ZTR vs. MERFX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

ZTR (Virtus Total Return Fund) and MERFX (The Merger Fund) are both mutual funds - ZTR is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Virtus, while MERFX is a Event Driven fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, ZTR returned 6.53%/yr vs 3.88%/yr for MERFX. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZTR charges 3.77%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for MERFX.

Performance

ZTR vs. MERFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR) 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, ZTR achieves a 9.07% return, which is significantly higher than MERFX's 1.10% return. Over the past 10 years, ZTR has outperformed MERFX with an annualized return of 6.53%, while MERFX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.88% annualized return.

ZTR

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -2.57%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 8.91%
• 1Y: 18.28%
• 3Y*: 13.82%
• 5Y*: 3.13%
• 10Y*: 6.53%

MERFX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.32%
• 1Y: 4.72%
• 3Y*: 6.09%
• 5Y*: 2.85%
• 10Y*: 3.88%

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

ZTR vs. MERFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZTR Virtus Total Return Fund	9.07%	18.63%	18.31%	-3.21%	-21.32%	20.57%	-11.78%	44.65%	-24.86%	29.52%
MERFX The Merger Fund	1.10%	8.11%	3.27%	4.17%	0.71%	-0.19%	4.87%	5.96%	7.68%	2.39%

Correlation

The correlation between ZTR and MERFX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 1989	0.20

Return for Risk

ZTR vs. MERFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZTR

ZTR Risk / Return Rank: 36
ZTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
ZTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
ZTR Omega Ratio Rank: 30
ZTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
ZTR Martin Ratio Rank: 32

MERFX

MERFX Risk / Return Rank: 97
MERFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
MERFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
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.

ZTR vs. MERFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR) 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.

	ZTR	MERFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	3.30	-1.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	6.15	-3.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.77	-0.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	9.14	-6.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.97	41.98	-35.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZTR vs. MERFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is lower than the MERFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZTR 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ZTR	MERFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	3.30	-1.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.83	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	1.04	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.68	-0.37

Drawdowns

ZTR vs. MERFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZTR drawdown since its inception was -57.25%, which is greater than MERFX's maximum drawdown of -20.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZTR and MERFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZTR	MERFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.25%	-20.82%	-36.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.07%	-0.52%	-6.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.15%	-3.36%	-21.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.64%	-5.95%	-36.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.25%	-9.35%	-47.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.69%	0.00%	-4.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.35%	-2.66%	-6.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.63%	0.11%	+2.52%

Volatility

ZTR vs. MERFX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR) has a higher volatility of 3.28% compared to The Merger Fund (MERFX) at 0.42%. This indicates that ZTR'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

	ZTR	MERFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	0.42%	+2.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	0.93%	+8.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.60%	1.44%	+10.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.67%	3.44%	+13.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.60%	3.74%	+17.86%

ZTR vs. MERFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZTR has a 3.77% expense ratio, which is higher than MERFX's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZTR vs. MERFX - Dividend Comparison

ZTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.06%, more than MERFX's 7.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MERFX The Merger Fund	7.34%	7.42%	3.24%	2.59%	3.50%	0.27%	3.31%	1.34%	4.52%	0.59%	0.32%	1.25%
ZTR Virtus Total Return Fund	9.06%	9.52%	10.24%	15.25%	15.88%	10.96%	13.72%	11.89%	15.18%	13.85%	10.58%	9.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZTR and MERFX in my portfolio?

ZTR and MERFX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZTR or MERFX?

ZTR has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to MERFX (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZTR dropped -57.25% vs MERFX's -20.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.30 vs 1.59), 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.