NRIIX vs. MFWTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NRIIX (Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund) and MFWTX (MFS Global Total Return Fund) are both Global Allocation funds. Over the past 10 years, NRIIX returned 5.77%/yr vs 6.33%/yr for MFWTX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NRIIX charges 0.91%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for MFWTX.

Performance

NRIIX vs. MFWTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX) and MFS Global Total Return Fund (MFWTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with NRIIX having a 5.54% return and MFWTX slightly lower at 5.42%. Over the past 10 years, NRIIX has underperformed MFWTX with an annualized return of 5.77%, while MFWTX has yielded a comparatively higher 6.33% annualized return.

NRIIX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: 5.54%
• 6M: 6.64%
• 1Y: 12.00%
• 3Y*: 11.05%
• 5Y*: 4.98%
• 10Y*: 5.77%

MFWTX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 6M: 6.68%
• 1Y: 14.11%
• 3Y*: 10.76%
• 5Y*: 4.75%
• 10Y*: 6.33%

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

NRIIX vs. MFWTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NRIIX Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund	5.54%	12.55%	7.56%	10.38%	-11.50%	10.58%	-3.45%	22.74%	-6.10%	12.39%
MFWTX MFS Global Total Return Fund	5.42%	15.48%	3.92%	10.29%	-10.86%	8.31%	9.35%	18.25%	-7.19%	14.77%

Correlation

The correlation between NRIIX and MFWTX 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	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2011	0.79

The correlation between NRIIX and MFWTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.83 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NRIIX vs. MFWTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NRIIX

NRIIX Risk / Return Rank: 48
NRIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
NRIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
NRIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
NRIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
NRIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

MFWTX

MFWTX Risk / Return Rank: 38
MFWTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
MFWTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
MFWTX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
MFWTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
MFWTX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

NRIIX vs. MFWTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX) and MFS Global Total Return Fund (MFWTX). 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.

	NRIIX	MFWTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.90	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	2.77	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.35	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.09	+0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.98	7.44	+2.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NRIIX vs. MFWTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NRIIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the MFWTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NRIIX and MFWTX, 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

	NRIIX	MFWTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	1.90	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.52	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.66	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.84	-0.08

Drawdowns

NRIIX vs. MFWTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NRIIX drawdown since its inception was -37.35%, which is greater than MFWTX's maximum drawdown of -33.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NRIIX and MFWTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NRIIX	MFWTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.35%	-33.22%	-4.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.90%	-6.72%	+1.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.02%	-8.68%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.44%	-20.36%	+1.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.35%	-23.37%	-13.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-0.98%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.65%	-3.55%	-0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.20%	1.88%	-0.68%

Volatility

NRIIX vs. MFWTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX) is 1.64%, while MFS Global Total Return Fund (MFWTX) has a volatility of 2.14%. This indicates that NRIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFWTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NRIIX	MFWTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.64%	2.14%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.53%	5.68%	-1.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.77%	7.40%	-1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.40%	9.13%	-0.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.23%	9.62%	+0.61%

NRIIX vs. MFWTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NRIIX has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is lower than MFWTX's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NRIIX vs. MFWTX - Dividend Comparison

NRIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.24%, less than MFWTX's 7.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFWTX MFS Global Total Return Fund	7.98%	8.42%	8.94%	3.69%	2.64%	10.29%	7.20%	4.41%	3.33%	2.17%	1.13%	4.29%
NRIIX Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund	6.24%	6.71%	5.39%	6.70%	5.81%	4.34%	4.63%	5.99%	5.82%	5.73%	5.47%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NRIIX and MFWTX in my portfolio?

NRIIX and MFWTX 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, NRIIX or MFWTX?

MFWTX has higher volatility (2.14%) compared to NRIIX (1.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NRIIX dropped -37.35% vs MFWTX's -33.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NRIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.90), 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.