Dividend Investing Ideas Center
Critical Facts You Need to Know About Preferred Stocks
Have you ever wished for the safety of bonds, but the return potential...
Name
As of 11/07/2024Price
Aum/Mkt Cap
YIELD
Exp Ratio
Watchlist
YTD Return
15.4%
1 yr return
27.2%
3 Yr Avg Return
4.1%
5 Yr Avg Return
9.5%
Net Assets
$760 M
Holdings in Top 10
55.8%
Expense Ratio 1.01%
Front Load 5.75%
Deferred Load N/A
Turnover 27.00%
Redemption Fee N/A
Standard (Taxable)
$1,000
IRA
$250
Fund Type
Open End Mutual Fund
Name
As of 11/07/2024Price
Aum/Mkt Cap
YIELD
Exp Ratio
Watchlist
The fund is designed to provide diversification among different asset classes for investors with the approximate retirement year in the fund's name. MFS (Massachusetts Financial Services Company, the fund's investment adviser) invests substantially all of the fund's assets in other MFS mutual funds, referred to as underlying funds.
MFS selects the asset class allocations based on a strategic asset allocation process that takes into account a variety of factors, including historical risk and performance, projected performance, and other factors. MFS’ analyses of projected performance are primarily based on quantitative models using various inputs such as valuation metrics, growth rates, profitability, yields, and inflation. MFS may also consider current market conditions, its qualitative assessment of the risk/return characteristics of asset classes, and other factors in determining these allocations.
MFS employs the strategic asset allocation process described above to determine the amount of the fund's assets invested in (1) underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities (“Equity Funds”) and underlying funds that provide exposure to less traditional asset classes, such as real estate and commodities (“Non-Traditional Funds”) and (2) underlying funds that invest primarily in debt instruments (“Bond Funds”) and an underlying fund that invests in cash and/or cash equivalents (“Money Market Fund”).
MFS selects the underlying funds within each asset class based on underlying fund classifications, historical risk, historical and projected performance of the represented asset classes, as well as other factors.
Within the Equity Fund allocation, MFS seeks to diversify by geography (by including domestic and international underlying funds), in terms of market capitalization (by including large, mid, and small capitalization underlying funds) and by style (by including both growth and value underlying funds). A portion of the fund’s assets is also allocated to Non-Traditional Funds (i.e., asset classes less correlated to the overall equity and debt markets), which MFS believes provides further diversification benefits.
Within the Bond Fund allocation, MFS includes underlying funds with varying degrees of geographic, interest rate and credit exposure, including exposure to below investment grade quality debt instruments. A portion of the fund’s assets may also be allocated to the Money Market Fund.
MFS normally invests the underlying funds’ assets across different industries, sectors, countries, and regions, but MFS may invest a significant percentage of the underlying funds' assets in issuers in a single industry, sector, country, or region.
As of August 1, 2024, the fund’s approximate long-term strategic allocation among asset classes was:
Equity Funds and Non-Traditional Funds | 82% |
Bond Funds and Money Market Fund | 18% |
All percentages are rounded to the nearest percent.
MFS may deviate from the long-term strategic allocations set forth above; however, any deviation from the long-term strategic allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10% under normal market conditions. At no time, however, will the fund’s investments in Equity Funds and Non-Traditional Funds exceed 99%. Additionally, the fund’s allocation to Non-Traditional Funds will not typically exceed 20% of the fund’s assets.
As of August 1, 2024, the fund’s approximate strategic allocation among asset classes was:
Equity Funds and Non-Traditional Funds | 81.7% |
U.S. Equity Funds | 52.6% |
International Equity Funds | 20.9% |
Non-Traditional Funds | 8.2% |
Bond Funds and Money Market Fund | 18.3% |
Bond Funds | 18.3% |
Money Market Fund | 0.0% |
All percentages are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. As a result, the sum of the asset class allocations presented in the table may not total 100%.
The asset class allocations for the fund, as well as the underlying funds and their weightings, are based on an allocation strategy designed for investors with the approximate retirement year in the fund’s name. Investors should also consider their age, personal circumstances, risk tolerance, and overall investment strategy and allocation. The asset allocation strategy will become increasingly
conservative over time, shifting more weight from Equity Funds and Non-Traditional Funds to Bond Funds and the Money Market Fund.
Upon reaching its stated target year, the fund’s allocation strategy will be aligned with the allocation strategy of MFS Lifetime Income Fund. It is expected that the fund will be combined with MFS Lifetime Income Fund within five years of the date that its asset allocation strategy matches the asset allocation strategy of MFS Lifetime Income Fund. MFS Lifetime Income Fund is designed for investors who intend to withdraw assets over an extended period of time or who want an investment with an asset allocation mix similar to MFS Lifetime Income Fund's long-term strategic asset allocation. The chart below illustrates how the asset allocation strategy of the fund will change over time.
Period | MLFAX Return | Category Return Low | Category Return High | Rank in Category (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
YTD | 15.4% | 10.7% | 23.3% | 66.67% |
1 Yr | 27.2% | 20.7% | 32.8% | 52.91% |
3 Yr | 4.1%* | -1.3% | 6.2% | 30.85% |
5 Yr | 9.5%* | 6.0% | 11.3% | 40.12% |
10 Yr | 8.7%* | 5.6% | 9.6% | 17.48% |
* Annualized
Period | MLFAX Return | Category Return Low | Category Return High | Rank in Category (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 12.2% | 9.0% | 18.3% | 81.91% |
2022 | -20.6% | -60.3% | -15.8% | 30.32% |
2021 | 9.1% | -6.3% | 17.5% | 36.31% |
2020 | 9.7% | 3.3% | 14.9% | 64.07% |
2019 | 19.1% | 6.0% | 22.6% | 26.25% |
Period | MLFAX Return | Category Return Low | Category Return High | Rank in Category (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
YTD | 15.4% | 10.7% | 23.3% | 66.67% |
1 Yr | 27.2% | 20.7% | 32.8% | 52.91% |
3 Yr | 4.1%* | -1.3% | 6.2% | 30.85% |
5 Yr | 9.5%* | 6.0% | 11.3% | 40.12% |
10 Yr | 8.7%* | 5.6% | 9.6% | 17.48% |
* Annualized
Period | MLFAX Return | Category Return Low | Category Return High | Rank in Category (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 16.0% | 11.9% | 37.9% | 87.23% |
2022 | -15.5% | -29.4% | -2.8% | 17.02% |
2021 | 18.6% | 8.3% | 22.1% | 6.70% |
2020 | 12.9% | 8.2% | 22.1% | 85.63% |
2019 | 25.9% | 19.6% | 40.1% | 30.00% |
MLFAX | Category Low | Category High | MLFAX % Rank | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Net Assets | 760 M | 7.77 M | 82.6 B | 53.44% |
Number of Holdings | 28 | 3 | 590 | 21.16% |
Net Assets in Top 10 | 440 M | 7.3 M | 87 B | 58.20% |
Weighting of Top 10 | 55.79% | 41.1% | 139.0% | 95.72% |
Weighting | Return Low | Return High | MLFAX % Rank | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stocks | 97.62% | 0.00% | 100.25% | 70.90% |
Cash | 2.38% | 0.00% | 40.33% | 6.88% |
Convertible Bonds | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.98% | 42.86% |
Preferred Stocks | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% | 35.45% |
Other | 0.00% | -0.02% | 3.30% | 54.50% |
Bonds | 0.00% | 0.00% | 16.22% | 53.44% |
Weighting | Return Low | Return High | MLFAX % Rank | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Technology | 17.92% | 13.94% | 24.03% | 67.72% |
Financial Services | 14.16% | 13.11% | 18.83% | 72.49% |
Healthcare | 12.10% | 10.75% | 14.53% | 67.20% |
Industrials | 11.90% | 9.02% | 12.29% | 10.58% |
Consumer Cyclical | 10.37% | 8.05% | 13.32% | 78.84% |
Real Estate | 8.89% | 1.87% | 10.11% | 7.41% |
Consumer Defense | 6.96% | 4.68% | 11.06% | 26.98% |
Communication Services | 5.79% | 5.69% | 10.24% | 94.18% |
Basic Materials | 5.16% | 3.14% | 6.86% | 26.98% |
Energy | 3.82% | 2.33% | 6.31% | 73.02% |
Utilities | 2.93% | 1.90% | 8.13% | 32.80% |
Weighting | Return Low | Return High | MLFAX % Rank | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US | 97.62% | 0.00% | 100.25% | 70.90% |
Non US | 0.00% | 0.00% | 31.64% | 38.62% |
MLFAX Fees (% of AUM) | Category Return Low | Category Return High | Rank in Category (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Expense Ratio | 1.01% | 0.01% | 6.94% | 34.92% |
Management Fee | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.87% | 11.83% |
12b-1 Fee | 0.25% | 0.00% | 1.00% | 37.89% |
Administrative Fee | N/A | 0.01% | 0.29% | N/A |
MLFAX Fees (% of AUM) | Category Return Low | Category Return High | Rank in Category (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Front Load | 5.75% | 3.50% | 5.75% | 19.05% |
Deferred Load | N/A | 1.00% | 4.00% | N/A |
MLFAX Fees (% of AUM) | Category Return Low | Category Return High | Rank in Category (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Max Redemption Fee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Turnover provides investors a proxy for the trading fees incurred by mutual fund managers who frequently adjust position allocations. Higher turnover means higher trading fees.
MLFAX Fees (% of AUM) | Category Return Low | Category Return High | Rank in Category (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Turnover | 27.00% | 2.00% | 112.00% | 66.08% |
MLFAX | Category Low | Category High | MLFAX % Rank | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 0.00% | 8.83% | 74.07% |
MLFAX | Category Low | Category High | Category Mod | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dividend Distribution Frequency | Annual | Annual | Quarterly | Annual |
MLFAX | Category Low | Category High | MLFAX % Rank | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Net Income Ratio | 1.21% | -0.21% | 4.18% | 53.80% |
MLFAX | Category Low | Category High | Capital Mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Capital Gain Distribution Frequency | Annually | Annually | Semi-Monthly | Annually |
Date | Amount | Type |
---|---|---|
Dec 27, 2023 | $0.311 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 27, 2023 | $0.298 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 28, 2022 | $0.388 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 28, 2022 | $0.007 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 28, 2022 | $0.626 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 28, 2021 | $0.974 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 28, 2021 | $0.112 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 28, 2021 | $0.676 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 29, 2020 | $0.527 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 26, 2019 | $0.304 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 26, 2019 | $0.086 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 26, 2019 | $0.566 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 27, 2018 | $0.046 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 27, 2018 | $0.434 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 27, 2018 | $0.357 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 27, 2017 | $0.054 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 27, 2017 | $0.129 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 27, 2017 | $0.364 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 28, 2016 | $0.108 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 28, 2016 | $0.677 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 28, 2016 | $0.153 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 29, 2015 | $0.015 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 29, 2015 | $0.288 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 29, 2015 | $0.165 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 30, 2014 | $0.006 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 30, 2014 | $0.023 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 30, 2014 | $0.206 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 30, 2013 | $0.168 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 28, 2012 | $0.128 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 28, 2011 | $0.176 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 29, 2010 | $0.140 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 29, 2009 | $0.173 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 29, 2008 | $0.094 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 29, 2008 | $0.145 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 31, 2007 | $0.495 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 31, 2007 | $0.175 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 28, 2006 | $0.001 | CapitalGainShortTerm |
Dec 28, 2006 | $0.048 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Dec 28, 2006 | $0.088 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 30, 2005 | $0.155 | OrdinaryDividend |
Dec 30, 2005 | $0.008 | CapitalGainLongTerm |
Start Date
Tenure
Tenure Rank
Sep 29, 2005
16.68
16.7%
Joseph C. Flaherty, Jr., is an investment officer and chief investment risk officer at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). He serves as the director of the MFS' Quantitative Solutions group and is a portfolio manager of the firm's asset allocation portfolios. Joe joined MFS as a fixed-income quantitative research associate in 1993 and was named quantitative research analyst in 1996. He became manager of the Quantitative Research Group and portfolio manager in 1999, director of Fixed Income Quantitative Research in 2004, and director of the Quantitative Solutions Team in 2005.
Start Date
Tenure
Tenure Rank
Sep 01, 2018
3.75
3.8%
Natalie I. Shapiro, Ph.D. is an Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager and Quantitative Fixed Income Research Analyst at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). Prior to joining MFS in 1997, Natalie served as a research associate for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Natalie has earned a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.
Category Low | Category High | Category Average | Category Mode |
---|---|---|---|
0.08 | 17.59 | 5.83 | 2.41 |
Dividend Investing Ideas Center
Have you ever wished for the safety of bonds, but the return potential...
Dividend Investing Ideas Center
If you are reaching retirement age, there is a good chance that you...
Dividend Investing Ideas Center
If you are reaching retirement age, there is a good chance that you...