ILCB vs. MERDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILCB (iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF) and MERDX (Meridian Growth Fund) are both funds - ILCB is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index, while MERDX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Meridian. Over the past 10 years, ILCB returned 15.00%/yr vs 7.17%/yr for MERDX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ILCB charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MERDX.

Performance

ILCB vs. MERDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) and Meridian Growth Fund (MERDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILCB achieves a 11.12% return, which is significantly higher than MERDX's 5.24% return. Over the past 10 years, ILCB has outperformed MERDX with an annualized return of 15.00%, while MERDX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.17% annualized return.

ILCB

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 5.29%
• YTD: 11.12%
• 6M: 11.10%
• 1Y: 28.03%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 13.45%
• 10Y*: 15.00%

MERDX

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 3.69%
• YTD: 5.24%
• 6M: 4.56%
• 1Y: 5.46%
• 3Y*: 2.79%
• 5Y*: -2.22%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

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

ILCB vs. MERDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	11.12%	17.70%	24.96%	26.91%	-19.48%	24.07%	19.40%	32.68%	-8.51%	22.09%
MERDX Meridian Growth Fund	5.24%	-6.25%	6.42%	15.29%	-29.13%	15.58%	24.93%	27.67%	-7.30%	25.64%

Correlation

The correlation between ILCB and MERDX is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2004	0.82

The correlation between ILCB and MERDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (3 years) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ILCB vs. MERDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILCB

ILCB Risk / Return Rank: 69
ILCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ILCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ILCB Omega Ratio Rank: 70
ILCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ILCB Martin Ratio Rank: 75

MERDX

MERDX Risk / Return Rank: 5
MERDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
MERDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
MERDX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
MERDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
MERDX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

ILCB vs. MERDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) and Meridian Growth Fund (MERDX). 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.

	ILCB	MERDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	0.41	+1.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	0.70	+2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.08	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	0.49	+2.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.24	1.32	+12.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILCB vs. MERDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILCB Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is higher than the MERDX Sharpe Ratio of 0.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILCB and MERDX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ILCB	MERDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	0.41	+1.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	-0.11	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.34	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.45	+0.18

Drawdowns

ILCB vs. MERDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILCB drawdown since its inception was -51.53%, which is greater than MERDX's maximum drawdown of -48.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILCB and MERDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILCB	MERDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.53%	-48.45%	-3.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.09%	-14.50%	+5.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.05%	-24.32%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.47%	-37.93%	+12.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.30%	-40.64%	+5.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-20.79%	+20.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.24%	-10.28%	+4.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	5.31%	-3.34%

Volatility

ILCB vs. MERDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) is 2.88%, while Meridian Growth Fund (MERDX) has a volatility of 4.31%. This indicates that ILCB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MERDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILCB	MERDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	4.31%	-1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.10%	12.09%	-2.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.02%	17.34%	-5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	21.44%	-4.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	21.32%	-3.16%

ILCB vs. MERDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILCB has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than MERDX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILCB vs. MERDX - Dividend Comparison

ILCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than MERDX's 8.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	0.97%	1.11%	1.19%	1.43%	1.65%	1.16%	1.26%	2.25%	2.17%	1.81%	1.97%	2.44%
MERDX Meridian Growth Fund	8.58%	9.03%	0.24%	0.00%	13.80%	15.49%	0.88%	9.15%	16.44%	7.07%	0.57%	12.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILCB and MERDX in my portfolio?

ILCB and MERDX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILCB or MERDX?

MERDX has higher volatility (4.31%) compared to ILCB (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILCB dropped -51.53% vs MERDX's -48.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 0.41), 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.