WCEIX vs. VARBX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

WCEIX (Virtus Westchester Event-Driven Fund) and VARBX (Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I) are both Event Driven funds. Over the past 10 years, WCEIX returned 4.56%/yr vs 3.74%/yr for VARBX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WCEIX charges 1.63%/yr vs 1.81%/yr for VARBX.

Performance

WCEIX vs. VARBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Westchester Event-Driven Fund (WCEIX) and Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I (VARBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with WCEIX having a 1.55% return and VARBX slightly higher at 1.61%. Over the past 10 years, WCEIX has outperformed VARBX with an annualized return of 4.56%, while VARBX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.74% annualized return.

WCEIX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 1.55%
• 6M: 2.08%
• 1Y: 5.89%
• 3Y*: 6.36%
• 5Y*: 2.39%
• 10Y*: 4.56%

VARBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 5.41%
• 5Y*: 4.12%
• 10Y*: 3.74%

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

WCEIX vs. VARBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WCEIX Virtus Westchester Event-Driven Fund	1.55%	7.90%	3.24%	5.86%	-2.79%	1.76%	6.53%	11.13%	5.27%	4.72%
VARBX Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I	1.61%	6.06%	5.52%	3.30%	2.38%	5.42%	4.00%	4.28%	4.11%	2.39%

Correlation

The correlation between WCEIX and VARBX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2015	0.42

The correlation between WCEIX and VARBX shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (3 years) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WCEIX vs. VARBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WCEIX

WCEIX Risk / Return Rank: 68
WCEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
WCEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
WCEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
WCEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
WCEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VARBX

VARBX Risk / Return Rank: 98
VARBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
VARBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
VARBX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
VARBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VARBX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

WCEIX vs. VARBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Westchester Event-Driven Fund (WCEIX) and Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I (VARBX). 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.

	WCEIX	VARBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	4.03	-1.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	6.64	-3.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	2.48	-1.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.30	7.05	-2.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.78	33.61	-18.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WCEIX vs. VARBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WCEIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is lower than the VARBX Sharpe Ratio of 4.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WCEIX and VARBX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WCEIX	VARBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	4.03	-1.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	3.50	-3.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	1.48	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	1.58	-0.97

Drawdowns

WCEIX vs. VARBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WCEIX drawdown since its inception was -21.65%, which is greater than VARBX's maximum drawdown of -5.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WCEIX and VARBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WCEIX	VARBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.65%	-5.12%	-16.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-0.64%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.21%	-0.64%	-3.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.00%	-1.79%	-9.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.65%	-5.12%	-16.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.97%	-0.56%	-2.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.39%	0.13%	+0.26%

Volatility

WCEIX vs. VARBX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Westchester Event-Driven Fund (WCEIX) has a higher volatility of 0.99% compared to Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I (VARBX) at 0.25%. This indicates that WCEIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VARBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WCEIX	VARBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.99%	0.25%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.95%	0.67%	+1.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.80%	1.12%	+1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.08%	1.18%	+3.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.73%	2.54%	+4.19%

WCEIX vs. VARBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WCEIX has a 1.63% expense ratio, which is lower than VARBX's 1.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

WCEIX vs. VARBX - Dividend Comparison

WCEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.16%, more than VARBX's 5.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VARBX Vivaldi Merger Arbitrage Fund Class I	5.94%	6.04%	6.29%	4.07%	0.75%	8.42%	0.81%	5.54%	2.15%	1.70%	0.06%	0.04%
WCEIX Virtus Westchester Event-Driven Fund	11.16%	11.33%	3.88%	2.49%	0.21%	8.42%	3.18%	2.34%	5.56%	1.01%	0.87%	3.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WCEIX and VARBX in my portfolio?

WCEIX and VARBX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WCEIX or VARBX?

WCEIX has higher volatility (0.99%) compared to VARBX (0.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WCEIX dropped -21.65% vs VARBX's -5.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VARBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.03 vs 2.08), 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.