MERFX vs. VARBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MERFX (The Merger Fund) and VARBX (Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I) are both Event Driven funds. Over the past 10 years, MERFX returned 3.89%/yr vs 3.74%/yr for VARBX. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MERFX charges 1.50%/yr vs 1.81%/yr for VARBX.

Performance

MERFX vs. VARBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Merger Fund (MERFX) and Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I (VARBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MERFX achieves a 0.99% return, which is significantly lower than VARBX's 1.61% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MERFX having a 3.89% annualized return and VARBX not far behind at 3.74%.

MERFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.99%
• 6M: 1.26%
• 1Y: 4.60%
• 3Y*: 6.03%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 3.89%

VARBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 4.21%
• 3Y*: 5.41%
• 5Y*: 4.10%
• 10Y*: 3.74%

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

MERFX vs. VARBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MERFX The Merger Fund	0.99%	8.11%	3.27%	4.17%	0.71%	-0.19%	4.87%	5.96%	7.68%	2.39%
VARBX Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I	1.61%	6.06%	5.52%	3.30%	2.38%	5.42%	4.00%	4.28%	4.11%	2.39%

Correlation

The correlation between MERFX and VARBX is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2015	0.44

The correlation between MERFX and VARBX shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (3 years) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MERFX vs. VARBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MERFX

MERFX Risk / Return Rank: 97
MERFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
MERFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
MERFX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
MERFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
MERFX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

VARBX

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

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.

MERFX vs. VARBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Merger Fund (MERFX) and Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I (VARBX). 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.

	MERFX	VARBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.31	3.90	-0.59
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	6.16	6.36	-0.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	2.41	-0.64
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.13	6.77	+2.36
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	42.15	32.25	+9.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MERFX vs. VARBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MERFX Sharpe Ratio is 3.31, which is comparable to the VARBX Sharpe Ratio of 3.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MERFX and VARBX, 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

	MERFX	VARBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.31	3.90	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	3.48	-2.65
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.04	1.48	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	1.58	-0.89

Drawdowns

MERFX vs. VARBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MERFX drawdown since its inception was -20.82%, which is greater than VARBX's maximum drawdown of -5.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MERFX and VARBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MERFX	VARBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.82%	-5.12%	-15.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.52%	-0.64%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.36%	-0.64%	-2.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.95%	-1.79%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.35%	-5.12%	-4.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	0.00%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.67%	-0.56%	-2.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.11%	0.13%	-0.02%

Volatility

MERFX vs. VARBX - Volatility Comparison

The Merger Fund (MERFX) has a higher volatility of 0.38% compared to Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I (VARBX) at 0.25%. This indicates that MERFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VARBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MERFX	VARBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.38%	0.25%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.92%	0.67%	+0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43%	1.12%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.44%	1.18%	+2.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.75%	2.54%	+1.21%

MERFX vs. VARBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MERFX has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is lower than VARBX's 1.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

MERFX vs. VARBX - Dividend Comparison

MERFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.34%, more than VARBX's 5.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MERFX The Merger Fund	7.34%	7.42%	3.24%	2.59%	3.50%	0.27%	3.31%	1.34%	4.52%	0.59%	0.32%	1.25%
VARBX Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I	5.94%	6.04%	6.29%	4.07%	0.75%	8.42%	0.81%	5.54%	2.15%	1.70%	0.06%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MERFX and VARBX in my portfolio?

MERFX and VARBX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MERFX or VARBX?

MERFX has higher volatility (0.38%) compared to VARBX (0.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MERFX dropped -20.82% vs VARBX's -5.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VARBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.90 vs 3.31), 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.