SGARX vs. MERFX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SGARX (Virtus SGA Global Growth Fund) and MERFX (The Merger Fund) are both mutual funds - SGARX is a Global Equities fund managed by Virtus, while MERFX is a Event Driven fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 5 years, SGARX returned 0.32%/yr vs 3.27%/yr for MERFX. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SGARX charges 0.91%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for MERFX.

Performance

SGARX vs. MERFX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SGARX achieves a -4.58% return, which is significantly lower than MERFX's 1.51% return.

SGARX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 3.15%
• 6M: -6.43%
• YTD: -4.58%
• 1Y: -5.92%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: 0.32%
• 10Y*: —

MERFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.40%
• 6M: 1.39%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 1Y: 4.38%
• 3Y*: 5.94%
• 5Y*: 3.27%
• 10Y*: 3.97%

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

SGARX vs. MERFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SGARX Virtus SGA Global Growth Fund	-4.58%	3.75%	9.88%	27.17%	-25.69%	8.31%	31.26%	11.44%
MERFX The Merger Fund	1.51%	8.11%	3.27%	4.17%	0.71%	-0.19%	4.87%	3.63%

Correlation

The correlation between SGARX and MERFX is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 9, 2019	0.36

Return for Risk

SGARX vs. MERFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGARX

SGARX Risk / Return Rank: 1
SGARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SGARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SGARX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SGARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
SGARX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

MERFX

MERFX Risk / Return Rank: 97
MERFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
MERFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
MERFX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
MERFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
MERFX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

SGARX vs. MERFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus SGA Global Growth Fund (SGARX) 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.

	SGARX	MERFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.45	2.80	-3.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.52	5.13	-5.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.65	-0.71
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.34	8.48	-8.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.87	36.27	-37.14

SGARX vs. MERFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGARX Sharpe Ratio is -0.45, which is lower than the MERFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGARX 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.

Drawdowns

SGARX vs. MERFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGARX drawdown since its inception was -37.07%, which is greater than MERFX's maximum drawdown of -20.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGARX and MERFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGARX	MERFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.07%	-20.82%	-16.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.38%	-0.52%	-18.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.86%	-3.36%	-30.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.07%	-4.78%	-32.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-9.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.63%	-0.06%	-23.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.18%	-2.66%	-10.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.55%	0.12%	+7.43%

Volatility

SGARX vs. MERFX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus SGA Global Growth Fund (SGARX) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to The Merger Fund (MERFX) at 0.71%. This indicates that SGARX'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.

Volatility by Period

	SGARX	MERFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	0.71%	+3.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.97%	1.18%	+10.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.62%	1.57%	+13.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.64%	3.44%	+20.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.34%	3.74%	+19.60%

SGARX vs. MERFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SGARX has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is lower than MERFX's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SGARX vs. MERFX - Dividend Comparison

SGARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.38%, more than MERFX's 7.31% 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%
SGARX Virtus SGA Global Growth Fund	13.38%	12.76%	25.64%	0.00%	2.52%	6.86%	3.18%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGARX and MERFX in my portfolio?

SGARX and MERFX have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SGARX or MERFX?

SGARX has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to MERFX (0.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGARX dropped -37.07% vs MERFX's -20.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs -0.45), 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.