ARKQ vs. IRBO

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) and IRBO (iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF) are both Robotics funds. ARKQ is actively managed, while IRBO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARKQ returned 9.88%/yr vs 11.31%/yr for IRBO. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARKQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IRBO.

Performance

ARKQ vs. IRBO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKQ achieves a 13.03% return, which is significantly lower than IRBO's 46.60% return.

ARKQ

• 1D: -7.12%
• 1M: -3.26%
• YTD: 13.03%
• 6M: 13.39%
• 1Y: 65.90%
• 3Y*: 34.74%
• 5Y*: 9.88%
• 10Y*: 21.47%

IRBO

• 1D: -9.91%
• 1M: 4.11%
• YTD: 46.60%
• 6M: 42.63%
• 1Y: 87.40%
• 3Y*: 30.46%
• 5Y*: 11.31%
• 10Y*: —

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

ARKQ vs. IRBO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	13.03%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-12.23%
IRBO iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF	46.60%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-37.89%	6.32%	48.85%	34.47%	-14.31%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and IRBO is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2018	0.86

The correlation between ARKQ and IRBO shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ARKQ vs. IRBO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKQ	IRBO
Industrials	37.1%	4.7%
Technology	32.6%	83.8%
Consumer Cyclical	16.9%	2.9%
Communication Services	8.1%	5.5%
Healthcare	2.2%	0.0%
Energy	1.9%	-
Utilities	1.3%	3.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	1.2%

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. IRBO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKQ

ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 57
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 51
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 57

IRBO

IRBO Risk / Return Rank: 80
IRBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
IRBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IRBO Omega Ratio Rank: 75
IRBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IRBO Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. IRBO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO). 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	IRBO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.77	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.12	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.43	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	4.67	-1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.70	16.05	-6.34
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. IRBO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the IRBO Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and IRBO, 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	IRBO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	2.77	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.39	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.56	+0.07

Drawdowns

ARKQ vs. IRBO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, which is greater than IRBO's maximum drawdown of -54.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and IRBO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	IRBO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-54.50%	-5.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-18.81%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-32.44%	+1.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-50.53%	-5.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.89%	-12.53%	+2.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.23%	-19.84%	+2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.81%	5.47%	+1.34%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. IRBO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) is 11.94%, while iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) has a volatility of 16.27%. This indicates that ARKQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IRBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	IRBO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.94%	16.27%	-4.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.42%	27.41%	-1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.30%	31.70%	+1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.37%	28.93%	+3.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.91%	27.97%	+1.94%

ARKQ vs. IRBO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IRBO's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKQ vs. IRBO - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, while IRBO 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%
IRBO iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKQ and IRBO in my portfolio?

ARKQ and IRBO have a correlation of 0.72, 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 IRBO?

IRBO has higher volatility (16.27%) compared to ARKQ (11.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs IRBO's -54.50%.

Which ETF is better, ARKQ or IRBO?

On 5-year performance, IRBO leads with 11.31% vs 9.88% for ARKQ. On fees, IRBO is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, ARKQ has been the lower-risk option at 11.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKQ or IRBO?

Over the 5-year period, IRBO has performed better with a 11.31% return vs 9.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKQ or IRBO?

IRBO is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARKQ or IRBO?

ARKQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.24%, compared with 0.00% for IRBO.

What is the main difference between ARKQ and IRBO?

They also come from different issuers: ARK and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKQ and 0.47% for IRBO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 2.00), 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.