FOWF vs. ARKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FOWF (Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF) and ARKX (ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FOWF is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare Index, while ARKX is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by ARK. FOWF is passively managed, while ARKX is actively managed. Over the past year, FOWF returned 22.10% vs 69.46% for ARKX. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FOWF charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ARKX.

Performance

FOWF vs. ARKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF (FOWF) 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, FOWF achieves a 9.44% return, which is significantly lower than ARKX's 23.67% return.

FOWF

• 1D: -1.88%
• 1M: 3.45%
• YTD: 9.44%
• 6M: 12.30%
• 1Y: 22.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ARKX

• 1D: -2.24%
• 1M: 10.24%
• YTD: 23.67%
• 6M: 28.83%
• 1Y: 69.46%
• 3Y*: 36.41%
• 5Y*: 11.53%
• 10Y*: —

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

FOWF vs. ARKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FOWF Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF	9.44%	29.15%	0.39%
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	23.67%	48.46%	2.36%

Correlation

The correlation between FOWF and ARKX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024	0.71

The correlation between FOWF and ARKX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

FOWF vs. ARKX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FOWF	ARKX
Industrials	62.2%	55.7%
Technology	29.2%	27.4%
Communication Services	5.8%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	2.0%	7.8%
Basic Materials	0.8%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	1.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FOWF vs. ARKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FOWF

FOWF Risk / Return Rank: 46
FOWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
FOWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
FOWF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
FOWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
FOWF Martin Ratio Rank: 44

ARKX

ARKX Risk / Return Rank: 58
ARKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
ARKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ARKX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
ARKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
ARKX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

FOWF vs. ARKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF (FOWF) 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.

	FOWF	ARKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.15	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	2.75	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.33	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	3.42	-1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.02	9.20	-2.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FOWF vs. ARKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FOWF Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the ARKX Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FOWF 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FOWF	ARKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	2.15	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.63	0.43	+1.20

Drawdowns

FOWF vs. ARKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FOWF drawdown since its inception was -12.29%, smaller than the maximum ARKX drawdown of -43.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FOWF and ARKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FOWF	ARKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.29%	-43.61%	+31.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.08%	-20.42%	+10.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-25.47%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-5.03%	+2.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-19.99%	+17.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	7.57%	-4.41%

Volatility

FOWF vs. ARKX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF (FOWF) is 4.80%, while ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) has a volatility of 11.01%. This indicates that FOWF 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

	FOWF	ARKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	11.01%	-6.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.62%	25.01%	-13.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.94%	32.49%	-18.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	27.72%	-10.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.89%	27.42%	-10.53%

FOWF vs. ARKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FOWF has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKX's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FOWF vs. ARKX - Dividend Comparison

FOWF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, while ARKX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	0.00%	0.00%
FOWF Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF	0.73%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FOWF and ARKX in my portfolio?

FOWF and ARKX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FOWF or ARKX?

ARKX has higher volatility (11.01%) compared to FOWF (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FOWF dropped -12.29% vs ARKX's -43.61%.

Which ETF is better, FOWF or ARKX?

On 1-year performance, ARKX leads with 69.46% vs 22.10% for FOWF. On fees, FOWF is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, FOWF has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FOWF or ARKX?

Over the 1-year period, ARKX has performed better with a 69.46% return vs 22.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FOWF or ARKX?

FOWF is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKX.

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

FOWF has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.00% for ARKX.

What is the main difference between FOWF and ARKX?

FOWF is categorized as Industrials Equities, while ARKX is Aerospace & Defense. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FOWF and 0.75% for ARKX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.59), 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.