ARKD vs QQQ
ARK DIET Q1 Buffer ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ARKD or QQQ?
Option Writing against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ARKD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 10 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +4.47% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -64.14% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 60.6% | 17.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.1% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $7,725 | $16,885Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 2, 2026 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 7, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.6 years).
ARKD vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.6 years both funds cover.
ARKD vs QQQ Performance
ARK DIET Q1 Buffer ETF (ARKD) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ARKD returned -64.14% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, ARKD is up 4.47% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 60.6% compared with 17.3% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -72.1% for ARKD and -22.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKD charges 0.89% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $18 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKD currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in ARKD and 102 in QQQ, totalling 106.0% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in ARKD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 10 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKD and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ARKD or QQQ?
ARKD has an expense ratio of 0.89% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKD or QQQ?
Over the past year ARKD returned -64.14% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKD or QQQ?
ARKD has been the more volatile fund at 60.6% annualized versus 17.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: ARKD -72.1% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both ARKD and QQQ?
ARKD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKD or QQQ?
ARKD yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ARKD?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.