ARKK vs. ICSH
ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) and ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while ICSH is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKK returned 14.94%/yr vs 2.80%/yr for ICSH. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARKK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for ICSH.
Performance
ARKK vs. ICSH - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ARKK achieves a -2.56% return, which is significantly lower than ICSH's 1.92% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKK has outperformed ICSH with an annualized return of 14.94%, while ICSH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.80% annualized return.
ARKK
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- -6.53%
- 6M
- -8.24%
- YTD
- -2.56%
- 1Y
- -3.45%
- 3Y*
- 16.39%
- 5Y*
- -9.13%
- 10Y*
- 14.94%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.69%
ICSH
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- 6M
- 1.77%
- YTD
- 1.92%
- 1Y
- 4.16%
- 3Y*
- 5.09%
- 5Y*
- 3.76%
- 10Y*
- 2.80%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.32%
ARKK vs. ICSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF | -2.56% | 35.49% | 8.40% | 69.04% | -66.97% | -23.60% | 152.71% | 35.08% | 3.52% | 87.33% |
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 1.92% | 4.96% | 5.52% | 5.58% | 0.97% | 0.16% | 1.61% | 3.17% | 2.25% | 1.63% |
Correlation
The correlation between ARKK and ICSH is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014 | 0.09 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ARKK vs. ICSH — Risk / Return Rank
ARKK
ICSH
ARKK vs. ICSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). 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 | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -10.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -22.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 5.55 | -4.54 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.11 | 42.22 | -42.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.23 | 238.25 | -238.48 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
ARKK vs. ICSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ARKK drawdown since its inception was -80.97%, which is greater than ICSH's maximum drawdown of -3.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKK and ICSH.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ARKK | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.97% | -3.94% | -77.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -31.35% | -0.10% | -31.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -39.56% | -0.10% | -39.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -76.27% | -0.73% | -75.54% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -80.97% | -3.94% | -77.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -51.47% | 0.00% | -51.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -30.31% | -0.08% | -30.23% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 15.08% | 0.02% | +15.06% |
Volatility
ARKK vs. ICSH - Volatility Comparison
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a higher volatility of 9.21% compared to iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) at 0.12%. This indicates that ARKK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ARKK | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.21% | 0.12% | +9.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 27.14% | 0.32% | +26.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 36.37% | 0.42% | +35.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 46.49% | 0.49% | +46.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 40.43% | 1.05% | +39.38% |
ARKK vs. ICSH - Expense Ratio Comparison
ARKK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than ICSH's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
ARKK vs. ICSH - Dividend Comparison
ARKK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ICSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%.
| 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% |
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 4.28% | 4.55% | 5.24% | 4.78% | 1.66% | 0.42% | 1.21% | 2.61% | 2.20% | 1.36% | 0.88% | 0.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ARKK and ICSH have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ARKK has higher volatility (9.21%) compared to ICSH (0.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKK dropped -80.97% vs ICSH's -3.94%.
On 10-year performance, ARKK leads with 14.94% vs 2.80% for ICSH. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, ICSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, ARKK has performed better with a 14.94% return vs 2.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKK.
ICSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.28%, compared with 0.00% for ARKK.
ARKK is categorized as Technology Equities, while ICSH is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: ARK and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKK and 0.08% for ICSH.
ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.04 vs -0.10), 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.
Find the right allocation for ARKK and ICSH
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