ARKF vs BAI
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF vs iShares AI Innovation and Tech Active ETF
Which is better, ARKF or BAI?
BAI has been ahead.
BAI has a lower expense ratio. BAI 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 | ARKF | BAI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.55%Best |
| AUM | $831M | $14.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 1.26% |
| Holdings | 41 | 55 |
| YTD Return | -4.67% | +30.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | -17.39% | +30.79%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +33.87% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.60% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.5% | 37.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $14,619 | $18,007Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2019 | Oct 21, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2 years).
ARKF vs BAI 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 years both funds cover.
ARKF vs BAI Performance
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) is an ETF from Ark Invest and iShares AI Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year ARKF returned -17.39% while BAI returned +30.79%. Year to date, ARKF is down 4.67% versus a gain of 30.13% for BAI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.5% compared with 37.4% for BAI. 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 -38.5% for ARKF and -34.1% for BAI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKF charges 0.75% per year while BAI charges 0.55%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $55 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKF currently yields 0.09% against 1.26% for BAI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 14.0% of BAI's money is in holdings ARKF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ARKF, our book for it covers 90.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
BAI and ARKF share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 50 in BAI, against full books of 41 and 55.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKF and BAI 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, ARKF or BAI?
ARKF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while BAI charges 0.55%. BAI is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKF or BAI?
Over the past year ARKF returned -17.39% vs +30.79% for BAI, so BAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), ARKF annualized +20.91% vs +34.19% for BAI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKF or BAI?
ARKF has been the more volatile fund at 37.5% annualized versus 37.4% for BAI. Worst drawdown: ARKF -38.5% vs BAI -34.1%.
Should I hold both ARKF and BAI?
ARKF and BAI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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 ARKF and BAI?
At least 14.0% of BAI's money is in holdings ARKF also owns. Our book for ARKF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 50 in BAI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKF or BAI?
ARKF yields 0.09% while BAI yields 1.26%, so BAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BAI better than ARKF?
BAI has a lower expense ratio. BAI 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.