ARKF vs. IPAY

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

ARKF (ARK Fintech Innovation ETF) and IPAY (ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKF is a Blockchain fund actively managed by ARK, while IPAY is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Prime Mobile Payments Index. ARKF is actively managed, while IPAY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARKF returned -3.84%/yr vs -6.97%/yr for IPAY. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.75% expense ratio.

Performance

ARKF vs. IPAY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) and ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF (IPAY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKF achieves a -11.74% return, which is significantly lower than IPAY's -7.03% return.

ARKF

• 1D: 1.74%
• 1M: 8.04%
• 6M: -14.74%
• YTD: -11.74%
• 1Y: -19.36%
• 3Y*: 21.67%
• 5Y*: -3.84%
• 10Y*: —

IPAY

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 10.49%
• 6M: -6.19%
• YTD: -7.03%
• 1Y: -17.92%
• 3Y*: 3.27%
• 5Y*: -6.97%
• 10Y*: 7.27%

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

ARKF vs. IPAY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	-11.74%	28.67%	34.34%	93.27%	-65.07%	-17.82%	108.03%	20.45%
IPAY ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF	-7.03%	-9.55%	25.88%	18.21%	-32.38%	-12.72%	34.22%	26.95%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKF and IPAY is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2019	0.82

The correlation between ARKF and IPAY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARKF vs. IPAY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKF	IPAY
Technology	41.7%	53.9%
Financial Services	25.0%	41.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	-
Communication Services	8.9%	-
Healthcare	0.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	4.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ARKF vs. IPAY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKF

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

IPAY

IPAY Risk / Return Rank: 4
IPAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
IPAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
IPAY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
IPAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
IPAY Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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. IPAY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) and ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF (IPAY). 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.

	ARKF	IPAY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.58	-0.74	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.63	-0.89	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	0.89	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	-0.57	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.85	-0.99	+0.13

ARKF vs. IPAY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKF Sharpe Ratio is -0.58, which is comparable to the IPAY Sharpe Ratio of -0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKF and IPAY, 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

ARKF vs. IPAY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKF drawdown since its inception was -78.63%, which is greater than IPAY's maximum drawdown of -51.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKF and IPAY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKF	IPAY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.63%	-51.75%	-26.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.50%	-31.31%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.50%	-32.74%	-5.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-75.30%	-51.49%	-23.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.84%	-32.69%	-1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.97%	-16.86%	-18.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.78%	18.20%	+4.58%

Volatility

ARKF vs. IPAY - Volatility Comparison

ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) has a higher volatility of 8.52% compared to ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF (IPAY) at 7.43%. This indicates that ARKF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IPAY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKF	IPAY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.52%	7.43%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.71%	19.70%	+6.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.70%	24.35%	+9.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	42.98%	26.28%	+16.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.68%	25.38%	+14.30%

ARKF vs. IPAY - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ARKF and IPAY have an expense ratio of 0.75%.

Dividends

ARKF vs. IPAY - Dividend Comparison

ARKF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%, less than IPAY's 0.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	0.10%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.37%	1.25%
IPAY ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF	0.85%	0.79%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKF and IPAY in my portfolio?

ARKF and IPAY have a correlation of 0.75, 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 IPAY?

ARKF has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to IPAY (7.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKF dropped -78.63% vs IPAY's -51.75%.

Which ETF is better, ARKF or IPAY?

On 5-year performance, ARKF leads with -3.84% vs -6.97% for IPAY. Both ETFs have the same 0.75% expense ratio. On volatility, IPAY has been the lower-risk option at 7.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKF or IPAY?

Over the 5-year period, ARKF has performed better with a -3.84% return vs -6.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKF or IPAY?

ARKF and IPAY have the same expense ratio: 0.75% per year.

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

IPAY has the higher dividend yield at 0.85%, compared with 0.10% for ARKF.

What is the main difference between ARKF and IPAY?

ARKF is categorized as Blockchain, while IPAY is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: ARK and ETFMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.58 vs -0.74), 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.