ARKD vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ARKD (ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKD is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by ARK, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. ARKD is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKD charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ARKD vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ARKD

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

ARKD vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
ARKD ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF	-0.61%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.49%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKD and SPY is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2026	0.76

Return for Risk

ARKD vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

ARKD vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARKD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.59	-0.66

Drawdowns

ARKD vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKD drawdown since its inception was -14.03%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKD and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKD	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.03%	-55.19%	+41.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.12%	0.00%	-3.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.23%	-9.05%	+2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.91%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ARKD	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.75%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.89%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.78%	11.81%	+7.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.78%	17.05%	+2.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.78%	17.94%	+1.84%

ARKD vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKD has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKD vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ARKD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKD ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKD and SPY in my portfolio?

ARKD and SPY have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ARKD or SPY?

On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKD or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for ARKD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARKD or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.00% for ARKD.

What is the main difference between ARKD and SPY?

ARKD is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ARK and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for ARKD and 0.09% for SPY.