ARKF vs PCLG
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF vs Polen Focus Growth ETF
Which is better, ARKF or PCLG?
PCLG has been ahead.
PCLG has a lower expense ratio. PCLG 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 | PCLG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.49%Best |
| AUM | $831M | $92M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 0.04% |
| Holdings | 41 | 27 |
| YTD Return | -4.67%Best | -5.60% |
| 1Y Return | -17.39% | -8.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +33.87% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.60% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.0% | 17.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5% | -23.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $8,152 | $9,249Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Polen Capital |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2019 | Sep 30, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1 years).
ARKF vs PCLG 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 1 years both funds cover.
ARKF vs PCLG Performance
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Polen Focus Growth ETF (PCLG) is an ETF from Polen Capital. Over the past year ARKF returned -17.39% while PCLG returned -8.10%. Year to date, ARKF is down 4.67% versus a loss of 5.60% for PCLG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.0% compared with 17.7% for PCLG. 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 -23.8% for PCLG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKF charges 0.75% per year while PCLG charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $49 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKF currently yields 0.09% against 0.04% for PCLG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 26.7% of PCLG'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.
PCLG and ARKF share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 29 in PCLG, against full books of 41 and 27.
26.7% of PCLG is already inside ARKF.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ARKF or PCLG?
ARKF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while PCLG charges 0.49%. PCLG is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKF or PCLG?
Over the past year ARKF returned -17.39% vs -8.10% for PCLG, so PCLG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ARKF annualized -18.48% vs -7.51% for PCLG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKF or PCLG?
ARKF has been the more volatile fund at 28.0% annualized versus 17.7% for PCLG. Worst drawdown: ARKF -38.5% vs PCLG -23.8%.
Should I hold both ARKF and PCLG?
ARKF and PCLG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 PCLG?
At least 26.7% of PCLG's money is in holdings ARKF also owns. Our book for ARKF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 29 in PCLG.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKF or PCLG?
ARKF yields 0.09% while PCLG yields 0.04%, so ARKF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PCLG better than ARKF?
PCLG has a lower expense ratio. PCLG 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.