QAI vs. MARB
Compare and contrast key facts about IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) and First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB).
QAI and MARB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QAI is a passively managed fund by New York Life that tracks the performance of the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. It was launched on Mar 25, 2009. MARB is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Feb 4, 2020.
Performance
QAI vs. MARB - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
QAI vs. MARB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 1.82% | 8.29% | 6.67% | 10.07% | -8.68% | -0.16% | 5.25% |
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF | 0.29% | 7.02% | 0.73% | 2.16% | 3.89% | 0.26% | -2.35% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QAI achieves a 1.82% return, which is significantly higher than MARB's 0.29% return.
QAI
- 1D
- 1.25%
- 1M
- -2.23%
- YTD
- 1.82%
- 6M
- 2.98%
- 1Y
- 10.61%
- 3Y*
- 8.05%
- 5Y*
- 3.40%
- 10Y*
- 3.30%
MARB
- 1D
- -0.14%
- 1M
- -0.00%
- YTD
- 0.29%
- 6M
- 2.63%
- 1Y
- 6.85%
- 3Y*
- 3.46%
- 5Y*
- 2.72%
- 10Y*
- —
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
QAI vs. MARB - Expense Ratio Comparison
QAI has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than MARB's 2.30% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
QAI vs. MARB — Risk / Return Rank
QAI
MARB
QAI vs. MARB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) 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.
| QAI | MARB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.41 | 1.29 | +0.12 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.99 | 2.00 | -0.01 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.33 | -0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.93 | 3.13 | -1.20 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.93 | 21.28 | -12.35 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QAI | MARB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.41 | 1.29 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.53 | 0.65 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | 0.34 | +0.17 |
Correlation
The correlation between QAI and MARB is 0.23, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.
Dividends
QAI vs. MARB - Dividend Comparison
QAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, less than MARB's 3.01% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 1.48% | 1.50% | 2.22% | 4.08% | 2.00% | 0.28% | 1.98% | 1.91% | 1.90% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.48% |
MARB First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF | 3.01% | 3.01% | 2.11% | 2.20% | 0.99% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
QAI vs. MARB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QAI drawdown since its inception was -14.95%, which is greater than MARB's maximum drawdown of -11.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QAI and MARB.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| QAI | MARB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.95% | -11.99% | -2.96% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.43% | -2.43% | -3.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.32% | -3.67% | -10.65% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.95% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.51% | -0.24% | -2.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.60% | -1.44% | -1.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.17% | 0.36% | +0.81% |
Volatility
QAI vs. MARB - Volatility Comparison
IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) has a higher volatility of 2.83% compared to First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (MARB) at 1.15%. This indicates that QAI'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.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| QAI | MARB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.83% | 1.15% | +1.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.95% | 3.17% | +1.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.55% | 5.36% | +2.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.51% | 4.23% | +2.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.12% | 5.64% | +0.48% |