ARBNX vs. ARBFX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

ARBNX (The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional) and ARBFX (The Arbitrage Fund) are both Event Driven funds. Over the past 10 years, ARBNX returned 3.55%/yr vs 3.29%/yr for ARBFX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARBNX charges 1.49%/yr vs 1.43%/yr for ARBFX.

Performance

ARBNX vs. ARBFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional (ARBNX) and The Arbitrage Fund (ARBFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARBNX achieves a 1.64% return, which is significantly higher than ARBFX's 1.49% return. Over the past 10 years, ARBNX has outperformed ARBFX with an annualized return of 3.55%, while ARBFX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.29% annualized return.

ARBNX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.64%
• 6M: 1.64%
• 1Y: 6.42%
• 3Y*: 6.82%
• 5Y*: 3.34%
• 10Y*: 3.55%

ARBFX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.49%
• 1Y: 6.16%
• 3Y*: 6.54%
• 5Y*: 3.08%
• 10Y*: 3.29%

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

ARBNX vs. ARBFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARBNX The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional	1.64%	8.29%	2.95%	6.05%	-0.67%	1.05%	5.71%	3.84%	2.33%	2.87%
ARBFX The Arbitrage Fund	1.49%	8.01%	2.61%	5.94%	-1.02%	0.85%	5.42%	3.57%	2.12%	2.59%

Correlation

The correlation between ARBNX and ARBFX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2003	0.94

The correlation between ARBNX and ARBFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARBNX vs. ARBFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARBNX

ARBNX Risk / Return Rank: 98
ARBNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
ARBNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
ARBNX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ARBNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ARBNX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

ARBFX

ARBFX Risk / Return Rank: 97
ARBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
ARBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
ARBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ARBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ARBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

ARBNX vs. ARBFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional (ARBNX) and The Arbitrage Fund (ARBFX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ARBNX	ARBFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.41	3.31	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.96	5.76	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.77	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.02	7.00	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	33.11	30.86	+2.25

ARBNX vs. ARBFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARBNX Sharpe Ratio is 3.41, which is comparable to the ARBFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARBNX and ARBFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ARBNX vs. ARBFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARBNX drawdown since its inception was -14.42%, smaller than the maximum ARBFX drawdown of -38.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARBNX and ARBFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARBNX	ARBFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.42%	-38.01%	+23.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.92%	-0.88%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.24%	-2.26%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.62%	-6.79%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.90%	-11.90%	0.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.22%	-2.36%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.19%	0.20%	-0.01%

Volatility

ARBNX vs. ARBFX - Volatility Comparison

The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional (ARBNX) has a higher volatility of 0.55% compared to The Arbitrage Fund (ARBFX) at 0.49%. This indicates that ARBNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ARBFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARBNX	ARBFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.55%	0.49%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.16%	1.16%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89%	1.87%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.64%	3.65%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.42%	4.42%	0.00%

ARBNX vs. ARBFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARBNX has a 1.49% expense ratio, which is higher than ARBFX's 1.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARBNX vs. ARBFX - Dividend Comparison

ARBNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, more than ARBFX's 3.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARBFX The Arbitrage Fund	3.53%	3.59%	0.94%	1.92%	3.67%	0.53%	6.94%	2.12%	1.71%	3.55%	0.96%	2.36%
ARBNX The Arbitrage Fund Class Institutional	3.66%	3.72%	1.18%	2.11%	3.85%	0.51%	6.70%	2.12%	1.93%	3.80%	0.93%	2.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARBNX and ARBFX in my portfolio?

ARBNX and ARBFX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARBNX or ARBFX?

ARBNX has higher volatility (0.55%) compared to ARBFX (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARBNX dropped -14.42% vs ARBFX's -38.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARBNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.41 vs 3.31), 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.