Bridgewater Associates and ARK Investment Management offer distinct investment approaches. Bridgewater is suited for institutional investors seeking global macro strategies with a focus on risk parity and AI-driven decision-making. ARK is better for investors interested in disruptive innovation and thematic investing, with a higher risk tolerance and an interest in transparency through daily trade disclosures.
| Attribute | Bridgewater Associates | ARK Investment Management |
|---|---|---|
| Assets Under Management (AUM) | AUM has fluctuated. In 2020, it was approximately $154 billion. By early 2023, it was around $123.5 billion. As of April 2024, reports indicated approximately $124 billion. However, more recent reports from 2024 stated a decline to $92.1 billion. Another source mentions $15 billion. | Greater than $20 billion as of June 2025. Holdings Channel reported AUM of $10,125,773,000 as of March 25, 2025. |
| Investment Strategies | Global Macro, Pure Alpha, All Weather, Pure Alpha Major Markets, Optimal Portfolio, Risk Parity | Specializes in thematic investing in disruptive innovation. Key areas include: Artificial Intelligence, DNA Sequencing and Genomics, Robotics, Energy Storage, Blockchain Technology and Digital Finance, Fintech Innovation, Space Exploration, The Metaverse |
| Historical Performance | Pure Alpha strategy has delivered high single-digit annualized returns since 1991. All Weather Plus No3 fund has delivered an annualized return of 12.7% since its inception in 2021. The Pure Alpha 18% volatility fund returned 11.3% in 2024. The firm's Pure Alpha II fund posted a 32% return in the first half of 2022. Bridgewater was the fastest-growing asset manager between 2000-2005, with AUM increasing by 25% each year between 2001-2010. | From 2014 to 2021, the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) averaged an annual return of 39%. In 2022, ARKK dropped 63% and was down 78% from its February 2021 peak. As of July 3, 2025, ARKK is up 23.4% year-to-date, exceeding the S&P 500's 6.8% gain. |
| Fee Structure | Fees are negotiable and vary by strategy, including management and performance fees. Standard minimum fees: All Weather ($500,000), Pure Alpha and Pure Alpha Major Markets ($6 million), and Optimal Portfolio ($2.7 million). In China, Bridgewater aims to charge a 20% performance fee on returns exceeding 5%. | Actively managed ETFs generally have an annual expense ratio of 0.75%, except for ARKW, which is 0.88%. The ARK Venture Fund has a management fee of 2.75% with a total expense ratio of 4.22%. |
| Client Base | Primarily institutional clients, requiring a minimum of $7.5 billion of investable assets. | Caters to both institutional and retail clients. The ARK Venture Fund is specifically designed to be accessible to retail investors. |
| Geographic Focus | Worldwide | Invests in domestic and foreign equity securities. Nikko Asset Management has exclusive rights to offer ARK products and investment strategies in Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region. |
| Regulatory Compliance Record | Registered with the SEC as an Investment Adviser. | Registered as an investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accountable to its Board of Directors, its Independent ETF Board of Trustees, Foreside Fund Services, and other third-party service providers and auditors. |
| Team Expertise and Experience | Nir Bar Dea (CEO), Bob Prince, Greg Jensen, and Karen Karniol-Tambour (Co-Chief Investment Officers). | Founded by Cathie Wood in 2014. Cathie Wood has over 40 years of experience in identifying and investing in innovation. Brett Winton is ARK's Director of Research. |
| Technological Innovation in Investment Process | Uses AI to process market data, identify trends, and predict potential shifts. Developed an Artificial Investment Associate (AIA) platform. | Utilizes an open research approach, incorporating technology and external inputs to traditional financial research. Employs an open research ecosystem to gather information and refine their internal research process. |
| Transparency and Reporting | Emphasizes radical transparency and a strong set of core values. Known for their Daily Observations research publication. | Committed to transparency, posting their trades daily. Provides ETF investors with trade notifications and offer quarterly reports and webinars. Opens its research reviews to the public. |
| Risk Management Strategies | Diversification, dynamic adjustments, stress testing, and risk parity approach. | Employs dynamic position adjustment, actively adjusting investment sizes based on market conditions and company performance. Monitors the underlying investment thesis of every company. |
| ESG Integration | Integrates ESG criteria, conducts analyses of companies' environmental and social impacts, and prioritizes investments in businesses with strong governance practices. Signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and a supporter of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). | Integrates ESG issues into their investment process. Believes their investment philosophy inherently considers ESG principles aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |