ARKQ vs. SPYM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKQ is a Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. ARKQ is actively managed, while SPYM is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ returned 21.93%/yr vs 15.40%/yr for SPYM. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

ARKQ vs. SPYM - 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 Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKQ achieves a 14.84% return, which is significantly higher than SPYM's 8.75% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ has outperformed SPYM with an annualized return of 21.93%, while SPYM has yielded a comparatively lower 15.40% annualized return.

ARKQ

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: -2.37%
• YTD: 14.84%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 63.19%
• 3Y*: 35.12%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 21.93%

SPYM

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 8.75%
• 6M: 8.78%
• 1Y: 24.91%
• 3Y*: 21.46%
• 5Y*: 13.50%
• 10Y*: 15.40%

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

ARKQ vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	14.84%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-7.89%	52.26%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	8.75%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	31.99%	-4.78%	21.30%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and SPYM is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
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 SPYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARKQ vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKQ	SPYM
Industrials	40.2%	7.6%
Technology	33.1%	38.5%
Consumer Cyclical	14.1%	9.9%
Communication Services	8.7%	10.6%
Energy	1.6%	3.2%
Healthcare	1.1%	8.4%
Utilities	1.1%	2.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.6%
Financial Services	-	11.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKQ

ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 60
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 54
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 58

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 69
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPYM - 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 Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	2.08	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	2.80	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.38	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	2.81	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.27	12.97	-3.70
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. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is comparable to the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and SPYM, 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	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.92	2.08	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.81	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.86	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.61	+0.03

Drawdowns

ARKQ vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, which is greater than SPYM's maximum drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-54.46%	-5.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-8.90%	-11.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-18.72%	-12.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-24.48%	-31.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	-33.87%	-26.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.44%	-2.66%	-5.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.23%	-7.15%	-10.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.83%	1.92%	+4.91%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) has a higher volatility of 11.77% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) at 3.72%. This indicates that ARKQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.77%	3.72%	+8.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.39%	9.30%	+16.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.13%	12.07%	+21.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.39%	16.84%	+15.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.93%	18.02%	+11.91%

ARKQ vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKQ vs. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than SPYM's 1.02% 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%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKQ and SPYM in my portfolio?

ARKQ and SPYM have a correlation of 0.72, 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 SPYM?

ARKQ has higher volatility (11.77%) compared to SPYM (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, ARKQ or SPYM?

On 10-year performance, ARKQ leads with 21.93% vs 15.40% for SPYM. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKQ or SPYM?

Over the 10-year period, ARKQ has performed better with a 21.93% return vs 15.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKQ or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKQ.

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

SPYM has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.23% for ARKQ.

What is the main difference between ARKQ and SPYM?

ARKQ is categorized as Robotics, while SPYM is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ARK and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKQ and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.92), 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.