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MSCI vs. ARKK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

MSCI vs. ARKK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

MSCI (MSCI Inc.) is a stock, while ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) is Technology Equities fund actively managed by ARK. Over the past 10 years, MSCI returned 24.30%/yr vs 15.90%/yr for ARKK. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MSCI vs. ARKK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSCI achieves a 2.12% return, which is significantly higher than ARKK's -0.31% return. Over the past 10 years, MSCI has outperformed ARKK with an annualized return of 24.30%, while ARKK has yielded a comparatively lower 15.90% annualized return.

MSCI

1D
0.11%
1M
-1.20%
YTD
2.12%
6M
0.79%
1Y
6.22%
3Y*
9.06%
5Y*
2.89%
10Y*
24.30%

ARKK

1D
-2.23%
1M
0.37%
YTD
-0.31%
6M
-4.76%
1Y
11.37%
3Y*
22.42%
5Y*
-9.10%
10Y*
15.90%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MSCI vs. ARKK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
MSCI
MSCI Inc.		2.12%-3.17%7.31%22.90%-23.34%38.14%74.38%77.19%17.95%62.63%
ARKK
ARK Innovation ETF		-0.31%35.49%8.40%69.04%-66.97%-23.60%152.71%35.08%3.52%87.33%

Correlation

The correlation between MSCI and ARKK is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.21

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.33

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.48

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.50

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2014

0.49

Over the past year, the correlation between MSCI and ARKK has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

MSCI Inc.

ARK Innovation ETF

Often compared with MSCI:
MSCI vs. SPYMSCI vs. SPGIMSCI vs. VOOMSCI vs. VWRP.LMSCI vs. VTIMSCI vs. VGTMSCI vs. MS
Often compared with ARKK:
ARKK vs. SPYARKK vs. QQQARKK vs. ARKQARKK vs. ARKWARKK vs. ^NDXARKK vs. SMHARKK vs. BRK-B

Return for Risk

MSCI vs. ARKK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
MSCI
MSCI Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
MSCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MSCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
MSCI Omega Ratio Rank: 4444
Omega Ratio Rank
MSCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
MSCI Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
ARKK
ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 1313
Overall Rank
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1313
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 1414
Sortino Ratio Rank
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 1313
Omega Ratio Rank
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 1313
Calmar Ratio Rank
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 1212
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

MSCI vs. ARKK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSCI Inc. (MSCI) 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.

MSCIARKKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.22
0.32

-0.10

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.50
0.69

-0.19

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.07

1.08

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.35

0.36

-0.02

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.89

0.78

+0.10

MSCI vs. ARKK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSCI Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is lower than the ARKK Sharpe Ratio of 0.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSCI and ARKK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

MSCI vs. ARKK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSCI drawdown since its inception was -69.06%, smaller than the maximum ARKK drawdown of -80.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSCI and ARKK.

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Drawdown Indicators

MSCIARKKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-69.06%

-80.97%

+11.91%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-18.07%

-31.35%

+13.28%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.99%

-39.56%

+13.57%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-43.74%

-77.23%

+33.49%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-43.74%

-80.97%

+37.23%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-9.68%

-50.35%

+40.67%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.07%

-30.20%

+17.13%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

7.03%

14.57%

-7.54%

Volatility

MSCI vs. ARKK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MSCI Inc. (MSCI) is 8.23%, while ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a volatility of 12.53%. This indicates that MSCI 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

MSCIARKKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.23%

12.53%

-4.30%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

21.10%

26.71%

-5.61%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

28.85%

36.20%

-7.35%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

30.74%

46.46%

-15.72%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

31.18%

40.40%

-9.22%

Dividends

MSCI vs. ARKK - Dividend Comparison

MSCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, while ARKK has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
MSCI
MSCI Inc.		1.32%1.25%1.07%0.98%0.98%0.59%0.65%0.98%1.30%1.04%1.27%1.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

MSCI and ARKK have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ARKK has higher volatility (12.53%) compared to MSCI (8.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSCI dropped -69.06% vs ARKK's -80.97%.

ARKK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.32 vs 0.22), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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