ETF Versus

ARKK vs BNDX

ARK Innovation ETF vs Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund

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: $6.7B ER: 0.75% Yield: N/A Since: 2014-10-31
BNDX Vanguard

Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund (BNDX) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Vanguard that provides exposure to international bond securities. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.07%. The fund offers a high dividend yield of 4.46%. Launched in 2013, the fund has a 13-year track record.

AUM: $115.4B ER: 0.07% Yield: 4.46% Since: 2013-06-04

Quick Verdict

BNDX is significantly cheaper at 0.07% vs 0.75% expense ratio, saving you approximately $1,314 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, ARKK has significantly outperformed with a 38.6% return vs -1.7%.

Key Metrics

Metric ARKK BNDX
Expense Ratio 0.75% 0.07%
Dividend Yield N/A 4.5%
Fund Family ARK Vanguard
Category Thematic - Innovation International Bond

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

20 38 56 74 92 110 2021-04 2022-06 2023-10 2024-12 2026-04
ARKK -44.0%
BNDX -15.9%

Performance Comparison

Period ARKK BNDX Difference
1 Month -5.72% -1.70% -4.02%
3 Months -13.00% -0.64% -12.36%
6 Months -25.61% -2.64% -22.97%
YTD -13.00% -0.64% -12.36%
1 Year +38.62% -1.68% +40.30%
3 Years +72.13% -1.90% +74.03%
5 Years -43.99% -15.91% -28.08%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period ARKK Fees BNDX Fees You Save
$10,000 10 years $1,453 $140 $1,314
$10,000 20 years $6,064 $600 $5,463
$10,000 30 years $18,984 $1,938 $17,045
$50,000 10 years $7,266 $698 $6,569
$50,000 30 years $94,918 $9,692 $85,226
$100,000 30 years $189,836 $19,383 $170,452

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric ARKK BNDX
Annualized Volatility 46.4% 5.3%
Max Drawdown -77.3% -19.1%
Sharpe Ratio -0.12 -1.48

Dividend Comparison

Metric ARKK BNDX
Annual Dividend (per share) $0.00 $2.14
Dividend Yield 0.00% 4.46%
Distribution Frequency None Monthly

Top Holdings

0 of top 4 holdings overlap (0% overlap in top holdings)

ARKK Top Holdings

NameWeight
Tesla Inc1088.03%
CRISPR Therapeutics AG548.07%
Roku Inc500.14%
Tempus AI Inc487.20%
Coinbase Global Inc462.29%
Shopify Inc424.50%
Robinhood Markets Inc399.82%
Advanced Micro Devices Inc397.53%
Teradyne Inc357.06%
Beam Therapeutics Inc353.11%

BNDX Top Holdings

NameWeight
Vanguard Cmt Funds-Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund231.22%
United Kingdom Gilt32.33%
Bundesrepublik Deutschland Bundesanleihe26.04%
French Republic Government Bond OAT25.14%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose BNDX 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.

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