FLSP vs. MARB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLSP (Franklin Liberty Systematic Style Premia ETF) and MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both Long-Short funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLSP returned 7.70%/yr vs 2.64%/yr for MARB. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLSP charges 0.65%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for MARB.

Performance

FLSP vs. MARB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with FLSP at 1.26% and MARB at 1.26%.

FLSP

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.15%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 3.45%
• 1Y: 14.67%
• 3Y*: 10.00%
• 5Y*: 7.70%
• 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)

FLSP vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FLSP Franklin Liberty Systematic Style Premia ETF	1.26%	15.56%	11.75%	3.14%	0.44%	11.44%	-16.96%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.26%	7.02%	0.73%	2.16%	3.89%	0.26%	-2.35%

Correlation

The correlation between FLSP 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	0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2020	0.04

FLSP vs. MARB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLSP	MARB
Technology	21.1%	14.3%
Financial Services	18.7%	15.0%
Industrials	14.8%	9.1%
Healthcare	9.7%	29.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	5.8%
Communication Services	6.5%	15.2%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	-
Basic Materials	5.8%	-
Energy	4.7%	-
Utilities	3.3%	-
Real Estate	1.2%	20.0%

Return for Risk

FLSP vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLSP

FLSP Risk / Return Rank: 53
FLSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
FLSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
FLSP Omega Ratio Rank: 42
FLSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
FLSP Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

FLSP vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Liberty Systematic Style Premia ETF (FLSP) 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.

	FLSP	MARB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	1.17	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	1.80	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.32	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	2.56	+1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	20.98	-10.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLSP vs. MARB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLSP Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is higher than the MARB Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLSP 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

	FLSP	MARB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	1.17	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.62	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.36	-0.06

Drawdowns

FLSP vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLSP drawdown since its inception was -22.75%, which is greater than MARB's maximum drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLSP and MARB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLSP	MARB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.75%	-11.99%	-10.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.03%	-2.43%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.69%	-3.67%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.52%	-3.67%	-5.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.94%	-0.00%	-1.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.30%	-1.40%	-4.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.39%	0.30%	+1.09%

Volatility

FLSP vs. MARB - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Liberty Systematic Style Premia ETF (FLSP) has a higher volatility of 1.98% compared to First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) at 0.47%. This indicates that FLSP'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

	FLSP	MARB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.98%	0.47%	+1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	2.18%	+4.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.27%	5.31%	+3.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.37%	4.27%	+9.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.53%	5.60%	+7.93%

FLSP vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLSP has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than MARB's 2.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLSP vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison

FLSP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than MARB's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FLSP Franklin Liberty Systematic Style Premia ETF	2.62%	2.65%	1.18%	1.19%	2.18%	1.19%	8.08%
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 FLSP and MARB in my portfolio?

FLSP 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, FLSP or MARB?

FLSP has higher volatility (1.98%) compared to MARB (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLSP dropped -22.75% vs MARB's -11.99%.

Which ETF is better, FLSP or MARB?

On 5-year performance, FLSP leads with 7.70% vs 2.64% for MARB. On fees, FLSP is cheaper at 0.65% 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, FLSP or MARB?

Over the 5-year period, FLSP has performed better with a 7.70% return vs 2.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLSP or MARB?

FLSP is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 2.30% for MARB.

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

MARB has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 2.62% for FLSP.

What is the main difference between FLSP and MARB?

They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FLSP and 2.30% for MARB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLSP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 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.