The ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) offers tactical trading potential amid renewed AI/robotics enthusiasm, but long-term risk remains elevated at current valuations. ARKQ's concentrated portfolio — top 8 holdings comprise half the fund — mirrors broader market risk-on/risk-off dynamics, with high volatility and limited long-term outperformance versus QQQ. Valuations are stretched, with ARKQ trading at 52x trailing earnings and 14x sales, making it more suitable for short-term trades than core long-term allocations.
ARKQ trades at an average 89.78x P/E (equal-weighted), far above the NASDAQ, making it extremely expensive. Holdings grow EPS by 17.6% annually, below top tech leaders, yet the ETF's P/E is roughly twice as high. Only 84% of holdings are profitable, with cash-burning companies excluded from my P/E calculation.
ARKQ stands out with a strong buy quant rating and has outperformed competitors, tripling their 5-year returns through concentrated, selective holdings. What gave ARKQ the boost over other robotics ETFs? Its secret is the strong exposure to urban air mobility. This allowed it to benefit from the boom in aerospace, defense, and security stocks.
The artificial intelligence (AI) space continues to thrive despite potential setbacks from U.S. tariff-related increases to imported chip prices and efficient models like DeepSeek that threaten to upend the industry. Indeed, analysts predict the global AI market will reach more than $244 billion in size during 2025 and that it could top $1 trillion in just six years.
The Mag 7's possible inclusion of Bitcoin would dilute its original focus on equity-based technological innovation, making it more of a marketing label than a coherent investment strategy. ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF offers a more focused investment in automation, AI, and next-gen industrial technologies, with Tesla as a key holding. ARKQ's concentrated thematic exposure has delivered strong returns but comes with higher risk and volatility due to high valuations and regulatory uncertainties.
The stock market has been rather turbulent in 2025, and although the S&P 500 is no longer in correction territory, there are still some excellent investment opportunities to be found.
I maintain a hold rating on ARKQ due to mixed technicals, elevated valuation, and historical seasonal trends suggesting potential consolidation. ARKQ's portfolio focuses on innovative, cyclical companies in sectors like Information Technology and Industrials, with significant exposure to growth and value stocks. The ETF's valuation has increased, with a P/E ratio of 33x and a PEG ratio just under 3x, indicating a premium.
It's not hard to see that artificial intelligence, or AI, is a massive opportunity. That's why I want exposure to AI stocks in my portfolio.
I'm planning to put some money to work in the stock market in February, but most of it will be allocated to exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. While I think there are some excellent opportunities in individual stocks right now, there are also some excellent tailwinds and market trends that have made entire industries, sectors, and areas of the market attractive right now.
Despite the passive investing boom, there's still growing demand for actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) solutions.
The S&P 500 produced a total return of about 25% in 2024, the second consecutive year of 20% or higher returns from the benchmark index. That's an impressive rebound from the 2022 bear market lows.
If you don't want to choose individual stocks to invest in AI technology, I can't say I blame you. Of the roughly three dozen individual stocks in my portfolio, I'd call two of them "AI plays.