MERFX vs. VIMCX
MERFX (The Merger Fund) and VIMCX (Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund) are both mutual funds - MERFX is a Event Driven fund managed by Virtus, while VIMCX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, MERFX returned 3.94%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for VIMCX. Their 0.50 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MERFX charges 1.50%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for VIMCX.
Performance
MERFX vs. VIMCX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MERFX achieves a 1.51% return, which is significantly higher than VIMCX's 0.70% return. Over the past 10 years, MERFX has underperformed VIMCX with an annualized return of 3.94%, while VIMCX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.57% annualized return.
MERFX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.06%
- 6M
- 1.45%
- YTD
- 1.51%
- 1Y
- 3.75%
- 3Y*
- 5.92%
- 5Y*
- 3.70%
- 10Y*
- 3.94%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.25%
VIMCX
- 1D
- -0.69%
- 1M
- -0.74%
- 6M
- -2.71%
- YTD
- 0.70%
- 1Y
- 0.01%
- 3Y*
- 4.29%
- 5Y*
- 2.10%
- 10Y*
- 10.57%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.48%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
MERFX The Merger Fund | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
MERFX vs. VIMCX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MERFX The Merger Fund | 1.51% | 8.11% | 3.27% | 4.17% | 0.71% | -0.19% | 4.87% | 5.96% | 7.68% | 2.39% |
VIMCX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund | 0.70% | 0.72% | 5.20% | 22.64% | -19.75% | 25.28% | 26.11% | 31.74% | -4.18% | 24.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between MERFX and VIMCX is 0.32, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2009 | 0.50 |
The correlation between MERFX and VIMCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (3 years) to 0.50 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MERFX vs. VIMCX — Risk / Return Rank
MERFX
VIMCX
MERFX vs. VIMCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Merger Fund (MERFX) and Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund (VIMCX). 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.
| MERFX | VIMCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.57 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +4.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.53 | 0.99 | +0.53 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 7.15 | -0.18 | +7.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 27.92 | -0.44 | +28.36 |
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Drawdowns
MERFX vs. VIMCX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MERFX drawdown since its inception was -20.82%, smaller than the maximum VIMCX drawdown of -33.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MERFX and VIMCX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MERFX | VIMCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.82% | -33.92% | +13.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.52% | -12.14% | +11.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.36% | -20.32% | +16.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -3.56% | -28.42% | +24.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -9.35% | -33.92% | +24.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.23% | -5.87% | +5.64% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.65% | -4.89% | +2.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.13% | 4.86% | -4.73% |
Volatility
MERFX vs. VIMCX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for The Merger Fund (MERFX) is 0.55%, while Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund (VIMCX) has a volatility of 3.83%. This indicates that MERFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIMCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MERFX | VIMCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.55% | 3.83% | -3.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.23% | 12.42% | -11.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.52% | 16.38% | -14.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.36% | 18.21% | -14.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.75% | 18.66% | -14.91% |
MERFX vs. VIMCX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MERFX has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VIMCX's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
MERFX vs. VIMCX - Dividend Comparison
MERFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.31%, more than VIMCX's 4.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MERFX The Merger Fund | 7.31% | 7.42% | 3.24% | 2.59% | 3.50% | 0.27% | 3.31% | 1.34% | 4.52% | 0.59% | 0.32% | 1.25% |
VIMCX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund | 4.38% | 4.41% | 0.00% | 2.36% | 0.23% | 1.58% | 0.67% | 0.94% | 0.77% | 0.29% | 0.00% | 0.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MERFX and VIMCX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VIMCX has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to MERFX (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MERFX dropped -20.82% vs VIMCX's -33.92%.
MERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs -0.13), 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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