ARKY vs VYM
ARK Active Autocallable Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ARKY or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | ARKY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $20M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 3 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -0.43% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.43% | +15.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.35% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 74.6% | 10.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.5% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $7,369 | $14,931Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 19, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 29, 2024 to Sep 21, 2026 (2.6 years).
ARKY 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
ARKY vs VYM Performance
ARK Active Autocallable Income ETF (ARKY) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKY returned -0.43% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, ARKY is down 0.43% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 74.6% compared with 10.5% 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 -58.5% for ARKY and -14.5% 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 0.42. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKY charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKY currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKY 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, ARKY or VYM?
ARKY has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKY or VYM?
Over the past year ARKY returned -0.43% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKY or VYM?
ARKY has been the more volatile fund at 74.6% annualized versus 10.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ARKY -58.5% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both ARKY and VYM?
ARKY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.42, 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, ARKY or VYM?
ARKY yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ARKY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.