ARKQ vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKQ is a Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. ARKQ is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ returned 22.42%/yr vs 37.49%/yr for SMH. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

ARKQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKQ achieves a 21.70% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.25% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 22.42%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.49% annualized return.

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%

SMH

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 20.06%
• YTD: 74.25%
• 6M: 74.08%
• 1Y: 150.04%
• 3Y*: 63.96%
• 5Y*: 38.76%
• 10Y*: 37.49%

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

ARKQ vs. SMH - 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%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	74.25%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and SMH is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.72

The correlation between ARKQ and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARKQ vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKQ	SMH
Industrials	37.1%	-
Technology	32.6%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	16.9%	-
Communication Services	8.1%	-
Healthcare	2.2%	-
Energy	1.9%	-
Utilities	1.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. SMH — 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

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). 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	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	4.94	-2.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	5.05	-2.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.69	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	10.11	-6.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.92	38.76	-27.84
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. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and SMH, 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	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	4.94	-2.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	1.11	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	1.15	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.34	+0.33

Drawdowns

ARKQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-84.96%	+25.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-14.93%	-5.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-35.74%	+4.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-45.30%	-10.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	-45.30%	-14.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.98%	-1.63%	-1.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.23%	-41.08%	+23.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.79%	3.89%	+2.90%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) is 10.40%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.58%. This indicates that ARKQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.40%	11.58%	-1.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.44%	24.35%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.48%	30.57%	+1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.22%	35.01%	-2.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.83%	32.57%	-2.74%

ARKQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, more than SMH's 0.18% 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%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.18%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKQ and SMH in my portfolio?

ARKQ and SMH have a correlation of 0.65, 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 SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.58%) compared to ARKQ (10.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, ARKQ or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.49% vs 22.42% for ARKQ. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, ARKQ has been the lower-risk option at 10.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKQ or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 37.49% return vs 22.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKQ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKQ.

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

ARKQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.22%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between ARKQ and SMH?

ARKQ is categorized as Robotics, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: ARK and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKQ and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.94 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.