ARKQ vs QQQ
ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ARKQ or QQQ?
Each has led over a different period.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ARKQ led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.4%.
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 | ARKQ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.25% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 39 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +0.98% | +15.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.30% | +20.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.13%Best | +24.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.05% | +14.26%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.4% | 18.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.9% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,727 | $19,475Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.4% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2014 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2014 to Sep 14, 2026 (12 years).
ARKQ 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 12 years both funds cover.
ARKQ vs QQQ Performance
ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ARKQ returned +16.30% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, ARKQ is up 0.98% versus a gain of 15.94% for QQQ.
Over three years, ARKQ compounded at +30.13% per year against +24.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.05% and +14.26% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.24% annualized vs +16.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.4% compared with 18.5% 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 -59.9% for ARKQ 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKQ 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, ARKQ currently yields 0.25% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
56.3% of ARKQ's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 33.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings ARKQ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
14 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in ARKQ and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 39 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 82 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for ARKQ (64.5% of the fund), and 18 for ARKQ that do not appear in QQQ (34.4%).
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 ARKQ | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.11% | 8.44% | 3.33% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 10.69% | 2.56% | 8.13% |
| SPCXSpace Exploration Technologies | 7.87% | 0.91% | 6.96% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.58% | 4.67% | 1.09% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.61% | 3.13% | 1.48% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.78% | 3.45% | 0.33% |
| TERTeradyne Inc - Common | 5.89% | 0.27% | 5.62% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 4.46% | 1.60% | 2.86% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.36% | 3.16% | 0.80% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Corp | 3.67% | 0.19% | 3.48% |
56.3% of ARKQ is already inside QQQ.
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, ARKQ or QQQ?
ARKQ 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, ARKQ or QQQ?
Over the past year ARKQ returned +16.30% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKQ annualized +16.92% vs +18.24% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKQ or QQQ?
ARKQ has been the more volatile fund at 27.4% annualized versus 18.5% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: ARKQ -59.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both ARKQ and QQQ?
ARKQ and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 ARKQ and QQQ?
56.3% of ARKQ's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 33.0% of QQQ's is in holdings ARKQ also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in ARKQ and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKQ or QQQ?
ARKQ yields 0.25% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ARKQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ARKQ led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.