How to Invest in ARK ETFs: A Guide to Strategic Exchange-Traded Funds

Investing in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), particularly those offered by ARK Invest, can provide individuals with the opportunity to tap into innovative sectors and disruptive technologies. ARK ETFs focus on areas like genomics, robotics, and artificial intelligence, drawing investors who are interested in integrating futuristic trends into their investment portfolios. Understanding the intricacies of these ETFs, such as their active management strategy and thematic investment approach, is essential for making informed decisions.

Before committing capital to ARK ETFs, investors must recognise the balance between the potential for high growth and the inherent risks associated with investing in volatile market sectors. A mindful approach towards evaluating fund performance, assessing personal investment goals, and considering the long-term outlook is fundamental. ARK's various ETF offerings provide different entry points into cutting-edge innovation, catering to a wide array of investor preferences and risk tolerances.

Key Takeaways

• ARK ETFs offer exposure to emerging sectors through actively managed investment strategies.
• Investors should assess personal goals and risks when considering ARK ETFs.
• Diversification and informed decision-making are crucial for managing ARK ETF investments.

Understanding ARK ETFs

Before you decide to invest in ARK ETFs, it's vital to grasp the investment approach that sets them apart and the variety of funds they offer, oriented around disruptive innovation.

The ARK Investment Philosophy

ARK Investment Management is a firm that stands out for its focus on disruptive innovation. They seek to invest in companies that they believe are leading the way in sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage, DNA sequencing, and blockchain technology. Their philosophy is underpinned by the conviction that these companies are not only driving forward their respective industries but are also positioned for potential long-term growth.

Different Types of ARK ETFs

ARK Investment Management offers a suite of ETFs, each with a specific focus on cutting-edge sectors:

• ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK): The flagship fund encompasses various sectors of innovation, allowing for a diversified investment in their highest-conviction areas.
• ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG): This fund focuses on the healthcare sector, particularly advancements in CRISPR, therapeutics, and biotechnologies.
• ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ): It targets companies involved in autonomous transportation, robotics, 3D printing, and energy storage.
• ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW): Geared towards companies creating advancements in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and blockchain technology.
• ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF): This includes firms that are revolutionising financial services through technology.
• ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX): Concentrates on the space industry, including orbital and suborbital aerospace, enabling technologies, and beneficiaries of aerospace activities.
• 3D Printing ETF (PRNT): A basket of stocks connected to 3D printing hardware, software, and materials.
• ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF (IZRL): Comprising Israeli companies at the forefront of various innovation themes.

By understanding the distinct focus of each ETF, you can align your investment strategy with the sectors you believe have the greatest potential for future growth.

The Benefits and Risks of Investing in ARK ETFs

In this section, you will explore the specific advantages and potential risks of investing in ARK ETFs. Understand that your decision should be based on a clear understanding of where these funds excel and where they may carry inherent uncertainties.

Advantages of ARK ETFs

ARK ETFs offer a source for growth through exposure to disruptive innovation sectors. The performance of ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG), for example, spotlights the potential for significant returns, with over 186% return seen in the past year. ARK's thematic investment strategy also provides you with the benefit of investing across multiple high-potential industries, from artificial intelligence to genomics.

Potential Risks Associated with ARK ETFs

However, with the possibility of high returns comes a moderate-to-high risk profile. ETFs like ARK's can be volatile, as their success is closely tied to the fortunes of relatively unproven technologies and sectors. As stated on their site, an investment in an ARK ETF carries risks and you can lose money, with no assurance of achieving investment objectives. Past performance should not be seen as an indicator of future results due to the rapid changes and developments in the sectors ARK ETFs cover.

Evaluating ARK ETF Performance

When considering ARK ETFs, your focus should be on both historical data and how these funds measure up against standard benchmarks. This insight is fundamental to understanding how ARK Investment Management LLC's offerings align with your investment goals.

Analysing Past Performance

Past performance is not indicative of future results, but it gives you a framework for understanding an ETF's resilience and adaptability to market changes. For ARK ETFs, this could involve looking at their year-on-year performance over the past several years. You would want to see if they have managed to consistently outperform their market segment or if have they experienced significant volatility.

It's important to note performance metrics during different market cycles. For instance, checking performance during bullish and bearish markets can reveal much about an ETF's risk and return profile. For ARK ETFs, an analysis might demonstrate innovation-centric growth during tech-driven markets.

Comparing to Benchmarks

Comparing ARK ETFs against appropriate benchmarks is crucial to gauge their performance. An ETF’s ability to outperform its benchmark or index plays a key role in investment decisions. For instance, if you're examining the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), you might compare it to the Nasdaq Composite Index to assess its relative performance.

Correlation is another factor to consider—it tells you how closely the ETF's performance tracks its benchmark. A higher correlation suggests the ETF is more aligned with the market trend, whereas a lower correlation may indicate a more active management style that seeks to capitalise on specific market opportunities, which is characteristic of ARK Investment Management LLC’s approach.

Investment Strategies

When considering how to invest in ARK ETFs, it is crucial to understand the distinct strategies available to you, particularly the decision between active and passive investment approaches. ARK focuses on long-term growth by capitalising on disruptive innovation, so your investment objective should align with these themes.

Active vs. Passive Investment

In an active investment strategy, fund managers like those at ARK Invest proactively select stocks, aiming to outperform the market. This typically involves thorough research and frequent trading to capitalise on market inefficiencies. As an investor, you would choose an active fund if you believe in the potential of disruptive innovation to deliver above-average returns over the long term.

Contrastingly, passive investment strategies track a market index with minimal buying and selling of securities. The goal here is not to outperform the market, but to mirror its returns. While passive funds might incur lower fees, they also relinquish the possibility of significantly outpacing the market gains that active investments chase.

Building a Diverse Portfolio

Achieving a balanced investment strategy often hinges on diversification, meaning spreading investments across various assets to manage risk. Incorporating Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), such as those offered by ARK Invest, can be a cornerstone to such a strategy, particularly if you're looking to inject innovation into your existing portfolio with a potential for uncorrelated growth.

Incorporating ARK ETFs into Your Portfolio

ARK ETFs specialise in thematic investment in sectors like technology, which can complement a traditional growth or value investment approach in your portfolio. When you incorporate ARK ETFs, you're betting on disruptive innovation to drive growth over time. It's important to analyse how ARK ETFs could fit into your investment strategy, considering their typically higher volatility and potential for significant growth. It would be prudent to allocate a portion of your portfolio to these ETFs as opposed to an all-in commitment, thus maintaining risk control while seeking growth.

Portfolio Diversification Strategies

For robust portfolio diversification, mixing investments to achieve a low correlation between assets is crucial. This means selecting investments that have a tendency to perform differently under the same market conditions. Having a mix of asset classes such as bonds, stocks, commodities, and innovative ETFs like ARK can provide this low correlation, which might reduce volatility and mitigate risk in your existing portfolio.

Here are some steps you might follow for diversification:

• Identify your risk tolerance: Understand your comfort with volatility.
• Assess current investments: Review your existing assets to identify areas heavily weighted or underrepresented.
• Select diversified investments: Choose assets with low correlation to each other.
• Monitor and rebalance: Continually assess performance and adjust allocations to maintain diversification.

Diversification doesn't guarantee profits or protect against losses, but it is a strategy used by seasoned investors to spread potential risks.

How to Purchase ARK ETFs

Investing in ARK ETFs requires you to choose a suitable brokerage and understand the associated costs of trading ETFs. Attention to details such as brokerage commissions and the Net Asset Value (NAV) is imperative for a well-informed investment decision.

Choosing a Brokerage

When selecting a brokerage to purchase ARK ETFs, you’ll want to consider the range of financial services firms available to you, including well-known platforms like E-Trade or UBS. Make sure the brokerage you select grants access to the exchange where ARK ETFs are listed. Considerations should include:

• Accessibility: Confirm the brokerage offers the specific ARK ETFs you're interested in.
• Fees: Compare brokerage commissions, which can affect the cost of your investment.
• Reputation and Service: Review the brokerage’s standing and customer support options.

Understanding ETF Costs

Before investing, there are two main costs associated with ETFs to understand:

1. Brokerage Commissions: These are fees charged by the brokerage firm every time you buy or sell shares of an ETF. Some brokerages offer commission-free trading on certain ETFs.
2. Net Asset Value (NAV): This is the per-share value of the ETF based on the underlying assets minus liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding. The NAV can fluctuate throughout the trading day.

Be aware that the NAV represents the value of your shares and that your purchase price may sometimes include a premium or discount to the NAV. Keep an eye on the NAV to ensure you're investing at a reasonable price point.

Managing Your ARK ETF Investments

As you journey into managing your ARK ETF investments, it's crucial to understand the value of a strategic approach for long-term growth and the importance of regularly monitoring your holdings to navigate promising areas of the economy.

Long-Term Investment Tactics

When investing in ARK ETFs, consider employing a long-term perspective on your investment. It’s essential to recognise growth opportunities within innovative market segments and technological advancements. Here's a strategy to help you maintain a robust portfolio:

• Diversification: Spread your investments across multiple ARK ETFs to mitigate risk.
• Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA): Regularly invest fixed amounts to average out the purchase price over time.

By focusing on sectors poised for future growth, you may capitalise on potential market gains while managing volatility. If necessary, seek guidance from an investment adviser who's attuned to emerging trends in the economy.

Monitoring Your ETF Holdings

Keeping abreast of the performance of your ETF holdings is more than just a routine check; it’s about making informed decisions based on the data. Your vigilance is key to reacting to market changes. Here are some critical monitoring practices:

• Regular Review: Check your ETF performance against benchmarks and sector performance.
• Event-Driven Analysis: Keep an eye on significant market events or company news that might impact your ETFs.

Understanding the metrics and navigating through various investment channels will inform your decision-making process, allowing you to adjust your holdings to align with your long-term investment goals.

Knowledge Resources

When considering investment in ARK ETFs, equipping yourself with comprehensive knowledge is essential. Stay current with the latest in innovation and investment strategies by tapping into a wealth of expert-led resources.

Staying Informed with ARK Webinars and Research

Webinars: ARK Investment Management offers an array of informative webinars that cover a broad spectrum of topics within the realm of disruptive innovation. By registering for these webinars, you gain access to in-depth discussions and can stay abreast of the latest trends and insights in sectors poised for growth.

Research Reports: The core of ARK's ethos is grounded in thorough and forward-thinking research. You can delve into detailed reports that not only explain the investment potential of cutting-edge technologies but also provide you with a clear understanding of the underlying value proposition of ARK ETFs. These reports are pivotal in supporting your decision-making process as an informed investor.

Tax Considerations for ETF Investors

When you opt to invest in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), understanding the tax implications is crucial to manage your investment efficiently. ETFs are known for their tax efficiency due to the structure that typically minimises capital gains taxes. However, this does not exempt them from taxation.

Distributions and Dividends ETFs may distribute capital gains and dividends to investors. Dividends may be classified as qualified or unqualified:

• Qualified dividends are taxed at a lower capital gains rate.
• Unqualified dividends are taxed as ordinary income.

Capital Gains When you sell your ETF shares, capital gains tax applies:

• Long-term gains (for assets held longer than a year) are taxed at reduced rates.
• Short-term gains (for assets held for a year or less) are taxed as ordinary income.

Foreign Investment ETFs If your ETF invests in international markets, there may be tax credits available for taxes paid to foreign governments.

Commodity ETFs and Other Special Cases Some ETFs, like those tracking commodities, can have complex tax structures. For example, the 60/40 rule applies to certain commodity ETFs, treating gains as blended long- and short-term capital gains.

Always consult a tax professional to understand your specific tax situation related to ETF investments. Remember, while ETFs offer tax benefits, your individual circumstances will determine your tax liability.

Investor Education on ARK ETFs

Before investing in ARK ETFs, it's essential for you to understand the key components, such as the prospectus and the role of investment advisers. These factors will guide your decision-making process and equip you with the necessary knowledge to invest effectively.

Understanding the Prospectus and Investment Adviser

When considering an ARK ETF, you should start by scrutinising the prospectus. This document provides detailed information on the ETF, including its objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. The prospectus is issued by ARK Investment Management LLC, the fund manager, and is available on their website. It's crucial to read this document carefully to fully understand what the ETF entails and to determine whether it aligns with your investment goals.

Moreover, a discussion with an investment adviser can provide clarity and direction. Investment advisers are professionals who can assess your financial situation and offer advice tailored to your investment objectives. In the case of ARK ETFs, these advisers can help interpret the prospectus and simplify complex financial jargon. If you have an existing adviser, consider discussing your interest in ARK ETFs with them; if not, ARK funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, which can facilitate finding an adviser to assist you.

Remember that the investment adviser will also be conscious of the distributor's role, which in the case of ARK ETFs is fulfilled by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. This entity is responsible for selling the fund shares to investors like yourself. It is pertinent that you grasp the dynamic between these entities to appreciate how each contributes to your investment journey in ARK ETFs.

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions address common inquiries about investing in ARK ETFs, helping you navigate the process and understand the key considerations involved.

What are the criteria for selecting the best-performing ARK ETFs?

To identify the best-performing ARK ETFs, consider factors like historical performance, sector focus, and the innovation level within their holdings. Look for trends in disruptive innovation as a guide.

How can one purchase shares of ARKK and other ARK ETFs?

Shares of ARKK and other ARK ETFs can be purchased through online brokerage accounts. Select your broker, establish an account, and you can begin trading.

What is the minimum amount required to invest in ARK funds?

There's no set minimum to invest in ARK ETFs generally, though brokers might have their own minimum investment requirements. It’s best to check with the specific broker for their terms.

Which brokers provide access to ARK Genomic Revolution ETF and other ARK ETFs?

Many online brokers offer access to ARK ETFs, including the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF. Research to find brokers that align with your investment needs and preferences.

How are ARK ETFs' portfolios constructed and managed?

ARK ETFs' portfolios are actively constructed and managed, focusing on companies poised for growth within areas like technology and health. Their strategies involve careful selection of innovative firms.

Can you explain the potential risks and rewards of investing in ARK Innovation ETF holdings?

Investing in ARK Innovation ETF holdings presents risks such as market volatility and sector concentration, but it also offers potential rewards through exposure to high-growth sectors in disruptive technology.

Cathie Wood's flagship exchange-traded fund hit an all-time high in February of this year. Her preferred disruptive-tech chasing strategy may still be in for a lot of suffering after a year and a 53 percent fall.

After a dramatic decline last month, the ARK Innovation ETF (ticker: ARKK) has steadied off - it's practically flat in February – but the headwinds surrounding its speculative growth picks are just becoming more vital. Many businesses that thrived during the pandemic are being hammered by the economic reopening, not only because yields are rising as investors prepare for the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, which is terrible news for unprofitable businesses, but also because the economic reopening is hammering many of the businesses that thrived during the pandemic.

Roku, Teladoc, and Zoom, all winners in the work-from-home era, have had their stock prices plummet by as much as 74% in the past year.

Short bets against ARK, according to IHS Markit data, hit a fresh high of 11.4 percent of outstanding shares this week. The Tuttle Capital Short Innovation ETF (SARK), which beats the ARK, now has assets worth more than $US300 million ($416 million).

"Those equities are supported by speculation, and speculation pays less well when the Fed raises rates," said Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. "Much of what's happening in the market reminds me of what happened in the late 1990s when market segments were bid up to levels based on future assumptions."

Because its price chart resembles that of the Nasdaq index of technology businesses from more than two decades ago, analogies to that period and the dot-com implosion that followed are becoming more common in discussions of ARK.

"Today marks the 253rd trading day from ARK's all-time high," Jessica Rabe, co-founder of DataTrek Research, wrote in a Tuesday note, "while the Nasdaq was down 60% from its dot-com bubble top on the same day in 2001."

"If 2000/2001 analog holds, we should see ARK continuing to fall over the following three weeks. The Nasdaq dropped 18.7% in the next 16 trading days "recent."

Net flows are positive.

The better news for investors and Ms. Wood is that there may be some immediate respite. The Nasdaq rose 41% in six weeks in 2001 before falling.

The ARK Investment Management did not respond to a request for comment.

Most of ARK's $US15 billion asset loss has been attributed to bad performance, a plus for the company. Since the fund achieved an intraday high of $US159.70 a year ago this week, investors have withdrawn only around $US465 million, and ARK's net flows this year are positive despite a more than 20% drop.

This exceptional loyalty prevents a worsening situation and allows Wood's approach to recovering. The star fund manager has consistently emphasized that her funds have a five-year investment horizon and that she believes in many good options.

Mr. Schutte, on the other hand, says the drop is understandable because several of the company's biggest bets, such as Teladoc and Zoom, are becoming less significant as COVID-19 approaches.

"During the pandemic, there were a lot of questions about what would happen to society and how we'd go about our lives," he added.

"You drew in new investors who wanted to know "what are the upcoming themes I should invest in?" I believe you got a washout of it as well."

Ark Investment Management, run by Cathie Wood, sold more Palantir Technologies Inc PLTR -6.39 percent shares on Friday, cutting its stake in the Peter Thiel-backed company.

According to Friday's closing price, the famous investment management firm sold 13.5 million shares of the big data company, valued at $148.9 million.

Palantir's stock fell 6.4 percent to $11.02 per share on Friday. The stock has lost 16% of its value in the last week.

Before Friday's trade, Ark Invest held 25.53 million shares in Palantir, suggesting that the famous stock picker had trimmed over 52 percent of its total keeping a day later.

After the business disclosed lower-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings before the market opened on Thursday, Ark Invest, located in St. Petersburg, California, dumped shares in Palantir for the second time.

The software firm, well-known for its work with government organizations, posted earnings of 2 cents per share, falling short of the analyst consensus of 4 cents. The company recorded quarterly revenues of $432.87 million, higher than the $417.69 million predicted by analysts.

Palantir's stock had been sold for 4.77 million shares by the investment firm the day before.

All six of Ark Invest's active exchange-traded funds own Palantir stock, including the flagship Ark Innovation ETF ARKK -4.88 percent.

Before the recent sell-off, Ark Invest had been stockpiling Palantir shares for months.