ARB vs. MARB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARB (AltShares Merger Arbitrage ETF) and MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARB is a Hedge Fund fund tracking the Water Island Merger Arbitrage USD Hedged Index, while MARB is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. ARB is passively managed, while MARB is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARB returned 3.87%/yr vs 2.64%/yr for MARB. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARB charges 0.87%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for MARB.

Performance

ARB vs. MARB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AltShares Merger Arbitrage ETF (ARB) and First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARB achieves a 1.70% return, which is significantly higher than MARB's 1.26% return.

ARB

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.70%
• 6M: 2.28%
• 1Y: 4.90%
• 3Y*: 6.40%
• 5Y*: 3.87%
• 10Y*: —

MARB

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.42%
• 1Y: 6.18%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 2.64%
• 10Y*: —

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

ARB vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ARB AltShares Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.70%	6.05%	4.07%	3.85%	2.67%	3.16%	3.78%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.26%	7.02%	0.73%	2.16%	3.89%	0.26%	-1.30%

Correlation

The correlation between ARB and MARB is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2020	0.33

Over the past year, the correlation between ARB and MARB has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ARB vs. MARB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARB	MARB
Financial Services	21.4%	15.0%
Healthcare	17.4%	29.7%
Technology	16.3%	14.3%
Industrials	11.9%	9.1%
Communication Services	9.9%	15.2%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.6%	5.8%
Basic Materials	5.3%	-
Utilities	3.1%	-
Real Estate	3.1%	20.0%
Energy	0.6%	-

Return for Risk

ARB vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARB

ARB Risk / Return Rank: 69
ARB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
ARB Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
ARB Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ARB Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
ARB Martin Ratio Rank: 90

MARB

MARB Risk / Return Rank: 52
MARB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
MARB Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
MARB Omega Ratio Rank: 51
MARB Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
MARB Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

ARB vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AltShares Merger Arbitrage ETF (ARB) and First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB). 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.

	ARB	MARB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.17	+0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	1.80	+0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.32	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.17	2.56	+4.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.90	20.98	-0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARB vs. MARB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARB Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is higher than the MARB Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARB and MARB, 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

	ARB	MARB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	1.17	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88	0.62	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	0.36	+0.59

Drawdowns

ARB vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARB drawdown since its inception was -5.60%, smaller than the maximum MARB drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARB and MARB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARB	MARB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.60%	-11.99%	+6.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.69%	-2.43%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.13%	-3.67%	+1.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.60%	-3.67%	-1.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-0.00%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.94%	-1.40%	+0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.24%	0.30%	-0.06%

Volatility

ARB vs. MARB - Volatility Comparison

AltShares Merger Arbitrage ETF (ARB) has a higher volatility of 1.28% compared to First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) at 0.47%. This indicates that ARB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MARB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARB	MARB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.28%	0.47%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.38%	2.18%	+0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.89%	5.31%	-2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.40%	4.27%	+0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.40%	5.60%	-1.20%

ARB vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARB has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is lower than MARB's 2.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARB vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison

ARB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, less than MARB's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ARB AltShares Merger Arbitrage ETF	0.43%	0.43%	1.12%	0.00%	4.18%	0.00%	2.87%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	2.98%	3.01%	2.11%	2.20%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARB and MARB in my portfolio?

ARB and MARB have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARB or MARB?

ARB has higher volatility (1.28%) compared to MARB (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARB dropped -5.60% vs MARB's -11.99%.

Which ETF is better, ARB or MARB?

On 5-year performance, ARB leads with 3.87% vs 2.64% for MARB. On fees, ARB is cheaper at 0.87% per year. On volatility, MARB has been the lower-risk option at 0.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARB or MARB?

Over the 5-year period, ARB has performed better with a 3.87% return vs 2.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARB or MARB?

ARB is cheaper with a 0.87% expense ratio, compared with 2.30% for MARB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARB or MARB?

MARB has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 0.43% for ARB.

What is the main difference between ARB and MARB?

ARB is categorized as Hedge Fund, while MARB is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: Water Island Capital Partners LP and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for ARB and 2.30% for MARB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.17), 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.