ARKF vs PLDR
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF vs Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF
Which is better, ARKF or PLDR?
PLDR has been ahead.
PLDR has a lower expense ratio. PLDR 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 | PLDR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.59%Best |
| AUM | $831M | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 0.35% |
| Holdings | 41 | 56 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 41.7% | 17.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -75.3% | -29.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,775 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Putnam Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2019 | May 25, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 127 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ARKF has data through Oct 14, 2026 and PLDR through Jun 9, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Jun 9, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.7% compared with 17.1% for PLDR. 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 -75.3% for ARKF and -29.6% for PLDR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKF charges 0.75% per year while PLDR charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $59 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKF currently yields 0.09% against 0.35% for PLDR.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 37 holdings in ARKF and 52 in PLDR, totalling 90.3% and 92.9% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 3 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 200 days apart, ARKF as of Sep 15, 2026 and PLDR as of Feb 27, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 52 in PLDR, against full books of 41 and 56.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKF and PLDR 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 PLDR?
ARKF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while PLDR charges 0.59%. PLDR is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ARKF or PLDR?
ARKF has been the more volatile fund at 41.7% annualized versus 17.1% for PLDR. Worst drawdown: ARKF -75.3% vs PLDR -29.6%.
Should I hold both ARKF and PLDR?
ARKF and PLDR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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, ARKF or PLDR?
ARKF yields 0.09% while PLDR yields 0.35%, so PLDR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PLDR better than ARKF?
PLDR has a lower expense ratio. PLDR 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.