BRK-B vs. ARKK

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) is Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 12.93%/yr vs 15.82%/yr for ARKK. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BRK-B vs. ARKK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) 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, BRK-B achieves a -4.78% return, which is significantly lower than ARKK's 4.10% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has underperformed ARKK with an annualized return of 12.93%, while ARKK has yielded a comparatively higher 15.82% annualized return.

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 2.82%
• YTD: -4.78%
• 6M: -4.89%
• 1Y: -2.52%
• 3Y*: 13.36%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 12.93%

ARKK

• 1D: 2.44%
• 1M: 4.56%
• YTD: 4.10%
• 6M: -3.12%
• 1Y: 38.10%
• 3Y*: 24.28%
• 5Y*: -5.81%
• 10Y*: 15.82%

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

BRK-B vs. ARKK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-4.78%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF	4.10%	35.49%	8.40%	69.04%	-66.97%	-23.60%	152.71%	35.08%	3.52%	87.33%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and ARKK is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2014	0.30

The correlation between BRK-B and ARKK shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. ARKK — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 31
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 32

ARKK

ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 28
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 28
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

BRK-B vs. ARKK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) 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.

	BRK-B	ARKK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.18	1.05	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.15	1.61	-1.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.18	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	1.22	-1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.57	2.71	-3.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRK-B vs. ARKK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.18, which is lower than the ARKK Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B 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

	BRK-B	ARKK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18	1.05	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	-0.13	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.39	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.35	+0.13

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. ARKK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, smaller than the maximum ARKK drawdown of -80.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and ARKK.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	ARKK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-80.97%	+27.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-31.35%	+21.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-39.56%	+24.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-77.23%	+50.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-80.97%	+51.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.33%	-48.15%	+36.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-30.13%	+19.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.46%	14.09%	-9.63%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. ARKK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 3.72%, while ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a volatility of 9.47%. This indicates that BRK-B 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

	BRK-B	ARKK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.72%	9.47%	-5.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.70%	25.18%	-14.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.32%	36.42%	-22.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.11%	46.29%	-29.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.43%	40.26%	-20.83%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. ARKK - Dividend Comparison

Neither BRK-B 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%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 BRK-B and ARKK in my portfolio?

BRK-B and ARKK have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRK-B or ARKK?

ARKK has higher volatility (9.47%) compared to BRK-B (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs ARKK's -80.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 vs -0.18), 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.