Ark’s Shopping Spree: A Few Bargains (and a Lot of Worry)

Right. So, Cathie Wood. She’s been…active. It’s like watching someone rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic, really. But with more data. And a slightly alarming conviction. I’ve been tracking Ark Invest’s moves, mostly because I feel vaguely responsible for anyone who follows investment tips from the internet. And, well, there’s been a bit of a shopping spree. Apparently, she’s decided a few things are “on sale.” Which, let’s be honest, is a terrifying phrase in the current climate.

Units of Cryptocurrency Lost: 0 (so far). Hours Spent Watching Charts: 17. Number of Times I’ve Considered Becoming a Goat Farmer: 3. It’s all very stressful, this investing business. Anyway, here’s the breakdown of what she’s been buying. I’ve tried to remain objective, but honestly, it’s hard when you’re picturing a very determined woman with a very large portfolio.

1. Shopify

Okay, Shopify. Apparently, she’s doubled down on this one. $31.6 million worth of shares. Which is…a lot of shoes, if you think about it. It’s now Ark’s seventh-largest holding, making up 3.2% of the fund. They’re betting on e-commerce, which feels…safe? Relatively? It’s better than betting on, say, competitive ferret grooming. Although, who knows? Maybe that’s the next big thing.

The problem, as always, is AI. Everyone’s terrified AI is going to replace everything. And Shopify is a software platform. But they’re trying to adapt, which is good. They’re apparently growing at 30% a year, which sounds impressive until you remember that growth rates tend to slow down. It’s like running a marathon – you start fast, then you just…exist.

Profits are down 39%, which is…not ideal. And the P/E ratio is astronomical. But apparently, the team thinks it’s worth the risk. I’m just hoping my pension doesn’t depend on it.

2. Robinhood

Robinhood. The app that lets you lose all your money from the comfort of your sofa. Ark Invest bought a whole load of this stuff – $46.4 million, to be precise. It’s now the eighth-largest holding, making up 3.1% of the fund. They’re clearly hoping for a revival. I’m hoping for a strongly worded apology for the meme stock debacle of 2021.

It’s easy to use, which is both a blessing and a curse. It’s like giving a toddler a flamethrower. They’ve expanded into crypto and credit cards, which is…ambitious. They had a bit of a wobble in 2022, but things have picked up. Although, the crypto market is still…volatile. Let’s just say I’m not planning my retirement on Bitcoin.

Revenue growth is slowing down, which is never a good sign. And profits are…complicated. But the P/E ratio has fallen, which is…something. It’s like finding a slightly less chipped teacup. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do.

3. Roblox

Roblox. The metaverse for children. Ark Invest added $20.3 million worth of shares. It’s now the 13th-largest holding, making up 2.6% of the fund. I’m trying to understand the appeal, but honestly, it just looks like a lot of brightly colored blocks. And screaming.

Daily active users are up 69%, which is…impressive. But revenue growth is slowing down. And losses are increasing. They lost $1.07 billion last year. Which is…a lot of virtual Lego. They’re spending a lot on stock-based compensation, which is basically giving employees free shares. It’s like a really complicated game of Monopoly.

They generate about $1.36 billion in free cash flow, which is good. But they still have no P/E ratio. It’s like trying to divide by zero. The price-to-sales ratio has fallen, which is…a small victory. It’s like finding a matching sock. It doesn’t solve all your problems, but it’s a start.

So, there you have it. Ark’s shopping spree. Will it pay off? Who knows. I’m going to go lie down. And maybe invest in a goat farm. It feels safer.

2026-02-20 12:33

1. Shopify

2. Robinhood

3. Roblox

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