CASH vs. ARKK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CASH (Meta Financial Group, Inc.) is a stock, while ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) is Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK. Over the past 10 years, CASH returned 17.91%/yr vs 15.90%/yr for ARKK. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CASH vs. ARKK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) 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, CASH achieves a 19.84% return, which is significantly higher than ARKK's -0.31% return. Over the past 10 years, CASH has outperformed ARKK with an annualized return of 17.91%, while ARKK has yielded a comparatively lower 15.90% annualized return.

CASH

• 1D: 2.99%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 19.84%
• 6M: 15.24%
• 1Y: 11.86%
• 3Y*: 24.04%
• 5Y*: 11.15%
• 10Y*: 17.91%

ARKK

• 1D: -2.23%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: -0.31%
• 6M: -4.76%
• 1Y: 11.37%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: -9.10%
• 10Y*: 15.90%

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

CASH vs. ARKK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CASH Meta Financial Group, Inc.	19.84%	-3.25%	39.47%	23.45%	-27.48%	63.82%	0.94%	89.68%	-36.81%	-9.39%
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF	-0.31%	35.49%	8.40%	69.04%	-66.97%	-23.60%	152.71%	35.08%	3.52%	87.33%

Correlation

The correlation between CASH and ARKK is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014	0.35

The correlation between CASH and ARKK shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (1 year) to 0.45 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CASH vs. ARKK — Risk / Return Rank

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

CASH

CASH Risk / Return Rank: 53
CASH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
CASH Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
CASH Omega Ratio Rank: 50
CASH Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
CASH Martin Ratio Rank: 54

ARKK

ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 13
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 13
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

CASH vs. ARKK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) 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.

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.

	CASH	ARKK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	0.32	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.74	0.69	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.08	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.54	0.36	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.04	0.78	+0.26

CASH vs. ARKK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CASH Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is higher than the ARKK Sharpe Ratio of 0.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CASH 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.

Drawdowns

CASH vs. ARKK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CASH drawdown since its inception was -83.66%, roughly equal to the maximum ARKK drawdown of -80.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CASH and ARKK.

Drawdown Indicators

	CASH	ARKK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.66%	-80.97%	-2.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.21%	-31.35%	+9.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.20%	-39.56%	+14.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.84%	-77.23%	+26.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.90%	-80.97%	+16.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.90%	-50.35%	+35.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.88%	-30.20%	+7.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.38%	14.57%	-3.19%

Volatility

CASH vs. ARKK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) is 8.31%, while ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a volatility of 12.53%. This indicates that CASH 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

	CASH	ARKK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.31%	12.53%	-4.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.08%	26.71%	-3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.11%	36.20%	-7.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.51%	46.46%	-12.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.31%	40.40%	+0.91%

Dividends

CASH vs. ARKK - Dividend Comparison

CASH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, while ARKK has not 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%
CASH Meta Financial Group, Inc.	0.24%	0.28%	0.27%	0.38%	0.46%	0.34%	0.55%	0.55%	0.96%	0.56%	0.51%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CASH and ARKK in my portfolio?

CASH and ARKK have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CASH or ARKK?

ARKK has higher volatility (12.53%) compared to CASH (8.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CASH dropped -83.66% vs ARKK's -80.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CASH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.41 vs 0.32), 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.