ICSH vs. ARKK
ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) and ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICSH is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares, while ARKK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, ICSH returned 2.80%/yr vs 14.94%/yr for ARKK. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ICSH charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ARKK.
Performance
ICSH vs. ARKK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ICSH achieves a 1.92% return, which is significantly higher than ARKK's -2.56% return. Over the past 10 years, ICSH has underperformed ARKK with an annualized return of 2.80%, while ARKK has yielded a comparatively higher 14.94% annualized return.
ICSH
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- 6M
- 1.77%
- YTD
- 1.92%
- 1Y
- 4.16%
- 3Y*
- 5.09%
- 5Y*
- 3.76%
- 10Y*
- 2.80%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.32%
ARKK
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- -6.53%
- 6M
- -8.24%
- YTD
- -2.56%
- 1Y
- -3.45%
- 3Y*
- 16.39%
- 5Y*
- -9.13%
- 10Y*
- 14.94%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.69%
ICSH vs. ARKK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 1.92% | 4.96% | 5.52% | 5.58% | 0.97% | 0.16% | 1.61% | 3.17% | 2.25% | 1.63% |
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF | -2.56% | 35.49% | 8.40% | 69.04% | -66.97% | -23.60% | 152.71% | 35.08% | 3.52% | 87.33% |
Correlation
The correlation between ICSH and ARKK is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014 | 0.09 |
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Return for Risk
ICSH vs. ARKK — Risk / Return Rank
ICSH
ARKK
ICSH vs. ARKK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK). 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.
| ICSH | ARKK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +10.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +22.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 5.55 | 1.01 | +4.54 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 42.22 | -0.11 | +42.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 238.25 | -0.23 | +238.48 |
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Drawdowns
ICSH vs. ARKK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ICSH drawdown since its inception was -3.94%, smaller than the maximum ARKK drawdown of -80.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICSH and ARKK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ICSH | ARKK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -3.94% | -80.97% | +77.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.10% | -31.35% | +31.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.10% | -39.56% | +39.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -0.73% | -76.27% | +75.54% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -3.94% | -80.97% | +77.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -51.47% | +51.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.08% | -30.31% | +30.23% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.02% | 15.08% | -15.06% |
Volatility
ICSH vs. ARKK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) is 0.12%, while ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a volatility of 9.21%. This indicates that ICSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ICSH | ARKK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.12% | 9.21% | -9.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.32% | 27.14% | -26.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.42% | 36.37% | -35.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.49% | 46.49% | -46.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.05% | 40.43% | -39.38% |
ICSH vs. ARKK - Expense Ratio Comparison
ICSH has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKK's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
ICSH vs. ARKK - Dividend Comparison
ICSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, while ARKK has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.70% | 0.00% | 0.55% | 1.64% | 0.38% | 3.14% | 1.32% | 0.00% | 2.27% |
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 4.28% | 4.55% | 5.24% | 4.78% | 1.66% | 0.42% | 1.21% | 2.61% | 2.20% | 1.36% | 0.88% | 0.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ICSH and ARKK have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ARKK has higher volatility (9.21%) compared to ICSH (0.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICSH dropped -3.94% vs ARKK's -80.97%.
On 10-year performance, ARKK leads with 14.94% vs 2.80% for ICSH. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, ICSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, ARKK has performed better with a 14.94% return vs 2.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKK.
ICSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.28%, compared with 0.00% for ARKK.
ICSH is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while ARKK is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for ICSH and 0.75% for ARKK.
ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.04 vs -0.10), 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.
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