ARKW vs PCLG
ARK Next Generation Technology ETF vs Polen Focus Growth ETF
Which is better, ARKW or PCLG?
ARKW has been ahead.
PCLG has a lower expense ratio. ARKW led over 1Y and the full window. ARKW is less concentrated, with 44.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.6%.
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 | ARKW | PCLG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.76% | 0.49%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $92M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.47% | 0.04% |
| Holdings | 88 | 27 |
| YTD Return | +7.08%Best | -5.60% |
| 1Y Return | -5.81%Best | -8.10% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +44.31% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.38% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.7% | 17.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2% | -23.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $9,311Best | $9,249 |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.6%Best | 62.6% |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Polen Capital |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2014 | Sep 30, 2025 |
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).
ARKW 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.
ARKW vs PCLG Performance
ARK Next Generation Technology ETF (ARKW) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Polen Focus Growth ETF (PCLG) is an ETF from Polen Capital. Over the past year ARKW returned -5.81% while PCLG returned -8.10%. Year to date, ARKW is up 7.08% versus a loss of 5.60% for PCLG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.7% 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 -36.2% for ARKW 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKW charges 0.76% per year while PCLG charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $76 vs $49 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKW currently yields 1.47% against 0.04% for PCLG.
Holdings Overlap
25.2% of ARKW's money is in holdings PCLG also owns. 39.4% of PCLG's money is in holdings ARKW also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
8 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in ARKW and 29 in PCLG, against full books of 88 and 27.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 18 positions for PCLG that do not appear in our book for ARKW (57.9% of the fund), and 30 for ARKW that do not appear in PCLG (70.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ARKW | Weight in PCLG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.34% | 7.82% | 3.48% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.62% | 5.98% | 2.36% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.31% | 6.16% | 2.85% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.59% | 6.13% | 3.54% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.26% | 4.38% | 0.12% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 4.07% | 4.49% | 0.42% |
| 2330:TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 2.26% | 1.96% | 0.30% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 0.79% | 2.51% | 1.72% |
39.4% of PCLG is already inside ARKW.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ARKW or PCLG?
ARKW has an expense ratio of 0.76% while PCLG charges 0.49%. PCLG is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKW or PCLG?
Over the past year ARKW returned -5.81% vs -8.10% for PCLG, so ARKW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ARKW annualized -6.89% vs -7.51% for PCLG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKW or PCLG?
ARKW has been the more volatile fund at 30.7% annualized versus 17.7% for PCLG. Worst drawdown: ARKW -36.2% vs PCLG -23.8%.
Should I hold both ARKW and PCLG?
ARKW and PCLG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 ARKW and PCLG?
39.4% of PCLG's money is in holdings ARKW also owns. 39.4% of PCLG's is in holdings ARKW also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in ARKW and 29 in PCLG.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKW or PCLG?
ARKW yields 1.47% while PCLG yields 0.04%, so ARKW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PCLG better than ARKW?
PCLG has a lower expense ratio. ARKW led over 1Y and the full window. ARKW is less concentrated, with 44.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.