ARKK vs. VNQ
ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK, while VNQ is a REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. ARKK is actively managed, while VNQ is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKK returned 15.90%/yr vs 5.44%/yr for VNQ. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARKK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.
Performance
ARKK vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ARKK achieves a -0.31% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 11.77% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKK has outperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 15.90%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.44% annualized return.
ARKK
- 1D
- -2.23%
- 1M
- 0.37%
- YTD
- -0.31%
- 6M
- -4.76%
- 1Y
- 11.37%
- 3Y*
- 22.42%
- 5Y*
- -9.10%
- 10Y*
- 15.90%
VNQ
- 1D
- 1.31%
- 1M
- 1.13%
- YTD
- 11.77%
- 6M
- 12.16%
- 1Y
- 11.59%
- 3Y*
- 11.30%
- 5Y*
- 2.83%
- 10Y*
- 5.44%
ARKK vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF | -0.31% | 35.49% | 8.40% | 69.04% | -66.97% | -23.60% | 152.71% | 35.08% | 3.52% | 87.33% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 11.77% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 28.91% | -6.03% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between ARKK and VNQ 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 | 0.39 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014 | 0.38 |
The correlation between ARKK and VNQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.45 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ARKK vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
ARKK
VNQ
ARKK vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). 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 | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.53 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 1.15 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.36 | 1.40 | -1.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.78 | 4.37 | -3.59 |
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Drawdowns
ARKK vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ARKK drawdown since its inception was -80.97%, which is greater than VNQ's maximum drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKK and VNQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ARKK | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.97% | -73.07% | -7.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -31.35% | -8.34% | -23.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -39.56% | -17.46% | -22.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -77.23% | -34.48% | -42.75% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -80.97% | -42.40% | -38.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -50.35% | -0.66% | -49.69% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -30.20% | -13.60% | -16.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.57% | 2.66% | +11.91% |
Volatility
ARKK vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a higher volatility of 12.53% compared to Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) at 5.19%. This indicates that ARKK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VNQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ARKK | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.53% | 5.19% | +7.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 26.71% | 10.20% | +16.51% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 36.20% | 13.84% | +22.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 46.46% | 18.86% | +27.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 40.40% | 20.75% | +19.65% |
ARKK vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
ARKK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio.
Dividends
ARKK vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
ARKK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.56%.
| 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% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.56% | 3.92% | 3.85% | 3.95% | 3.91% | 2.56% | 3.93% | 3.39% | 4.74% | 4.23% | 4.82% | 3.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ARKK and VNQ 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.
ARKK has higher volatility (12.53%) compared to VNQ (5.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKK dropped -80.97% vs VNQ's -73.07%.
On 10-year performance, ARKK leads with 15.90% vs 5.44% for VNQ. On fees, VNQ is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, VNQ has been the lower-risk option at 5.19%. 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 15.90% return vs 5.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VNQ is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKK.
VNQ has the higher dividend yield at 3.56%, compared with 0.00% for ARKK.
ARKK is categorized as Technology Equities, while VNQ is REIT. They also come from different issuers: ARK and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKK and 0.13% for VNQ.
VNQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs 0.32), 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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