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ARKQ vs. SPMD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ARKQ vs. SPMD

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) and SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKQ is a Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while SPMD is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index. ARKQ is actively managed, while SPMD is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ returned 21.67%/yr vs 11.43%/yr for SPMD. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPMD.

Performance

ARKQ vs. SPMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKQ achieves a 12.39% return, which is significantly lower than SPMD's 13.50% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ has outperformed SPMD with an annualized return of 21.67%, while SPMD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.43% annualized return.

ARKQ

1D
-2.13%
1M
-4.45%
YTD
12.39%
6M
12.30%
1Y
55.10%
3Y*
34.16%
5Y*
9.85%
10Y*
21.67%

SPMD

1D
0.82%
1M
0.99%
YTD
13.50%
6M
13.79%
1Y
23.67%
3Y*
15.34%
5Y*
8.06%
10Y*
11.43%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARKQ vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ARKQ
ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF		12.39%48.81%33.88%40.70%-46.75%1.74%107.20%25.94%-7.89%52.26%
SPMD
SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF		13.50%7.44%13.91%16.48%-13.13%24.76%13.46%25.19%-10.34%15.12%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and SPMD is 0.66, 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

0.66

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.72

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.76

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.74

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2014

0.72

The correlation between ARKQ and SPMD shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF

SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF

Often compared with ARKQ:
ARKQ vs. BOTZARKQ vs. ARKKARKQ vs. QTUMARKQ vs. ROBOARKQ vs. ARKWARKQ vs. IRBOARKQ vs. ARKG
Often compared with SPMD:
SPMD vs. MDYSPMD vs. VOSPMD vs. SPYSPMD vs. SCHMSPMD vs. IWRSPMD vs. IMCBSPMD vs. SWMCX

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ARKQ
ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 4848
Omega Ratio Rank
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
SPMD
SPMD Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
SPMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPMD Omega Ratio Rank: 4848
Omega Ratio Rank
SPMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPMD Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
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. SPMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). 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.

ARKQSPMDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.68
1.52

+0.16

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.19
2.22

-0.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.27

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.69

2.68

+0.01

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.05

9.83

-1.78

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. SPMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the SPMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and SPMD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ARKQSPMDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.68

1.52

+0.16

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.31

0.41

-0.11

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.73

0.54

+0.19

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.63

0.45

+0.18

Drawdowns

ARKQ vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, roughly equal to the maximum SPMD drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and SPMD.

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Drawdown Indicators

ARKQSPMDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-59.89%

-57.62%

-2.27%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-20.58%

-8.86%

-11.72%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-30.76%

-24.08%

-6.68%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-55.71%

-24.08%

-31.63%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-59.89%

-41.86%

-18.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-10.39%

-0.91%

-9.48%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.22%

-8.11%

-9.11%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

6.87%

2.41%

+4.46%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. SPMD - Volatility Comparison

ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) has a higher volatility of 11.44% compared to SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) at 4.21%. This indicates that ARKQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ARKQSPMDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

11.44%

4.21%

+7.23%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

25.49%

11.55%

+13.94%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

33.15%

15.65%

+17.50%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

32.40%

19.72%

+12.68%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

29.93%

21.18%

+8.75%

ARKQ vs. SPMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPMD's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKQ vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, less than SPMD's 1.23% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
SPMD
SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF		1.23%1.39%1.42%1.47%1.64%1.24%1.30%1.57%1.85%1.97%2.13%5.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

ARKQ and SPMD have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ARKQ has higher volatility (11.44%) compared to SPMD (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs SPMD's -57.62%.

On 10-year performance, ARKQ leads with 21.67% vs 11.43% for SPMD. On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPMD has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, ARKQ has performed better with a 21.67% return vs 11.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKQ.

SPMD has the higher dividend yield at 1.23%, compared with 0.24% for ARKQ.

ARKQ is categorized as Robotics, while SPMD is Mid Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: ARK and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKQ and 0.05% for SPMD.

ARKQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.52), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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