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.44	4.04	+0.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.56	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.94	4.24	-0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.54	16.83	-0.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MWCIX vs. MWSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MWCIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the MWSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MWCIX and MWSTX, 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

	MWCIX	MWSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.31	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.55	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	0.84	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.47	0.93	+0.54

Drawdowns

MWCIX vs. MWSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MWCIX drawdown since its inception was -13.00%, smaller than the maximum MWSTX drawdown of -37.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MWCIX and MWSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MWCIX	MWSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.00%	-37.03%	+24.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.62%	-1.45%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.33%	-3.12%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.00%	-13.75%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.00%	-13.75%	+0.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.50%	-3.08%	+1.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.39%	0.36%	+0.03%

Volatility

MWCIX vs. MWSTX - Volatility Comparison

Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund (MWCIX) has a higher volatility of 0.88% compared to Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund (MWSTX) at 0.78%. This indicates that MWCIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MWSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MWCIX	MWSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	0.78%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.93%	1.89%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51%	2.55%	-0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.63%	3.88%	-0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.16%	3.43%	-0.27%

MWCIX vs. MWSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MWCIX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is lower than MWSTX's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

MWCIX vs. MWSTX - Dividend Comparison

MWCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.42%, which matches MWSTX's 5.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MWCIX Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund	5.42%	5.26%	5.93%	4.87%	3.50%	3.39%	3.46%	3.89%	3.77%	2.81%	3.22%	2.15%
MWSTX Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund	5.38%	5.69%	6.19%	6.26%	8.59%	7.70%	5.45%	4.14%	4.23%	3.48%	4.24%	2.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MWCIX and MWSTX in my portfolio?

MWCIX and MWSTX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MWCIX or MWSTX?

MWCIX has higher volatility (0.88%) compared to MWSTX (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MWCIX dropped -13.00% vs MWSTX's -37.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MWCIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.31), 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.