ARKF vs. IYW
ARKF (ARK Fintech Innovation ETF) and IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKF is a Blockchain fund actively managed by ARK, while IYW is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. ARKF is actively managed, while IYW is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARKF returned -5.06%/yr vs 21.19%/yr for IYW. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYW.
Performance
ARKF vs. IYW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ARKF achieves a -18.31% return, which is significantly lower than IYW's 22.66% return.
ARKF
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -5.76%
- YTD
- -18.31%
- 6M
- -21.31%
- 1Y
- -11.87%
- 3Y*
- 23.97%
- 5Y*
- -5.06%
- 10Y*
- —
IYW
- 1D
- 0.61%
- 1M
- 1.73%
- YTD
- 22.66%
- 6M
- 23.40%
- 1Y
- 47.94%
- 3Y*
- 32.06%
- 5Y*
- 21.19%
- 10Y*
- 25.63%
ARKF vs. IYW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF | -18.31% | 28.67% | 34.34% | 93.27% | -65.07% | -17.82% | 108.03% | 20.45% |
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 22.66% | 25.38% | 30.25% | 65.44% | -34.83% | 35.44% | 47.45% | 34.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between ARKF and IYW is 0.68, 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 | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2019 | 0.76 |
The correlation between ARKF and IYW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ARKF vs. IYW — Risk / Return Rank
ARKF
IYW
ARKF vs. IYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) and iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW). 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 | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.97 | 1.38 | -0.41 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.31 | 2.70 | -3.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.57 | 8.68 | -9.25 |
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Drawdowns
ARKF vs. IYW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ARKF drawdown since its inception was -78.63%, roughly equal to the maximum IYW drawdown of -81.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKF and IYW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ARKF | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -78.63% | -81.90% | +3.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -38.50% | -17.81% | -20.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -38.50% | -26.47% | -12.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -75.30% | -39.44% | -35.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -39.44% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -38.77% | -5.81% | -32.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -34.95% | -34.62% | -0.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 21.00% | 5.54% | +15.46% |
Volatility
ARKF vs. IYW - Volatility Comparison
ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) has a higher volatility of 10.36% compared to iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) at 9.41%. This indicates that ARKF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ARKF | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.36% | 9.41% | +0.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 25.14% | 17.67% | +7.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 33.69% | 21.47% | +12.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 42.87% | 26.07% | +16.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 39.77% | 25.20% | +14.57% |
ARKF vs. IYW - Expense Ratio Comparison
ARKF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IYW's 0.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
ARKF vs. IYW - Dividend Comparison
ARKF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, which matches IYW's 0.11% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.37% | 1.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 0.11% | 0.14% | 0.21% | 0.34% | 0.50% | 0.31% | 0.56% | 0.72% | 0.92% | 0.82% | 1.14% | 1.12% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ARKF and IYW have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ARKF has higher volatility (10.36%) compared to IYW (9.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKF dropped -78.63% vs IYW's -81.90%.
On 5-year performance, IYW leads with 21.19% vs -5.06% for ARKF. On fees, IYW is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IYW has been the lower-risk option at 9.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IYW has performed better with a 21.19% return vs -5.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IYW is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKF.
ARKF and IYW have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.11%.
ARKF is categorized as Blockchain, while IYW is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: ARK and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKF and 0.38% for IYW.
IYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs -0.35), 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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