ARKG vs QQQ
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ARKG or QQQ?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ARKG led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.7%.
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 | ARKG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 32 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +56.13%Best | +16.87% |
| 1Y Return | +73.96%Best | +22.98% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.06% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -10.95% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.6% | 18.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $5,600 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.7% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2014 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 31, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (11.9 years).
ARKG 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
ARKG vs QQQ Performance
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ARKG returned +73.96% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, ARKG is up 56.13% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, ARKG compounded at +13.06% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -10.95% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.22% annualized vs +8.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.6% compared with 18.6% 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 -83.6% for ARKG 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKG 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, ARKG currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 31 holdings in ARKG and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.8% 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 31 positions we hold weights for in ARKG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 32 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for ARKG (97.0% of the fund), and 30 for ARKG that do not appear in QQQ (93.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKG 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, ARKG or QQQ?
ARKG 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, ARKG or QQQ?
Over the past year ARKG returned +73.96% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so ARKG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKG annualized +8.11% vs +18.22% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKG or QQQ?
ARKG has been the more volatile fund at 36.6% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: ARKG -83.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both ARKG and QQQ?
ARKG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, ARKG or QQQ?
ARKG yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ARKG?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ARKG led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.