ARKQ vs. CSCO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) is Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ returned 21.93%/yr vs 19.19%/yr for CSCO. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ARKQ vs. CSCO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKQ achieves a 14.84% return, which is significantly lower than CSCO's 62.91% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ has outperformed CSCO with an annualized return of 21.93%, while CSCO has yielded a comparatively lower 19.19% annualized return.

ARKQ

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: -2.37%
• YTD: 14.84%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 63.19%
• 3Y*: 35.12%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 21.93%

CSCO

• 1D: 2.06%
• 1M: 28.56%
• YTD: 62.91%
• 6M: 59.13%
• 1Y: 92.26%
• 3Y*: 39.53%
• 5Y*: 21.53%
• 10Y*: 19.19%

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

ARKQ vs. CSCO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	14.84%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-7.89%	52.26%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.	62.91%	33.47%	21.00%	9.30%	-22.46%	45.76%	-3.49%	13.81%	16.57%	31.27%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and CSCO is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between ARKQ and CSCO has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. CSCO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKQ

ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 60
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 54
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 58

CSCO

CSCO Risk / Return Rank: 95
CSCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
CSCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
CSCO Omega Ratio Rank: 95
CSCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
CSCO Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. CSCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO). 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.

	ARKQ	CSCO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	3.02	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	3.55	-1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.54	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	6.83	-3.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.27	19.08	-9.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARKQ vs. CSCO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is lower than the CSCO Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and CSCO, 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

	ARKQ	CSCO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.92	3.02	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.87	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.74	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.61	+0.03

Drawdowns

ARKQ vs. CSCO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, smaller than the maximum CSCO drawdown of -89.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and CSCO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	CSCO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-89.26%	+29.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-13.57%	-7.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-20.16%	-10.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-36.68%	-19.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	-41.95%	-17.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.44%	-4.50%	-3.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.23%	-40.13%	+22.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.83%	4.86%	+1.97%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. CSCO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) is 11.77%, while Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) has a volatility of 16.93%. This indicates that ARKQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CSCO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	CSCO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.77%	16.93%	-5.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.39%	26.93%	-1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.13%	30.76%	+2.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.39%	24.83%	+7.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.93%	25.87%	+4.06%

Dividends

ARKQ vs. CSCO - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than CSCO's 1.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	0.23%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.80%	0.86%	0.00%	2.86%	1.54%	0.00%	0.98%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.	1.33%	2.12%	2.69%	3.07%	3.17%	2.32%	3.20%	2.88%	2.95%	2.95%	3.28%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKQ and CSCO in my portfolio?

ARKQ and CSCO have a correlation of 0.26, 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 CSCO?

CSCO has higher volatility (16.93%) compared to ARKQ (11.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs CSCO's -89.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSCO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 1.92), 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.