MNA vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MNA (IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MNA is a Hedge Fund fund tracking the IQ Merger Arbitrage Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MNA returned 2.67%/yr vs 15.56%/yr for VOO. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MNA charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

MNA vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF (MNA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MNA achieves a 1.26% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, MNA has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 2.67%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.56% annualized return.

MNA

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 3.69%
• 3Y*: 5.62%
• 5Y*: 1.74%
• 10Y*: 2.67%

VOO

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 22.44%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

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

MNA vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MNA IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF	1.26%	8.59%	4.93%	0.18%	-1.61%	-3.24%	2.72%	4.70%	2.13%	5.97%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between MNA and VOO is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.37

The correlation between MNA and VOO shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (3 years) to 0.42 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MNA vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MNA	VOO
Industrials	22.3%	8.3%
Utilities	15.3%	2.4%
Financial Services	11.4%	11.6%
Healthcare	11.3%	8.5%
Basic Materials	10.3%	1.8%
Communication Services	9.2%	11.3%
Technology	8.3%	35.7%
Real Estate	5.1%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.9%
Consumer Cyclical	2.4%	10.2%
Energy	-	3.5%

Return for Risk

MNA vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

MNA

MNA Risk / Return Rank: 32
MNA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
MNA Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
MNA Omega Ratio Rank: 21
MNA Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
MNA Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

MNA vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF (MNA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	MNA	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	2.39	-1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.17	3.25	-2.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.43	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	3.16	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.64	14.73	-8.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MNA vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MNA Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MNA and VOO, 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

	MNA	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	2.39	-1.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.83	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.87	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.89	-0.53

Drawdowns

MNA vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MNA drawdown since its inception was -16.68%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MNA and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	MNA	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.68%	-33.99%	+17.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.40%	-8.90%	+7.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.01%	-18.69%	+15.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.45%	-24.52%	+14.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.68%	-33.99%	+17.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-0.70%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.83%	-3.69%	+0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.56%	1.91%	-1.35%

Volatility

MNA vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF (MNA) is 1.85%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that MNA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MNA	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.85%	2.84%	-0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.56%	8.90%	-5.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.74%	11.80%	-7.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.99%	16.81%	-11.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.55%	18.01%	-11.46%

MNA vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

MNA has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

MNA vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

MNA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MNA and VOO in my portfolio?

MNA and VOO have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MNA or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to MNA (1.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MNA dropped -16.68% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, MNA or VOO?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.56% vs 2.67% for MNA. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, MNA has been the lower-risk option at 1.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MNA or VOO?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.56% return vs 2.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MNA or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for MNA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MNA or VOO?

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for MNA.

What is the main difference between MNA and VOO?

MNA is categorized as Hedge Fund, while VOO is S&P 500. MNA tracks IQ Merger Arbitrage Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.77% for MNA and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 0.78), 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.