VTV vs. MSFRX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VTV (Vanguard Value ETF) and MSFRX (MFS Total Return Fund) are both funds - VTV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Value Index, while MSFRX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by MFS. Over the past 10 years, VTV returned 12.42%/yr vs 7.96%/yr for MSFRX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for MSFRX.

Performance

VTV vs. MSFRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) and MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTV achieves a 11.91% return, which is significantly higher than MSFRX's 3.29% return. Over the past 10 years, VTV has outperformed MSFRX with an annualized return of 12.42%, while MSFRX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.96% annualized return.

VTV

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 11.91%
• 6M: 13.41%
• 1Y: 25.49%
• 3Y*: 17.72%
• 5Y*: 11.30%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

MSFRX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 3.29%
• 6M: 4.86%
• 1Y: 11.70%
• 3Y*: 12.50%
• 5Y*: 6.28%
• 10Y*: 7.96%

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

VTV vs. MSFRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	11.91%	15.27%	15.95%	9.32%	-2.09%	26.53%	2.33%	25.66%	-5.47%	17.15%
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	3.29%	10.98%	14.73%	10.34%	-9.70%	14.00%	9.72%	20.20%	-5.80%	12.18%

Correlation

The correlation between VTV and MSFRX is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.94

The correlation between VTV and MSFRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTV vs. MSFRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTV

VTV Risk / Return Rank: 84
VTV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VTV Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VTV Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VTV Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VTV Martin Ratio Rank: 83

MSFRX

MSFRX Risk / Return Rank: 42
MSFRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
MSFRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
MSFRX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
MSFRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
MSFRX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

VTV vs. MSFRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) and MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX). 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.

	VTV	MSFRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	1.79	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	2.72	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.33	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.03	2.45	+1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.20	7.28	+7.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTV vs. MSFRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTV Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the MSFRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTV and MSFRX, 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

	VTV	MSFRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	1.79	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.65	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.76	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.65	-0.14

Drawdowns

VTV vs. MSFRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTV drawdown since its inception was -59.27%, which is greater than MSFRX's maximum drawdown of -37.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTV and MSFRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTV	MSFRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.27%	-37.28%	-21.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.35%	-4.96%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.52%	-8.56%	-5.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.04%	-17.02%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.78%	-24.70%	-12.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-1.86%	+0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-5.00%	-2.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.68%	1.67%	+0.01%

Volatility

VTV vs. MSFRX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) has a higher volatility of 2.65% compared to MFS Total Return Fund (MSFRX) at 1.78%. This indicates that VTV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MSFRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTV	MSFRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	1.78%	+0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.67%	4.93%	+2.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.18%	6.78%	+3.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.89%	9.74%	+4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.68%	10.45%	+6.23%

VTV vs. MSFRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTV has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than MSFRX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTV vs. MSFRX - Dividend Comparison

VTV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, less than MSFRX's 8.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSFRX MFS Total Return Fund	8.77%	8.93%	14.87%	6.19%	5.38%	8.33%	6.93%	3.22%	4.99%	5.67%	3.54%	5.55%
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	1.87%	2.05%	2.31%	2.46%	2.52%	2.15%	2.56%	2.50%	2.73%	2.29%	2.44%	2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTV and MSFRX in my portfolio?

VTV and MSFRX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTV or MSFRX?

VTV has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to MSFRX (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTV dropped -59.27% vs MSFRX's -37.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.79), 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.