ARBFX vs. BALPX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ARBFX (The Arbitrage Fund) and BALPX (BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A) are both Event Driven funds. Over the past 10 years, ARBFX returned 3.27%/yr vs 5.72%/yr for BALPX. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARBFX charges 1.43%/yr vs 1.51%/yr for BALPX.

Performance

ARBFX vs. BALPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Arbitrage Fund (ARBFX) and BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A (BALPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARBFX achieves a 1.34% return, which is significantly lower than BALPX's 2.13% return. Over the past 10 years, ARBFX has underperformed BALPX with an annualized return of 3.27%, while BALPX has yielded a comparatively higher 5.72% annualized return.

ARBFX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.34%
• 6M: 1.34%
• 1Y: 6.09%
• 3Y*: 6.49%
• 5Y*: 3.04%
• 10Y*: 3.27%

BALPX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 2.13%
• 6M: 2.13%
• 1Y: 5.71%
• 3Y*: 6.74%
• 5Y*: 3.60%
• 10Y*: 5.72%

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

ARBFX vs. BALPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARBFX The Arbitrage Fund	1.34%	8.01%	2.61%	5.94%	-1.02%	0.85%	5.42%	3.57%	2.12%	2.59%
BALPX BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A	2.13%	8.19%	3.98%	5.15%	-0.25%	1.61%	6.03%	7.16%	5.12%	6.88%

Correlation

The correlation between ARBFX and BALPX is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2007	0.49

The correlation between ARBFX and BALPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (all time) to 0.68 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ARBFX vs. BALPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARBFX

ARBFX Risk / Return Rank: 97
ARBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
ARBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
ARBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
ARBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
ARBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

BALPX

BALPX Risk / Return Rank: 74
BALPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
BALPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
BALPX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
BALPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
BALPX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

ARBFX vs. BALPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Arbitrage Fund (ARBFX) and BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A (BALPX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ARBFX	BALPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.31	2.10	+1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.76	3.27	+2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.77	1.41	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.00	3.94	+3.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.88	15.02	+15.86

ARBFX vs. BALPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARBFX Sharpe Ratio is 3.31, which is higher than the BALPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARBFX and BALPX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ARBFX vs. BALPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARBFX drawdown since its inception was -38.01%, smaller than the maximum BALPX drawdown of -47.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARBFX and BALPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARBFX	BALPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.01%	-47.69%	+9.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.88%	-1.51%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.26%	-3.30%	+1.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.79%	-4.74%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.90%	-11.54%	-0.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.36%	-5.63%	+3.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.20%	0.40%	-0.20%

Volatility

ARBFX vs. BALPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Arbitrage Fund (ARBFX) is 0.49%, while BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A (BALPX) has a volatility of 0.80%. This indicates that ARBFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BALPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARBFX	BALPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	0.80%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.15%	2.09%	-0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87%	2.84%	-0.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.65%	4.07%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.42%	5.49%	-1.07%

ARBFX vs. BALPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARBFX has a 1.43% expense ratio, which is lower than BALPX's 1.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARBFX vs. BALPX - Dividend Comparison

ARBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.54%, less than BALPX's 4.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARBFX The Arbitrage Fund	3.54%	3.59%	0.94%	1.92%	3.67%	0.53%	6.94%	2.12%	1.71%	3.55%	0.96%	2.36%
BALPX BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A	4.09%	4.18%	3.88%	1.93%	2.55%	2.57%	3.01%	3.35%	1.84%	5.02%	9.00%	77.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARBFX and BALPX in my portfolio?

ARBFX and BALPX have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARBFX or BALPX?

BALPX has higher volatility (0.80%) compared to ARBFX (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARBFX dropped -38.01% vs BALPX's -47.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.31 vs 2.10), 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.