ARKW vs. KMID

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ARKW (ARK Next Generation Internet ETF) and KMID (Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ARKW returned -4.74% vs 3.35% for KMID. Their 0.45 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. ARKW charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for KMID.

Performance

ARKW vs. KMID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) and Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF (KMID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKW achieves a -4.64% return, which is significantly lower than KMID's 3.71% return.

ARKW

• 1D: 2.95%
• 1M: -2.97%
• 6M: 4.60%
• YTD: -4.64%
• 1Y: -4.74%
• 3Y*: 32.39%
• 5Y*: -0.92%
• 10Y*: 21.34%
• ALL TIME*: 19.87%

KMID

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: 0.23%
• 6M: -0.81%
• YTD: 3.71%
• 1Y: 3.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.49%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ARKW ARK Next Generation Internet ETF	$8.17M	$12.26M	$13.73M
KMID Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF	$293.62K	$267.04K	$235.93K

ARKW vs. KMID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ARKW ARK Next Generation Internet ETF	-4.64%	38.93%	24.02%
KMID Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF	3.71%	0.31%	-3.02%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKW and KMID is 0.40, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2024	0.45

ARKW vs. KMID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKW	KMID
Technology	49.7%	18.6%
Consumer Cyclical	16.8%	4.7%
Communication Services	15.3%	-
Financial Services	14.7%	9.4%
Industrials	3.5%	45.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	14.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ARKW vs. KMID — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ARKW

ARKW Risk / Return Rank: 9
ARKW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
ARKW Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
ARKW Omega Ratio Rank: 10
ARKW Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
ARKW Martin Ratio Rank: 9

KMID

KMID Risk / Return Rank: 15
KMID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
KMID Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
KMID Omega Ratio Rank: 14
KMID Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
KMID Martin Ratio Rank: 16

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ARKW vs. KMID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) and Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF (KMID). 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.

	ARKW	KMID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.14	0.23	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	0.44	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.05	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.13	0.31	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.25	0.90	-1.15

ARKW vs. KMID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKW Sharpe Ratio is -0.14, which is lower than the KMID Sharpe Ratio of 0.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKW and KMID, 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

ARKW vs. KMID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKW drawdown since its inception was -80.52%, which is greater than KMID's maximum drawdown of -18.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKW and KMID.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKW	KMID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.52%	-18.89%	-61.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.21%	-10.71%	-25.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.21%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-77.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.52%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.57%	-3.56%	-20.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.95%	-5.63%	-18.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.38%	3.72%	+15.66%

Volatility

ARKW vs. KMID - Volatility Comparison

ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) has a higher volatility of 9.38% compared to Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF (KMID) at 3.72%. This indicates that ARKW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than KMID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKW	KMID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.38%	3.72%	+5.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.80%	11.61%	+14.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.40%	14.88%	+18.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.79%	16.73%	+27.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.84%	16.73%	+21.11%

ARKW vs. KMID - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKW has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is lower than KMID's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKW vs. KMID - Dividend Comparison

ARKW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, more than KMID's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKW ARK Next Generation Internet ETF	1.67%	1.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%	1.29%	0.00%	13.05%	2.05%	0.00%	2.29%
KMID Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF	0.11%	0.06%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKW and KMID in my portfolio?

ARKW and KMID have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARKW or KMID?

ARKW has higher volatility (9.38%) compared to KMID (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKW dropped -80.52% vs KMID's -18.89%.

Which ETF is better, ARKW or KMID?

On 1-year performance, KMID leads with 3.35% vs -4.74% for ARKW. On fees, ARKW is cheaper at 0.76% per year. On volatility, KMID 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, ARKW or KMID?

Over the 1-year period, KMID has performed better with a 3.35% return vs -4.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKW or KMID?

ARKW is cheaper with a 0.76% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for KMID.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARKW or KMID?

ARKW has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 0.11% for KMID.

What is the main difference between ARKW and KMID?

They also come from different issuers: ARK and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.76% for ARKW and 0.80% for KMID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KMID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.23 vs -0.14), 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.