BPAY vs. ARKF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BPAY (BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF) and ARKF (ARK Fintech Innovation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BPAY is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by BlackRock, while ARKF is a Blockchain fund actively managed by ARK. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BPAY returned 9.58%/yr vs 25.43%/yr for ARKF. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BPAY charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ARKF.

Performance

BPAY vs. ARKF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY) and ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BPAY achieves a -9.10% return, which is significantly higher than ARKF's -17.22% return.

BPAY

• 1D: -1.54%
• 1M: 2.15%
• YTD: -9.10%
• 6M: -11.94%
• 1Y: -15.94%
• 3Y*: 9.58%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ARKF

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: -3.48%
• YTD: -17.22%
• 6M: -20.42%
• 1Y: -17.14%
• 3Y*: 25.43%
• 5Y*: -5.69%
• 10Y*: —

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

BPAY vs. ARKF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BPAY BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF	-9.10%	8.54%	17.28%	13.19%	-16.32%
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	-17.22%	28.67%	34.34%	93.27%	-28.72%

Correlation

The correlation between BPAY and ARKF is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 2022	0.81

The correlation between BPAY and ARKF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

BPAY vs. ARKF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BPAY	ARKF
Financial Services	58.0%	25.5%
Technology	30.5%	39.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	13.7%
Industrials	5.1%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	9.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.2%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BPAY vs. ARKF — Risk / Return Rank

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

BPAY

BPAY Risk / Return Rank: 4
BPAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
BPAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
BPAY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
BPAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
BPAY Martin Ratio Rank: 5

ARKF

ARKF Risk / Return Rank: 5
ARKF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ARKF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ARKF Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ARKF Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
ARKF Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

BPAY vs. ARKF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY) and ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF). 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.

	BPAY	ARKF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.62	-0.51	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.72	-0.53	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	0.94	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.48	-0.45	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.90	-0.80	-0.10

BPAY vs. ARKF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BPAY Sharpe Ratio is -0.62, which is comparable to the ARKF Sharpe Ratio of -0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BPAY and ARKF, 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

BPAY vs. ARKF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BPAY drawdown since its inception was -33.62%, smaller than the maximum ARKF drawdown of -78.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BPAY and ARKF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BPAY	ARKF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.62%	-78.63%	+45.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.62%	-38.50%	+4.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.62%	-38.50%	+4.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-75.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.21%	-37.95%	+14.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.71%	-34.96%	+24.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.83%	21.47%	-3.64%

Volatility

BPAY vs. ARKF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY) is 9.59%, while ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) has a volatility of 10.82%. This indicates that BPAY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BPAY	ARKF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.59%	10.82%	-1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.76%	25.26%	-5.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.99%	33.51%	-7.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.49%	42.93%	-18.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.49%	39.75%	-15.26%

BPAY vs. ARKF - Expense Ratio Comparison

BPAY has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKF's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

BPAY vs. ARKF - Dividend Comparison

BPAY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.46%, more than ARKF's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	0.11%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.37%	1.25%
BPAY BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF	7.46%	6.49%	0.48%	1.18%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BPAY and ARKF in my portfolio?

BPAY and ARKF have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BPAY or ARKF?

ARKF has higher volatility (10.82%) compared to BPAY (9.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BPAY dropped -33.62% vs ARKF's -78.63%.

Which ETF is better, BPAY or ARKF?

On 3-year performance, ARKF leads with 25.43% vs 9.58% for BPAY. On fees, BPAY is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, BPAY has been the lower-risk option at 9.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BPAY or ARKF?

Over the 3-year period, ARKF has performed better with a 25.43% return vs 9.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BPAY or ARKF?

BPAY is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BPAY or ARKF?

BPAY has the higher dividend yield at 7.46%, compared with 0.11% for ARKF.

What is the main difference between BPAY and ARKF?

BPAY is categorized as Financials Equities, while ARKF is Blockchain. They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for BPAY and 0.75% for ARKF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.51 vs -0.62), 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.