MARB vs. SENT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MARB (First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF) and SENT (AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF) are both Long-Short funds. MARB is actively managed, while SENT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MARB returned 2.64%/yr vs -4.51%/yr for SENT. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MARB charges 2.30%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for SENT.

Performance

MARB vs. SENT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) and AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF (SENT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

MARB

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.42%
• 1Y: 6.18%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 2.64%
• 10Y*: —

SENT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 0.00%
• 3Y*: -3.03%
• 5Y*: -4.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

MARB vs. SENT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.26%	7.02%	0.73%	2.16%	3.89%	0.06%
SENT AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-6.03%	-18.25%	8.96%

Correlation

The correlation between MARB and SENT is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2021	0.13

MARB vs. SENT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MARB	SENT
Healthcare	29.7%	24.8%
Real Estate	20.0%	-
Communication Services	15.2%	1.9%
Financial Services	15.0%	6.1%
Technology	14.3%	26.2%
Industrials	9.1%	14.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.8%	10.1%
Basic Materials	-	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.1%
Energy	-	10.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MARB vs. SENT — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

MARB vs. SENT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) and AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF (SENT). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MARB	SENT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	-0.36	+0.98
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	-0.25	+0.61

Drawdowns

MARB vs. SENT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MARB drawdown since its inception was -11.99%, smaller than the maximum SENT drawdown of -30.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MARB and SENT.

Drawdown Indicators

	MARB	SENT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.99%	-30.34%	+18.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.43%	0.00%	-2.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.67%	-15.83%	+12.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-3.67%	-30.34%	+26.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.00%	-27.23%	+27.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.40%	-20.90%	+19.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.00%	+0.30%

Volatility

MARB vs. SENT - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) has a higher volatility of 0.47% compared to AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF (SENT) at 0.00%. This indicates that MARB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SENT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MARB	SENT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.47%	0.00%	+0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.18%	0.00%	+2.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.31%	0.00%	+5.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.27%	12.66%	-8.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.60%	13.32%	-7.72%

MARB vs. SENT - Expense Ratio Comparison

MARB has a 2.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SENT's 1.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

MARB vs. SENT - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	2.98%	3.01%	2.11%	2.20%	0.99%
SENT AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MARB and SENT in my portfolio?

MARB and SENT have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MARB or SENT?

MARB has higher volatility (0.47%) compared to SENT (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MARB dropped -11.99% vs SENT's -30.34%.

Which ETF is better, MARB or SENT?

On 5-year performance, MARB leads with 2.64% vs -4.51% for SENT. On fees, SENT is cheaper at 1.01% per year. On volatility, SENT has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MARB or SENT?

Over the 5-year period, MARB has performed better with a 2.64% return vs -4.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MARB or SENT?

SENT is cheaper with a 1.01% expense ratio, compared with 2.30% for MARB.

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

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

What is the main difference between MARB and SENT?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and AdvisorShares. Their fees differ too: 2.30% for MARB and 1.01% for SENT.