ARKK vs VYM
ARK Innovation ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ARKK or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ARKK led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.0%.
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 | ARKK | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 48 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.28% | +15.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.51% | +22.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.61%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -6.82% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.1% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,024 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.0% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | 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 3, 2026 (11.8 years).
ARKK 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.
ARKK vs VYM Performance
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKK returned +16.51% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, ARKK is up 11.28% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, ARKK compounded at +25.61% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -6.82% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, ARKK has the edge at +14.06% annualized vs +9.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.1% 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 -80.9% for ARKK 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKK 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, ARKK currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of ARKK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ARKK also owns.
VYM and ARKK share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ARKK as of Aug 17, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in ARKK and 603 in VYM, against full books of 48 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 569 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ARKK (90.1% of the fund), and 39 for ARKK that do not appear in VYM (85.6%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ARKK | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.28% | 7.29% | 6.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKK 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, ARKK or VYM?
ARKK 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, ARKK or VYM?
Over the past year ARKK returned +16.51% vs +22.23% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKK annualized +14.06% vs +9.22% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKK or VYM?
ARKK has been the more volatile fund at 36.1% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ARKK -80.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ARKK and VYM?
ARKK and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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 ARKK and VYM?
7.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ARKK also owns. 7.3% of VYM's is in holdings ARKK also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in ARKK and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKK or VYM?
ARKK yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ARKK?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ARKK led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.