ARKX vs VTI
ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ARKX or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ARKX led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.7%.
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 | ARKX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $737M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 31 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +1.68% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.66% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.67%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.97% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.5% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,365 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.7% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 30, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 30, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.5 years).
ARKX vs VTI 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
ARKX vs VTI Performance
ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKX returned -2.66% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, ARKX is up 1.68% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, ARKX compounded at +30.67% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.97% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.11% annualized vs +7.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.5% compared with 15.4% for VTI. 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 -43.6% for ARKX and -25.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKX charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKX currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
88.6% of ARKX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.4% of VTI's money is in holdings ARKX also owns.
Most of ARKX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
25 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in ARKX and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 31 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,133 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ARKX (81.2% of the fund), and 0 for ARKX that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 ARKX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.96% | 6.88% | 0.92% |
| SPCXSpace Exploration Technologies | 9.76% | 0.11% | 9.65% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.83% | 3.41% | 1.42% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 7.01% | 1.04% | 5.97% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 4.23% | 2.12% | 2.11% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Corp | 5.99% | 0.05% | 5.94% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 5.75% | 0.07% | 5.68% |
| KTOSKratos Defense & | 5.24% | 0.01% | 5.23% |
| TERTeradyne Inc - Common | 4.76% | 0.07% | 4.69% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 3.03% | 1.40% | 1.63% |
88.6% of ARKX is already inside VTI.
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, ARKX or VTI?
ARKX has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKX or VTI?
Over the past year ARKX returned -2.66% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), ARKX annualized +7.64% vs +13.11% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKX or VTI?
ARKX has been the more volatile fund at 27.5% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ARKX -43.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both ARKX and VTI?
ARKX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 ARKX and VTI?
88.6% of ARKX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.4% of VTI's is in holdings ARKX also owns. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in ARKX and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKX or VTI?
ARKX yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ARKX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ARKX led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.