APLD vs. ARKQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

APLD (Applied Digital Corporation) is a stock, while ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) is Robotics fund actively managed by ARK. Over the past 10 years, APLD returned 125.13%/yr vs 21.73%/yr for ARKQ. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

APLD vs. ARKQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) and ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APLD achieves a 74.14% return, which is significantly higher than ARKQ's 12.86% return. Over the past 10 years, APLD has outperformed ARKQ with an annualized return of 125.13%, while ARKQ has yielded a comparatively lower 21.73% annualized return.

APLD

• 1D: 2.97%
• 1M: -6.11%
• YTD: 74.14%
• 6M: 53.27%
• 1Y: 241.33%
• 3Y*: 69.23%
• 5Y*: 112.30%
• 10Y*: 125.13%

ARKQ

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: -5.27%
• YTD: 12.86%
• 6M: 13.25%
• 1Y: 55.23%
• 3Y*: 32.57%
• 5Y*: 9.89%
• 10Y*: 21.73%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

APLD vs. ARKQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
APLD Applied Digital Corporation	74.14%	220.94%	13.35%	266.30%	-56.09%	11,789.90%	389.44%	-34.55%	64.99%	-33.33%
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	12.86%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-7.89%	52.26%

Correlation

The correlation between APLD and ARKQ is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2014	0.23

Over the past year, APLD and ARKQ have become more correlated (0.61) than their long-term average of 0.23, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

APLD vs. ARKQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

APLD

APLD Risk / Return Rank: 90
APLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
APLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
APLD Omega Ratio Rank: 85
APLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
APLD Martin Ratio Rank: 91

ARKQ

ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 54
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 48
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

APLD vs. ARKQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) and ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	APLD	ARKQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.66	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.18	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.27	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.83	2.70	+2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.72	7.95	+3.77

APLD vs. ARKQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is higher than the ARKQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APLD and ARKQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

APLD vs. ARKQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APLD drawdown since its inception was -99.73%, which is greater than ARKQ's maximum drawdown of -59.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APLD and ARKQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	APLD	ARKQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.73%	-59.89%	-39.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.31%	-20.58%	-29.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-76.66%	-30.76%	-45.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.61%	-55.71%	-26.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.80%	-59.89%	-29.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.00%	-10.02%	-3.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-74.86%	-17.22%	-57.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.22%	6.97%	+14.25%

Volatility

APLD vs. ARKQ - Volatility Comparison

Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) has a higher volatility of 33.15% compared to ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) at 12.70%. This indicates that APLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ARKQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APLD	ARKQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	33.15%	12.70%	+20.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	80.49%	26.15%	+54.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	107.13%	33.54%	+73.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	165.20%	32.50%	+132.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	301.46%	29.98%	+271.48%

Dividends

APLD vs. ARKQ - Dividend Comparison

APLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
APLD Applied Digital Corporation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	0.24%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.80%	0.86%	0.00%	2.86%	1.54%	0.00%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APLD and ARKQ in my portfolio?

APLD and ARKQ have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APLD or ARKQ?

APLD has higher volatility (33.15%) compared to ARKQ (12.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APLD dropped -99.73% vs ARKQ's -59.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.66), 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.