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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

ARK ETFs in the UK: what you need to know

ARK is an investment company that offers a host of unconventional and what some would call next-generation ETFs. Find out whether you can invest in ARK ETFs in the UK, and get some ARK ETF alternatives.

Chart Source: Bloomberg

Can you buy ARK ETFs in the UK?

UK traders and investors will find it hard to buy ARK ETFs because ARK have not provided key information documents (KIDs) – which means their exchange traded funds (ETFs) aren’t available in the UK. But, you can trade or invest in other ETFs that aren’t from ARK, and we’ve got a range of similar ETFs that are available in our platform.

How to trade or invest in alternatives to ARK ETFs in the UK

Here’s how to trade or invest in ARK ETF alternatives with us. Remember to take steps to manage your risk, regardless of whether you decide to trade or invest.

Trading ARK ETF alternatives

  1. Create an account or log in to your trading account for spread bets or CFDs
  2. Go to our platform
  3. Search for your opportunity
  4. Decide whether to go long or short, choose your position size and take steps to manage your risk
  5. Open and monitor your trade

Investing in ARK ETF alternatives

  1. Create an account or log in to your share dealing account
  2. Go to our platform
  3. Search for your opportunity
  4. Decide your position size
  5. Open and monitor your investment

ARK Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF and UK alternatives

The companies that are included in ARK’s Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) are expected to benefit from the development of new products or services in energy, automation and manufacturing, materials, and transportation.

ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF Source: IG charts
ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF Source: IG charts

These companies may develop, produce, or enable autonomous transportation, robotics and automation, 3D printing, energy storage and space exploration.

UK alternatives to the ARKQ ETF

Here are some of our UK alternatives to the ARKQ ETF – available for trading or investing – that you can search for in our platform:

  • iShares Automation and Robotics UCITS ETF GBP
  • L&G ROBO Global Robotics and Automation UCITS ETF

ARK Fintech Innovation ETF and UK alternatives

The companies that are included in ARK’s Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) must derive a significant portion of their revenue or market value from the introduction of a new, technologically enabled product or service that potentially changes the way the financial sector works.

ARK defines this as – but does not limit it to – transaction innovations, blockchain technology, risk transformation, frictionless funding platforms, customer facing platforms and new intermediaries.

UK alternatives to the ARKF ETF

Here’s a UK alternative to the ARKF ETF that you can search for in our platform:

  • Invesco KBW NASDA Fintech UCITS ETF

ARK Next Generation Internet ETF and UK alternatives

Companies in the ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) are focused on developing the next generation of internet technology. This includes cloud computing firms, companies that work on infrastructure and services, internet-based products and services, new payment methods, big data, the internet of things, and social distribution and media.

These companies may develop, produce or enable cloud computing and cyber security, e-commerce, 5G, big data and artificial intelligence (AI), mobile technology, social platforms and blockchain.

UK alternatives to the ARKW ETF

Here are some UK alternatives to the ARKW ETF available within our platform:

ARK Genomic Revolution ETF and UK alternatives

The companies in the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) are focused on and are expected to substantially benefit from extending and enhancing the quality of human and other life by incorporating technological and scientific developments and advancements in genomics into their business.

ARK Genomic Revolution ETFs Source: IG charts
ARK Genomic Revolution ETFs Source: IG charts

The companies held in ARKG may develop, produce or enable targeted therapeutics, bioinformatics molecular diagnostics, stem cells and stem cell research and agricultural biology. These companies can operate in a range of sectors, including healthcare, information technology, materials, energy and consumer discretionary.

UK alternatives to the ARKG ETF

Here are some UK ETFs that you can invest in or trade to get exposure to genomics – just search for them in our platform:

ARK Innovation ETF and UK alternatives

The companies in the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) include those from the four previously mentioned categories. This means that the ARK Innovation ETF is comprised of companies that are part of the genomic revolution, industrial innovation, next generation internet, fintech innovation categories.

ARK Innovation ETF Source: IG charts
ARK Innovation ETF Source: IG charts

ARK defines ‘disruptive innovation’ as the introduction of a technologically enabled new product or service that potentially changes the way the world works.

UK alternatives to the ARKK ETF

The UK alternatives to the ARKK ETF are a collection of the ETFs mentioned in the other sections of this article:

Trading or investing in ARK ETFs in the UK summed up

  • ARK is an investment company that’s been gaining attention due to its exciting range of ETFs
  • ARK ETFs aren’t available in the UK for retail investors
  • But, there are alternatives that you can take a position on, and we’ve included some of the main ones in this article


This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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