TGFRX vs. MEFAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TGFRX (Tanaka Growth Fund) and MEFAX (MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, TGFRX returned 15.75%/yr vs 10.34%/yr for MEFAX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TGFRX charges 2.19%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for MEFAX.

Performance

TGFRX vs. MEFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Tanaka Growth Fund (TGFRX) and MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund (MEFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TGFRX achieves a 19.04% return, which is significantly higher than MEFAX's 5.52% return. Over the past 10 years, TGFRX has outperformed MEFAX with an annualized return of 15.75%, while MEFAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.34% annualized return.

TGFRX

• 1D: 2.36%
• 1M: 3.94%
• YTD: 19.04%
• 6M: 12.35%
• 1Y: 61.44%
• 3Y*: 35.68%
• 5Y*: 16.46%
• 10Y*: 15.75%

MEFAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 3.55%
• YTD: 5.52%
• 6M: 4.60%
• 1Y: 11.13%
• 3Y*: 10.06%
• 5Y*: 3.32%
• 10Y*: 10.34%

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

TGFRX vs. MEFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TGFRX Tanaka Growth Fund	19.04%	39.56%	17.98%	50.24%	-22.62%	26.54%	50.87%	18.78%	-25.18%	7.28%
MEFAX MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund	5.52%	3.19%	10.80%	19.11%	-24.58%	13.75%	25.52%	40.75%	-3.88%	24.12%

Correlation

The correlation between TGFRX and MEFAX is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2000	0.81

The correlation between TGFRX and MEFAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TGFRX vs. MEFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TGFRX

TGFRX Risk / Return Rank: 54
TGFRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
TGFRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
TGFRX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
TGFRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
TGFRX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

MEFAX

MEFAX Risk / Return Rank: 12
MEFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
MEFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
MEFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
MEFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
MEFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

TGFRX vs. MEFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tanaka Growth Fund (TGFRX) and MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund (MEFAX). 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.

	TGFRX	MEFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	0.85	+1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	1.31	+1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.15	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.93	1.19	+2.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.08	4.35	+5.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TGFRX vs. MEFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TGFRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the MEFAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TGFRX and MEFAX, 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

	TGFRX	MEFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	0.85	+1.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.12	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.43	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.39	-0.16

Drawdowns

TGFRX vs. MEFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TGFRX drawdown since its inception was -74.43%, which is greater than MEFAX's maximum drawdown of -56.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TGFRX and MEFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TGFRX	MEFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.43%	-56.04%	-18.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.01%	-10.45%	-5.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-61.68%	-34.46%	-27.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.68%	-45.14%	-16.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.68%	-45.14%	-16.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.79%	-14.03%	-12.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.60%	-11.43%	-18.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.24%	2.85%	+3.39%

Volatility

TGFRX vs. MEFAX - Volatility Comparison

Tanaka Growth Fund (TGFRX) has a higher volatility of 8.70% compared to MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund (MEFAX) at 3.87%. This indicates that TGFRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MEFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TGFRX	MEFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.70%	3.87%	+4.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.39%	11.26%	+11.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.27%	14.63%	+14.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	62.01%	27.46%	+34.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.36%	23.93%	+23.43%

TGFRX vs. MEFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TGFRX has a 2.19% expense ratio, which is higher than MEFAX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

TGFRX vs. MEFAX - Dividend Comparison

TGFRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.94%, less than MEFAX's 32.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MEFAX MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund	32.37%	34.16%	21.40%	7.62%	20.71%	29.49%	6.92%	12.81%	12.06%	7.66%	5.32%	10.27%
TGFRX Tanaka Growth Fund	10.94%	13.02%	6.89%	0.00%	0.11%	7.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TGFRX and MEFAX in my portfolio?

TGFRX and MEFAX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TGFRX or MEFAX?

TGFRX has higher volatility (8.70%) compared to MEFAX (3.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TGFRX dropped -74.43% vs MEFAX's -56.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TGFRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 0.85), 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.