ROBT vs. ARKK

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) and ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. ROBT is passively managed, while ARKK is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ROBT returned 2.42%/yr vs -5.81%/yr for ARKK. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ROBT charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ARKK.

Performance

ROBT vs. ARKK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROBT achieves a 14.43% return, which is significantly higher than ARKK's 4.10% return.

ROBT

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 11.90%
• YTD: 14.43%
• 6M: 10.78%
• 1Y: 30.07%
• 3Y*: 10.07%
• 5Y*: 2.42%
• 10Y*: —

ARKK

• 1D: 2.44%
• 1M: 4.56%
• YTD: 4.10%
• 6M: -3.12%
• 1Y: 38.10%
• 3Y*: 24.28%
• 5Y*: -5.81%
• 10Y*: 15.82%

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

ROBT vs. ARKK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	14.43%	15.16%	-0.41%	27.77%	-34.94%	9.91%	46.18%	34.28%	-13.98%
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF	4.10%	35.49%	8.40%	69.04%	-66.97%	-23.60%	152.71%	35.08%	-6.35%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBT and ARKK is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2018	0.83

The correlation between ROBT and ARKK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROBT vs. ARKK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROBT	ARKK
Technology	57.0%	26.4%
Industrials	20.4%	6.3%
Healthcare	7.4%	27.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	13.7%
Communication Services	4.1%	10.9%
Financial Services	1.6%	15.4%
Energy	1.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. ARKK — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROBT

ROBT Risk / Return Rank: 33
ROBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
ROBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
ROBT Omega Ratio Rank: 33
ROBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
ROBT Martin Ratio Rank: 29

ARKK

ARKK Risk / Return Rank: 28
ARKK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
ARKK Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
ARKK Omega Ratio Rank: 28
ARKK Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
ARKK Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

ROBT vs. ARKK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) 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.

	ROBT	ARKK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.05	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	1.61	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.18	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	1.22	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.01	2.71	+1.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ROBT vs. ARKK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBT Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the ARKK Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBT 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ROBT	ARKK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.05	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	-0.13	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.35	0.00

Drawdowns

ROBT vs. ARKK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, smaller than the maximum ARKK drawdown of -80.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and ARKK.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	ARKK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-80.97%	+36.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	-31.35%	+9.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.68%	-39.56%	+11.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.26%	-77.23%	+33.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-80.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.54%	-48.15%	+46.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.96%	-30.13%	+14.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.53%	14.09%	-6.56%

Volatility

ROBT vs. ARKK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) is 6.42%, while ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a volatility of 9.47%. This indicates that ROBT 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.

Volatility by Period

	ROBT	ARKK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.42%	9.47%	-3.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.51%	25.18%	-7.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.30%	36.42%	-13.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.17%	46.29%	-21.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.47%	40.26%	-14.79%

ROBT vs. ARKK - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROBT has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKK's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROBT vs. ARKK - Dividend Comparison

Neither ROBT nor ARKK has 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%
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.68%	0.23%	0.35%	0.06%	0.17%	0.42%	0.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROBT and ARKK in my portfolio?

ROBT and ARKK have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROBT or ARKK?

ARKK has higher volatility (9.47%) compared to ROBT (6.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBT dropped -44.47% vs ARKK's -80.97%.

Which ETF is better, ROBT or ARKK?

On 5-year performance, ROBT leads with 2.42% vs -5.81% for ARKK. On fees, ROBT is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, ROBT has been the lower-risk option at 6.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROBT or ARKK?

Over the 5-year period, ROBT has performed better with a 2.42% return vs -5.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBT or ARKK?

ROBT is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ROBT or ARKK?

ROBT and ARKK have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ROBT and ARKK?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ROBT and 0.75% for ARKK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROBT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 1.05), 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.