MARB vs NTRL
First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF vs First Trust Equity Market Neutral ETF
Which is better, MARB or NTRL?
Each has led over a different period.
NTRL has a lower expense ratio. MARB led over the full window, NTRL over 1Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | MARB | NTRL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.69% | 0.95%Best |
| AUM | $20M | $15M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 6.36% |
| Holdings | 30 | 24 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.7% | - |
| Max Drawdown | -3.7%Best | -25.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $10,373Best | $8,467 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Market Neutral Strategy | Market Neutral Strategy |
| Inception | Feb 4, 2020 | Feb 4, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 599 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MARB has data through Jun 23, 2026 and NTRL through Nov 1, 2024.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 25, 2023 to Nov 1, 2024 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -3.7% for MARB and -25.2% for NTRL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MARB charges 1.69% per year while NTRL charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $169 vs $95 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MARB currently yields 2.98% against 6.36% for NTRL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 21 holdings in MARB and 505 in NTRL, totalling 70.4% and 1.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 192 days apart, MARB as of Mar 31, 2026 and NTRL as of Oct 9, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 21 positions we hold weights for in MARB and 505 in NTRL, against full books of 30 and 24.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MARB and NTRL you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MARB or NTRL?
MARB has an expense ratio of 1.69% while NTRL charges 0.95%. NTRL is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, MARB or NTRL?
MARB yields 2.98% while NTRL yields 6.36%, so NTRL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NTRL better than MARB?
NTRL has a lower expense ratio. MARB led over the full window, NTRL over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.