ARKX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ARKX (ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKX is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by ARK, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. ARKX is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARKX returned 12.30%/yr vs 14.20%/yr for SPY. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ARKX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKX achieves a 26.50% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 11.69% return.

ARKX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 11.84%
• YTD: 26.50%
• 6M: 35.48%
• 1Y: 75.66%
• 3Y*: 37.44%
• 5Y*: 12.30%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

ARKX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	26.50%	48.46%	26.67%	24.37%	-34.27%	-7.14%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	21.53%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKX and SPY is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2021	0.76

The correlation between ARKX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ARKX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARKX	SPY
Industrials	55.7%	7.8%
Technology	27.4%	35.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	10.3%
Communication Services	7.6%	11.3%
Healthcare	1.5%	8.4%
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

ARKX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKX

ARKX Risk / Return Rank: 64
ARKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ARKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ARKX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ARKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
ARKX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

ARKX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	ARKX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	2.52	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	3.42	-0.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.46	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.71	3.42	+0.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.00	15.93	-5.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARKX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKX Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKX and SPY, 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

	ARKX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	2.52	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.84	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.59	-0.14

Drawdowns

ARKX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKX drawdown since its inception was -43.61%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.61%	-55.19%	+11.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.42%	-8.88%	-11.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.47%	-18.76%	-6.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.61%	-24.50%	-19.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.86%	0.00%	-2.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.00%	-9.05%	-10.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.56%	1.91%	+5.65%

Volatility

ARKX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) has a higher volatility of 10.73% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that ARKX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.73%	2.75%	+7.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.99%	8.89%	+16.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.39%	11.81%	+20.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.70%	17.05%	+10.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.41%	17.94%	+9.47%

ARKX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ARKX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKX and SPY in my portfolio?

ARKX and SPY have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARKX or SPY?

ARKX has higher volatility (10.73%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKX dropped -43.61% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ARKX or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 14.20% vs 12.30% for ARKX. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKX or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 14.20% return vs 12.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKX or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKX.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.00% for ARKX.

What is the main difference between ARKX and SPY?

ARKX is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ARK and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ARKX and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.35), 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.