MARB vs VOO
First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MARB or VOO?
Market Neutral Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.69% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $20M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 30 | 509 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.5%Best | 17.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.0%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 6.4 years | $11,401 | $23,894Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Market Neutral Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 4, 2020 | Sep 7, 2010 |
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 VOO 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
VOO 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 -12.0% for MARB and -34.3% for VOO. 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
MARB charges 1.69% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $169 vs $3 annually, a gap of $166 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MARB currently yields 2.98% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VOO's money is in holdings MARB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MARB, our book for it covers 70.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, MARB as of Mar 31, 2026 and VOO as of Jul 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 21 positions we hold weights for in MARB and 494 in VOO, against full books of 30 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MARB | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAElectronic Arts, Inc. | 4.25% | 0.07% | 4.18% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MARB and VOO 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 VOO?
MARB has an expense ratio of 1.69% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $166 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MARB or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 3.5% for MARB. Worst drawdown: MARB -12.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both MARB and VOO?
MARB and VOO 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, MARB or VOO?
MARB yields 2.98% while VOO yields 1.04%, so MARB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MARB?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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.