ARKW vs VOO
ARK Next Generation Technology ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ARKW or VOO?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ARKW led over 3Y and the full window, VOO over 1Y and 5Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.6%.
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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.76% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 1.47% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 88 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +7.08% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.81% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +44.31%Best | +22.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.38% | +13.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.5% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.0% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,248 | $18,654Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.6% | 37.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2014 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12 years).
ARKW vs VOO 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 12 years both funds cover.
ARKW vs VOO Performance
ARK Next Generation Technology ETF (ARKW) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKW returned -5.81% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, ARKW is up 7.08% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Over three years, ARKW compounded at +44.31% per year against +22.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +2.38% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, ARKW has the edge at +21.24% annualized vs +12.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.5% compared with 14.8% for VOO. 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 -80.0% for ARKW and -34.3% for VOO. 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
ARKW charges 0.76% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $76 vs $3 annually, a gap of $73 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKW currently yields 1.47% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
50.3% of ARKW's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 23.8% of VOO's money is in holdings ARKW also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
16 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in ARKW and 504 in VOO, against full books of 88 and 506.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 483 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for ARKW (76.0% of the fund), and 20 for ARKW that do not appear in VOO (39.2%).
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 VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.34% | 8.09% | 3.75% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 7.27% | 1.57% | 5.70% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.62% | 3.85% | 0.23% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.26% | 1.90% | 2.36% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.31% | 2.40% | 0.91% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.59% | 2.65% | 0.06% |
| HOODRobinhood Markets Inc - A | 4.47% | 0.13% | 4.34% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.11% | 1.16% | 1.95% |
| COINCoinbase Global, Inc. | 3.84% | 0.06% | 3.78% |
| SQBlock, Inc | 3.34% | 0.07% | 3.27% |
50.3% of ARKW is already inside VOO.
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 VOO?
ARKW has an expense ratio of 0.76% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $73 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKW or VOO?
Over the past year ARKW returned -5.81% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKW annualized +21.24% vs +12.76% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKW or VOO?
ARKW has been the more volatile fund at 33.5% annualized versus 14.8% for VOO. Worst drawdown: ARKW -80.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both ARKW and VOO?
ARKW and VOO 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 ARKW and VOO?
50.3% of ARKW's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 23.8% of VOO's is in holdings ARKW also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in ARKW and 504 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKW or VOO?
ARKW yields 1.47% while VOO yields 1.06%, so ARKW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than ARKW?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ARKW led over 3Y and the full window, VOO over 1Y and 5Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.