BUZZ vs. ARKX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BUZZ (VanEck Social Sentiment ETF) and ARKX (ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUZZ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the BUZZ NextGen AI US Sentiment Leaders Index, while ARKX is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by ARK. BUZZ is passively managed, while ARKX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUZZ returned 7.60%/yr vs 10.38%/yr for ARKX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.75% expense ratio.

Performance

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUZZ achieves a 13.20% return, which is significantly lower than ARKX's 16.56% return.

BUZZ

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -0.97%
• YTD: 13.20%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 31.99%
• 3Y*: 31.61%
• 5Y*: 7.60%
• 10Y*: —

ARKX

• 1D: -1.94%
• 1M: -2.96%
• YTD: 16.56%
• 6M: 17.78%
• 1Y: 52.99%
• 3Y*: 31.55%
• 5Y*: 10.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUZZ VanEck Social Sentiment ETF	13.20%	30.61%	33.74%	54.64%	-47.67%	-0.34%
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	16.56%	48.46%	26.67%	24.37%	-34.27%	-8.05%

Correlation

The correlation between BUZZ and ARKX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2021	0.83

The correlation between BUZZ and ARKX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUZZ	ARKX
Technology	42.7%	27.4%
Communication Services	14.6%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	14.5%	7.8%
Financial Services	13.9%	-
Healthcare	4.9%	1.5%
Industrials	3.8%	55.7%
Energy	2.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	-
Utilities	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	0.7%	0.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

BUZZ vs. ARKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUZZ

BUZZ Risk / Return Rank: 27
BUZZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
BUZZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
BUZZ Omega Ratio Rank: 29
BUZZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
BUZZ Martin Ratio Rank: 23

ARKX

ARKX Risk / Return Rank: 51
ARKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
ARKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
ARKX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
ARKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ARKX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) and ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX). 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.

	BUZZ	ARKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.99	1.59	-0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.44	2.15	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.26	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	2.61	-1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.54	6.87	-4.33

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUZZ Sharpe Ratio is 0.99, which is lower than the ARKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUZZ and ARKX, 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

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUZZ drawdown since its inception was -56.87%, which is greater than ARKX's maximum drawdown of -43.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUZZ and ARKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUZZ	ARKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.87%	-43.61%	-13.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.47%	-20.42%	-10.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.47%	-25.47%	-5.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.87%	-43.61%	-13.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.85%	-10.49%	+0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.91%	-19.92%	-3.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.65%	7.74%	+4.91%

Volatility

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) is 12.00%, while ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) has a volatility of 12.77%. This indicates that BUZZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUZZ	ARKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.00%	12.77%	-0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.17%	26.51%	-1.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.59%	33.50%	-0.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.19%	28.02%	+5.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.88%	27.65%	+5.23%

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BUZZ and ARKX have an expense ratio of 0.75%.

Dividends

BUZZ vs. ARKX - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUZZ nor ARKX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BUZZ VanEck Social Sentiment ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.52%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUZZ and ARKX in my portfolio?

BUZZ and ARKX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUZZ or ARKX?

ARKX has higher volatility (12.77%) compared to BUZZ (12.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUZZ dropped -56.87% vs ARKX's -43.61%.

Which ETF is better, BUZZ or ARKX?

On 5-year performance, ARKX leads with 10.38% vs 7.60% for BUZZ. Both ETFs have the same 0.75% expense ratio. On volatility, BUZZ has been the lower-risk option at 12.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUZZ or ARKX?

Over the 5-year period, ARKX has performed better with a 10.38% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUZZ or ARKX?

BUZZ and ARKX have the same expense ratio: 0.75% per year.

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

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

What is the main difference between BUZZ and ARKX?

BUZZ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while ARKX is Aerospace & Defense. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and ARK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 0.99), 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.