The Merger Fund (MERFX) Alternatives
The Merger Fund (MERFX) belongs to the Event Driven category. Below you'll find alternative mutual funds from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with MERFX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to MERFX
MERFX charges 1.50% annually. Among mutual funds in the Event Driven category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among MERFX alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli ABC Fund | 0.79% | May 13, 1993 | MERFX vs GABCX | |
| Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund | 1.01% | Feb 27, 2001 | MERFX vs EMAYX | |
| BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund | 1.16% | Dec 18, 2007 | MERFX vs BILPX | |
| The Merger Fund Class I | 1.32% | Aug 1, 2013 | MERFX vs MERIX | |
| The Arbitrage Fund | 1.43% | Sep 17, 2000 | MERFX vs ARBFX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MERFX
Among mutual funds in the Event Driven category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Merger Fund Class I | 99 | Aug 1, 2013 | MERFX vs MERIX | |
| Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I | 99 | Oct 1, 2015 | MERFX vs VARBX | |
| NexPoint Merger Arbitrage Fund | 99 | Aug 18, 2016 | MERFX vs HMEZX | |
| Dunham Monthly Distribution Fund | 98 | Jul 31, 2008 | MERFX vs DAMDX | |
| The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional | 97 | Oct 17, 2003 | MERFX vs ARBNX |
Top Performing MERFX Alternatives (YTD)
MERFX alternatives from the Event Driven category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund | 2.42% | Feb 27, 2001 | MERFX vs EMAYX | |
| Camelot Event-Driven Fund Institutional Class | 1.36% | Jun 7, 2010 | MERFX vs EVDIX | |
| Camelot Event Driven Fund Class A | 1.30% | Nov 21, 2003 | MERFX vs EVDAX | |
| Gabelli ABC Fund | 1.20% | May 13, 1993 | MERFX vs GABCX | |
| Dunham Monthly Distribution Fund | 1.02% | Jul 31, 2008 | MERFX vs DAMDX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MERFX
MERFX alternatives from the Event Driven category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I | 1.35% | Oct 1, 2015 | MERFX vs VARBX | |
| The Merger Fund Class I | 1.51% | Aug 1, 2013 | MERFX vs MERIX | |
| NexPoint Merger Arbitrage Fund | 1.61% | Aug 18, 2016 | MERFX vs HMEZX | |
| Virtus Westchester Credit Event Fund | 2.21% | Dec 28, 2017 | MERFX vs WCFRX | |
| The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional | 2.43% | Oct 17, 2003 | MERFX vs ARBNX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MERFX
MERFX alternatives from the Event Driven category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Merger Fund Class I | -0.47% | Aug 1, 2013 | MERFX vs MERIX | |
| Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I | -0.64% | Oct 1, 2015 | MERFX vs VARBX | |
| NexPoint Merger Arbitrage Fund | -1.06% | Aug 18, 2016 | MERFX vs HMEZX | |
| Dunham Monthly Distribution Fund | -1.56% | Jul 31, 2008 | MERFX vs DAMDX | |
| The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional | -1.74% | Oct 17, 2003 | MERFX vs ARBNX |
Other Mutual Funds from Virtus
Most popular Virtus mutual funds on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opport... | Technology Equities | 38 | 0.42% | Oct 29, 2019 | MERFX vs AIO | |
| Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund | Mid Cap Growth Equities | 8 | -0.51% | Oct 18, 1996 | MERFX vs PKSFX | |
| Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund | Mid Cap Growth Equities | 1 | -8.94% | Mar 7, 2018 | MERFX vs VKSIX | |
| Virtus Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund | Bank Loan | 94 | -0.19% | Feb 28, 2006 | MERFX vs SAMBX | |
| Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund | Mid Cap Growth Equities | 4 | -6.62% | Jun 22, 2009 | MERFX vs VIMCX | |
| Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund | Small Cap Growth Equities | 0 | -12.20% | Jun 28, 2006 | MERFX vs PXSGX | |
| Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund | Large Cap Growth Equities | 3 | -16.13% | Oct 16, 1995 | MERFX vs PSTAX | |
| Virtus Silvant Large-Cap Growth Stock Fund | Large Cap Growth Equities | 23 | -14.37% | Jun 9, 1992 | MERFX vs STCIX | |
| Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund | REIT | 11 | 2.88% | Mar 1, 1995 | MERFX vs PHRAX | |
| Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund | Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities | 3 | -8.80% | Sep 4, 2012 | MERFX vs VIISX |
Often Compared With MERFX
What investors most often compare with MERFX, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare MERFX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MERFX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.