What if you bought the genomics ETF (ARKG) at its all-time high?
This uses real data to show what would have happened if you had invested a lump sum of ₩10M in Cathie Wood's ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) on February 9, 2021, when the COVID-era bio/genomics theme peaked. A crash of more than 70% after the top is the main story.
⚠️ Know the risk first
Right after entry, ARKG crashed more than 70% from its peak and stayed well below the principal for a long time. The final result only holds if you held through that extreme drawdown without selling.
What happened that day
Around February 9, 2021, ARKG hit a record level (around $115/share) amid the COVID-era bio/genomics theme mania. After gaining over 180% in 2020, it crashed more than 70% from this peak in the rate-hike and growth-stock correction.
Why this date
This point, when the bio/genomics theme peaked and ARKG hit a record level, is used as the buy date, computing 'what if you bought at the very top when the theme was hottest' at that day's close.
Investment conditions
Asset · ARKG (genomics innovation ETF) · lump-sum near the all-time high, then held long-term
Method · Lump-sum (all at once)
Period · 2021-02-09 ~ 2026-07-01
Amount · $7,407
As of · 2026-07-01
Key metrics
These results do not reflect taxes. Based on historical data.
Buy and final prices are shown in the asset's local currency (US & crypto $, Japan ¥, Korea ₩). Total invested and final value are in Korean won (₩).
Risk & recovery
As important as returns. This service does not hide maximum drawdown or loss periods.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-83.5%
Largest drop from peak
Longest loss period
66months
Months in loss: 66
Recovery period
0months
Growth over time
Invested principal (dashed) and portfolio value (solid). Values below match the calculation.
Total invested $7,407 → Final value $2,836 (-61.7%), Maximum drawdown (MDD) -83.5%
Why this period and asset
Around February 9, 2021, ARKG hit a record level (around $115/share) amid the COVID-era bio/genomics theme mania. ARKG had gained over 180% in 2020 alone and was a flagship 'innovation theme' ETF. But after this peak, in the rate-hike and growth-stock correction, ARKG crashed more than 70% from its high and its assets shrank sharply.
Interpreting the result
The heart of this page is not the final return but 'how deep and how long you were underwater after buying a theme ETF at its all-time high.' Look at the maximum drawdown and loss periods first. ARKG crashed more than 70% from its top and stayed well below the principal for a long time. It shows that 'yesterday's hottest theme' can immediately become the riskiest time to buy. Monthly DCA instead of all-in would have eased this crash burden, but could not have avoided the theme-correction loss itself.
Caveats & limits
As a theme-ETF top purchase, the plunge and stall period is central. ARKG is concentrated in a narrow theme (genomics/innovation) and is far more volatile than the whole market. Being an ETF gives more diversification than a single stock, but a narrow-theme ETF can be far riskier than a broad index. Figures use adjusted close and exclude exchange rates, fees, and taxes; always review the maximum drawdown and loss periods. Past results do not guarantee the future.
Event fact sources
- Yahoo Finance — ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) performance history
- The Motley Fool — Cathie Wood's genomic ETF coverage (2021-12)
Requested date vs actual trading date
If the event date is a holiday, the fill uses the next trading day's close. The 'effective trading date' below is the date actually used.
Data sources & limits
- Price data source: Yahoo Finance / FinanceDataReader
- Collected on: 2026-07-28
- Effective trading date: 2026-07-01
- Price basis: Adjusted close (reflects dividends and stock splits)
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
- Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Did it really fall more than 70%?
Yes. After its February 2021 record (around $115/share), ARKG crashed more than 70% from its peak in the rate-hike and growth-stock correction. See that stretch in the maximum drawdown metric below.
Why use February 9, 2021 as the buy date?
Around then, ARKG hit a record level amid the COVID-era bio/genomics theme mania. It best captures 'what if you bought at the very top, when the theme was hottest.'
Is it really this risky even though it's an ETF?
Yes. Even an ETF, if concentrated in a narrow theme like genomics/innovation, is far more volatile than a broad market index. 'Diversified, so safe' applies more to broad indexes; theme ETFs are a different matter.
Are FX and taxes reflected?
No. Exchange rates, trading fees, and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax. This page only shows historical data and recommends no product.
Related scenarios
📋 Results are based on historical data; past returns do not guarantee future returns.
📋 This service is provided for educational purposes to help you understand investing, not as investment advice.