GYLD vs. MARB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GYLD (Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF) and MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GYLD is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the DJ Brookfield Global Infrastructure Composite Yield, while MARB is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. GYLD is passively managed, while MARB is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GYLD returned 6.21%/yr vs 2.64%/yr for MARB. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GYLD charges 0.75%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for MARB.

Performance

GYLD vs. MARB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF (GYLD) 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, GYLD achieves a 7.91% return, which is significantly higher than MARB's 1.26% return.

GYLD

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: 7.91%
• 6M: 10.25%
• 1Y: 15.94%
• 3Y*: 15.50%
• 5Y*: 6.21%
• 10Y*: 4.68%

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)

GYLD vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GYLD Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF	7.91%	19.85%	3.83%	10.36%	-7.73%	18.03%	-9.96%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.26%	7.02%	0.73%	2.16%	3.89%	0.26%	-2.35%

Correlation

The correlation between GYLD 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	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2020	0.13

The correlation between GYLD and MARB shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.13 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GYLD vs. MARB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GYLD	MARB
Real Estate	34.8%	20.0%
Energy	30.0%	-
Financial Services	12.0%	15.0%
Basic Materials	7.5%	-
Utilities	4.6%	-
Industrials	4.3%	9.1%
Communication Services	2.7%	15.2%
Consumer Cyclical	2.5%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	-
Healthcare	-	29.7%
Technology	-	14.3%

Return for Risk

GYLD vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank

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

GYLD

GYLD Risk / Return Rank: 45
GYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
GYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
GYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
GYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

GYLD vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF (GYLD) 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.

	GYLD	MARB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	1.17	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	1.80	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.32	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	2.56	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.19	20.98	-11.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GYLD vs. MARB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GYLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the MARB Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GYLD 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

	GYLD	MARB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	1.17	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.62	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.36	-0.15

Drawdowns

GYLD vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GYLD drawdown since its inception was -55.03%, which is greater than MARB's maximum drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GYLD and MARB.

Drawdown Indicators

	GYLD	MARB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.03%	-11.99%	-43.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.86%	-2.43%	-2.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.37%	-3.67%	-4.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.24%	-3.67%	-16.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.71%	-0.00%	-1.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.41%	-1.40%	-13.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.74%	0.30%	+1.44%

Volatility

GYLD vs. MARB - Volatility Comparison

Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF (GYLD) has a higher volatility of 3.16% compared to First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) at 0.47%. This indicates that GYLD'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

	GYLD	MARB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.16%	0.47%	+2.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.39%	2.18%	+7.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	5.31%	+7.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.79%	4.27%	+9.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.58%	5.60%	+10.98%

GYLD vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison

GYLD has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than MARB's 2.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

GYLD vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison

GYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.37%, more than MARB's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GYLD Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF	7.37%	8.43%	12.90%	7.13%	4.64%	5.50%	7.42%	5.83%	8.17%	6.78%	7.29%	10.35%
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 GYLD and MARB in my portfolio?

GYLD 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, GYLD or MARB?

GYLD has higher volatility (3.16%) compared to MARB (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GYLD dropped -55.03% vs MARB's -11.99%.

Which ETF is better, GYLD or MARB?

On 5-year performance, GYLD leads with 6.21% vs 2.64% for MARB. On fees, GYLD is cheaper at 0.75% 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, GYLD or MARB?

Over the 5-year period, GYLD has performed better with a 6.21% return vs 2.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GYLD or MARB?

GYLD is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 2.30% for MARB.

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

GYLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.37%, compared with 2.98% for MARB.

What is the main difference between GYLD and MARB?

GYLD is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while MARB is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: Arrow Funds and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GYLD and 2.30% for MARB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 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.