IAT vs. ARKX

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

IAT (iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF) and ARKX (ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAT is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Regional Banks Index, while ARKX is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by ARK. IAT is passively managed, while ARKX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IAT returned 5.20%/yr vs 8.93%/yr for ARKX. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAT charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ARKX.

Performance

IAT vs. ARKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) 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, IAT achieves a 16.09% return, which is significantly higher than ARKX's 10.59% return.

IAT

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 3.72%
• 6M: 11.69%
• YTD: 16.09%
• 1Y: 24.76%
• 3Y*: 25.79%
• 5Y*: 5.20%
• 10Y*: 9.68%

ARKX

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: -5.12%
• 6M: -4.16%
• YTD: 10.59%
• 1Y: 28.35%
• 3Y*: 28.20%
• 5Y*: 8.93%
• 10Y*: —

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

IAT vs. ARKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IAT iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF	16.09%	13.05%	24.36%	-8.53%	-20.61%	12.16%
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	10.59%	48.46%	26.67%	24.37%	-34.27%	-8.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IAT and ARKX is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2021	0.54

Over the past year, the correlation between IAT and ARKX has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.54, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IAT vs. ARKX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IAT	ARKX
Financial Services	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Communication Services	-	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	1.7%
Industrials	-	56.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	27.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IAT vs. ARKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAT

IAT Risk / Return Rank: 35
IAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
IAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
IAT Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAT Martin Ratio Rank: 30

ARKX

ARKX Risk / Return Rank: 31
ARKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
ARKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
ARKX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
ARKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ARKX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

IAT vs. ARKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) 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.

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.

	IAT	ARKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	0.88	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	1.39	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.16	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	1.47	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.48	3.58	-0.10

IAT vs. ARKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAT Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the ARKX Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAT 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.

Drawdowns

IAT vs. ARKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAT drawdown since its inception was -77.22%, which is greater than ARKX's maximum drawdown of -43.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAT and ARKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAT	ARKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.22%	-43.61%	-33.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.49%	-20.42%	+2.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.29%	-25.47%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.55%	-43.61%	-11.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.55%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-15.08%	+14.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.85%	-19.80%	-7.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.87%	8.38%	-1.51%

Volatility

IAT vs. ARKX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) is 6.19%, while ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) has a volatility of 11.29%. This indicates that IAT 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

	IAT	ARKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.19%	11.29%	-5.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.40%	26.10%	-9.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.01%	34.13%	-12.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.89%	28.29%	+0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.66%	27.75%	+2.91%

IAT vs. ARKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAT has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKX's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAT vs. ARKX - Dividend Comparison

IAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, while ARKX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IAT iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF	2.55%	2.94%	2.95%	3.56%	3.12%	1.88%	2.87%	2.49%	2.48%	1.55%	1.52%	1.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAT and ARKX in my portfolio?

IAT and ARKX have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IAT or ARKX?

ARKX has higher volatility (11.29%) compared to IAT (6.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAT dropped -77.22% vs ARKX's -43.61%.

Which ETF is better, IAT or ARKX?

On 5-year performance, ARKX leads with 8.93% vs 5.20% for IAT. On fees, IAT is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IAT has been the lower-risk option at 6.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAT or ARKX?

Over the 5-year period, ARKX has performed better with a 8.93% return vs 5.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAT or ARKX?

IAT is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKX.

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

IAT has the higher dividend yield at 2.55%, compared with 0.00% for ARKX.

What is the main difference between IAT and ARKX?

IAT is categorized as Financials Equities, while ARKX is Aerospace & Defense. They also come from different issuers: iShares and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IAT and 0.75% for ARKX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 0.88), 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.