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First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) Sharpe Ratio: 1.08

ETF · Currency in USD · Last updated Jun 23, 2026

MARB is an actively managed ETF by First Trust. MARB launched on Feb 4, 2020 and has a 2.30% expense ratio.

MARB's Sharpe Ratio of 1.08 indicates that for each unit of volatility, it generates 1.08 units of excess return above the risk-free rate. The ratio is calculated using historical daily returns over the past 12 months (as of Jun 23, 2026).

Sharpe uses total volatility (standard deviation) which includes both upside and downside price movements, making it useful for comparing risk-adjusted returns across different assets. For how to read this number and when it can mislead, see Sharpe Ratio Explained.

MARB Sharpe Ratio Rank

MARB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30.931
Below Average

MARB ranks above 30.9% of all investments in our database based on Sharpe Ratio over the past 12 months, indicating below-average returns relative to volatility. Securities are ranked from 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

What moves the rank

  • Strong returns with low total volatility → Higher rank
  • High volatility (both upside and downside) → Lower rank
  • Consistent returns → Higher rank than volatile returns of same magnitude
  • Sharp drawdowns increase volatility → Lower rank

What you can do with this information

  • Returns may not adequately compensate for volatility taken
  • Consider smaller allocation given below-average risk-adjusted profile
  • Explore higher-ranked investments with better consistency
  • Assess whether the volatility profile aligns with your portfolio goals

MARB Sharpe Ratio Market Positioning

The chart shows MARB's Sharpe Ratio relative to all ETFs on our platform, with color zones indicating percentile rankings. Higher ratios indicate better risk-adjusted returns.

  • Red zone (bottom 25%): 0.87 or lower
  • Yellow zone (middle 50%): 0.87 to 2.31
  • Green zone (top 25%): 2.31 or higher
  • Top 1%: 7.31+
  • Median: 1.67 — half of all investments score higher

How it compares to other similar ETFs

The table compares First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF's Sharpe Ratio with other ETFs in the Long-Short category across multiple time periods, showing how MARB's risk-adjusted performance compares to similar funds.

Data shows 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods, plus each fund's all-time average, as of Jun 23, 2026.

SymbolName1Y Sharpe Ratio5Y Sharpe Ratio10Y Sharpe RatioAll Time Sharpe Ratio
CLSEConvergence Long/Short Equity ETF3.82
QAIIQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF2.64
HDGProShares Hedge Replication2.37
HTUSHull Tactical US ETF2.27
IDUBAptus International Enhanced Yield ETF2.25
CSMProshares Large Cap Core Plus2.19
LSEQHarbor Long-Short Equity ETF2.16
RSEERareview Systematic Equity ETF2.06
ORRMilitia Long/Short Equity ETF1.99
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF1.99
MARBFirst Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF1.08

S&P 500 Index

How to choose period

Historical Sharpe Ratio

The chart shows MARB's rolling Sharpe ratio over time compared to your chosen benchmark. Rising trends indicate improving returns relative to total volatility, while declining trends may signal deteriorating risk-adjusted performance or increased volatility. Use multiple timeframes to distinguish short-term fluctuations from long-term patterns.

Identify market cycles by observing when MARB consistently outperforms (line above benchmark), underperforms (below benchmark), or aligns with the benchmark.

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Sharpe Ratio Calculator

How does MARB fit in your portfolio?

Add your other holdings to see your portfolio's Sharpe Ratio and find out.

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