IGLD vs. MARB

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) and MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust, while MARB is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IGLD returned 12.76%/yr vs 2.96%/yr for MARB. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGLD charges 0.85%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for MARB.

Performance

IGLD vs. MARB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) 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, IGLD achieves a -5.55% return, which is significantly lower than MARB's 1.77% return.

IGLD

• 1D: -1.96%
• 1M: -8.08%
• YTD: -5.55%
• 6M: -8.37%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 20.33%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: —

MARB

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 1.77%
• 6M: 1.89%
• 1Y: 6.71%
• 3Y*: 4.36%
• 5Y*: 2.96%
• 10Y*: —

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

IGLD vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-5.55%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.77%	7.02%	0.73%	2.16%	3.89%	0.51%

Correlation

The correlation between IGLD and MARB is -0.11, 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	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021	0.03

The correlation between IGLD and MARB shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IGLD vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 18
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 18

MARB

MARB Risk / Return Rank: 59
MARB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
MARB Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
MARB Omega Ratio Rank: 64
MARB Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
MARB Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

IGLD vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IGLD	MARB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	1.26	-0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	1.95	-1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.35	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.68	2.78	-2.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.94	22.96	-21.02

IGLD vs. MARB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is lower than the MARB Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGLD 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.

Drawdowns

IGLD vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGLD drawdown since its inception was -21.90%, which is greater than MARB's maximum drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGLD and MARB.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGLD	MARB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.90%	-11.99%	-9.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.90%	-2.43%	-19.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.90%	-3.67%	-18.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.90%	-3.67%	-18.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.20%	0.00%	-21.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.37%	-1.39%	-3.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.68%	0.29%	+7.39%

Volatility

IGLD vs. MARB - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a higher volatility of 8.14% compared to First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) at 1.06%. This indicates that IGLD'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

	IGLD	MARB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.14%	1.06%	+7.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.34%	2.35%	+19.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.40%	5.35%	+19.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.48%	4.28%	+11.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.30%	5.59%	+9.71%

IGLD vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGLD has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than MARB's 2.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGLD vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison

IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.29%, more than MARB's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	19.29%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	2.96%	3.01%	2.11%	2.20%	0.99%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGLD and MARB in my portfolio?

IGLD and MARB have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IGLD or MARB?

IGLD has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to MARB (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGLD dropped -21.90% vs MARB's -11.99%.

Which ETF is better, IGLD or MARB?

On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 12.76% vs 2.96% for MARB. On fees, IGLD is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, MARB has been the lower-risk option at 1.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IGLD or MARB?

Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 12.76% return vs 2.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IGLD or MARB?

IGLD is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 2.30% for MARB.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 2.96% for MARB.

What is the main difference between IGLD and MARB?

IGLD is categorized as Gold, while MARB is Long-Short. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IGLD and 2.30% for MARB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MARB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs 0.61), 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.