ETF Versus

ARKK vs QQQ

ARK Innovation ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust

Last updated: 2026-04-02

ARKK ARK

ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) is an exchange-traded fund issued by ARK that provides exposure to thematic - innovation securities. It charges a high expense ratio of 0.75%. Launched in 2014, the fund has a 12-year track record.

AUM: $5.7B ER: 0.75% Yield: 0.00% Since: Oct 31, 2014
QQQ Invesco

Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Invesco that provides exposure to large-cap U.S. growth stocks with above-average earnings potential. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.18%. The fund offers a modest dividend yield of 0.48%. Launched in 1999, the fund has a 27-year track record.

AUM: $363.1B ER: 0.18% Yield: 0.48% Since: Mar 10, 1999

Quick Verdict

QQQ is significantly cheaper at 0.18% vs 0.75% expense ratio, saving you approximately $1.096 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, ARKK has significantly outperformed with a 43.1% return vs 23.6%.

Key Metrics

Metric ARKK QQQ
Expense Ratio 0.75% 0.18%
Dividend Yield 0.0% 0.5%
Fund Family ARK Invesco
Category Thematic - Innovation US Large Cap Growth

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

20 55 90 125 160 195 2021-04 2022-06 2023-09 2024-12 2026-04
ARKK -43.8%
QQQ +76.5%

Performance Comparison

Period ARKK QQQ Difference
1 Month -7.84% -3.91% -3.93%
3 Months -12.65% -4.70% -7.95%
6 Months -22.55% -3.13% -19.42%
YTD -12.65% -4.70% -7.95%
1 Year +43.10% +23.61% +19.49%
3 Years +72.81% +82.51% -9.70%
5 Years -43.77% +76.50% -120.27%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period ARKK Fees QQQ Fees You Save
$10.000 10 years $1.453 $357 $1.096
$10.000 20 years $6.064 $1.529 $4.534
$10.000 30 years $18.984 $4.912 $14.072
$50.000 10 years $7.266 $1.786 $5.481
$50.000 30 years $94.918 $24.558 $70.360
$100.000 30 years $189.836 $49.116 $140.719

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric ARKK QQQ
Annualized Volatility 46.4% 22.4%
Max Drawdown -77.3% -35.6%
Sharpe Ratio -0.12 0.42

Dividend Comparison

Metric ARKK QQQ
Annual Dividend (per share) $0.00 $2.81
Dividend Yield 0.00% 0.48%
Distribution Frequency None Quarterly

Top Holdings

1 of top 9 holdings overlap (11% overlap in top holdings)

ARKK Top Holdings

NameWeight
Tesla, Inc.TSLA10.41%
CRISPR Therapeutics AGCRSP6.21%
Tempus AI, Inc.TEM4.89%
Shopify Inc.SHOP4.80%
Circle Internet Group, Inc.CRCL4.52%
Coinbase Global, Inc.COIN4.41%
Robinhood Markets, Inc.HOOD4.27%
Roku, Inc.ROKU3.99%
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.AMD3.97%
Palantir Technologies Inc.PLTR3.57%

QQQ Top Holdings

NameWeight
NVIDIA CorporationNVDA8.55%
Apple Inc.AAPL7.67%
Microsoft CorporationMSFT5.56%
Amazon.com, Inc.AMZN4.49%
Tesla, Inc.TSLA3.79%
Walmart Inc.WMT3.48%
Meta Platforms, Inc.META3.26%
Alphabet Inc.GOOG3.13%
Broadcom Inc.AVGO2.99%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose QQQ if...

you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.

Choose ARKK if...

recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Choose QQQ if...

you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.

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