ARKX vs. DUTY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ARKX (ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF) and DUTY (U.S. Defense ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds. ARKX is actively managed, while DUTY is passively managed. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ARKX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for DUTY.

Performance

ARKX vs. DUTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) and U.S. Defense ETF (DUTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ARKX

• 1D: 3.24%
• 1M: -6.73%
• 6M: -0.25%
• YTD: 9.01%
• 1Y: 23.64%
• 3Y*: 28.12%
• 5Y*: 9.38%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.43%

DUTY

• 1D: 2.11%
• 1M: -1.98%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

*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)
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	$19.59M	$22.68M	$44.98M
DUTY U.S. Defense ETF	$33.13K	$29.00K	$68.78K

ARKX vs. DUTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	3.57%
DUTY U.S. Defense ETF	4.57%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKX and DUTY is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2026	0.65

ARKX vs. DUTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKX	DUTY
Industrials	52.5%	48.8%
Technology	22.8%	51.2%
Communication Services	8.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.2%	-
Healthcare	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ARKX vs. DUTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKX

ARKX Risk / Return Rank: 30
ARKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
ARKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
ARKX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
ARKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
ARKX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

DUTY

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

ARKX vs. DUTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) and U.S. Defense ETF (DUTY). 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.

	ARKX	DUTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.70	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.17	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.50	—	—

Drawdowns

ARKX vs. DUTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKX drawdown since its inception was -43.61%, which is greater than DUTY's maximum drawdown of -13.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKX and DUTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKX	DUTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.61%	-13.42%	-30.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.78%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.47%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.30%	-5.18%	-11.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.79%	-5.09%	-14.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.47%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ARKX	DUTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.02%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.02%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.05%	26.19%	+7.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.43%	26.19%	+2.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.78%	26.19%	+1.59%

ARKX vs. DUTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than DUTY's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKX vs. DUTY - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARKX nor DUTY has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKX and DUTY in my portfolio?

ARKX and DUTY have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ARKX or DUTY?

On fees, DUTY is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKX or DUTY?

DUTY is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARKX or DUTY?

ARKX and DUTY have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ARKX and DUTY?

They also come from different issuers: ARK and Aura. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKX and 0.45% for DUTY.