VGSH vs. ARKW
VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) and ARKW (ARK Next Generation Internet ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGSH is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index, while ARKW is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by ARK. VGSH is passively managed, while ARKW is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGSH returned 1.73%/yr vs 22.86%/yr for ARKW. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. VGSH charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.76%/yr for ARKW.
Performance
VGSH vs. ARKW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGSH achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly higher than ARKW's -0.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VGSH has underperformed ARKW with an annualized return of 1.73%, while ARKW has yielded a comparatively higher 22.86% annualized return.
VGSH
- 1D
- 0.07%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 0.85%
- 1Y
- 3.43%
- 3Y*
- 4.27%
- 5Y*
- 1.87%
- 10Y*
- 1.73%
ARKW
- 1D
- 4.36%
- 1M
- 3.03%
- YTD
- -0.20%
- 6M
- -1.16%
- 1Y
- 15.15%
- 3Y*
- 37.73%
- 5Y*
- 1.45%
- 10Y*
- 22.86%
VGSH vs. ARKW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 0.64% | 5.07% | 4.00% | 4.31% | -3.86% | -0.60% | 3.04% | 3.52% | 1.55% | 0.04% |
ARKW ARK Next Generation Internet ETF | -0.20% | 38.93% | 42.27% | 96.89% | -67.49% | -18.85% | 157.44% | 35.76% | 4.24% | 87.29% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGSH and ARKW is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.04 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2014 | -0.06 |
The correlation between VGSH and ARKW shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.11 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VGSH vs. ARKW — Risk / Return Rank
VGSH
ARKW
VGSH vs. ARKW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW). 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.
| VGSH | ARKW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | 1.10 | +0.48 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.90 | 0.42 | +3.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.21 | 0.85 | +14.36 |
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Drawdowns
VGSH vs. ARKW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGSH drawdown since its inception was -5.70%, smaller than the maximum ARKW drawdown of -80.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGSH and ARKW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGSH | ARKW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.70% | -80.52% | +74.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.88% | -36.21% | +35.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.97% | -36.21% | +35.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.66% | -77.36% | +71.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -5.70% | -80.52% | +74.82% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.14% | -20.01% | +19.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.60% | -23.97% | +23.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.23% | 17.93% | -17.70% |
Volatility
VGSH vs. ARKW - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) is 0.37%, while ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) has a volatility of 11.21%. This indicates that VGSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGSH | ARKW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.37% | 11.21% | -10.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.90% | 24.94% | -24.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.28% | 33.21% | -31.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.97% | 43.64% | -41.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.58% | 37.77% | -36.19% |
VGSH vs. ARKW - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGSH has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKW's 0.76% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGSH vs. ARKW - Dividend Comparison
VGSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, more than ARKW's 1.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARKW ARK Next Generation Internet ETF | 1.59% | 1.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.17% | 1.29% | 0.00% | 13.05% | 2.05% | 0.00% | 2.29% |
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 3.87% | 4.00% | 4.18% | 3.31% | 1.15% | 0.66% | 1.74% | 2.28% | 1.79% | 1.10% | 0.84% | 0.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGSH and ARKW have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ARKW has higher volatility (11.21%) compared to VGSH (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGSH dropped -5.70% vs ARKW's -80.52%.
On 10-year performance, ARKW leads with 22.86% vs 1.73% for VGSH. On fees, VGSH is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, ARKW has performed better with a 22.86% return vs 1.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGSH is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.76% for ARKW.
VGSH has the higher dividend yield at 3.87%, compared with 1.59% for ARKW.
VGSH is categorized as Government Bonds, while ARKW is Mid Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGSH and 0.76% for ARKW.
VGSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 0.46), 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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