What Is ARKK? ARK Innovation ETF
Short answer
ARKK is the ARK Innovation ETF, an actively managed fund run by ARK Invest at a roughly 0.75% expense ratio. Unlike index ETFs, it holds a concentrated, high-conviction set of disruptive-innovation names across genomics, fintech, AI, and electric vehicles (TSLA, COIN, ROKU). It is a high-volatility thematic bet, not a broad-market core. Versus an index fund like QQQ, ARKK is far more concentrated, actively traded, and dependent on the manager's stock selection.
What does ARKK hold? (top 10)
Approximate weights as of early 2026; refresh quarterly from the issuer's fund page. Tickers link to the individual stock guide in Walnut.
Themes ARKK is commonly used to express
ETFs are passive bundles; thematic baskets in Walnut let you concentrate within them. If you hold ARKK as a core position, these are the themes you might layer on as satellites.
The bottom line on ARKK
ARKK is an actively managed, high-conviction bet on disruptive innovation, with a high expense ratio and large swings in both directions. It fits as a small, speculative satellite around a diversified core rather than a core holding, and its returns hinge on the manager's calls rather than tracking an index.
Build a portfolio around ARKK with Walnut
Use ARKK as your core holding, then let Walnut's AI propose thematic satellites: AI infrastructure, dividend growth, clean energy, whatever you believe in. Connect your broker, build the basket in conversation, track it as one unit.
FAQ
What is ARKK?
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ARKK is the ARK Innovation ETF, an actively managed fund run by ARK Invest and led by Cathie Wood. Rather than tracking an index, it holds a concentrated set of companies the manager believes are driving disruptive innovation across genomics, fintech, artificial intelligence, robotics, and electric vehicles.
What is ARKK's expense ratio?
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Approximately 0.75% per year as of early 2026, far higher than index ETFs like VOO (0.03%) because ARKK is actively managed. On a $10,000 investment, that is about $75 per year in fees. Verify the current figure on the ARK Invest site.
Is ARKK actively managed?
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Yes. ARKK does not track an index. ARK Invest's research team selects and weights the holdings based on its view of disruptive innovation, and the portfolio turns over more than a typical index fund. This is the main reason its fee is higher than passive ETFs.
ARKK vs QQQ: what's the difference?
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QQQ passively tracks the Nasdaq-100 at 0.20% and is dominated by large-cap technology. ARKK is actively managed at roughly 0.75%, far more concentrated, and holds smaller, higher-volatility innovation names. ARKK's outcomes depend on the manager's selection rather than an index. Walnut is not an investment adviser, so this is not a recommendation.
Does ARKK pay a dividend?
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ARKK pays little to no regular dividend, with a yield near 0% as of early 2026. Its holdings are mostly growth companies that reinvest cash flow rather than pay dividends, and the fund is held for capital appreciation rather than income.
What companies are in ARKK?
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A concentrated set of innovation names that has historically included Tesla, Coinbase, Roku, Robinhood, Palantir, CRISPR Therapeutics, Roblox, UiPath, Tempus AI, and Block. Holdings change frequently because the fund is actively managed. Weights are approximate, verify the current list on the issuer's site.
Why is ARKK so volatile?
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ARKK is concentrated in a small number of high-growth, often unprofitable or early-stage companies, which swing far more than the broad market. It posted very strong returns in 2020 and large drawdowns afterward. High volatility in both directions is a structural feature of its concentrated, innovation-focused mandate.
What is ARKK's AUM?
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Approximately $6 billion as of early 2026, down sharply from its 2021 peak. Assets in actively managed thematic funds move with both performance and investor flows, so verify the current figure on the ARK Invest site.
When was ARKK created?
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October 2014. ARKK is ARK Invest's flagship fund and helped popularize actively managed thematic ETFs. It drew widespread attention after strong 2020 returns and a steep decline in the years that followed.
How do I buy ARKK?
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ARKK trades like any stock during US market hours. Buy it through any broker: Robinhood, Fidelity, Schwab, Public, M1, or others. Fractional shares are supported at most modern brokers. Connect your broker to Walnut and the AI can show how a concentrated fund like ARKK fits with what you already own.
Is ARKK a good investment?
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ARKK is a high-fee, high-volatility actively managed bet on disruptive innovation whose returns depend on the manager's calls. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and what else you own. Walnut is not an investment adviser, so this is not a recommendation.
Related ETFs
Walnut is informational, not investment advice. Holdings weights and fund statistics on this page are approximations stamped to early 2026; verify current figures against ARK Invest's fund page or your broker before investing.