VGT vs. ARKK
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK).
VGT and ARKK are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VGT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index. It was launched on Mar 25, 2004. ARKK is an actively managed fund by ARK. It was launched on Oct 31, 2014.
Performance
VGT vs. ARKK - Performance Comparison
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VGT vs. ARKK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF | -6.16% | 21.77% | 29.30% | 52.66% | -29.70% | 30.45% | 46.04% | 48.62% | 2.46% | 37.08% |
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF | -11.08% | 35.49% | 8.40% | 69.04% | -66.97% | -23.60% | 152.71% | 35.08% | 3.52% | 87.33% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGT achieves a -6.16% return, which is significantly higher than ARKK's -11.08% return. Over the past 10 years, VGT has outperformed ARKK with an annualized return of 21.51%, while ARKK has yielded a comparatively lower 14.48% annualized return.
VGT
- 1D
- 1.28%
- 1M
- -3.61%
- YTD
- -6.16%
- 6M
- -5.90%
- 1Y
- 29.76%
- 3Y*
- 23.10%
- 5Y*
- 14.83%
- 10Y*
- 21.51%
ARKK
- 1D
- 1.20%
- 1M
- -7.84%
- YTD
- -11.08%
- 6M
- -21.31%
- 1Y
- 43.10%
- 3Y*
- 19.58%
- 5Y*
- -10.51%
- 10Y*
- 14.48%
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VGT vs. ARKK - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKK's 0.75% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VGT vs. ARKK — Risk / Return Rank
VGT
ARKK
VGT vs. ARKK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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.
| VGT | ARKK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.10 | 1.02 | +0.08 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.67 | 1.66 | +0.02 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.20 | +0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.88 | 1.40 | +0.49 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.77 | 3.60 | +2.17 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGT | ARKK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.10 | 1.02 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.59 | -0.23 | +0.82 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.88 | 0.36 | +0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.61 | 0.32 | +0.29 |
Correlation
The correlation between VGT and ARKK is 0.72, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VGT vs. ARKK - Dividend Comparison
VGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, while ARKK has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 0.43% | 0.40% | 0.60% | 0.65% | 0.91% | 0.64% | 0.82% | 1.11% | 1.29% | 0.99% | 1.31% | 1.28% |
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% |
Drawdowns
VGT vs. ARKK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGT drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, smaller than the maximum ARKK drawdown of -80.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGT and ARKK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGT | ARKK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.63% | -80.97% | +26.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.40% | -31.35% | +14.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.07% | -77.23% | +42.16% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.07% | -80.97% | +45.90% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.66% | -55.71% | +44.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.00% | -29.81% | +21.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.35% | 12.16% | -6.81% |
Volatility
VGT vs. ARKK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) is 8.03%, while ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) has a volatility of 12.59%. This indicates that VGT 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
| VGT | ARKK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.03% | 12.59% | -4.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.35% | 27.62% | -11.27% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.27% | 42.55% | -15.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.06% | 46.38% | -21.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.48% | 40.11% | -15.63% |