ARKG vs VYM
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ARKG or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ARKG led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 32 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +61.55%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +89.32%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.78% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -11.22% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.6% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $5,515 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 31, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.8 years).
ARKG vs VYM 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 11.8 years both funds cover.
ARKG vs VYM Performance
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKG returned +89.32% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, ARKG is up 61.55% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, ARKG compounded at +13.78% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -11.22% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.18% annualized vs +8.43%.
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 13.8% for VYM. 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 -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKG charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKG currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 31 holdings in ARKG and 603 in VYM, totalling 99.8% and 99.5% 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 603 in VYM, against full books of 32 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 570 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ARKG (97.4% of the fund), and 30 for ARKG that do not appear in VYM (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 VYM 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 VYM?
ARKG has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKG or VYM?
Over the past year ARKG returned +89.32% vs +20.84% for VYM, so ARKG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKG annualized +8.43% vs +9.18% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKG or VYM?
ARKG has been the more volatile fund at 36.6% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ARKG -83.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ARKG and VYM?
ARKG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 VYM?
ARKG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ARKG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ARKG led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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.