CLSE vs. MARB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CLSE (Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF) and MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both Long-Short funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, CLSE returned 32.39%/yr vs 4.29%/yr for MARB. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CLSE charges 1.56%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for MARB.

Performance

CLSE vs. MARB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF (CLSE) 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, CLSE achieves a 25.76% return, which is significantly higher than MARB's 1.26% return.

CLSE

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 9.28%
• YTD: 25.76%
• 6M: 28.57%
• 1Y: 50.91%
• 3Y*: 32.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

CLSE vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
CLSE Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF	25.76%	20.44%	35.54%	17.54%	-3.04%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.26%	7.02%	0.73%	2.16%	3.05%

Correlation

The correlation between CLSE and MARB is -0.03, 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	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2022	0.16

The correlation between CLSE and MARB shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.16 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CLSE vs. MARB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CLSE	MARB
Technology	33.2%	14.3%
Healthcare	6.5%	29.7%
Consumer Cyclical	6.2%	5.8%
Communication Services	6.1%	15.2%
Energy	2.7%	-
Industrials	2.2%	9.1%
Utilities	1.7%	-
Real Estate	1.7%	20.0%
Basic Materials	1.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	-
Financial Services	-2.5%	15.0%

Return for Risk

CLSE vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank

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

CLSE

CLSE Risk / Return Rank: 95
CLSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
CLSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
CLSE Omega Ratio Rank: 93
CLSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
CLSE Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

CLSE vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF (CLSE) 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.

	CLSE	MARB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.84	1.17	+2.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.20	1.80	+3.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.32	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.55	2.56	+7.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	39.58	20.98	+18.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CLSE vs. MARB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CLSE Sharpe Ratio is 3.84, which is higher than the MARB Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CLSE 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

	CLSE	MARB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.84	1.17	+2.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.59	0.36	+1.23

Drawdowns

CLSE vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CLSE drawdown since its inception was -16.45%, which is greater than MARB's maximum drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CLSE and MARB.

Drawdown Indicators

	CLSE	MARB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.45%	-11.99%	-4.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.85%	-2.43%	-2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.45%	-3.67%	-12.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-3.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.59%	-1.40%	-2.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.29%	0.30%	+0.99%

Volatility

CLSE vs. MARB - Volatility Comparison

Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF (CLSE) has a higher volatility of 4.31% compared to First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) at 0.47%. This indicates that CLSE'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

	CLSE	MARB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.31%	0.47%	+3.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.21%	2.18%	+8.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.32%	5.31%	+8.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.88%	4.27%	+9.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.88%	5.60%	+8.28%

CLSE vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison

CLSE has a 1.56% expense ratio, which is lower than MARB's 2.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

CLSE vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison

CLSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, less than MARB's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
CLSE Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF	0.76%	0.95%	0.93%	1.21%	0.85%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	2.98%	3.01%	2.11%	2.20%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CLSE and MARB in my portfolio?

CLSE and MARB have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CLSE or MARB?

CLSE has higher volatility (4.31%) compared to MARB (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CLSE dropped -16.45% vs MARB's -11.99%.

Which ETF is better, CLSE or MARB?

On 3-year performance, CLSE leads with 32.39% vs 4.29% for MARB. On fees, CLSE is cheaper at 1.56% 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, CLSE or MARB?

Over the 3-year period, CLSE has performed better with a 32.39% return vs 4.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CLSE or MARB?

CLSE is cheaper with a 1.56% expense ratio, compared with 2.30% for MARB.

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

MARB has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 0.76% for CLSE.

What is the main difference between CLSE and MARB?

They also come from different issuers: Convergence Investment Partners and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.56% for CLSE and 2.30% for MARB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CLSE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.84 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.