ARKK vs PLDR
ARK Innovation ETF vs Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF
Which is better, ARKK 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 | ARKK | PLDR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.59%Best |
| AUM | $7.9B | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.35% |
| Holdings | 84 | 56 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 42.6% | 17.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.2% | -29.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,805 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Putnam Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2014 | 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. ARKK 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
ARKK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 42.6% 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 -77.2% for ARKK 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKK 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, ARKK currently yields 0.00% against 0.35% for PLDR.
Holdings Overlap
At least 19.7% of ARKK's money is in holdings PLDR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PLDR, our book for it covers 92.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
ARKK and PLDR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 216 days apart, ARKK as of Oct 1, 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in ARKK and 52 in PLDR, against full books of 84 and 56.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKK 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, ARKK or PLDR?
ARKK 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, ARKK or PLDR?
ARKK has been the more volatile fund at 42.6% annualized versus 17.1% for PLDR. Worst drawdown: ARKK -77.2% vs PLDR -29.6%.
Should I hold both ARKK and PLDR?
ARKK and PLDR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 ARKK and PLDR?
At least 19.7% of ARKK's money is in holdings PLDR also owns. Our book for PLDR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in ARKK and 52 in PLDR.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKK or PLDR?
ARKK yields 0.00% while PLDR yields 0.35%, so PLDR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PLDR better than ARKK?
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.