ARKK vs. TSLA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) is Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while TSLA (Tesla, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ARKK returned 15.57%/yr vs 39.72%/yr for TSLA. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ARKK vs. TSLA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKK achieves a -1.65% return, which is significantly higher than TSLA's -9.63% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKK has underperformed TSLA with an annualized return of 15.57%, while TSLA has yielded a comparatively higher 39.72% annualized return.

ARKK

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: -3.07%
• YTD: -1.65%
• 6M: -5.90%
• 1Y: 21.98%
• 3Y*: 19.87%
• 5Y*: -7.96%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

TSLA

• 1D: 1.82%
• 1M: -8.72%
• YTD: -9.63%
• 6M: -11.45%
• 1Y: 27.36%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: 14.86%
• 10Y*: 39.72%

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

ARKK vs. TSLA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF	-1.65%	35.49%	8.40%	69.04%	-66.97%	-23.60%	152.71%	35.08%	3.52%	87.33%
TSLA Tesla, Inc.	-9.63%	11.36%	62.52%	101.72%	-65.03%	49.76%	743.44%	25.70%	6.89%	45.70%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKK and TSLA is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014	0.60

The correlation between ARKK and TSLA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARKK vs. TSLA — 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: 21
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 20
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 17

TSLA

TSLA Risk / Return Rank: 61
TSLA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
TSLA Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
TSLA Omega Ratio Rank: 56
TSLA Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
TSLA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. TSLA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and Tesla, Inc. (TSLA). 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	TSLA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	0.62	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.06	1.13	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.13	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.70	0.92	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.53	2.10	-0.57

ARKK vs. TSLA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKK Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is comparable to the TSLA Sharpe Ratio of 0.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKK and TSLA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ARKK vs. TSLA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKK drawdown since its inception was -80.97%, which is greater than TSLA's maximum drawdown of -73.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKK and TSLA.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKK	TSLA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.97%	-73.63%	-7.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.35%	-29.93%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.56%	-53.77%	+14.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-77.23%	-73.63%	-3.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.97%	-73.63%	-7.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.01%	-17.03%	-33.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.16%	-22.72%	-7.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.39%	13.06%	+1.33%

Volatility

ARKK vs. TSLA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) is 11.81%, while Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) has a volatility of 14.25%. This indicates that ARKK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TSLA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKK	TSLA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.81%	14.25%	-2.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.30%	28.73%	-2.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.28%	44.49%	-8.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.40%	58.98%	-12.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.34%	59.14%	-18.80%

Dividends

ARKK vs. TSLA - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARKK nor TSLA 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%
TSLA Tesla, Inc.	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 TSLA in my portfolio?

ARKK and TSLA have a correlation of 0.60, 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 TSLA?

TSLA has higher volatility (14.25%) compared to ARKK (11.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKK dropped -80.97% vs TSLA's -73.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSLA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.62 vs 0.61), 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.