ARKK vs. ^NDX
ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) is Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while ^NDX (NASDAQ 100 Index) is an index. Over the past 10 years, ARKK returned 14.31%/yr vs 19.61%/yr for ^NDX. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
ARKK vs. ^NDX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ARKK achieves a -7.38% return, which is significantly lower than ^NDX's 11.98% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKK has underperformed ^NDX with an annualized return of 14.31%, while ^NDX has yielded a comparatively higher 19.61% annualized return.
ARKK
- 1D
- -2.28%
- 1M
- -12.32%
- 6M
- -4.85%
- YTD
- -7.38%
- 1Y
- 0.11%
- 3Y*
- 13.25%
- 5Y*
- -9.65%
- 10Y*
- 14.31%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.17%
^NDX
- 1D
- 0.60%
- 1M
- -3.60%
- 6M
- 10.65%
- YTD
- 11.98%
- 1Y
- 24.21%
- 3Y*
- 21.62%
- 5Y*
- 13.58%
- 10Y*
- 19.61%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.54%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
^NDX NASDAQ 100 Index | $205.94T | $218.36T | $280.11T |
| $356.24M | $389.65M | $523.48M |
ARKK vs. ^NDX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF | -7.38% | 35.49% | 8.40% | 69.04% | -66.97% | -23.60% | 152.71% | 35.08% | 3.52% | 87.33% |
^NDX NASDAQ 100 Index | 11.98% | 20.17% | 24.88% | 53.81% | -32.97% | 26.63% | 47.58% | 37.96% | -1.04% | 31.52% |
Correlation
The correlation between ARKK and ^NDX is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.73 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.76 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014 | 0.73 |
The correlation between ARKK and ^NDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ARKK vs. ^NDX — Risk / Return Rank
ARKK
^NDX
ARKK vs. ^NDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX). 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.
| ARKK | ^NDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.20 | -0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.17 | 1.80 | -1.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.35 | 5.76 | -6.11 |
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Drawdowns
ARKK vs. ^NDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ARKK drawdown since its inception was -80.97%, roughly equal to the maximum ^NDX drawdown of -82.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKK and ^NDX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ARKK | ^NDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.97% | -82.90% | +1.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -31.35% | -12.12% | -19.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -39.56% | -22.93% | -16.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -76.27% | -35.56% | -40.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -80.97% | -35.56% | -45.41% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -53.87% | -7.78% | -46.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -30.38% | -24.55% | -5.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 15.57% | 3.79% | +11.78% |
Volatility
ARKK vs. ^NDX - Volatility Comparison
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a higher volatility of 10.19% compared to NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) at 6.81%. This indicates that ARKK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^NDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ARKK | ^NDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.19% | 6.81% | +3.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 27.72% | 15.99% | +11.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 36.83% | 19.37% | +17.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 46.55% | 23.09% | +23.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 40.48% | 22.73% | +17.75% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ARKK and ^NDX 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.
ARKK has higher volatility (10.19%) compared to ^NDX (6.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKK dropped -80.97% vs ^NDX's -82.90%.
^NDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs -0.15), 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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