PRNT vs. ITA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PRNT (ARK The 3D Printing ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PRNT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Total 3D-Printing Index, while ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PRNT returned 2.37%/yr vs 15.16%/yr for ITA. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PRNT charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

PRNT vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK The 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRNT achieves a 6.62% return, which is significantly lower than ITA's 11.78% return. Over the past 10 years, PRNT has underperformed ITA with an annualized return of 2.37%, while ITA has yielded a comparatively higher 15.16% annualized return.

PRNT

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -1.69%
• 6M: 4.38%
• YTD: 6.62%
• 1Y: 12.49%
• 3Y*: -0.12%
• 5Y*: -8.69%
• 10Y*: 2.37%
• ALL TIME*: 2.20%

ITA

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: -3.44%
• 6M: 3.27%
• YTD: 11.78%
• 1Y: 23.04%
• 3Y*: 27.67%
• 5Y*: 18.23%
• 10Y*: 15.16%
• ALL TIME*: 12.82%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	$175.85M	$163.51M	$181.04M
PRNT ARK The 3D Printing ETF	$141.16K	$162.57K	$305.15K

PRNT vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRNT ARK The 3D Printing ETF	6.62%	6.70%	-8.72%	13.37%	-40.26%	8.99%	40.18%	13.06%	-17.81%	18.03%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	11.78%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-7.22%	35.24%

Correlation

The correlation between PRNT and ITA is 0.50, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2016	0.53

The correlation between PRNT and ITA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

PRNT vs. ITA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PRNT	ITA
Technology	47.6%	0.1%
Industrials	31.1%	97.7%
Healthcare	12.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	-
Basic Materials	3.1%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PRNT vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PRNT

PRNT Risk / Return Rank: 23
PRNT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PRNT Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PRNT Omega Ratio Rank: 22
PRNT Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
PRNT Martin Ratio Rank: 23

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 40
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 36

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PRNT vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK The 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). 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.

	PRNT	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	1.01	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.86	1.54	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.18	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.65	1.43	-0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.69	3.61	-1.92

PRNT vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRNT Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is lower than the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRNT and ITA, 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

PRNT vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRNT drawdown since its inception was -66.10%, which is greater than ITA's maximum drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRNT and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRNT	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.10%	-59.72%	-6.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.22%	-15.82%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.55%	-15.82%	-12.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.91%	-18.72%	-39.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.10%	-51.00%	-15.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.70%	-4.43%	-47.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.25%	-9.42%	-22.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.61%	6.25%	+0.36%

Volatility

PRNT vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK The 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) is 5.61%, while iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a volatility of 7.29%. This indicates that PRNT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRNT	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	7.29%	-1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.43%	18.29%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.22%	22.49%	+0.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.17%	20.25%	+5.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.74%	23.29%	+3.45%

PRNT vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRNT has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRNT vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

PRNT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, more than ITA's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.44%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%
PRNT ARK The 3D Printing ETF	0.73%	0.78%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.07%	0.80%	2.16%	0.01%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRNT and ITA in my portfolio?

PRNT and ITA have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRNT or ITA?

ITA has higher volatility (7.29%) compared to PRNT (5.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRNT dropped -66.10% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, PRNT or ITA?

On 10-year performance, ITA leads with 15.16% vs 2.37% for PRNT. On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, PRNT has been the lower-risk option at 5.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PRNT or ITA?

Over the 10-year period, ITA has performed better with a 15.16% return vs 2.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PRNT or ITA?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for PRNT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PRNT or ITA?

PRNT has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.44% for ITA.

What is the main difference between PRNT and ITA?

PRNT is categorized as Technology Equities, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. PRNT tracks Total 3D-Printing Index, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: ARK and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for PRNT and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.48), 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.