ARKF vs. BPAY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARKF (ARK Fintech Innovation ETF) and BPAY (BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKF is a Blockchain fund actively managed by ARK, while BPAY is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by BlackRock. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, ARKF returned 26.10%/yr vs 8.49%/yr for BPAY. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARKF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for BPAY.

Performance

ARKF vs. BPAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) and BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKF achieves a -16.17% return, which is significantly lower than BPAY's -12.44% return.

ARKF

• 1D: -3.76%
• 1M: -7.12%
• YTD: -16.17%
• 6M: -20.39%
• 1Y: -4.73%
• 3Y*: 26.10%
• 5Y*: -4.19%
• 10Y*: —

BPAY

• 1D: -4.23%
• 1M: -4.47%
• YTD: -12.44%
• 6M: -14.32%
• 1Y: -10.80%
• 3Y*: 8.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ARKF vs. BPAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	-16.17%	28.67%	34.34%	93.27%	-27.78%
BPAY BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF	-12.44%	8.54%	17.28%	13.19%	-16.39%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKF and BPAY is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2022	0.81

The correlation between ARKF and BPAY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARKF vs. BPAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKF	BPAY
Technology	42.7%	36.4%
Financial Services	28.5%	53.0%
Consumer Cyclical	16.4%	6.0%
Communication Services	12.2%	-
Healthcare	0.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	4.6%
Real Estate	-	2.2%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ARKF vs. BPAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKF

ARKF Risk / Return Rank: 7
ARKF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
ARKF Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
ARKF Omega Ratio Rank: 7
ARKF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
ARKF Martin Ratio Rank: 8

BPAY

BPAY Risk / Return Rank: 5
BPAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
BPAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
BPAY Omega Ratio Rank: 5
BPAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
BPAY Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

ARKF vs. BPAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) and BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY). 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.

	ARKF	BPAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.14	-0.42	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	-0.42	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	0.95	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.12	-0.32	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.23	-0.64	+0.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARKF vs. BPAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKF Sharpe Ratio is -0.14, which is higher than the BPAY Sharpe Ratio of -0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKF and BPAY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARKF	BPAY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.14	-0.42	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.10	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.06	+0.19

Drawdowns

ARKF vs. BPAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKF drawdown since its inception was -78.63%, which is greater than BPAY's maximum drawdown of -33.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKF and BPAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKF	BPAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.63%	-33.62%	-45.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.50%	-33.62%	-4.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.50%	-33.62%	-4.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-75.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.16%	-26.03%	-11.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.96%	-10.54%	-24.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.22%	16.98%	+3.24%

Volatility

ARKF vs. BPAY - Volatility Comparison

ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) has a higher volatility of 8.36% compared to BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY) at 6.91%. This indicates that ARKF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BPAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKF	BPAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.36%	6.91%	+1.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.47%	18.71%	+5.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.66%	26.01%	+7.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	42.79%	24.35%	+18.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.77%	24.35%	+15.42%

ARKF vs. BPAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than BPAY's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKF vs. BPAY - Dividend Comparison

ARKF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than BPAY's 7.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	0.11%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.37%	1.25%
BPAY BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF	7.41%	6.49%	0.48%	1.18%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKF and BPAY in my portfolio?

ARKF and BPAY have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARKF or BPAY?

ARKF has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to BPAY (6.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKF dropped -78.63% vs BPAY's -33.62%.

Which ETF is better, ARKF or BPAY?

On 3-year performance, ARKF leads with 26.10% vs 8.49% for BPAY. On fees, BPAY is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, BPAY has been the lower-risk option at 6.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKF or BPAY?

Over the 3-year period, ARKF has performed better with a 26.10% return vs 8.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKF or BPAY?

BPAY is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARKF or BPAY?

BPAY has the higher dividend yield at 7.41%, compared with 0.11% for ARKF.

What is the main difference between ARKF and BPAY?

ARKF is categorized as Blockchain, while BPAY is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: ARK and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKF and 0.70% for BPAY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.14 vs -0.42), 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.