IAI vs. ARKF

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) and ARKF (ARK Fintech Innovation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAI is a Financials Equities fund tracking the DJ US Select / Investment Services, while ARKF is a Blockchain fund actively managed by ARK. IAI is passively managed, while ARKF is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IAI returned 14.44%/yr vs -5.06%/yr for ARKF. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAI charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ARKF.

Performance

IAI vs. ARKF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) and ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAI achieves a 3.17% return, which is significantly higher than ARKF's -18.31% return.

IAI

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 3.22%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 6M: 2.78%
• 1Y: 19.26%
• 3Y*: 28.06%
• 5Y*: 14.44%
• 10Y*: 19.37%

ARKF

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -5.76%
• YTD: -18.31%
• 6M: -21.31%
• 1Y: -11.87%
• 3Y*: 23.97%
• 5Y*: -5.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

IAI vs. ARKF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	3.17%	25.80%	34.37%	15.27%	-10.87%	40.48%	18.61%	14.25%
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	-18.31%	28.67%	34.34%	93.27%	-65.07%	-17.82%	108.03%	20.45%

Correlation

The correlation between IAI and ARKF is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2019	0.62

The correlation between IAI and ARKF shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (all time) to 0.73 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IAI vs. ARKF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IAI	ARKF
Financial Services	99.9%	28.5%
Technology	0.1%	42.7%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	12.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	16.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.2%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IAI vs. ARKF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAI

IAI Risk / Return Rank: 29
IAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
IAI Martin Ratio Rank: 27

ARKF

ARKF Risk / Return Rank: 7
ARKF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
ARKF Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
ARKF Omega Ratio Rank: 7
ARKF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
ARKF Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

IAI vs. ARKF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) and ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF). 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.

	IAI	ARKF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	-0.35	+1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	-0.28	+1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	0.97	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	-0.31	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.33	-0.57	+3.89

IAI vs. ARKF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAI Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is higher than the ARKF Sharpe Ratio of -0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAI and ARKF, 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

IAI vs. ARKF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAI drawdown since its inception was -75.46%, roughly equal to the maximum ARKF drawdown of -78.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAI and ARKF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAI	ARKF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.46%	-78.63%	+3.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.52%	-38.50%	+21.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-38.50%	+15.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.84%	-75.30%	+46.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-38.77%	+35.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.63%	-34.95%	+12.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.80%	21.00%	-15.20%

Volatility

IAI vs. ARKF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) is 5.98%, while ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) has a volatility of 10.36%. This indicates that IAI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IAI	ARKF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.98%	10.36%	-4.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.34%	25.14%	-9.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.44%	33.69%	-14.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.48%	42.87%	-21.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.85%	39.77%	-16.92%

IAI vs. ARKF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAI has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKF's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAI vs. ARKF - Dividend Comparison

IAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, more than ARKF's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	0.11%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.37%	1.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	1.05%	0.95%	1.05%	1.80%	2.14%	1.31%	1.55%	1.52%	1.58%	1.37%	1.49%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAI and ARKF in my portfolio?

IAI and ARKF have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IAI or ARKF?

ARKF has higher volatility (10.36%) compared to IAI (5.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAI dropped -75.46% vs ARKF's -78.63%.

Which ETF is better, IAI or ARKF?

On 5-year performance, IAI leads with 14.44% vs -5.06% for ARKF. On fees, IAI is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, IAI has been the lower-risk option at 5.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAI or ARKF?

Over the 5-year period, IAI has performed better with a 14.44% return vs -5.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAI or ARKF?

IAI is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IAI or ARKF?

IAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.11% for ARKF.

What is the main difference between IAI and ARKF?

IAI is categorized as Financials Equities, while ARKF is Blockchain. They also come from different issuers: iShares and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for IAI and 0.75% for ARKF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs -0.35), 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.