ARKQ vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKQ is a Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. ARKQ is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ returned 21.72%/yr vs 15.48%/yr for SPY. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ARKQ vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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 higher than SPY's 10.09% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 21.72%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.48% annualized 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%

SPY

• 1D: 1.04%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 10.09%
• 6M: 10.30%
• 1Y: 27.05%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 14.00%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

ARKQ vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	16.14%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-7.89%	52.26%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.09%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and SPY is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2014	0.75

The correlation between ARKQ and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARKQ vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKQ	SPY
Industrials	39.3%	7.8%
Technology	33.4%	39.0%
Consumer Cyclical	14.3%	9.9%
Communication Services	8.7%	10.6%
Energy	1.6%	3.1%
Healthcare	1.2%	8.3%
Utilities	1.0%	2.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Financial Services	-	11.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. SPY — 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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.17	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	2.92	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.39	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	3.02	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.55	13.61	-5.05

ARKQ vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and SPY, 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. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-55.19%	-4.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-8.88%	-11.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-18.76%	-12.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-24.50%	-31.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	-33.72%	-26.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.41%	-1.44%	-5.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.20%	-9.04%	-8.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.03%	1.97%	+5.06%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) has a higher volatility of 12.81% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.73%. This indicates that ARKQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.81%	4.73%	+8.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.35%	9.81%	+16.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.70%	12.41%	+21.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.56%	17.15%	+15.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.01%	17.98%	+12.03%

ARKQ vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKQ vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than SPY's 1.24% 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%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKQ and SPY in my portfolio?

ARKQ and SPY have a correlation of 0.74, 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 SPY?

ARKQ has higher volatility (12.81%) compared to SPY (4.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ARKQ or SPY?

On 10-year performance, ARKQ leads with 21.72% vs 15.48% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKQ or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, ARKQ has performed better with a 21.72% return vs 15.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKQ or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKQ.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.23% for ARKQ.

What is the main difference between ARKQ and SPY?

ARKQ is categorized as Robotics, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ARK and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKQ and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 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.