First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) belongs to the Long-Short category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with MARB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to MARB
MARB charges 2.30% annually. There are 25 ETFs in the Long-Short category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.45%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proshares Large Cap Core Plus | 0.45% | 515.62M | Jul 2009 | MARB vs CSM | |
| Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF | 0.45% | 372.15M | Jul 2021 | MARB vs IDUB | |
| Arin Tactical Tail Risk ETF | 0.63% | — | Oct 2025 | MARB vs ATTR | |
| WisdomTree Inflation Plus Fund | 0.65% | 21.79M | Jun 2025 | MARB vs WTIP | |
| Franklin Liberty Systematic Style Premia ETF | 0.65% | 930.68M | Dec 2019 | MARB vs FLSP |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MARB
MARB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 59. There are 8 ETFs in the Long-Short category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF | 95 | 447.61M | Dec 2009 | MARB vs CLSE | |
| IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 80 | 762.37M | Mar 2009 | MARB vs QAI | |
| ProShares Hedge Replication | 74 | 21.78M | Jul 2011 | MARB vs HDG | |
| Harbor Long-Short Equity ETF | 69 | 16.92M | Dec 2023 | MARB vs LSEQ | |
| Hull Tactical US ETF | 68 | 137.43M | Jun 2015 | MARB vs HTUS |
Top Performing MARB Alternatives (YTD)
MARB is at 1.77% YTD. There are 19 ETFs in the Long-Short category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 28.71%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor Long-Short Equity ETF | 28.71% | 16.92M | Dec 2023 | MARB vs LSEQ | |
| Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF | 24.77% | 447.61M | Dec 2009 | MARB vs CLSE | |
| Changebridge Capital Long/Short Equity ETF | 20.31% | 59.25M | Nov 2020 | MARB vs CBLS | |
| Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF | 14.34% | 372.15M | Jul 2021 | MARB vs IDUB | |
| Even Herd Long Short ETF | 14.25% | 60.59M | Apr 2024 | MARB vs EHLS |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MARB
MARB has 5.35% 1-year volatility. There is 1 ETF in the Long-Short category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 3.17%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arin Tactical Tail Risk ETF | 3.17% | — | Oct 2025 | MARB vs ATTR | |
| ProShares Hedge Replication | 6.24% | 21.78M | Jul 2011 | MARB vs HDG | |
| IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 6.58% | 762.37M | Mar 2009 | MARB vs QAI | |
| Federated Hermes MDT Market Neutral ETF | 6.74% | 82.10M | Sep 2025 | MARB vs MKTN | |
| AltShares Event-Driven ETF | 7.65% | 8.62M | Dec 2014 | MARB vs EVNT |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MARB
MARB has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.43%. No ETFs in the Long-Short category have shallower 1-year drawdowns; the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -3.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AltShares Event-Driven ETF | -3.35% | 8.62M | Dec 2014 | MARB vs EVNT | |
| IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | -3.71% | 762.37M | Mar 2009 | MARB vs QAI | |
| First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | -3.79% | 2.40B | Sep 2014 | MARB vs FTLS | |
| ProShares Hedge Replication | -3.97% | 21.78M | Jul 2011 | MARB vs HDG | |
| Franklin Liberty Systematic Style Premia ETF | -4.03% | 930.68M | Dec 2019 | MARB vs FLSP |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, NFTY and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With MARB
Investors most often compare MARB with HMEZX, QQQ, ARB. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare MARB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MARB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair MARB with funds that move differently
First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to MARB.
Explore MARB Diversifiers