BILPX vs. MERIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BILPX (BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund) and MERIX (The Merger Fund Class I) are both Event Driven funds. Over the past 10 years, BILPX returned 5.05%/yr vs 4.21%/yr for MERIX. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BILPX charges 1.16%/yr vs 1.32%/yr for MERIX.

Performance

BILPX vs. MERIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund (BILPX) and The Merger Fund Class I (MERIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BILPX achieves a 2.12% return, which is significantly higher than MERIX's 1.24% return. Over the past 10 years, BILPX has outperformed MERIX with an annualized return of 5.05%, while MERIX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.21% annualized return.

BILPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 2.12%
• 6M: 2.12%
• 1Y: 6.06%
• 3Y*: 6.90%
• 5Y*: 3.87%
• 10Y*: 5.05%

MERIX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 4.97%
• 3Y*: 6.35%
• 5Y*: 3.29%
• 10Y*: 4.21%

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

BILPX vs. MERIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BILPX BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund	2.12%	8.43%	4.37%	5.38%	0.01%	1.95%	6.30%	7.29%	5.47%	7.15%
MERIX The Merger Fund Class I	1.24%	8.41%	3.54%	4.51%	1.01%	0.10%	5.14%	6.32%	7.98%	2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between BILPX and MERIX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2013	0.66

Over the past year, the correlation between BILPX and MERIX has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.66, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BILPX vs. MERIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BILPX

BILPX Risk / Return Rank: 74
BILPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
BILPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
BILPX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
BILPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
BILPX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

MERIX

MERIX Risk / Return Rank: 98
MERIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
MERIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
MERIX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
MERIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
MERIX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

BILPX vs. MERIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund (BILPX) and The Merger Fund Class I (MERIX). 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.

	BILPX	MERIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	3.32	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	6.16	-2.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.80	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	10.67	-6.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.10	45.87	-30.77

BILPX vs. MERIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BILPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is lower than the MERIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BILPX and MERIX, 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

BILPX vs. MERIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BILPX drawdown since its inception was -47.50%, which is greater than MERIX's maximum drawdown of -9.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BILPX and MERIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BILPX	MERIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.50%	-9.33%	-38.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.53%	-0.47%	-1.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.33%	-3.85%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.53%	-4.72%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.58%	-9.33%	-2.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.12%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.51%	-1.02%	-4.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.40%	0.11%	+0.29%

Volatility

BILPX vs. MERIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund (BILPX) has a higher volatility of 0.76% compared to The Merger Fund Class I (MERIX) at 0.70%. This indicates that BILPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MERIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BILPX	MERIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.76%	0.70%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.17%	1.08%	+1.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.92%	1.51%	+1.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.09%	3.64%	+0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.64%	3.84%	+0.80%

BILPX vs. MERIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BILPX has a 1.16% expense ratio, which is lower than MERIX's 1.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

BILPX vs. MERIX - Dividend Comparison

BILPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, less than MERIX's 7.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BILPX BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund	4.11%	4.19%	4.16%	1.99%	2.58%	2.66%	2.97%	3.41%	1.97%	5.12%	1.11%	74.64%
MERIX The Merger Fund Class I	7.86%	7.95%	3.75%	2.91%	4.75%	0.27%	3.64%	1.34%	4.85%	0.98%	0.89%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BILPX and MERIX in my portfolio?

BILPX and MERIX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BILPX or MERIX?

BILPX has higher volatility (0.76%) compared to MERIX (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BILPX dropped -47.50% vs MERIX's -9.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MERIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.32 vs 2.09), 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.