ARKK vs VXZ: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXZ) carry a correlation of -0.61, a negative link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are ARKK and VXZ?
Over the past 3 years, ARKK and VXZ moved with a correlation of -0.61, which is negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. The relationship has been stable: the 1-year correlation (-0.56) sits close to the 3-year figure. Over 5 years the correlation is -0.58, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is -601.4 %².
Among the 122 assets we track against ARKK, VXZ sits near the bottom by co-movement, at rank #120. Their recent paths diverged sharply: over the last 12 months ARKK outperformed by 31.8 percentage points (+15.7% for ARKK against -16.1% for VXZ). One caveat on sizing: ARKK is 1.5 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 VXZ: side by side
| ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) | VXZ (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +15.7% | -16.1% |
| 5-year return | -27.7% | -53.1% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 38.8% | 25.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 2.07 | -1.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -39.6% | -36.4% |
| Sector / category | ETF · Thematic | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | ARKK | VXZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -67.0% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | +69.0% | -44.0% |
| 2024 | +8.4% | -12.7% |
| 2025 | +35.5% | +5.7% |
| 2026 | +13.6% | -10.5% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are ARKK and VXZ good diversifiers for each other?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.61 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
FAQ
What is the correlation between ARKK and VXZ?
The ARKK/VXZ correlation stands at -0.61 on a 3-year window (1 year: -0.56, 5 years: -0.58), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is VXZ a good diversifier for ARKK?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.61 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
What does a correlation of -0.61 mean?
Correlation ranges from −1 to +1. Values near +1 mean two assets move together, near 0 that they move independently, and negative values that they tend to move in opposite directions. It measures co-movement, not performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/arkk-vs-vxz.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/arkk-vs-vxz/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: ARKK correlations · VXZ correlations
