ARKVX vs. ALTEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARKVX (ARK Venture Fund) and ALTEX (Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, ARKVX returned 36.76%/yr vs 15.23%/yr for ALTEX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKVX charges 2.90%/yr vs 1.98%/yr for ALTEX.

Performance

ARKVX vs. ALTEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKVX achieves a 11.89% return, which is significantly lower than ALTEX's 66.80% return.

ARKVX

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 2.38%
• YTD: 11.89%
• 6M: 26.97%
• 1Y: 69.96%
• 3Y*: 36.76%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ALTEX

• 1D: 6.08%
• 1M: 7.97%
• YTD: 66.80%
• 6M: 37.64%
• 1Y: 87.90%
• 3Y*: 15.23%
• 5Y*: 5.82%
• 10Y*: 14.28%

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

ARKVX vs. ALTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ARKVX ARK Venture Fund	11.89%	55.68%	6.69%	61.25%	-6.24%
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	66.80%	6.62%	-6.79%	-2.31%	4.38%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKVX and ALTEX is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2022	0.63

The correlation between ARKVX and ALTEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (1 year) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ARKVX vs. ALTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKVX

ARKVX Risk / Return Rank: 98
ARKVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
ARKVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
ARKVX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
ARKVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ARKVX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

ALTEX

ALTEX Risk / Return Rank: 56
ALTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ALTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ALTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
ALTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
ALTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

ARKVX vs. ALTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX). 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.

	ARKVX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.00	2.44	+1.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	11.07	2.66	+8.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.37	1.40	+0.97
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.09	3.37	+5.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	34.78	8.88	+25.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARKVX vs. ALTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKVX Sharpe Ratio is 4.00, which is higher than the ALTEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKVX and ALTEX, 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

	ARKVX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.00	2.44	+1.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.85	0.09	+1.76

Drawdowns

ARKVX vs. ALTEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKVX drawdown since its inception was -19.10%, smaller than the maximum ALTEX drawdown of -75.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKVX and ALTEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKVX	ALTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.10%	-75.48%	+56.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.14%	-28.91%	+20.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.10%	-68.78%	+49.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-75.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	0.00%	-0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.20%	-37.26%	+33.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	10.75%	-8.66%

Volatility

ARKVX vs. ALTEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX) is 4.38%, while Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) has a volatility of 12.96%. This indicates that ARKVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ALTEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKVX	ALTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	12.96%	-8.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.19%	33.09%	-19.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.50%	39.96%	-21.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.67%	68.12%	-49.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.67%	51.36%	-32.69%

ARKVX vs. ALTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKVX has a 2.90% expense ratio, which is higher than ALTEX's 1.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKVX vs. ALTEX - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARKVX nor ALTEX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	0.00%	0.00%	1.50%	3.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	9.12%	0.05%	0.25%
ARKVX ARK Venture Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.32%	0.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKVX and ALTEX in my portfolio?

ARKVX and ALTEX have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARKVX or ALTEX?

ALTEX has higher volatility (12.96%) compared to ARKVX (4.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKVX dropped -19.10% vs ALTEX's -75.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.00 vs 2.44), 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.