IVV vs MARB
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF
Which is better, IVV or MARB?
Large Cap Blend against Market Neutral Strategy.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | IVV | MARB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 1.69% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $20M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.98% |
| Holdings | 508 | 30 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 3.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9% | -12.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 6.4 years | $23,881Best | $11,401 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Market Neutral Strategy |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | 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 91 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IVV has data through Sep 22, 2026 and MARB through Jun 23, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 6.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 5, 2020 to Jun 23, 2026 (6.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 3.5% for MARB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.9% for IVV and -12.0% for MARB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MARB charges 1.69%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $169 annually, a gap of $166 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 2.98% for MARB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 21 in MARB, totalling 99.3% and 70.4% of the two funds. That is not enough of MARB to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 153 days apart, IVV as of Aug 31, 2026 and MARB as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 21 in MARB, against full books of 508 and 30.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in MARB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOLXHologic Inc Sedol 2433530 | 0.00% | 3.32% | 3.32% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MARB 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, IVV or MARB?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MARB charges 1.69%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $166 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IVV or MARB?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 3.5% for MARB. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs MARB -12.0%.
Should I hold both IVV and MARB?
IVV and MARB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or MARB?
IVV yields 1.06% while MARB yields 2.98%, so MARB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MARB better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.