ARKW vs VYM
ARK Next Generation Internet ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ARKW or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ARKW 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 48.0%.
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 | ARKW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.76% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.72% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 44 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.57% | +15.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.54% | +22.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.53%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.64% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.7% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,847 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 48.0% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2014 to Sep 3, 2026 (11.9 years).
ARKW 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
ARKW vs VYM Performance
ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKW returned +4.54% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, ARKW is up 7.57% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, ARKW compounded at +40.53% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.64% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, ARKW has the edge at +21.50% annualized vs +9.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.7% 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 -80.0% for ARKW 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
ARKW charges 0.76% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $76 vs $4 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKW currently yields 1.72% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
2.0% of ARKW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ARKW also owns.
VYM and ARKW share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ARKW 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 41 positions we hold weights for in ARKW and 603 in VYM, against full books of 44 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 569 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ARKW (90.1% of the fund), and 35 for ARKW that do not appear in VYM (88.0%).
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 ARKW | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.05% | 7.29% | 5.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKW 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, ARKW or VYM?
ARKW has an expense ratio of 0.76% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKW or VYM?
Over the past year ARKW returned +4.54% vs +22.23% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKW annualized +21.50% vs +9.38% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKW or VYM?
ARKW has been the more volatile fund at 33.7% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ARKW -80.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ARKW and VYM?
ARKW 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.
What is the holdings overlap between ARKW and VYM?
7.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ARKW also owns. 7.3% of VYM's is in holdings ARKW also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in ARKW and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKW or VYM?
ARKW yields 1.72% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ARKW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ARKW 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 48.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.