ARKG vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ARKG (ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKG is a Health & Biotech Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. ARKG is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKG returned 7.24%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKG charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ARKG vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF (ARKG) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKG achieves a 17.36% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKG has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 7.24%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

ARKG

• 1D: -2.16%
• 1M: 12.21%
• YTD: 17.36%
• 6M: 14.32%
• 1Y: 57.12%
• 3Y*: 0.75%
• 5Y*: -15.45%
• 10Y*: 7.24%

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)

ARKG vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARKG ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF	17.36%	23.04%	-28.24%	16.22%	-53.90%	-33.92%	180.40%	44.00%	-1.26%	46.61%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKG and SPY is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2014	0.59

The correlation between ARKG and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARKG vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKG	SPY
Healthcare	99.2%	8.4%
Financial Services	0.5%	11.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

ARKG vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKG

ARKG Risk / Return Rank: 39
ARKG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
ARKG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ARKG Omega Ratio Rank: 35
ARKG Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ARKG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

ARKG vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF (ARKG) 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.

	ARKG	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.52	-1.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	3.42	-1.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.46	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	3.42	-1.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.46	15.93	-10.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARKG vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKG Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKG and SPY, 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

	ARKG	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	2.52	-1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.34	0.84	-1.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.87	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.59	-0.45

Drawdowns

ARKG vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKG drawdown since its inception was -83.59%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKG and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKG	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.59%	-55.19%	-28.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.51%	-8.88%	-18.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-51.96%	-18.76%	-33.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-80.18%	-24.50%	-55.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-83.59%	-33.72%	-49.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-69.58%	0.00%	-69.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.86%	-9.05%	-26.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.46%	1.91%	+9.55%

Volatility

ARKG vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF (ARKG) has a higher volatility of 11.89% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that ARKG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKG	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.89%	2.75%	+9.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.12%	8.89%	+20.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.24%	11.81%	+29.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.62%	17.05%	+28.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.13%	17.94%	+23.19%

ARKG vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKG has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKG vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ARKG 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
ARKG ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.62%	0.85%	3.14%	0.82%	1.34%	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 ARKG and SPY in my portfolio?

ARKG and SPY have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARKG or SPY?

ARKG has higher volatility (11.89%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKG dropped -83.59% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ARKG or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs 7.24% for ARKG. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKG or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 7.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKG or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKG.

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

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

What is the main difference between ARKG and SPY?

ARKG is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ARK and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKG and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.40), 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.