CGNX vs. ARKQ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

CGNX (Cognex Corporation) is a stock, while ARKQ (ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF) is Robotics fund actively managed by ARK. Over the past 10 years, CGNX returned 11.89%/yr vs 21.93%/yr for ARKQ. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

CGNX vs. ARKQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cognex Corporation (CGNX) and ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGNX achieves a 73.89% return, which is significantly higher than ARKQ's 14.84% return. Over the past 10 years, CGNX has underperformed ARKQ with an annualized return of 11.89%, while ARKQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.93% annualized return.

CGNX

• 1D: 2.58%
• 1M: -4.85%
• YTD: 73.89%
• 6M: 62.85%
• 1Y: 107.46%
• 3Y*: 4.89%
• 5Y*: -3.98%
• 10Y*: 11.89%

ARKQ

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: -2.37%
• YTD: 14.84%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 63.19%
• 3Y*: 35.12%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 21.93%

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

CGNX vs. ARKQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CGNX Cognex Corporation	73.89%	1.24%	-13.45%	-10.84%	-39.11%	-2.85%	47.69%	45.54%	-36.53%	92.91%
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	14.84%	48.81%	33.88%	40.70%	-46.75%	1.74%	107.20%	25.94%	-7.89%	52.26%

Correlation

The correlation between CGNX and ARKQ is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.62

The correlation between CGNX and ARKQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CGNX vs. ARKQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGNX

CGNX Risk / Return Rank: 88
CGNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
CGNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
CGNX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
CGNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
CGNX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

ARKQ

ARKQ Risk / Return Rank: 60
ARKQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ARKQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ARKQ Omega Ratio Rank: 54
ARKQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
ARKQ Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

CGNX vs. ARKQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cognex Corporation (CGNX) and ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ). 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.

	CGNX	ARKQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.92	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	2.43	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.30	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	3.09	+0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.76	9.27	-0.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CGNX vs. ARKQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the ARKQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGNX and ARKQ, 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

	CGNX	ARKQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.92	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	0.32	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.74	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.64	-0.36

Drawdowns

CGNX vs. ARKQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGNX drawdown since its inception was -83.71%, which is greater than ARKQ's maximum drawdown of -59.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGNX and ARKQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGNX	ARKQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.71%	-59.89%	-23.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.86%	-20.58%	-7.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.98%	-30.76%	-29.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-74.07%	-55.71%	-18.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-74.63%	-59.89%	-14.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.35%	-8.44%	-22.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.52%	-17.23%	-20.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.31%	6.83%	+5.48%

Volatility

CGNX vs. ARKQ - Volatility Comparison

Cognex Corporation (CGNX) has a higher volatility of 13.16% compared to ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) at 11.77%. This indicates that CGNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ARKQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGNX	ARKQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.16%	11.77%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.07%	25.39%	+16.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.00%	33.13%	+24.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.52%	32.39%	+11.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.85%	29.93%	+11.92%

Dividends

CGNX vs. ARKQ - Dividend Comparison

CGNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, more than ARKQ's 0.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF	0.23%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.80%	0.86%	0.00%	2.86%	1.54%	0.00%	0.98%
CGNX Cognex Corporation	0.54%	0.90%	0.85%	0.68%	0.56%	0.32%	2.77%	0.37%	0.48%	0.27%	0.46%	0.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGNX and ARKQ in my portfolio?

CGNX and ARKQ have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CGNX or ARKQ?

CGNX has higher volatility (13.16%) compared to ARKQ (11.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGNX dropped -83.71% vs ARKQ's -59.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.87), 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.