PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
ARKK vs. ^GSPC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility

ARKK vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) is Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while ^GSPC (S&P 500 Index) is an index. Over the past 10 years, ARKK returned 15.39%/yr vs 13.45%/yr for ^GSPC. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ARKK vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKK achieves a -1.35% return, which is significantly lower than ^GSPC's 8.18% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKK has outperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 15.39%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively lower 13.45% annualized return.

ARKK

1D
1.87%
1M
-4.10%
YTD
-1.35%
6M
-7.42%
1Y
24.13%
3Y*
21.64%
5Y*
-7.38%
10Y*
15.39%

^GSPC

1D
0.30%
1M
0.09%
YTD
8.18%
6M
8.17%
1Y
23.42%
3Y*
19.88%
5Y*
11.91%
10Y*
13.45%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARKK vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ARKK
ARK Innovation ETF		-1.35%35.49%8.40%69.04%-66.97%-23.60%152.71%35.08%3.52%87.33%
^GSPC
S&P 500 Index		8.18%16.39%23.31%24.23%-19.44%26.89%16.26%28.88%-6.24%19.42%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKK and ^GSPC is 0.73, 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

0.73

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.74

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.72

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.70

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014

0.68

The correlation between ARKK and ^GSPC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ARK Innovation ETF

S&P 500 Index

Often compared with ARKK:
ARKK vs. SPYARKK vs. QQQARKK vs. ARKQARKK vs. ARKWARKK vs. ^NDXARKK vs. SMHARKK vs. BRK-B
Often compared with ^GSPC:
^GSPC vs. ^IBEX^GSPC vs. AVGO^GSPC vs. SCHD^GSPC vs. GC=F^GSPC vs. TSMU^GSPC vs. QQQ^GSPC vs. ACWI

Return for Risk

ARKK vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ARKK
ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 2020
Overall Rank
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2222
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 2121
Omega Ratio Rank
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 1818
Martin Ratio Rank
^GSPC
^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ARKK vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

ARKK^GSPCDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.67
1.94

-1.26

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.13
2.63

-1.50

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.13

1.35

-0.22

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.77

2.59

-1.81

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.71

11.84

-10.14

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARKK vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKK Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is lower than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKK and ^GSPC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

ARKK^GSPCDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.67

1.94

-1.26

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.16

0.71

-0.87

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.38

0.75

-0.36

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.34

0.47

-0.13

Drawdowns

ARKK vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKK drawdown since its inception was -80.97%, which is greater than ^GSPC's maximum drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKK and ^GSPC.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

ARKK^GSPCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-80.97%

-56.78%

-24.19%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-31.35%

-9.10%

-22.25%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-39.56%

-18.90%

-20.66%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-77.23%

-25.43%

-51.80%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-80.97%

-33.92%

-47.05%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-50.87%

-2.68%

-48.19%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-30.14%

-10.72%

-19.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

14.18%

1.98%

+12.20%

Volatility

ARKK vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a higher volatility of 11.34% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 3.80%. This indicates that ARKK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

ARKK^GSPCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

11.34%

3.80%

+7.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

25.96%

9.41%

+16.55%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

36.15%

12.17%

+23.98%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

46.38%

16.94%

+29.44%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

40.34%

18.09%

+22.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

ARKK and ^GSPC have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ARKK has higher volatility (11.34%) compared to ^GSPC (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKK dropped -80.97% vs ^GSPC's -56.78%.

^GSPC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 0.67), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for ARKK and ^GSPC

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer