ARKF vs BALI
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF vs iShares US Large Cap Premium Income Active ETF
Which is better, ARKF or BALI?
Each has led over a different period.
BALI has a lower expense ratio. ARKF led over 3Y and the full window, BALI 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 | ARKF | BALI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.35%Best |
| AUM | $831M | $1.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 7.81% |
| Holdings | 41 | 206 |
| YTD Return | -4.67% | +11.92%Best |
| 1Y Return | -17.39% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +33.87%Best | +19.08% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.60% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.5% | 10.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5% | -16.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $23,691Best | $17,073 |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | BlackRock, Inc. (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2019 | Sep 26, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3 years).
ARKF vs BALI 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 3 years both funds cover.
ARKF vs BALI Performance
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) is an ETF from Ark Invest and iShares US Large Cap Premium Income Active ETF (BALI) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US). Over the past year ARKF returned -17.39% while BALI returned +15.74%. Year to date, ARKF is down 4.67% versus a gain of 11.92% for BALI.
Over three years, ARKF compounded at +33.87% per year against +19.08% for BALI.
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 10.2% for BALI. 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 -16.6% for BALI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKF charges 0.75% per year while BALI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $35 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKF currently yields 0.09% against 7.81% for BALI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 15.1% of BALI'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.
BALI and ARKF share little of their money.
10 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 211 in BALI, against full books of 41 and 206.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ARKF | Weight in BALI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.13% | 7.35% | 4.22% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.70% | 3.40% | 0.30% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 6.70% | 0.02% | 6.68% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.61% | 1.52% | 2.09% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 4.08% | 0.58% | 3.50% |
| MELIMercadolibre Inc | 3.05% | 0.11% | 2.94% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.71% | 1.04% | 0.67% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc | 2.06% | 0.34% | 1.72% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 1.75% | 0.57% | 1.18% |
| SPOTSpotify Technology S.A. Ordinary Shares | 1.73% | 0.13% | 1.60% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKF and BALI 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 BALI?
ARKF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while BALI charges 0.35%. BALI is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKF or BALI?
Over the past year ARKF returned -17.39% vs +15.74% for BALI, so BALI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKF or BALI?
ARKF has been the more volatile fund at 37.5% annualized versus 10.2% for BALI. Worst drawdown: ARKF -38.5% vs BALI -16.6%.
Should I hold both ARKF and BALI?
ARKF and BALI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 BALI?
At least 15.1% of BALI's money is in holdings ARKF also owns. Our book for ARKF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 211 in BALI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKF or BALI?
ARKF yields 0.09% while BALI yields 7.81%, so BALI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BALI better than ARKF?
BALI has a lower expense ratio. ARKF led over 3Y and the full window, BALI over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.