ARKK vs SPCE: Correlation
How closely do ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of 0.52, which is moderate.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are ARKK and SPCE?
Over the past 3 years, ARKK and SPCE moved with a correlation of 0.52, which is moderate. The relationship has been stable: the 1-year correlation (0.45) sits close to the 3-year figure. Over 5 years the correlation is 0.54, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is 2026.3 %².
Within ARKK's tracked universe of 122 assets, SPCE comes in at #57 by 3-year correlation. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with ARKK ahead by 18.6 points (+15.7% versus -2.9%). One caveat on sizing: SPCE is 2.6 times as volatile as the other leg, so an equal-dollar split is far from equal-risk.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
ARKK vs SPCE: side by side
| ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) | SPCE (Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +15.7% | -2.9% |
| 5-year return | -27.7% | -99.4% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 38.8% | 100.5% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 2.07 | 2.82 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -39.6% | -96.0% |
| Market cap | – | $0.5B |
| P/E (trailing) | – | – |
| Dividend yield | – | 0.00% |
| Sector / category | ETF · Thematic | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | ARKK | SPCE |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -67.0% | -74.0% |
| 2023 | +69.0% | -29.6% |
| 2024 | +8.4% | -88.0% |
| 2025 | +35.5% | -45.4% |
| 2026 | +13.6% | -6.5% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are ARKK and SPCE good diversifiers for each other?
Only partially. A correlation of 0.52 means ARKK and SPCE share most of their swings. Pairing them dampens volatility somewhat, but it will not protect against a common drawdown.
FAQ
What is the correlation between ARKK and SPCE?
Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: 0.52 over 3 years, with 0.45 over the last year and 0.54 over 5 years.
Is SPCE a good diversifier for ARKK?
Only partially. A correlation of 0.52 means ARKK and SPCE share most of their swings. Pairing them dampens volatility somewhat, but it will not protect against a common drawdown.
What does a correlation of 0.52 mean?
A reading of 0.52 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/arkk-vs-spce.json
Markdown for the live badge, attribution link included:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/arkk-vs-spce/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: ARKK correlations · SPCE correlations
