ARKF vs QQQ
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ARKF or QQQ?
Each has led over a different period.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ARKF led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y 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 | ARKF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $701M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 41 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -5.46% | +22.67%Best |
| 1Y Return | -20.98% | +24.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +35.08%Best | +29.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.08% | +17.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.9% | 20.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,472 | $21,924Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2019 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 4, 2019 to Oct 2, 2026 (7.7 years).
ARKF 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 7.7 years both funds cover.
ARKF vs QQQ Performance
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ARKF returned -20.98% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, ARKF is down 5.46% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Over three years, ARKF compounded at +35.08% per year against +29.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -1.08% and +17.00% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +21.95% annualized vs +11.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.9% compared with 20.2% 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 -78.6% for ARKF and -35.1% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKF charges 0.75% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $18 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKF currently yields 0.09% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 24.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings ARKF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ARKF, our book for it covers 90.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and ARKF share little of their money.
10 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 41 and 321.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ARKF | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.13% | 8.45% | 5.32% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.70% | 4.41% | 0.71% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc. Cl A | 6.70% | 0.69% | 6.01% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.61% | 3.07% | 0.54% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 4.08% | 1.69% | 2.39% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.71% | 3.71% | 2.00% |
| MELIMercadolibre Inc | 3.05% | 0.42% | 2.63% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc | 2.06% | 0.93% | 1.13% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 1.75% | 0.31% | 1.44% |
| DASHDoordash Inc - A | 1.39% | 0.37% | 1.02% |
24.1% of QQQ is already inside ARKF.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ARKF or QQQ?
ARKF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKF or QQQ?
Over the past year ARKF returned -20.98% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), ARKF annualized +11.15% vs +21.95% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKF or QQQ?
ARKF has been the more volatile fund at 37.9% annualized versus 20.2% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: ARKF -78.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both ARKF and QQQ?
ARKF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ARKF and QQQ?
At least 24.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings ARKF also owns. Our book for ARKF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKF or QQQ?
ARKF yields 0.09% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ARKF?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ARKF led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.