BGGSX vs. ARKK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BGGSX (Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund) and ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) are both funds - BGGSX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Baillie Gifford Funds, while ARKK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK. Over the past 5 years, BGGSX returned -3.47%/yr vs -6.26%/yr for ARKK. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.75% expense ratio.

Performance

BGGSX vs. ARKK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund (BGGSX) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BGGSX achieves a -3.09% return, which is significantly lower than ARKK's 1.61% return.

BGGSX

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: 6.40%
• YTD: -3.09%
• 6M: -4.72%
• 1Y: 1.25%
• 3Y*: 16.49%
• 5Y*: -3.47%
• 10Y*: —

ARKK

• 1D: -2.19%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: -3.21%
• 1Y: 34.90%
• 3Y*: 23.72%
• 5Y*: -6.26%
• 10Y*: 15.75%

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

BGGSX vs. ARKK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BGGSX Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund	-3.09%	10.25%	30.44%	45.93%	-52.50%	-11.13%	125.42%	30.00%	8.31%	16.54%
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF	1.61%	35.49%	8.40%	69.04%	-66.97%	-23.60%	152.71%	35.08%	3.52%	49.22%

Correlation

The correlation between BGGSX and ARKK is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2017	0.88

The correlation between BGGSX and ARKK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BGGSX vs. ARKK — Risk / Return Rank

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

BGGSX

BGGSX Risk / Return Rank: 3
BGGSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
BGGSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BGGSX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BGGSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BGGSX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

ARKK

ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 24
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

BGGSX vs. ARKK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund (BGGSX) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK). 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.

	BGGSX	ARKK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.11	0.96	-0.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.30	1.52	-1.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.17	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.11	1.12	-1.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.24	2.49	-2.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BGGSX vs. ARKK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BGGSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.11, which is lower than the ARKK Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BGGSX and ARKK, 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

	BGGSX	ARKK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11	0.96	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.10	-0.14	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.35	+0.07

Drawdowns

BGGSX vs. ARKK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BGGSX drawdown since its inception was -68.76%, smaller than the maximum ARKK drawdown of -80.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGGSX and ARKK.

Drawdown Indicators

	BGGSX	ARKK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.76%	-80.97%	+12.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.08%	-31.35%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.87%	-39.56%	+8.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.71%	-77.23%	+9.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-80.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.16%	-49.39%	+20.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.16%	-30.12%	+4.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.74%	14.06%	-2.32%

Volatility

BGGSX vs. ARKK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund (BGGSX) is 5.22%, while ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a volatility of 9.45%. This indicates that BGGSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BGGSX	ARKK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.22%	9.45%	-4.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.96%	25.08%	-9.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.40%	36.37%	-14.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.16%	46.28%	-11.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.17%	40.26%	-8.09%

BGGSX vs. ARKK - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BGGSX and ARKK have an expense ratio of 0.75%.

Dividends

BGGSX vs. ARKK - Dividend Comparison

Neither BGGSX nor ARKK has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.70%	0.00%	0.55%	1.64%	0.38%	3.14%	1.32%	0.00%	2.27%
BGGSX Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	16.38%	2.61%	3.29%	1.35%	2.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BGGSX and ARKK in my portfolio?

BGGSX and ARKK have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BGGSX or ARKK?

ARKK has higher volatility (9.45%) compared to BGGSX (5.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGGSX dropped -68.76% vs ARKK's -80.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 vs 0.11), 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.