ARKQ vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKQ is a Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. ARKQ is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ returned 22.42%/yr vs 21.84%/yr for QQQ. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

ARKQ vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ARKQ having a 21.70% return and QQQ slightly lower at 20.71%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ARKQ having a 22.42% annualized return and QQQ not far behind at 21.84%.

ARKQ

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 9.53%
• YTD: 21.70%
• 6M: 21.88%
• 1Y: 73.83%
• 3Y*: 39.06%
• 5Y*: 11.51%
• 10Y*: 22.42%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 20.71%
• 6M: 19.19%
• 1Y: 40.74%
• 3Y*: 28.54%
• 5Y*: 17.86%
• 10Y*: 21.84%

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

ARKQ vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	21.70%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-7.89%	52.26%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and QQQ is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.77

The correlation between ARKQ and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARKQ vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKQ	QQQ
Industrials	37.1%	2.8%
Technology	32.6%	53.8%
Consumer Cyclical	16.9%	12.3%
Communication Services	8.1%	15.8%
Healthcare	2.2%	4.2%
Energy	1.9%	0.6%
Utilities	1.3%	1.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKQ

ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 65
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.57	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	3.37	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.44	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	3.42	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.92	13.14	-2.23
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. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and QQQ, 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	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	2.57	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.80	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.98	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.41	+0.25

Drawdowns

ARKQ vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-82.97%	+23.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-11.96%	-8.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-22.77%	-7.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-35.12%	-20.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	-35.12%	-24.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.98%	-0.74%	-2.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.23%	-32.78%	+15.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.79%	3.11%	+3.68%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) has a higher volatility of 10.40% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.51%. This indicates that ARKQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.40%	4.51%	+5.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.44%	12.10%	+12.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.48%	15.94%	+16.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.22%	22.37%	+9.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.83%	22.29%	+7.54%

ARKQ vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKQ vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, less than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	0.22%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.80%	0.86%	0.00%	2.86%	1.54%	0.00%	0.98%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKQ and QQQ in my portfolio?

ARKQ and QQQ have a correlation of 0.71, 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 QQQ?

ARKQ has higher volatility (10.40%) compared to QQQ (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, ARKQ or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, ARKQ leads with 22.42% vs 21.84% for QQQ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKQ or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, ARKQ has performed better with a 22.42% return vs 21.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKQ or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKQ.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.22% for ARKQ.

What is the main difference between ARKQ and QQQ?

ARKQ is categorized as Robotics, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: ARK and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKQ and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.29), 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.