HFSP vs. MARB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HFSP (TradersAI Large Cap Equity & Cash ETF) and MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both Long-Short funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HFSP returned -14.40% vs 6.18% for MARB. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. HFSP charges 1.25%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for MARB.

Performance

HFSP vs. MARB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TradersAI Large Cap Equity & Cash ETF (HFSP) 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, HFSP achieves a -5.78% return, which is significantly lower than MARB's 1.26% return.

HFSP

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: -1.07%
• YTD: -5.78%
• 6M: -3.69%
• 1Y: -14.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 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)

HFSP vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
HFSP TradersAI Large Cap Equity & Cash ETF	-5.78%	-24.01%	1.15%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.26%	7.02%	0.91%

Correlation

The correlation between HFSP and MARB is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2024	-0.04

Return for Risk

HFSP vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank

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

HFSP

HFSP Risk / Return Rank: 3
HFSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
HFSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
HFSP Omega Ratio Rank: 3
HFSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
HFSP Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

HFSP vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TradersAI Large Cap Equity & Cash ETF (HFSP) 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.

	HFSP	MARB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.69	1.17	-1.86
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.85	1.80	-2.65
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.32	-0.43
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.66	2.56	-3.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.16	20.98	-22.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HFSP vs. MARB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HFSP Sharpe Ratio is -0.69, which is lower than the MARB Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HFSP 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

	HFSP	MARB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.69	1.17	-1.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.75	0.36	-1.11

Drawdowns

HFSP vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HFSP drawdown since its inception was -33.80%, which is greater than MARB's maximum drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HFSP and MARB.

Drawdown Indicators

	HFSP	MARB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.80%	-11.99%	-21.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.64%	-2.43%	-22.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.67%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-3.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.10%	-0.00%	-32.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.98%	-1.40%	-15.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.97%	0.30%	+13.67%

Volatility

HFSP vs. MARB - Volatility Comparison

TradersAI Large Cap Equity & Cash ETF (HFSP) has a higher volatility of 5.02% compared to First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) at 0.47%. This indicates that HFSP'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

	HFSP	MARB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.02%	0.47%	+4.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.47%	2.18%	+10.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.03%	5.31%	+15.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.51%	4.27%	+20.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.51%	5.60%	+18.91%

HFSP vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison

HFSP has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is lower than MARB's 2.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

HFSP vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison

HFSP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MARB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
HFSP TradersAI Large Cap Equity & Cash ETF	0.00%	0.00%	1.53%	0.00%	0.00%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	2.98%	3.01%	2.11%	2.20%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HFSP and MARB in my portfolio?

HFSP and MARB have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HFSP or MARB?

HFSP has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to MARB (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HFSP dropped -33.80% vs MARB's -11.99%.

Which ETF is better, HFSP or MARB?

On 1-year performance, MARB leads with 6.18% vs -14.40% for HFSP. On fees, HFSP is cheaper at 1.25% 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, HFSP or MARB?

Over the 1-year period, MARB has performed better with a 6.18% return vs -14.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HFSP or MARB?

HFSP is cheaper with a 1.25% expense ratio, compared with 2.30% for MARB.

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

MARB has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 0.00% for HFSP.

What is the main difference between HFSP and MARB?

They also come from different issuers: TradersAI and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.25% for HFSP and 2.30% for MARB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MARB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs -0.69), 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.