SCUS vs. ARKB

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

SCUS (Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF) and ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Charles Schwab, while ARKB is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. SCUS is actively managed, while ARKB is passively managed. Over the past year, SCUS returned 4.06% vs -44.32% for ARKB. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. SCUS charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for ARKB.

Performance

SCUS vs. ARKB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCUS achieves a 1.82% return, which is significantly higher than ARKB's -25.79% return.

SCUS

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.28%
• 6M: 1.66%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 1Y: 4.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ARKB

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: -2.44%
• 6M: -33.61%
• YTD: -25.79%
• 1Y: -44.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCUS vs. ARKB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	1.82%	4.51%	2.00%
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	-25.79%	-6.59%	58.14%

Correlation

The correlation between SCUS and ARKB is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2024	-0.08

Return for Risk

SCUS vs. ARKB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCUS

SCUS Risk / Return Rank: 99
SCUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Omega Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Martin Ratio Rank: 99

ARKB

ARKB Risk / Return Rank: 2
ARKB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Omega Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

SCUS vs. ARKB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). 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.

	SCUS	ARKB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.95	-1.01	+6.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	11.30	-1.49	+12.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.60	0.84	+1.77
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	24.43	-0.83	+25.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	103.42	-1.35	+104.77

SCUS vs. ARKB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCUS Sharpe Ratio is 5.95, which is higher than the ARKB Sharpe Ratio of -1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCUS and ARKB, 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

SCUS vs. ARKB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCUS drawdown since its inception was -0.17%, smaller than the maximum ARKB drawdown of -53.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCUS and ARKB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCUS	ARKB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.17%	-53.33%	+53.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.17%	-53.33%	+53.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-48.32%	+48.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.02%	-17.69%	+17.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.04%	32.96%	-32.92%

Volatility

SCUS vs. ARKB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS) is 0.25%, while ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) has a volatility of 11.73%. This indicates that SCUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCUS	ARKB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.25%	11.73%	-11.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.51%	34.86%	-34.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69%	44.29%	-43.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.71%	49.78%	-49.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.71%	49.78%	-49.07%

SCUS vs. ARKB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCUS has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKB's 0.21% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCUS vs. ARKB - Dividend Comparison

SCUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.90%, while ARKB has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	3.90%	4.17%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCUS and ARKB in my portfolio?

SCUS and ARKB have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCUS or ARKB?

ARKB has higher volatility (11.73%) compared to SCUS (0.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCUS dropped -0.17% vs ARKB's -53.33%.

Which ETF is better, SCUS or ARKB?

On 1-year performance, SCUS leads with 4.06% vs -44.32% for ARKB. On fees, SCUS is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, SCUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCUS or ARKB?

Over the 1-year period, SCUS has performed better with a 4.06% return vs -44.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCUS or ARKB?

SCUS is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.21% for ARKB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCUS or ARKB?

SCUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.90%, compared with 0.00% for ARKB.

What is the main difference between SCUS and ARKB?

SCUS is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while ARKB is Cryptocurrency. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for SCUS and 0.21% for ARKB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.95 vs -1.01), 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.