ARKG vs VTI
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ARKG or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ARKG led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 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 | ARKG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 32 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +56.13%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +73.96%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.06% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -10.95% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.6% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $5,600 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 31, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (11.9 years).
ARKG vs VTI 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 VTI Performance
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKG returned +73.96% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, ARKG is up 56.13% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, ARKG compounded at +13.06% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -10.95% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.17% 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 15.3% for VTI. 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 -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKG charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKG currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 79.2% of ARKG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of ARKG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
23 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in ARKG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 32 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ARKG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TXG10x Genomics Inc | 9.52% | 0.00% | 9.52% |
| TWSTTwist Bioscience Corp. | 7.78% | 0.00% | 7.78% |
| TEMTempus Ai | 6.86% | 0.00% | 6.86% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 4.82% | 1.40% | 3.42% |
| ABSIAbsci Corp Sedol Bn94K69 | 5.31% | 0.00% | 5.31% |
| PSNLPersonalis Inc | 5.27% | 0.00% | 5.27% |
| ILMNIllumina, Inc. | 4.53% | 0.03% | 4.50% |
| GHGuardant Health Inc | 4.38% | 0.03% | 4.35% |
| NTRANatera Inc | 4.07% | 0.05% | 4.02% |
| BEAMBeam Therapeutics Inc | 3.82% | 0.00% | 3.82% |
79.2% of ARKG is already inside VTI.
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, ARKG or VTI?
ARKG has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKG or VTI?
Over the past year ARKG returned +73.96% vs +17.22% for VTI, so ARKG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKG annualized +8.11% vs +12.17% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKG or VTI?
ARKG has been the more volatile fund at 36.6% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ARKG -83.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ARKG and VTI?
ARKG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 ARKG and VTI?
At least 79.2% of ARKG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in ARKG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKG or VTI?
ARKG yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ARKG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ARKG led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.