ARKQ vs. CIEN

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) is Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while CIEN (Ciena Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ returned 21.73%/yr vs 35.80%/yr for CIEN. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ARKQ vs. CIEN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and Ciena Corporation (CIEN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKQ achieves a 12.86% return, which is significantly lower than CIEN's 90.70% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ has underperformed CIEN with an annualized return of 21.73%, while CIEN has yielded a comparatively higher 35.80% annualized return.

ARKQ

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: -5.27%
• YTD: 12.86%
• 6M: 13.25%
• 1Y: 55.23%
• 3Y*: 32.57%
• 5Y*: 9.89%
• 10Y*: 21.73%

CIEN

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -22.83%
• YTD: 90.70%
• 6M: 104.17%
• 1Y: 501.62%
• 3Y*: 119.10%
• 5Y*: 49.92%
• 10Y*: 35.80%

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

ARKQ vs. CIEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	12.86%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-7.89%	52.26%
CIEN Ciena Corporation	90.70%	175.76%	88.42%	-11.71%	-33.77%	45.64%	23.80%	25.89%	62.02%	-14.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and CIEN is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2014	0.52

The correlation between ARKQ and CIEN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. CIEN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ARKQ

ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 54
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 48
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 53

CIEN

CIEN Risk / Return Rank: 99
CIEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
CIEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
CIEN Omega Ratio Rank: 98
CIEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
CIEN Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

ARKQ vs. CIEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and Ciena Corporation (CIEN). 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.

	ARKQ	CIEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	7.58	-5.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	4.89	-2.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.72	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	16.49	-13.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.95	76.44	-68.49

ARKQ vs. CIEN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is lower than the CIEN Sharpe Ratio of 7.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and CIEN, 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

ARKQ vs. CIEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, smaller than the maximum CIEN drawdown of -99.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and CIEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	CIEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-99.51%	+39.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-30.68%	+10.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-45.51%	+14.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-49.54%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	-49.54%	-10.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.02%	-57.38%	+47.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.22%	-87.08%	+69.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.97%	6.61%	+0.36%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. CIEN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) is 12.70%, while Ciena Corporation (CIEN) has a volatility of 24.81%. This indicates that ARKQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CIEN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	CIEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.70%	24.81%	-12.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.15%	56.12%	-29.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.54%	66.74%	-33.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.50%	48.55%	-16.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.98%	44.35%	-14.37%

Dividends

ARKQ vs. CIEN - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, while CIEN has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	0.24%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.80%	0.86%	0.00%	2.86%	1.54%	0.00%	0.98%
CIEN Ciena Corporation	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 ARKQ and CIEN in my portfolio?

ARKQ and CIEN have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARKQ or CIEN?

CIEN has higher volatility (24.81%) compared to ARKQ (12.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs CIEN's -99.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIEN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.58 vs 1.66), 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.