ESPR vs. ARKW

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

ESPR (Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.) is a stock, while ARKW (ARK Next Generation Internet ETF) is Mid Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by ARK. Over the past 10 years, ESPR returned -15.06%/yr vs 22.34%/yr for ARKW. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ESPR vs. ARKW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (ESPR) and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPR achieves a -14.86% return, which is significantly lower than ARKW's -6.26% return. Over the past 10 years, ESPR has underperformed ARKW with an annualized return of -15.06%, while ARKW has yielded a comparatively higher 22.34% annualized return.

ESPR

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: -14.86%
• 6M: -20.25%
• 1Y: 194.39%
• 3Y*: 33.30%
• 5Y*: -33.20%
• 10Y*: -15.06%

ARKW

• 1D: -1.58%
• 1M: -4.68%
• YTD: -6.26%
• 6M: -8.97%
• 1Y: -4.08%
• 3Y*: 36.01%
• 5Y*: -1.45%
• 10Y*: 22.34%

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

ESPR vs. ARKW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESPR Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.	-14.86%	68.18%	-26.42%	-52.01%	24.60%	-80.77%	-56.40%	29.63%	-30.13%	425.88%
ARKW ARK Next Generation Internet ETF	-6.26%	38.93%	42.27%	96.89%	-67.49%	-18.85%	157.44%	35.76%	4.24%	87.29%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPR and ARKW is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2014	0.31

Return for Risk

ESPR vs. ARKW — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESPR

ESPR Risk / Return Rank: 89
ESPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
ESPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
ESPR Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ESPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
ESPR Martin Ratio Rank: 87

ARKW

ARKW Risk / Return Rank: 8
ARKW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
ARKW Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
ARKW Omega Ratio Rank: 8
ARKW Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
ARKW Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

ESPR vs. ARKW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (ESPR) and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW). 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.

	ESPR	ARKW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	-0.13	+2.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	0.05	+3.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.01	+0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.68	-0.11	+3.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.10	-0.22	+9.33

ESPR vs. ARKW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPR Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is higher than the ARKW Sharpe Ratio of -0.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPR and ARKW, 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

ESPR vs. ARKW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPR drawdown since its inception was -99.37%, which is greater than ARKW's maximum drawdown of -80.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPR and ARKW.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESPR	ARKW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.37%	-80.52%	-18.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.19%	-36.21%	-16.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-80.94%	-36.21%	-44.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-96.92%	-77.36%	-19.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.10%	-80.52%	-18.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-97.27%	-24.87%	-72.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-70.05%	-23.97%	-46.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.47%	18.20%	+3.27%

Volatility

ESPR vs. ARKW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (ESPR) is 1.37%, while ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) has a volatility of 11.17%. This indicates that ESPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESPR	ARKW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	11.17%	-9.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	60.52%	24.67%	+35.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	92.19%	32.81%	+59.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	91.78%	43.65%	+48.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	84.50%	37.78%	+46.72%

Dividends

ESPR vs. ARKW - Dividend Comparison

ESPR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ARKW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.70%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKW ARK Next Generation Internet ETF	1.70%	1.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%	1.29%	0.00%	13.05%	2.05%	0.00%	2.29%
ESPR Esperion Therapeutics, 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 ESPR and ARKW in my portfolio?

ESPR and ARKW have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESPR or ARKW?

ARKW has higher volatility (11.17%) compared to ESPR (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPR dropped -99.37% vs ARKW's -80.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs -0.12), 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.