MARB vs SCHD
First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, MARB or SCHD?
Market Neutral Strategy against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD 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 | MARB | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.69% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $20M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 30 | 103 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.5%Best | 16.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.0%Best | -33.2% |
| $10,000 over 6.4 years | $11,401 | $19,671Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Market Neutral Strategy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 4, 2020 | Oct 20, 2011 |
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. MARB has data through Jun 23, 2026 and SCHD through Sep 22, 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
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% 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 -12.0% for MARB and -33.2% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MARB charges 1.69% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $169 vs $6 annually, a gap of $163 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MARB currently yields 2.98% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 21 holdings in MARB and 100 in SCHD, totalling 70.4% and 100.0% 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 153 days apart, MARB as of Mar 31, 2026 and SCHD as of Aug 31, 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 100 in SCHD, against full books of 30 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MARB and SCHD 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 SCHD?
MARB has an expense ratio of 1.69% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $163 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MARB or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 3.5% for MARB. Worst drawdown: MARB -12.0% vs SCHD -33.2%.
Should I hold both MARB and SCHD?
MARB and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.41, 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, MARB or SCHD?
MARB yields 2.98% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than MARB?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD 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.