ARKQ vs. VOT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) and VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKQ is a Robotics fund actively managed by ARK, while VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. ARKQ is actively managed, while VOT is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ returned 22.42%/yr vs 12.21%/yr for VOT. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VOT.

Performance

ARKQ vs. VOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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 higher than VOT's 9.14% return. Over the past 10 years, ARKQ has outperformed VOT with an annualized return of 22.42%, while VOT has yielded a comparatively lower 12.21% 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%

VOT

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 5.16%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 6.88%
• 1Y: 12.25%
• 3Y*: 16.56%
• 5Y*: 7.03%
• 10Y*: 12.21%

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

ARKQ vs. VOT - 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%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	9.14%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKQ and VOT is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.80

The correlation between ARKQ and VOT shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ARKQ vs. VOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKQ	VOT
Industrials	37.1%	23.7%
Technology	32.6%	28.9%
Consumer Cyclical	16.9%	13.9%
Communication Services	8.1%	3.8%
Healthcare	2.2%	9.3%
Energy	1.9%	2.7%
Utilities	1.3%	3.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.8%
Financial Services	-	6.8%
Real Estate	-	4.8%

Return for Risk

ARKQ vs. VOT — 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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 22
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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. VOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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	VOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	0.78	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	1.18	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.14	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	0.77	+2.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.92	2.31	+8.61
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. VOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is higher than the VOT Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKQ and VOT, 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	VOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	0.78	+1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.33	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.58	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.45	+0.21

Drawdowns

ARKQ vs. VOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKQ drawdown since its inception was -59.89%, roughly equal to the maximum VOT drawdown of -60.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKQ and VOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKQ	VOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.89%	-60.16%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.58%	-15.96%	-4.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.76%	-21.77%	-8.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.71%	-37.19%	-18.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.89%	-37.19%	-22.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.98%	-0.14%	-2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.23%	-9.96%	-7.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.79%	5.32%	+1.47%

Volatility

ARKQ vs. VOT - Volatility Comparison

ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) has a higher volatility of 10.40% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) at 4.30%. This indicates that ARKQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKQ	VOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.40%	4.30%	+6.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.44%	12.37%	+12.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.48%	15.79%	+16.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.22%	21.35%	+10.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.83%	20.98%	+8.85%

ARKQ vs. VOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

ARKQ vs. VOT - Dividend Comparison

ARKQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, less than VOT's 0.61% 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%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.61%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKQ and VOT in my portfolio?

ARKQ and VOT have a correlation of 0.68, 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 VOT?

ARKQ has higher volatility (10.40%) compared to VOT (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKQ dropped -59.89% vs VOT's -60.16%.

Which ETF is better, ARKQ or VOT?

On 10-year performance, ARKQ leads with 22.42% vs 12.21% for VOT. On fees, VOT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VOT has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKQ or VOT?

Over the 10-year period, ARKQ has performed better with a 22.42% return vs 12.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKQ or VOT?

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

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

VOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.61%, compared with 0.22% for ARKQ.

What is the main difference between ARKQ and VOT?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 0.78), 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.