ARKF vs SPY: which was the better investment?
ARK Fintech Innovation ETF against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Feb 4, 2019 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did ARKF beat SPY?
No — measured from Feb 4, 2019 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SPY came out ahead: $30,999 versus $21,146 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 16.4% annual return against 10.6%.
What would $10,000 in ARKF be worth today?
$10,000 invested in ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) on Feb 4, 2019 would be worth about $21,146 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 111.5% (10.6% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $30,999.
Which was riskier — ARKF or SPY?
ARKF swung with an annualized volatility of 39.7% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -78.6%; SPY ran at 19.4% volatility with a -33.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.22 for ARKF vs 0.74 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Feb 4, 2019 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with ARKF vs SPY. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.