BME vs MRK: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, Blackrock Health Sciences Trust (BME) and Merck & Co. (MRK) carry a correlation of 0.55, a moderate link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are BME and MRK?
Over the past 3 years, BME and MRK moved with a correlation of 0.55, which is moderate. The past 12 months show a tighter link (0.66) than the 3-year average (0.55). Over 5 years the correlation is 0.44, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is 220.3 %².
Among the 34 assets we track against BME, MRK ranks #16 by 3-year correlation. Their recent paths diverged sharply: over the last 12 months MRK outperformed by 47.8 percentage points (+36.0% for BME against +83.8% for MRK). One caveat on sizing: MRK is 1.9 times as volatile as the other leg, so an equal-dollar split is far from equal-risk.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
BME vs MRK: side by side
| BME (Blackrock Health Sciences Trust) | MRK (Merck & Co.) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +36.0% | +83.8% |
| 5-year return | +33.5% | +128.5% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 14.4% | 27.9% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.45 | 0.28 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -14.4% | -43.4% |
| Market cap | – | $368.9B |
| P/E (trailing) | 7.8 | 121.6 |
| Dividend yield | 6.80% | 2.17% |
| Sector / category | US Listed | Health Care |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | BME | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -4.6% | +49.4% |
| 2023 | -1.1% | +1.0% |
| 2024 | -0.1% | -6.3% |
| 2025 | +17.9% | +9.8% |
| 2026 | +17.9% | +44.1% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are BME and MRK good diversifiers for each other?
Somewhat, no more. With 0.55 correlation, most large moves hit both names, and the diversification benefit stays modest.
FAQ
What is the correlation between BME and MRK?
As of 2026-08-27, the correlation of weekly returns between BME and MRK is 0.55 over 3 years, 0.66 over 1 year and 0.44 over 5 years.
Is MRK a good diversifier for BME?
Somewhat, no more. With 0.55 correlation, most large moves hit both names, and the diversification benefit stays modest.
What does a correlation of 0.55 mean?
A reading of 0.55 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/bme-vs-mrk.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/bme-vs-mrk/)
No key needed, free to use. Full endpoint list in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: BME correlations · MRK correlations
