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^GSPC vs. ARKK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility

^GSPC vs. ARKK

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

^GSPC (S&P 500 Index) is an index, while ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) is Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK. Over the past 10 years, ^GSPC returned 13.45%/yr vs 15.39%/yr for ARKK. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

^GSPC vs. ARKK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^GSPC achieves a 8.18% return, which is significantly higher than ARKK's -1.35% return. Over the past 10 years, ^GSPC has underperformed ARKK with an annualized return of 13.45%, while ARKK has yielded a comparatively higher 15.39% annualized return.

^GSPC

1D
0.30%
1M
0.09%
YTD
8.18%
6M
8.17%
1Y
23.42%
3Y*
19.88%
5Y*
11.91%
10Y*
13.45%

ARKK

1D
1.87%
1M
-4.10%
YTD
-1.35%
6M
-7.42%
1Y
24.13%
3Y*
21.64%
5Y*
-7.38%
10Y*
15.39%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^GSPC vs. ARKK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
^GSPC
S&P 500 Index		8.18%16.39%23.31%24.23%-19.44%26.89%16.26%28.88%-6.24%19.42%
ARKK
ARK Innovation ETF		-1.35%35.49%8.40%69.04%-66.97%-23.60%152.71%35.08%3.52%87.33%

Correlation

The correlation between ^GSPC and ARKK is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.73

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.74

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.72

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.70

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014

0.68

The correlation between ^GSPC and ARKK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

S&P 500 Index

ARK Innovation ETF

Often compared with ^GSPC:
^GSPC vs. ^IBEX^GSPC vs. AVGO^GSPC vs. SCHD^GSPC vs. GC=F^GSPC vs. TSMU^GSPC vs. QQQ^GSPC vs. ACWI
Often compared with ARKK:
ARKK vs. SPYARKK vs. QQQARKK vs. ARKQARKK vs. ARKWARKK vs. ^NDXARKK vs. SMHARKK vs. BRK-B

Return for Risk

^GSPC vs. ARKK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
^GSPC
^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
ARKK
ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 2020
Overall Rank
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2222
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 2121
Omega Ratio Rank
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 1818
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^GSPC vs. ARKK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK). 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.

^GSPCARKKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.94
0.67

+1.26

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.63
1.13

+1.50

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.13

+0.22

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.59

0.77

+1.81

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.84

1.71

+10.14

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^GSPC vs. ARKK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is higher than the ARKK Sharpe Ratio of 0.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^GSPC and ARKK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

^GSPCARKKDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.94

0.67

+1.26

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.71

-0.16

+0.87

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.75

0.38

+0.36

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.47

0.34

+0.13

Drawdowns

^GSPC vs. ARKK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^GSPC drawdown since its inception was -56.78%, smaller than the maximum ARKK drawdown of -80.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^GSPC and ARKK.

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Drawdown Indicators

^GSPCARKKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.78%

-80.97%

+24.19%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.10%

-31.35%

+22.25%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.90%

-39.56%

+20.66%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.43%

-77.23%

+51.80%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.92%

-80.97%

+47.05%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.68%

-50.87%

+48.19%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.72%

-30.14%

+19.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.98%

14.18%

-12.20%

Volatility

^GSPC vs. ARKK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) is 3.80%, while ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a volatility of 11.34%. This indicates that ^GSPC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

^GSPCARKKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.80%

11.34%

-7.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.41%

25.96%

-16.55%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.17%

36.15%

-23.98%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.94%

46.38%

-29.44%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.09%

40.34%

-22.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

^GSPC and ARKK have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ARKK has higher volatility (11.34%) compared to ^GSPC (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^GSPC dropped -56.78% vs ARKK's -80.97%.

^GSPC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 0.67), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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