BIGZ vs. MRK

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Blackrock Innovation & Growth Trust (BIGZ) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK).

Performance

BIGZ vs. MRK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Blackrock Innovation & Growth Trust (BIGZ) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BIGZ vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BIGZ Blackrock Innovation & Growth Trust	5.08%	0.86%	13.42%	19.29%	-47.76%	-24.45%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.	15.65%	9.79%	-6.26%	1.01%	49.42%	6.62%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIGZ achieves a 5.08% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 15.65% return.

BIGZ

• 1D: 2.42%
• 1M: 1.43%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 3.51%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: -11.24%
• 10Y*: —

MRK

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 15.65%
• 6M: 36.22%
• 1Y: 43.74%
• 3Y*: 7.58%
• 5Y*: 13.97%
• 10Y*: 12.36%

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

Return for Risk

BIGZ vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIGZ

BIGZ Risk / Return Rank: 66
BIGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
BIGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
BIGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 59
BIGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
BIGZ Martin Ratio Rank: 70

MRK

MRK Risk / Return Rank: 81
MRK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
MRK Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
MRK Omega Ratio Rank: 78
MRK Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
MRK Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

BIGZ vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Blackrock Innovation & Growth Trust (BIGZ) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK). 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.

	BIGZ	MRK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.76	1.52	-0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	2.17	-0.88
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.28	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.54	2.52	-0.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.70	6.65	-2.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIGZ vs. MRK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIGZ Sharpe Ratio is 0.76, which is lower than the MRK Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIGZ and MRK, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BIGZ	MRK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76	1.52	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.38	0.60	-0.98
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.37	0.49	-0.85

Correlation

The correlation between BIGZ and MRK is 0.07, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

BIGZ vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison

BIGZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.83%, more than MRK's 2.75% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIGZ Blackrock Innovation & Growth Trust	11.83%	13.68%	11.21%	10.45%	14.54%	4.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.	2.75%	3.12%	3.14%	2.72%	2.52%	3.41%	3.03%	2.48%	2.60%	3.36%	3.14%	3.43%

Drawdowns

BIGZ vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIGZ drawdown since its inception was -67.27%, roughly equal to the maximum MRK drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIGZ and MRK.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIGZ	MRK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.27%	-68.61%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.99%	-15.16%	+1.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.27%	-43.44%	-23.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.68%	-3.60%	-47.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-49.89%	-18.88%	-31.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.83%	5.94%	-0.11%

Volatility

BIGZ vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison

Blackrock Innovation & Growth Trust (BIGZ) has a higher volatility of 9.78% compared to Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) at 5.70%. This indicates that BIGZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MRK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIGZ	MRK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.78%	5.70%	+4.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.29%	18.76%	-0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.83%	29.07%	-1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.52%	23.30%	+6.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.48%	22.68%	+6.80%

Financials