FTLS vs. MARB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) and MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both Long-Short funds from First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTLS returned 10.33%/yr vs 2.69%/yr for MARB. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTLS charges 1.60%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for MARB.

Performance

FTLS vs. MARB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) 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, FTLS achieves a 5.21% return, which is significantly higher than MARB's 1.21% return.

FTLS

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 5.21%
• 6M: 4.51%
• 1Y: 14.78%
• 3Y*: 14.27%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

MARB

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 1.21%
• 6M: 1.57%
• 1Y: 6.02%
• 3Y*: 4.28%
• 5Y*: 2.69%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTLS vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	5.21%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	0.06%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.21%	7.02%	0.73%	2.16%	3.89%	0.26%	-2.35%

Correlation

The correlation between FTLS and MARB is 0.08, 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	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2020	0.20

The correlation between FTLS and MARB shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (1 year) to 0.20 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTLS vs. MARB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTLS	MARB
Technology	26.9%	14.3%
Financial Services	19.9%	15.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	5.8%
Healthcare	8.4%	29.7%
Industrials	7.6%	9.1%
Energy	7.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	-
Communication Services	6.1%	15.2%
Basic Materials	5.1%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	20.0%
Utilities	0.9%	-

Return for Risk

FTLS vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 60
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

MARB

MARB Risk / Return Rank: 50
MARB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
MARB Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
MARB Omega Ratio Rank: 49
MARB Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
MARB Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

FTLS vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	FTLS	MARB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	1.14	+0.67
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	1.76	+0.88
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.31	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.96	2.50	+1.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.34	20.57	-8.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTLS vs. MARB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the MARB Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTLS 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

	FTLS	MARB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	1.14	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98	0.63	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.36	+0.45

Drawdowns

FTLS vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTLS drawdown since its inception was -20.54%, which is greater than MARB's maximum drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTLS and MARB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTLS	MARB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.54%	-11.99%	-8.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.79%	-2.43%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.69%	-3.67%	-8.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.69%	-3.67%	-8.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.54%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.05%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-1.41%	-1.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	0.30%	+0.91%

Volatility

FTLS vs. MARB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) has a higher volatility of 1.93% compared to First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) at 0.47%. This indicates that FTLS'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

	FTLS	MARB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.93%	0.47%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.65%	2.18%	+3.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.19%	5.31%	+2.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.55%	4.27%	+6.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.30%	5.60%	+5.70%

FTLS vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTLS has a 1.60% expense ratio, which is lower than MARB's 2.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTLS vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison

FTLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than MARB's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	0.90%	1.07%	1.50%	1.49%	0.81%	0.01%	0.44%	0.83%	0.87%	0.43%	1.04%	0.49%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	2.98%	3.01%	2.11%	2.20%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTLS and MARB in my portfolio?

FTLS and MARB have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTLS or MARB?

FTLS has higher volatility (1.93%) compared to MARB (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTLS dropped -20.54% vs MARB's -11.99%.

Which ETF is better, FTLS or MARB?

On 5-year performance, FTLS leads with 10.33% vs 2.69% for MARB. On fees, FTLS is cheaper at 1.60% 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, FTLS or MARB?

Over the 5-year period, FTLS has performed better with a 10.33% return vs 2.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTLS or MARB?

FTLS is cheaper with a 1.60% expense ratio, compared with 2.30% for MARB.

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

MARB has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 0.90% for FTLS.

What is the main difference between FTLS and MARB?

Their fees differ too: 1.60% for FTLS and 2.30% for MARB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.14), 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.