ARKT vs VYM
ARK DIET Q4 Buffer ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ARKT or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y.
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 | ARKT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 5 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.19% | +15.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.07% | +22.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
ARKT 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
ARKT vs VYM Performance
ARK DIET Q4 Buffer ETF (ARKT) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKT returned -3.07% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, ARKT is up 5.19% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKT charges 0.89% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $4 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKT currently yields 0.09% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in ARKT and 603 in VYM, totalling 97.3% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ARKT 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in ARKT and 603 in VYM, against full books of 5 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKT 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, ARKT or VYM?
ARKT has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $85 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKT or VYM?
Over the past year ARKT returned -3.07% vs +22.23% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKT or VYM?
ARKT yields 0.09% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ARKT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.