ARKK: ARK Innovation ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on a theme: clean energy, robotics, cybersecurity, uranium, gold miners and others.
Data updated October 2026
ARKK · US exchange · USDCategory: Thematic ETFsData from October 2014
From October 2014 to October 2026 ARKK returned 13.7% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $46,294.
Its deepest fall was 80.9%, from February 2021 to December 2022, and it has not yet returned to the previous high. Annual volatility was 38.2%; at the last close it was 44.5% below its high.
Against SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust), over the 144 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.72: they usually moved together. Beta was 1.75. In months when SPY rose, ARKK moved 161% as much on average; in months when SPY fell, 184% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +13.7%
- 1-year return
- −3.6%
- 5 years, a year
- −6.2%
- 10 years, a year
- +16.2%
- Annual volatility
- 38.2%
- Maximum drawdown
- −80.9%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.48
- Worst year
- 2022: −67.0%
Trailing returns
| Period | ARKK | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | −3.6% | +16.6% |
| 3 years, a year | +33.3% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | −6.2% | +12.7% |
| 10 years, a year | +16.2% | +15.4% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: ARKK vs SPY
Month-end values from November 2014, the first month both funds have data.
ARKK drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | ARKK | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | +11.1% | +13.3% |
| 2025 | +35.5% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +8.4% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +69.0% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −67.0% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | −23.4% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +151.9% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +35.1% | +31.2% |
| 2018 | +3.5% | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +87.3% | +21.7% |
| 2016 | −2.0% | +12.0% |
| 2015 | +3.8% | +1.2% |
| 2014(partial) | −1.1% | — |
ARKK compared
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of ARKK?
From October 2014 to October 2026 ARKK returned 13.7% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: −6.2% a year. Over the last 12 months: −3.6%.
What was the worst drawdown of ARKK?
80.9%, from February 2021 to December 2022; it has not yet returned to the previous high.
How volatile is ARKK?
Annual volatility was 38.2% over the period. Its worst month was −28.9% and 56% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2022 (−67.0%).
How closely does ARKK follow SPY?
Over 144 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.72, so they usually moved together, with a beta of 1.75.
Use ARKK in a free tool
Other Thematic ETFs
- All Thematic ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- ICLN — iShares Global Clean Energy ETFCAGR −4.2%
- TAN — Invesco Solar ETFCAGR −8.0%
- GDX — VanEck Gold Miners ETFCAGR +5.3%
- URA — Global X Uranium ETFCAGR +23.9%
- LIT — Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETFCAGR +5.9%
- BOTZ — Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETFCAGR +8.9%
- AIQ — Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETFCAGR +19.1%
- CIBR — First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETFCAGR +16.3%
- HACK — Amplify Cybersecurity ETFCAGR +14.6%
- SKYY — First Trust Cloud Computing ETFCAGR +15.1%
- PAVE — Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETFCAGR +22.6%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.