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SAMHX vs. MERFX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SAMHX vs. MERFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SAMHX (Virtus Seix High Yield Fund) and MERFX (The Merger Fund) are both mutual funds - SAMHX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Virtus, while MERFX is a Event Driven fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, SAMHX returned 5.22%/yr vs 3.98%/yr for MERFX. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SAMHX charges 0.64%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for MERFX.

Performance

SAMHX vs. MERFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Seix High Yield Fund (SAMHX) and The Merger Fund (MERFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAMHX achieves a 0.88% return, which is significantly lower than MERFX's 1.33% return. Over the past 10 years, SAMHX has outperformed MERFX with an annualized return of 5.22%, while MERFX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.98% annualized return.

SAMHX

1D
-0.13%
1M
0.55%
YTD
0.88%
6M
1.61%
1Y
6.35%
3Y*
7.30%
5Y*
3.27%
10Y*
5.22%

MERFX

1D
0.29%
1M
0.29%
YTD
1.33%
6M
1.45%
1Y
4.90%
3Y*
6.05%
5Y*
3.08%
10Y*
3.98%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SAMHX vs. MERFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SAMHX
Virtus Seix High Yield Fund		0.88%7.37%5.87%12.32%-10.48%3.21%9.97%12.94%-1.68%7.02%
MERFX
The Merger Fund		1.33%8.11%3.27%4.17%0.71%-0.19%4.87%5.96%7.68%2.39%

Correlation

The correlation between SAMHX and MERFX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.21

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.21

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.24

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.25

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2001

0.23

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Virtus Seix High Yield Fund

The Merger Fund

Often compared with SAMHX:
SAMHX vs. BRLNSAMHX vs. PIMIXSAMHX vs. PHYSXSAMHX vs. PSTAXSAMHX vs. STCIXSAMHX vs. CCLFXSAMHX vs. CPMPX
Often compared with MERFX:
MERFX vs. SPYMERFX vs. GDLMERFX vs. NIEMERFX vs. MRGRMERFX vs. PDIAXMERFX vs. EMAYXMERFX vs. ARBFX

Return for Risk

SAMHX vs. MERFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SAMHX
SAMHX Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
SAMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4848
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SAMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
SAMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
SAMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4343
Calmar Ratio Rank
SAMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 6565
Martin Ratio Rank
MERFX
MERFX Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
MERFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9696
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MERFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9898
Sortino Ratio Rank
MERFX Omega Ratio Rank: 9595
Omega Ratio Rank
MERFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9999
Calmar Ratio Rank
MERFX Martin Ratio Rank: 9999
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SAMHX vs. MERFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Seix High Yield Fund (SAMHX) and The Merger Fund (MERFX). 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.

SAMHXMERFXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.89
3.18

-1.30

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.31
5.85

-2.53

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.43

1.76

-0.33

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.39

9.49

-7.10

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.98

42.01

-30.04

SAMHX vs. MERFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAMHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is lower than the MERFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAMHX and MERFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

SAMHX vs. MERFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAMHX drawdown since its inception was -27.54%, which is greater than MERFX's maximum drawdown of -20.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAMHX and MERFX.

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Drawdown Indicators

SAMHXMERFXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-27.54%

-20.82%

-6.72%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.67%

-0.52%

-2.15%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-4.39%

-3.36%

-1.03%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.02%

-4.94%

-10.08%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-19.04%

-9.35%

-9.69%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.38%

0.00%

-0.38%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.37%

-2.66%

+0.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.53%

0.12%

+0.41%

Volatility

SAMHX vs. MERFX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Seix High Yield Fund (SAMHX) has a higher volatility of 0.92% compared to The Merger Fund (MERFX) at 0.74%. This indicates that SAMHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MERFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SAMHXMERFXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.92%

0.74%

+0.18%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.69%

1.13%

+1.56%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.39%

1.55%

+1.84%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

4.96%

3.45%

+1.51%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.20%

3.75%

+1.45%

SAMHX vs. MERFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAMHX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is lower than MERFX's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAMHX vs. MERFX - Dividend Comparison

SAMHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.60%, less than MERFX's 7.32% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
MERFX
The Merger Fund		7.32%7.42%3.24%2.59%3.50%0.27%3.31%1.34%4.52%0.59%0.32%1.25%
SAMHX
Virtus Seix High Yield Fund		6.60%6.67%5.69%5.54%5.41%3.50%4.54%4.80%5.83%5.45%5.71%6.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

SAMHX and MERFX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SAMHX has higher volatility (0.92%) compared to MERFX (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAMHX dropped -27.54% vs MERFX's -20.82%.

MERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 1.89), 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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