ARKQ vs. QTUM

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) and QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKQ is a Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. ARKQ is actively managed, while QTUM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARKQ returned 10.77%/yr vs 29.65%/yr for QTUM. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARKQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for QTUM.

Performance

ARKQ vs. QTUM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKQ achieves a 16.14% return, which is significantly lower than QTUM's 53.48% return.

ARKQ

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: -2.26%
• YTD: 16.14%
• 6M: 14.18%
• 1Y: 60.55%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 10.77%
• 10Y*: 21.72%

QTUM

• 1D: 3.39%
• 1M: 9.47%
• YTD: 53.48%
• 6M: 52.04%
• 1Y: 93.35%
• 3Y*: 50.47%
• 5Y*: 29.65%
• 10Y*: —

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

ARKQ vs. QTUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	16.14%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-17.11%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	53.48%	36.65%	50.54%	39.86%	-28.80%	35.18%	42.05%	47.99%	-19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and QTUM is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2018	0.84

The correlation between ARKQ and QTUM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARKQ vs. QTUM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKQ	QTUM
Industrials	39.3%	8.8%
Technology	33.4%	81.6%
Consumer Cyclical	14.3%	2.1%
Communication Services	8.7%	6.6%
Energy	1.6%	-
Healthcare	1.2%	1.0%
Utilities	1.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. QTUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKQ

ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 53
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 47
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 52

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 90
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. QTUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). 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	QTUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	3.18	-1.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.66	-1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.49	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	6.04	-3.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.55	21.78	-13.22

ARKQ vs. QTUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is lower than the QTUM Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and QTUM, 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. QTUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, which is greater than QTUM's maximum drawdown of -38.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and QTUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	QTUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-38.45%	-21.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-15.26%	-5.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-25.39%	-5.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-38.45%	-17.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.41%	-0.47%	-6.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.20%	-8.23%	-8.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.03%	4.22%	+2.81%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. QTUM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) is 12.81%, while Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a volatility of 14.78%. This indicates that ARKQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	QTUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.81%	14.78%	-1.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.35%	23.66%	+2.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.70%	28.92%	+4.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.56%	27.12%	+5.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.01%	27.47%	+2.54%

ARKQ vs. QTUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QTUM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKQ vs. QTUM - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than QTUM's 0.70% 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%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.70%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKQ and QTUM in my portfolio?

ARKQ and QTUM have a correlation of 0.80, 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 QTUM?

QTUM has higher volatility (14.78%) compared to ARKQ (12.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs QTUM's -38.45%.

Which ETF is better, ARKQ or QTUM?

On 5-year performance, QTUM leads with 29.65% vs 10.77% for ARKQ. On fees, QTUM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, ARKQ has been the lower-risk option at 12.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKQ or QTUM?

Over the 5-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 29.65% return vs 10.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKQ or QTUM?

QTUM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKQ.

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

QTUM has the higher dividend yield at 0.70%, compared with 0.23% for ARKQ.

What is the main difference between ARKQ and QTUM?

ARKQ is categorized as Robotics, while QTUM is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: ARK and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKQ and 0.40% for QTUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 1.79), 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.