IALT vs. MNA

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) and IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF (MNA).

IALT and MNA are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IALT is an actively managed fund by iShares. It was launched on Dec 9, 2025. MNA is a passively managed fund by New York Life that tracks the performance of the IQ Merger Arbitrage Index. It was launched on Nov 17, 2009.

Performance

IALT vs. MNA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) and IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF (MNA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

IALT vs. MNA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF	7.75%	0.73%
MNA IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.56%	-0.44%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IALT achieves a 7.75% return, which is significantly higher than MNA's 1.56% return.

IALT

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 3.45%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MNA

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 5.98%
• 3Y*: 5.16%
• 5Y*: 2.20%
• 10Y*: 2.73%

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

IALT vs. MNA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IALT has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than MNA's 0.77% expense ratio.

IALT

iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF

MNA

IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF

Return for Risk

IALT vs. MNA — Risk / Return Rank

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

MNA

MNA Risk / Return Rank: 77
MNA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
MNA Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
MNA Omega Ratio Rank: 65
MNA Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
MNA Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

IALT vs. MNA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) and IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF (MNA). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IALT	MNA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.20	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	4.40	0.36	+4.04

Correlation

The correlation between IALT and MNA is 0.47, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

IALT vs. MNA - Dividend Comparison

IALT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, while MNA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF	0.13%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MNA IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.20%	0.00%	0.00%	2.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.21%	0.87%

Drawdowns

IALT vs. MNA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IALT drawdown since its inception was -1.28%, smaller than the maximum MNA drawdown of -16.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IALT and MNA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IALT	MNA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-16.68%	+15.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.21%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.74%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-16.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.47%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.26%	-2.86%	+2.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.56%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IALT	MNA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.70%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	3.01%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.25%	5.00%	+2.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.25%	4.97%	+2.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.25%	6.55%	+0.70%