ARKK vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. ARKK is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKK returned 15.39%/yr vs 12.71%/yr for IAU. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARKK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

ARKK vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKK achieves a -1.35% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKK has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 15.39%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 12.71% 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%

IAU

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 3.08%
• 1Y: 30.27%
• 3Y*: 29.88%
• 5Y*: 17.71%
• 10Y*: 12.71%

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

ARKK vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF	-1.35%	35.49%	8.40%	69.04%	-66.97%	-23.60%	152.71%	35.08%	3.52%	87.33%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.26%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKK and IAU is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014	0.05

The correlation between ARKK and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ARKK vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKK	IAU
Healthcare	27.4%	-
Technology	26.4%	-
Financial Services	15.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.7%	-
Communication Services	10.9%	-
Industrials	6.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ARKK vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKK

ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 20
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 21
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 18

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 33
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	1.14	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.13	1.52	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.23	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	1.52	-0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.71	3.80	-2.09
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. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKK Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKK and IAU, 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

	ARKK	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67	1.14	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.16	0.99	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.80	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.61	-0.27

Drawdowns

ARKK vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKK drawdown since its inception was -80.97%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKK and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKK	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.97%	-45.14%	-35.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.35%	-20.04%	-11.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.56%	-20.04%	-19.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-77.23%	-20.93%	-56.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.97%	-21.82%	-59.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.87%	-19.88%	-30.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.14%	-15.97%	-14.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.18%	7.99%	+6.19%

Volatility

ARKK vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a higher volatility of 11.34% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.64%. This indicates that ARKK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKK	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.34%	5.64%	+5.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.96%	23.33%	+2.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.15%	26.68%	+9.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.38%	18.02%	+28.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.34%	15.94%	+24.40%

ARKK vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKK vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARKK nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.70%	0.00%	0.55%	1.64%	0.38%	3.14%	1.32%	0.00%	2.27%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKK and IAU in my portfolio?

ARKK and IAU have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARKK or IAU?

ARKK has higher volatility (11.34%) compared to IAU (5.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKK dropped -80.97% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, ARKK or IAU?

On 10-year performance, ARKK leads with 15.39% vs 12.71% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKK or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, ARKK has performed better with a 15.39% return vs 12.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKK or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARKK or IAU?

ARKK and IAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ARKK and IAU?

ARKK is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAU is Gold. They also come from different issuers: ARK and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKK and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 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.