ARKK vs. MSFT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) is Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ARKK returned 15.39%/yr vs 24.64%/yr for MSFT. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ARKK vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). 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 higher than MSFT's -14.48% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKK has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 15.39%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.64% 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%

MSFT

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: -0.60%
• YTD: -14.48%
• 6M: -15.77%
• 1Y: -11.77%
• 3Y*: 8.85%
• 5Y*: 11.09%
• 10Y*: 24.64%

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

ARKK vs. MSFT - 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%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	-14.48%	15.58%	12.93%	58.19%	-28.02%	52.48%	42.53%	57.56%	20.80%	40.73%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKK and MSFT is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2014	0.52

The correlation between ARKK and MSFT shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (1 year) to 0.54 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ARKK vs. MSFT — 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

MSFT

MSFT Risk / Return Rank: 24
MSFT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
MSFT Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
MSFT Omega Ratio Rank: 20
MSFT Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
MSFT Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). 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	MSFT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	-0.47	+1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.13	-0.49	+1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	0.94	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	-0.35	+1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.71	-0.73	+2.44
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. MSFT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKK Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is higher than the MSFT Sharpe Ratio of -0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKK and MSFT, 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	MSFT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67	-0.47	+1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.16	0.42	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.91	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.74	-0.40

Drawdowns

ARKK vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKK drawdown since its inception was -80.97%, which is greater than MSFT's maximum drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKK and MSFT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKK	MSFT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.97%	-69.38%	-11.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.35%	-33.91%	+2.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.56%	-33.91%	-5.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-77.23%	-37.15%	-40.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.97%	-37.15%	-43.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.87%	-23.56%	-27.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.14%	-21.78%	-8.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.18%	16.13%	-1.95%

Volatility

ARKK vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison

ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a higher volatility of 11.34% compared to Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10.25%. This indicates that ARKK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MSFT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKK	MSFT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.34%	10.25%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.96%	22.36%	+3.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.15%	25.31%	+10.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.38%	26.64%	+19.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.34%	27.06%	+13.28%

Dividends

ARKK vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison

ARKK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MSFT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%.

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%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	0.86%	0.70%	0.73%	0.74%	1.06%	0.68%	0.94%	1.20%	1.69%	1.86%	2.37%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKK and MSFT in my portfolio?

ARKK and MSFT have a correlation of 0.38, 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 MSFT?

ARKK has higher volatility (11.34%) compared to MSFT (10.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKK dropped -80.97% vs MSFT's -69.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.67 vs -0.47), 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.