VHT vs. MRK
VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) is Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 10.14%/yr vs 11.81%/yr for MRK. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
VHT vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -0.03% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 15.47% return. Over the past 10 years, VHT has underperformed MRK with an annualized return of 10.14%, while MRK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.81% annualized return.
VHT
- 1D
- 1.30%
- 1M
- 2.66%
- YTD
- -0.03%
- 6M
- -0.44%
- 1Y
- 19.32%
- 3Y*
- 7.09%
- 5Y*
- 4.60%
- 10Y*
- 10.14%
MRK
- 1D
- 3.57%
- 1M
- -1.44%
- YTD
- 15.47%
- 6M
- 15.71%
- 1Y
- 54.44%
- 3Y*
- 4.66%
- 5Y*
- 12.89%
- 10Y*
- 11.81%
VHT vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | -0.03% | 15.46% | 2.66% | 2.52% | -5.60% | 20.57% | 18.29% | 21.87% | 5.58% | 23.26% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 15.47% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 39.95% | -1.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between VHT and MRK is 0.62, 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 | 0.62 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.63 |
The correlation between VHT and MRK shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (5 years) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VHT vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
VHT
MRK
VHT vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK). 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.
| VHT | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.92 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.35 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.87 | 4.81 | -2.95 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.59 | 11.86 | -7.27 |
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Drawdowns
VHT vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, smaller than the maximum MRK drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and MRK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VHT | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.12% | -68.61% | +29.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.40% | -11.37% | +0.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.91% | -43.44% | +26.53% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.71% | -43.44% | +25.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.85% | -43.44% | +14.59% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.20% | -3.75% | +0.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.98% | -18.83% | +12.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.22% | 4.60% | -0.38% |
Volatility
VHT vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is 5.02%, while Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a volatility of 10.08%. This indicates that VHT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MRK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VHT | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.02% | 10.08% | -5.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.49% | 18.39% | -7.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.72% | 27.30% | -12.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.03% | 23.77% | -8.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.95% | 22.97% | -6.02% |
Dividends
VHT vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, less than MRK's 2.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 2.97% | 3.12% | 3.14% | 2.72% | 2.52% | 3.41% | 3.03% | 2.48% | 2.60% | 3.36% | 3.14% | 3.43% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 1.64% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VHT and MRK have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MRK has higher volatility (10.08%) compared to VHT (5.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs MRK's -68.61%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.32), 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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