VKSIX vs. MERFX
VKSIX (Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund) and MERFX (The Merger Fund) are both mutual funds - VKSIX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus, while MERFX is a Event Driven fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 5 years, VKSIX returned -0.67%/yr vs 3.74%/yr for MERFX. Their 0.38 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VKSIX charges 1.02%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for MERFX.
Performance
VKSIX vs. MERFX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VKSIX achieves a -4.34% return, which is significantly lower than MERFX's 1.74% return.
VKSIX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -1.28%
- 6M
- -6.80%
- YTD
- -4.34%
- 1Y
- -10.41%
- 3Y*
- 1.45%
- 5Y*
- -0.67%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 8.26%
MERFX
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- 0.29%
- 6M
- 1.50%
- YTD
- 1.74%
- 1Y
- 3.98%
- 3Y*
- 5.98%
- 5Y*
- 3.74%
- 10Y*
- 3.98%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.26%
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 |
VKSIX vs. MERFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund | -4.34% | -4.36% | 9.07% | 23.61% | -23.83% | 19.54% | 33.45% | 38.81% | -6.68% |
MERFX The Merger Fund | 1.74% | 8.11% | 3.27% | 4.17% | 0.71% | -0.19% | 4.87% | 5.96% | 4.34% |
Correlation
The correlation between VKSIX and MERFX 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. | 0.31 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2018 | 0.38 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VKSIX vs. MERFX — Risk / Return Rank
VKSIX
MERFX
VKSIX vs. MERFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) 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.
| VKSIX | MERFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -5.33 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 1.57 | -0.67 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.71 | 7.72 | -8.43 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.32 | 30.15 | -31.47 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VKSIX vs. MERFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VKSIX drawdown since its inception was -35.59%, which is greater than MERFX's maximum drawdown of -20.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VKSIX and MERFX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VKSIX | MERFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.59% | -20.82% | -14.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.71% | -0.52% | -15.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.29% | -3.36% | -16.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.49% | -3.56% | -28.93% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -9.35% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.65% | 0.00% | -15.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.01% | -2.65% | -6.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.44% | 0.13% | +8.31% |
Volatility
VKSIX vs. MERFX - Volatility Comparison
Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) has a higher volatility of 4.88% compared to The Merger Fund (MERFX) at 0.59%. This indicates that VKSIX'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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VKSIX | MERFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.88% | 0.59% | +4.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.18% | 1.25% | +10.93% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.22% | 1.54% | +14.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.28% | 3.36% | +15.92% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.89% | 3.75% | +17.14% |
VKSIX vs. MERFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VKSIX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is lower than MERFX's 1.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
VKSIX vs. MERFX - Dividend Comparison
VKSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than MERFX's 7.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MERFX The Merger Fund | 7.29% | 7.42% | 3.24% | 2.59% | 3.50% | 0.27% | 3.31% | 1.34% | 4.52% | 0.59% | 0.32% | 1.25% |
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund | 0.36% | 0.34% | 0.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.13% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 1.47% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VKSIX and MERFX 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.
VKSIX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to MERFX (0.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VKSIX dropped -35.59% vs MERFX's -20.82%.
MERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs -0.69), 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.
Find the right allocation for VKSIX and MERFX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer