Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser Disclosure
Ark Investment Management is launching a space exploration ETF. But does it deserve the buzz? Here’s what we know about the fund and its potential competitors.
A new space exploration ETF is on the horizon: the Ark Space Exploration ETF. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) paperwork is underway and according to the filing, the fund will go live under the ticker symbol ARKX. No word yet on its official release date or accompanying expense ratio, but most Ark Invest funds carry an expense ratio of 0.75%.
The Ark Space Exploration ETF will invest in US and international stocks that contribute to space exploration, including companies that manufacture service rockets, satellites, drones, flying electric vehicles, and technology companies focused on artificial intelligence and energy storage.
Exchange-traded funds typically don’t make the headlines, but analysts are eager for the Ark Space Exploration ETF’s 2021 debut. Why? Well, the founding firm may have something to do with it.
Following its 2014 launch, Ark Investment Management captured the attention of investors with a solid lineup of successful funds. In fact, the firm’s top five funds have returned an average of 150% in 2020, according to Barron’s. And the firm’s founder and CEO, Cathie Wood, was named the best stock picker of 2020 by Bloomberg.
Here’s a look at Ark Investment Management’s ETFs and how they’ve performed over the past 12 months.
| Symbol | ETF name | 1-year return | Annual dividend yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARKK | ARK Innovation ETF | 166.94% | 1.41% |
| ARKW | ARK Next Generation Internet ETF | 151.58% | 1.19% |
| ARKQ | ARK Industrial Innovation ETF | 117.93% | 0.75% |
| ARKG | ARK Genomic Revolution ETF | 204.59% | 0.72% |
| ARKF | ARK Fintech Innovation ETF | 101.73% | 0.35% |
| PRNT | 3D Printing ETF | 63.21% | 0% |
| IZRL | ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF | 34.92% | 0% |
Source: ETF Database
Electric vehicles may have dominated the stage in 2020, but analysts predict that 2021 will be the year for space stocks. With public interest in commercial spaceflight mounting and spaceflight technology becoming more sophisticated and accessible, this sector is well-positioned for growth.
In 2019, the global space economy was worth $423.8 billion, according to Statista. Government spending for the year amounted to 20% of the total global space economy, with the most sizable contributions coming from the US government. In 2020, NASA’s annual budget was $22.5 billion, dominating the $11 billion spent by China and the $6.7 billion spent by the European Space Agency.
Prominent stocks in this space include:
If you’re eager to add some space exploration to your portfolio ahead of the Ark Space Exploration ETF, consider either of the following space-focused funds.
| Symbol | ETF name | 1-year return | Annual dividend yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROKT | SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF | 3.35% | 0.49% |
| UFO | Procure Space ETF | -1.21% | 1% |
Source: ETF Database
And if you don’t yet have an investment portfolio, compare your brokerage options to get started.
Ready to add some space exploration to your portfolio? Here’s how the investment process works:
You’ll need a brokerage account to buy space stocks and ETFs.
Information on this page is for educational purposes only. Finder is not an advisor or brokerage service, and we don't recommend investors to trade specific stocks or other investments.
Finder is not a client of any featured partner. We may be paid a fee for referring prospective clients to a partner, though it is not a recommendation to invest in any one partner.
Treasury Bills are fixed-income assets with maturities of less than one year. Here’s what to know before investing.
Steps to investing in the Vanguard (VTI) Total Stock Market ETF.
Everything we know about the Neuraxis IPO, plus information on how to buy in.
Everything we know about the TXO Energy IPO, plus information on how to buy in.
Everything we know about the Brera IPO, plus information on how to buy in.
What you need to know about investing in the leading indicator for the overall US stock market.
Buying an IPO is as simple as buying any other stock, but not every trading platform offers IPO stocks.
Steps to owning and managing NVOS, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
Your simple and straightforward guide to ETFs, how they work and the different types available.
Find out how stock lending works, the extra income you could potentially earn and the risks you should be aware of. Plus, compare stock trading platforms that offer stock lending.