DAMDX vs. MERIX
DAMDX (Dunham Monthly Distribution Fund) and MERIX (The Merger Fund Class I) are both Event Driven funds. Over the past 10 years, DAMDX returned 3.20%/yr vs 4.28%/yr for MERIX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DAMDX charges 2.38%/yr vs 1.32%/yr for MERIX.
Performance
DAMDX vs. MERIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DAMDX achieves a 2.08% return, which is significantly higher than MERIX's 1.47% return. Over the past 10 years, DAMDX has underperformed MERIX with an annualized return of 3.20%, while MERIX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.28% annualized return.
DAMDX
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- -0.10%
- YTD
- 2.08%
- 6M
- 2.17%
- 1Y
- 6.34%
- 3Y*
- 7.03%
- 5Y*
- 3.45%
- 10Y*
- 3.20%
MERIX
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 1.47%
- 6M
- 1.59%
- 1Y
- 5.21%
- 3Y*
- 6.36%
- 5Y*
- 3.38%
- 10Y*
- 4.28%
DAMDX vs. MERIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DAMDX Dunham Monthly Distribution Fund | 2.08% | 7.93% | 5.29% | 4.06% | 0.57% | 0.12% | 0.44% | 5.54% | -1.01% | 4.08% |
MERIX The Merger Fund Class I | 1.47% | 8.41% | 3.54% | 4.51% | 1.01% | 0.10% | 5.14% | 6.32% | 7.98% | 2.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between DAMDX and MERIX is 0.51, 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 | 0.51 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.60 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2013 | 0.69 |
The correlation between DAMDX and MERIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.69 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DAMDX vs. MERIX — Risk / Return Rank
DAMDX
MERIX
DAMDX vs. MERIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dunham Monthly Distribution Fund (DAMDX) 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.
| DAMDX | MERIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.89 | 1.84 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.28 | 11.20 | -4.92 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 31.92 | 48.13 | -16.21 |
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Drawdowns
DAMDX vs. MERIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DAMDX drawdown since its inception was -69.68%, which is greater than MERIX's maximum drawdown of -9.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAMDX and MERIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DAMDX | MERIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.68% | -9.33% | -60.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.03% | -0.47% | -0.56% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.89% | -3.85% | +1.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.30% | -4.67% | -2.63% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.44% | -9.33% | +0.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -34.95% | 0.00% | -34.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -48.73% | -1.02% | -47.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.20% | 0.11% | +0.09% |
Volatility
DAMDX vs. MERIX - Volatility Comparison
Dunham Monthly Distribution Fund (DAMDX) has a higher volatility of 1.09% compared to The Merger Fund Class I (MERIX) at 0.71%. This indicates that DAMDX'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.
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Volatility by Period
| DAMDX | MERIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.09% | 0.71% | +0.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.45% | 1.10% | +0.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.88% | 1.52% | +0.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.34% | 3.65% | +0.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.00% | 3.84% | +0.16% |
DAMDX vs. MERIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DAMDX has a 2.38% expense ratio, which is higher than MERIX's 1.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
DAMDX vs. MERIX - Dividend Comparison
DAMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.59%, less than MERIX's 7.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DAMDX Dunham Monthly Distribution Fund | 7.59% | 7.83% | 8.84% | 8.77% | 5.35% | 3.47% | 3.64% | 6.31% | 4.86% | 4.27% | 3.54% | 4.39% |
MERIX The Merger Fund Class I | 7.84% | 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
DAMDX and MERIX have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DAMDX has higher volatility (1.09%) compared to MERIX (0.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAMDX dropped -69.68% vs MERIX's -9.33%.
MERIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.45 vs 3.43), 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.
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