IVEP vs. MARB

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IVEP (Dan IVES Wedbush AI Power & Infrastructure ETF) and MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IVEP is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Solactive Wedbush AI Power & Infrastructure Index, while MARB is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. IVEP is passively managed, while MARB is actively managed. At a correlation of -0.27, they often move in opposite directions. IVEP charges 0.75%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for MARB.

Performance

IVEP vs. MARB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dan IVES Wedbush AI Power & Infrastructure ETF (IVEP) and First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IVEP

• 1D: -4.10%
• 1M: -1.11%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

IVEP vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IVEP Dan IVES Wedbush AI Power & Infrastructure ETF	7.06%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	2.11%

Correlation

The correlation between IVEP and MARB is -0.27, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2026	-0.27

Return for Risk

IVEP vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVEP

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

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.

IVEP vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dan IVES Wedbush AI Power & Infrastructure ETF (IVEP) 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.

	IVEP	MARB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.26	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.95	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.35	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.78	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	22.96	—

Drawdowns

IVEP vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVEP drawdown since its inception was -10.90%, smaller than the maximum MARB drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVEP and MARB.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVEP	MARB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.90%	-11.99%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.43%	—
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	-4.10%	0.00%	-4.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.78%	-1.39%	-1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.29%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IVEP	MARB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.06%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.35%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.34%	5.35%	+23.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.34%	4.28%	+25.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.34%	5.59%	+23.75%

IVEP vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IVEP vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison

IVEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MARB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.96%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
IVEP Dan IVES Wedbush AI Power & Infrastructure ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	2.96%	3.01%	2.11%	2.20%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVEP and MARB in my portfolio?

IVEP and MARB have a correlation of -0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IVEP or MARB?

On fees, IVEP is cheaper at 0.75% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVEP or MARB?

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

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

MARB has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 0.00% for IVEP.

What is the main difference between IVEP and MARB?

IVEP is categorized as Industrials Equities, while MARB is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: Wedbush and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for IVEP and 2.30% for MARB.