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ARKK vs. QLC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ARKK vs. QLC

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) and QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. ARKK is actively managed, while QLC is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKK returned 15.97%/yr vs 15.08%/yr for QLC. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QLC.

Performance

ARKK vs. QLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKK achieves a 3.52% return, which is significantly lower than QLC's 11.97% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKK has outperformed QLC with an annualized return of 15.97%, while QLC has yielded a comparatively lower 15.08% annualized return.

ARKK

1D
5.26%
1M
6.32%
YTD
3.52%
6M
0.53%
1Y
28.04%
3Y*
21.92%
5Y*
-6.75%
10Y*
15.97%

QLC

1D
1.63%
1M
3.02%
YTD
11.97%
6M
12.35%
1Y
33.81%
3Y*
24.25%
5Y*
15.50%
10Y*
15.08%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARKK vs. QLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ARKK
ARK Innovation ETF		3.52%35.49%8.40%69.04%-66.97%-23.60%152.71%35.08%3.52%87.33%
QLC
FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund		11.97%23.26%26.71%26.02%-17.21%28.46%13.64%24.51%-8.12%21.73%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKK and QLC is 0.74, 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

0.74

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

0.73

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

0.71

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

0.65

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015

0.63

The correlation between ARKK and QLC shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (all time) to 0.74 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ARKK vs. QLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ARKK
QLC

Healthcare

28.1%
9.6%

Technology

25.9%
37.8%

Financial Services

16.2%
13.2%

Consumer Cyclical

14.1%
7.8%

Communication Services

10.0%
13.0%

Industrials

5.7%
6.3%

Basic Materials

-

2.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.0%

Energy

-

2.0%

Real Estate

-

2.1%

Utilities

-

3.1%

Healthcare

ARKK
28.1%
QLC
9.6%

Technology

ARKK
25.9%
QLC
37.8%

Financial Services

ARKK
16.2%
QLC
13.2%

Consumer Cyclical

ARKK
14.1%
QLC
7.8%

Communication Services

ARKK
10.0%
QLC
13.0%

Industrials

ARKK
5.7%
QLC
6.3%

Basic Materials

ARKK

-

QLC
2.0%

Consumer Defensive

ARKK

-

QLC
3.0%

Energy

ARKK

-

QLC
2.0%

Real Estate

ARKK

-

QLC
2.1%

Utilities

ARKK

-

QLC
3.1%

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

FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund

Often compared with ARKK:
ARKK vs. SPYARKK vs. QQQARKK vs. ARKQARKK vs. ARKWARKK vs. ^NDXARKK vs. SMHARKK vs. BRK-B
Often compared with QLC:
QLC vs. VOOQLC vs. QQQMQLC vs. SPHQQLC vs. BDGSQLC vs. ESMVQLC vs. JQUAQLC vs. AUSF

Return for Risk

ARKK vs. QLC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ARKK
ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 2323
Overall Rank
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2424
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 2121
Calmar Ratio Rank
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 1919
Martin Ratio Rank
QLC
QLC Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 8686
Omega Ratio Rank
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 8888
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. QLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). 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.

ARKKQLCDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.77
2.64

-1.87

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.26
3.58

-2.32

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.47

-0.33

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.90

3.84

-2.94

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.95

17.56

-15.60

ARKK vs. QLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKK Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is lower than the QLC Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKK and QLC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

ARKK vs. QLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKK drawdown since its inception was -80.97%, which is greater than QLC's maximum drawdown of -35.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKK and QLC.

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Drawdown Indicators

ARKKQLCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-80.97%

-35.86%

-45.11%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-31.35%

-8.84%

-22.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-39.56%

-18.49%

-21.07%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-77.23%

-23.81%

-53.42%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-80.97%

-35.86%

-45.11%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-48.44%

-0.22%

-48.22%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-30.17%

-4.53%

-25.64%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

14.41%

1.93%

+12.48%

Volatility

ARKK vs. QLC - Volatility Comparison

ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a higher volatility of 12.94% compared to FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) at 4.70%. This indicates that ARKK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ARKKQLCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

12.94%

4.70%

+8.24%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

26.77%

10.29%

+16.48%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

36.63%

12.90%

+23.73%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

46.45%

16.92%

+29.53%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

40.39%

18.46%

+21.93%

ARKK vs. QLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

ARKK vs. QLC - Dividend Comparison

ARKK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
QLC
FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund		0.87%0.94%1.03%1.26%1.46%0.96%1.40%1.91%1.82%1.29%1.80%0.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

ARKK and QLC have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ARKK has higher volatility (12.94%) compared to QLC (4.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKK dropped -80.97% vs QLC's -35.86%.

On 10-year performance, ARKK leads with 15.97% vs 15.08% for QLC. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, QLC has been the lower-risk option at 4.70%. 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 15.97% return vs 15.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.00% for ARKK.

ARKK is categorized as Technology Equities, while QLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: ARK and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKK and 0.25% for QLC.

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.77), 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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