EasyCompare

Relative Intelligence · Life Sciences Tools

How Agilent Technologies (A) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on A alone. It places A (Agilent Technologies, Inc.) against 18 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where A stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: A's full trading record, from November 1999 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against A →Chart A vs. 18 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in A have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in A over the past 26 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of A over the same span and A's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2000 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 830 of the 1,261 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of A; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,0002000200420082012201620202024$1,000$10,000$100,0002000200720142021
  • TMO$362,153+3,522% total · +14.8% a year
  • MTD$343,384+3,334% total · +14.6% a year
  • LLY$284,700+2,747% total · +13.7% a year
  • ILMN$124,118+1,141% total · +10.2% a year
  • AMGN$90,435+804% total · +8.8% a year
  • CRL$86,769+768% total · +8.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$84,332+743% total · +8.5% a year
  • A$59,185+492% total · +7.1% a year
  • WAT$49,371+394% total · +6.3% a year
  • RVTY$37,181+272% total · +5.2% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,256 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of A; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202120222023202420252026
  • LLY$52,411+424% total · +39.3% a year
  • MEDP$32,977+230% total · +27.0% a year
  • GILD$25,496+155% total · +20.6% a year
  • AMGN$23,160+132% total · +18.3% a year
  • NVS$21,146+111% total · +16.2% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • JNJ$18,849+88.5% total · +13.5% a year
  • WAT$12,298+23.0% total · +4.2% a year
  • TMO$11,986+19.9% total · +3.7% a year
  • A$11,334+13.3% total · +2.5% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

A at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$49B
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Price history from
November 1999

Returns

Past 1 year
+22.0%total return
Past 3 years
+62.1%+17.5% a year
Past 5 years
+13.8%+2.6% a year
Past 10 years
+306%+15.0% a year
Best calendar year
+98.7%2009
Worst calendar year
−57.4%2008
Losing years
9 of 26full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
30.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.24return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−93.3%Mar 2000 to Oct 2002
From its all-time high
−1.4%below the peak

A against the whole market

Where A ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does A rank among all stocks?

This section ranks A on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how A stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureARankStanding
1-year return+22.0%1,186 of 3,287top 36%
3-year return+62.1%1,374 of 3,017top 46%
5-year return+13.8%1,541 of 2,893bottom 48%
10-year return+306%573 of 2,202top 26%
Volatility, 5 years30.6%788 of 2,893top 27%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.241,743 of 2,893bottom 41%
Worst decline, past 10 years−43.2%234 of 2,187top 11%

What has beaten A on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). A sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than A with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to A; faint dots are 91 more of the 1,074 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than AVOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%RIO: +12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%PCAR: +17.9% a year, volatility 26.1%NEAR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.4%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%ITW: +6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%NOC: +7.6% a year, volatility 26.1%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%VNLA: +4.0% a year, volatility 1.1%FLTR: +4.8% a year, volatility 2.1%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%FLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%XEL: +6.5% a year, volatility 20.9%FLDR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.2%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%HYGH: +6.6% a year, volatility 7.1%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%TBUX: +4.1% a year, volatility 1.1%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%WEC: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.0%DFAT: +9.6% a year, volatility 21.0%FTS: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.4%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%AVEM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.5%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%PKG: +15.4% a year, volatility 25.8%AEE: +7.9% a year, volatility 19.4%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%RAVI: +3.8% a year, volatility 1.4%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%WTW: +6.9% a year, volatility 23.9%XLU: +7.8% a year, volatility 17.4%SDY: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.0%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%HACK: +12.6% a year, volatility 25.8%BKLN: +5.4% a year, volatility 4.5%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%CMS: +5.6% a year, volatility 19.0%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%EXEL: +24.4% a year, volatility 35.8%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%RDY: +1.7% a year, volatility 23.7%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ASPY (S&P 500)AMGNLLYJNJNVSGILDEXELVRTXRDYCIBRSGOVNHCMSFTMPCVTIPCAH−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than AVOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%RIO: +12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%PCAR: +17.9% a year, volatility 26.1%NEAR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.4%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%ITW: +6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%NOC: +7.6% a year, volatility 26.1%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%VNLA: +4.0% a year, volatility 1.1%FLTR: +4.8% a year, volatility 2.1%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%FLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%XEL: +6.5% a year, volatility 20.9%FLDR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.2%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%HYGH: +6.6% a year, volatility 7.1%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%TBUX: +4.1% a year, volatility 1.1%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%WEC: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.0%DFAT: +9.6% a year, volatility 21.0%FTS: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.4%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%AVEM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.5%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%PKG: +15.4% a year, volatility 25.8%AEE: +7.9% a year, volatility 19.4%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%RAVI: +3.8% a year, volatility 1.4%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%WTW: +6.9% a year, volatility 23.9%XLU: +7.8% a year, volatility 17.4%SDY: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.0%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%HACK: +12.6% a year, volatility 25.8%BKLN: +5.4% a year, volatility 4.5%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%CMS: +5.6% a year, volatility 19.0%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%EXEL: +24.4% a year, volatility 35.8%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%RDY: +1.7% a year, volatility 23.7%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ASPY (S&P 500)AMGNLLYJNJNVSGILDRDYSGOVNHCJAAAMPCCAH
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than A?

Investments that beat A over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat A over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks A's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than A follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than A's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× A's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than A's.

Screen the whole market against A for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 17 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with A?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
AAgilent Technologies, Inc. · this page
+2.6%30.6%0.24−43.2%+306%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.640.09%
Popular alternativesbest 2 shownThe investments people most often weigh against A. 2 of 18 passed at least one test.
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.29—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.19—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Life Sciences Tools and the categories next to it (Biotechnology, Medical Diagnostics, Contract Research, Pharmaceuticals), plus A's specific themes. 22 of 85 passed at least one test.
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.23—
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.20—
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.32—
EXELExelixis, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return in most periods+24.4%35.8%0.79−57.2%+448%0.09—
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatility+22.6%29.1%0.85−41.6%+521%0.06—
RDYDr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited · Pharmaceuticals
Similar return, lower volatility+1.7%23.7%0.19−40.5%+59.4%0.20—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,441 of 3,530 passed at least one test.
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.480.58%
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.020.09%
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.32—
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.190.20%
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.36—
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.650.03%
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+51.2%33.4%1.41−79.7%+1,387%0.31—
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Treasury Bonds
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+2.7%2.9%0.94−6.3%+32.7%0.280.03%
What these numbers mean for A
Annual return
A returned 2.6% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $11,400. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
A's volatility over the past 5 years was 30.6%, 1.8 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, A's return lands within 30.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
A's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.24, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so A earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
A's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 43.2%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 43.2% fall takes a 76.0% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, A's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.64 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against A instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a A holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,074 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than A with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with AExpense
1
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Whole market+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.480.58%
2
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.020.09%
3
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Whole market+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.32—
4
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.190.20%
5
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Whole market+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.36—
6
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.650.03%
7
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.640.03%
8
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.06—
9
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.29—
10
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.38—
11
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.070.30%
12
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.380.40%
13
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.24—
14
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.570.69%
15
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.22—
16
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.550.05%
17
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.530.18%
18
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.04—
19
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.610.03%
20
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.300.60%
21
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.560.03%
22
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.090.40%
23
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.16—
24
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.33—
25
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.540.09%
26
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.01—
27
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.650.04%
28
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.8%2.48−13.5%+35.9%0.150.15%
29
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.30—
30
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.530.06%
31
RIORio Tinto Group · Metals & Mining
Whole market+12.2%29.0%0.54−37.5%+464%0.30—
32
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.25—
33
LMTLockheed Martin Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+11.1%24.2%0.56−36.7%+204%0.09—
34
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.640.06%
35
VWOVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+5.2%17.5%0.38−36.4%+102%0.410.06%
36
EP-PCEl Paso Energy Capital Trust I PFD CV TR SECS · Preferred Stocks
Whole market+5.2%8.9%0.61−25.4%+37.8%0.16—
37
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%-0.04—
38
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.14—
39
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.32—
40
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.610.79%
41
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.31—
42
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.03—
43
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.590.85%
44
DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.5%18.0%0.50−37.4%+132%0.22—
45
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%0.25—
46
PCARPACCAR Inc · Commercial Vehicles
Whole market+17.9%26.1%0.76−37.9%+314%0.35—
47
NEARiShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+3.9%1.4%2.71−9.6%+31.8%0.230.25%
48
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.18—
49
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%22.4%0.67−34.5%+451%0.550.04%
50
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.620.26%
51
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.2%19.2%0.46−29.0%+68.8%0.18—
52
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+5.4%21.8%0.35−34.3%+240%0.30—
53
ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+6.7%21.4%0.41−37.9%+208%0.44—
54
NOCNorthrop Grumman Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+7.6%26.1%0.41−37.8%+188%0.08—
55
JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+7.5%11.0%0.71−13.7%—0.550.35%
56
VNLAJanus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.0%1.1%3.77−4.5%—0.330.25%
57
FLTRVanEck IG Floating Rate ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+4.8%2.1%2.20−17.8%+41.8%0.060.14%
58
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.0%18.8%0.70−30.9%+114%0.09—
59
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+202%0.610.08%
60
FLRNState Street SPDR Bloomberg Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.7%2.58−14.7%+35.9%0.180.15%
61
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+14.9%18.4%0.85−32.9%+194%0.23—
62
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+7.7%13.3%0.63−23.8%+101%0.26—
63
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.550.13%
64
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.460.27%
65
XELXcel Energy Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+6.5%20.9%0.41−34.4%+156%0.11—
66
FLDRFidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF · Bonds
Whole market+3.9%1.2%3.09−12.2%—0.340.15%
67
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.610.15%
68
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.23—
69
HYGHiShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF · Bonds
Whole market+6.6%7.1%0.94−23.9%+74.5%0.561.12%
70
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+6.1%20.0%0.40−31.6%+270%0.15—
71
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.0%1.00−37.0%+172%0.400.08%
72
TBUXT. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.1%1.1%3.85−1.8%—0.240.17%
73
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.1%20.3%0.80−30.9%+158%0.17—
74
WECWEC Energy Group, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.2%19.0%0.46−32.3%+159%0.23—
75
DFATDimensional - US Targeted Value ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.6%21.0%0.54−26.1%—0.570.33%
76
FTSFortis Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+8.4%16.4%0.58−34.3%+154%0.18—
77
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.20—
78
USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+7.6%12.3%0.66−33.1%+176%0.570.15%
79
AVEMAvantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+9.3%19.5%0.56−36.0%—0.440.33%
80
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Same or nearby category+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.32—
81
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+12.0%16.7%0.76−31.6%+300%0.550.20%
82
PKGPackaging Corporation of America · Packaging
Whole market+15.4%25.8%0.69−38.2%+294%0.27—
83
AEEAmeren Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.9%19.4%0.49−29.1%+192%0.21—
84
DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.5%25.2%1.00−23.6%—0.20—
85
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+12.0%27.1%0.56−35.6%+349%0.58—
86
RAVINorthern Trust Ultra-Short Fixed Income ETF · Bonds
Whole market+3.8%1.4%2.61−3.7%+30.8%0.210.26%
87
EWJiShares MSCI Japan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.2%18.8%0.57−33.1%+132%0.550.49%
88
WTWWillis Towers Watson Public Limited Company · Insurance
Whole market+6.9%23.9%0.40−32.9%+187%0.24—
89
XLUState Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF · Utilities Equity
Whole market+7.8%17.4%0.52−36.0%+138%0.290.08%
90
SDYState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+7.6%14.0%0.59−36.7%+157%0.530.35%
91
BUFRFT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF · Buffered Equity
Whole market+9.9%10.5%0.96−13.7%—0.640.10%
92
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.43—
93
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.630.39%
94
CHDChurch & Dwight Co., Inc. · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+6.1%21.1%0.39−31.7%+154%0.14—
95
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.550.35%
96
HACKAmplify Cybersecurity ETF · Technology
Whole market+12.6%25.8%0.59−38.7%+373%0.510.60%
97
BKLNInvesco Senior Loan ETF · Bank Loans
Whole market+5.4%4.5%1.19−24.1%+50.7%0.430.67%
98
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.600.40%
99
CMSCMS Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+5.6%19.0%0.38−29.6%+123%0.11—
100
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.660.12%

A against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against A, compared period by period and year by year.

How do A's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at A, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than A with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%100.0%−40.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityA: 2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%AMGN: 19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%CRL: −5.6% a year, volatility 43.9%ILMN: −7.8% a year, volatility 46.9%TXG: −15.1% a year, volatility 70.8%RVTY: −2.2% a year, volatility 35.1%AVTR: −15.5% a year, volatility 41.0%IQV: 1.3% a year, volatility 34.7%PACB: −40.0% a year, volatility 97.0%MTD: 2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%BRKR: −6.3% a year, volatility 44.3%TECH: −10.2% a year, volatility 39.4%BIO: −13.9% a year, volatility 37.9%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%MEDP: 27.1% a year, volatility 52.0%WAT: 4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%QGEN: 0.6% a year, volatility 26.9%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%ASPY (S&P 500)AMGNTMOCRLTXGRVTYAVTRIQVPACBMTDBRKRTECHBIOLLYMEDPDHR0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%−40.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityA: 2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%AMGN: 19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%CRL: −5.6% a year, volatility 43.9%ILMN: −7.8% a year, volatility 46.9%TXG: −15.1% a year, volatility 70.8%RVTY: −2.2% a year, volatility 35.1%AVTR: −15.5% a year, volatility 41.0%IQV: 1.3% a year, volatility 34.7%PACB: −40.0% a year, volatility 97.0%MTD: 2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%BRKR: −6.3% a year, volatility 44.3%TECH: −10.2% a year, volatility 39.4%BIO: −13.9% a year, volatility 37.9%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%MEDP: 27.1% a year, volatility 52.0%WAT: 4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%QGEN: 0.6% a year, volatility 26.9%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%ASPY (S&P 500)AMGNTMOCRLILMNTXGRVTYAVTRIQVPACBBIOLLYMEDP
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
LLY Eli Lilly and Company+40.7%32.8%
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.+27.1%52.0%
AMGN Amgen Inc.+19.6%24.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
WAT Waters Corporation+4.5%33.9%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
A This pageAgilent Technologies, Inc.+2.6%30.6%
MTD Mettler-Toledo International Inc.+2.6%32.5%
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.+1.3%34.7%
QGEN Qiagen N.V.+0.6%26.9%
RVTY Revvity, Inc.−2.2%35.1%
DHR Danaher Corporation−3.8%29.1%
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.−5.6%43.9%
BRKR Bruker Corporation−6.3%44.3%
ILMN Illumina, Inc.−7.8%46.9%
TECH Bio-Techne Corporation−10.2%39.4%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.−13.9%37.9%
TXG 10x Genomics, Inc.−15.1%70.8%
AVTR Avantor, Inc.−15.5%41.0%
PACB Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.−40.0%97.0%
Open these 20 in EasyCompare

Has A consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares A with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than A helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than A over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
A Agilent Technologies, Inc. (this page)—+7.1%+33.1%+43.6%+26.4%+22.0%+62.1%+13.8%+306%30.6%0.24−43.2%—$49B—
AMGN QualifiedAmgen Inc.3/5 short2/3 long+11.6%+21.2%+27.0%+36.7%+48.7%+72.2%+145%+266%24.9%0.85−24.9%—$237B—
LLY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralEli Lilly and Company2/5 short3/3 long+10.2%+12.1%+40.0%+19.4%+59.7%+124%+451%+1,807%32.8%1.21−34.5%—$1.2T—
MEDP Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchMedpace Holdings, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−0.3%+17.9%+17.8%+9.0%+14.3%+172%+231%+1,914%52.0%0.70−42.9%—$17B—
TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
WAT Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchWaters Corporation1/5 short2/3 long+4.5%+23.9%+31.9%+15.9%+29.0%+74.6%+24.4%+182%33.9%0.30−44.3%—$43B—
CRL Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchCharles River Laboratories International, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+13.1%+43.6%+70.0%+55.8%+71.3%+70.1%−25.1%+280%43.9%0.09−78.2%—$15B—
ILMN Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchIllumina, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+12.2%+45.1%+102%+99.4%+169%+130%−33.3%+93.0%46.9%0.06−86.2%—$40B—
TXG Biotechnology10x Genomics, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long−9.7%+65.3%+191%+330%+444%+81.2%−55.8%—70.8%0.12−96.5%—$9.3B—
RVTY Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchRevvity, Inc.5/5 short0/3 long+8.6%+46.6%+67.8%+59.3%+64.0%+54.6%−10.6%+203%35.1%0.11−59.0%—$17B—
AVTR Medical - Instruments & SuppliesAvantor, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+10.1%+55.9%+95.5%+45.0%+9.5%−19.1%−56.9%—41.0%-0.20−83.2%—$11B—
IQV Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchIQVIA Holdings Inc.2/5 short0/3 long−0.8%+31.4%+51.5%+18.8%+26.3%+45.3%+6.5%+260%34.7%0.21−51.5%—$44B—
PACB Medical - DevicesPacific Biosciences of California, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+44.1%+44.1%+12.6%+6.5%−1.0%−73.5%−92.2%−77.9%97.0%-0.04−98.2%—$609M—
MTD Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchMettler-Toledo International Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+14.2%+28.3%+23.4%+15.8%+20.4%+60.2%+13.7%+298%32.5%0.24−43.5%—$33B—
BRKR Medical - DevicesBruker Corporation1/5 short0/3 long−9.2%−0.3%+36.3%+16.6%+47.4%−5.0%−27.7%+171%44.3%0.08−68.7%—$8.5B—
QGEN Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchQiagen N.V.1/5 short0/3 long+9.2%+20.8%+20.2%+8.7%+6.3%+45.9%+3.0%+111%26.9%0.15−41.4%—$10B—
DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation0/5 short0/3 long+4.0%+11.6%+15.0%−2.2%+8.3%+10.8%−17.6%+232%29.1%0.01−43.8%—$157B—
TECH BiotechnologyBio-Techne Corporation0/5 short0/3 long+0.2%+1.4%+20.2%+22.2%+16.7%+15.1%−41.4%+191%39.4%-0.08−67.2%—$11B—
BIO Medical - DevicesBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−6.0%+17.4%+16.9%+16.1%+10.1%+14.1%−52.5%+115%37.9%-0.21−73.8%—$9.5B—
Open these 19 in EasyCompare

How did A do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2000, along with where A ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with A and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of A; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places A among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of A20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000
A This pageAgilent Technologies, Inc.—+1.9%−2.7%−6.4%−5.5%+35.5%+39.8%+27.5%+1.7%+48.3%+10.2%+3.5%+0.8%+41.1%+18.4%−15.7%+33.4%+98.7%−57.4%+5.4%+11.1%+38.1%−17.6%+62.8%−37.0%−47.9%−29.2%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 6 of 2612 of 1911 of 1913 of 194 of 1913 of 1913 of 1911 of 1713 of 173 of 176 of 1615 of 1612 of 165 of 1511 of 158 of 154 of 142 of 1412 of 1413 of 149 of 143 of 1413 of 144 of 148 of 1413 of 1411 of 11
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF13 of 26+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%
AMGN Amgen Inc.13 of 26+29.7%−6.8%+13.5%+20.4%+0.9%−2.0%+27.6%+15.2%+22.3%−7.6%+4.0%+42.3%+34.8%+36.8%+18.2%−3.0%−2.0%+24.3%−32.0%−13.4%+22.9%+3.8%+27.8%−14.4%−11.7%+6.5%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company14 of 26+40.3%+33.3%+60.9%+34.3%+66.1%+31.0%+16.2%+40.5%+17.8%−10.4%+25.4%+39.8%+7.3%+24.2%+25.2%+3.6%−6.2%−21.3%+5.7%−5.2%+2.6%−17.6%+13.1%−17.6%−14.4%+41.9%
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.8 of 9+69.1%+8.4%+44.3%−2.4%+56.4%+65.6%+58.8%+46.0%+0.5%—————————————————
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.18 of 26+11.8%−1.7%−3.4%−17.3%+43.5%+43.7%+45.6%+18.2%+35.0%−0.1%+13.8%+13.1%+75.8%+43.2%−18.8%+16.1%+40.0%−40.9%+27.4%+50.3%−0.2%+19.8%+25.3%−15.7%+5.6%+98.2%
WAT Waters Corporation11 of 26+2.4%+12.7%−3.9%−8.1%+50.6%+5.9%+23.9%−2.4%+43.8%−0.1%+19.4%+12.7%+14.8%+17.6%−4.7%+25.4%+69.1%−53.6%+61.5%+29.5%−19.2%+41.1%+52.3%−43.8%−53.6%+215%
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.13 of 25+8.1%−21.9%+8.5%−42.2%+50.8%+63.6%+35.0%+3.4%+43.6%−5.2%+26.3%+20.0%+41.5%+37.1%−23.1%+5.5%+28.6%−60.2%+52.1%+2.1%−7.9%+34.0%−10.8%+14.9%+22.3%—
ILMN Illumina, Inc.15 of 25−1.8%−1.3%−31.1%−46.9%+2.8%+11.5%+10.6%+37.3%+70.7%−33.3%+4.0%+66.9%+99.0%+82.4%−51.9%+106%+17.8%−12.1%+50.8%+179%+48.6%+34.4%+109%−71.3%−26.9%—
TXG 10x Genomics, Inc.3 of 6+13.6%−74.3%+53.6%−75.5%+5.2%+85.7%————————————————————
RVTY Revvity, Inc.13 of 26−13.1%+2.4%−21.9%−30.1%+40.4%+48.2%+24.0%+7.8%+40.8%−2.1%+23.2%+6.8%+31.0%+60.4%−21.6%+27.1%+50.6%−45.9%+18.4%−4.5%+6.2%+33.9%+112%−75.7%−32.7%+154%
AVTR Avantor, Inc.3 of 6−45.6%−7.7%+8.3%−50.0%+49.7%+55.1%————————————————————
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.8 of 12+14.7%−15.1%+12.9%−27.4%+57.5%+16.0%+33.0%+18.7%+28.7%+10.8%+16.6%+27.0%——————————————
PACB Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.6 of 15+2.2%−81.3%+19.9%−60.0%−21.1%+405%−30.5%+180%−30.5%−71.1%+67.5%+49.9%+208%−39.3%−82.4%———————————
MTD Mettler-Toledo International Inc.17 of 26+13.9%+0.9%−16.1%−14.8%+48.9%+43.7%+40.3%−8.7%+48.0%+23.4%+12.1%+24.7%+25.5%+30.9%−2.3%+44.0%+55.8%−40.8%+44.3%+42.8%+7.6%+21.6%+31.7%−38.2%−4.7%+42.4%
BRKR Bruker Corporation12 of 25−19.3%−20.0%+7.8%−18.3%+55.3%+6.6%+71.8%−12.8%+62.7%−12.2%+23.7%−0.8%+29.8%+22.7%−25.2%+37.7%+199%−69.7%+77.1%+54.5%+20.7%−11.5%−6.4%−70.3%−30.6%—
QGEN Qiagen N.V.13 of 26+12.5%+2.6%−12.9%−10.3%+5.2%+56.4%−1.9%+11.4%+10.7%+1.3%+17.8%−1.5%+31.2%+31.4%−29.3%−12.4%+27.1%−16.5%+39.1%+28.8%+7.3%−8.5%+131%−72.1%−46.3%+83.3%
DHR Danaher Corporation18 of 26+0.4%−0.4%−1.2%−19.0%+48.6%+45.4%+49.5%+11.8%+20.0%+73.2%+9.3%+11.6%+38.3%+19.1%−0.1%+25.7%+33.0%−35.4%+21.3%+30.1%−2.7%+25.3%+39.7%+9.1%−11.7%+41.5%
TECH Bio-Techne Corporation13 of 26−17.9%−6.3%−6.5%−35.7%+63.4%+45.4%+52.7%+12.6%+27.5%+15.8%−1.3%−1.1%+40.9%+1.9%+5.5%−2.5%+8.0%−1.9%+19.2%−1.2%+44.3%+2.8%+32.5%−22.4%+2.0%+31.1%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.13 of 26−7.8%+1.7%−23.2%−44.4%+29.6%+57.5%+59.4%−2.7%+30.9%+31.5%+15.0%−2.5%+17.7%+9.4%−7.5%+7.7%+28.1%−27.3%+25.6%+26.1%+14.1%−0.5%+49.0%+22.3%+99.1%+36.0%
Open these 20 in EasyCompare

Risk and diversification

How A has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were A's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents A's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1999, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means A fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringA fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−93.3%−40.3%Mar 2000Oct 20022.6 yearsAug 202017.8 years
2022 bear market−43.2%+15.6%Sep 2021Apr 20253.6 yearsSep 202617 months
No named crash−24.9%−6.1%Dec 1999Jan 20001 monthFeb 20001 month
No named crash−11.6%−4.0%Feb 2021Mar 20211 monthApr 20211 month
No named crash−9.0%+0.1%Dec 1999Dec 1999Under a monthDec 1999Under a month

How did A do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far A, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than A.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
A This pageAgilent Technologies, Inc.—−3.7%−25.3%−25.8%−16.1%−8.7%−17.6%−37.3%−4.2%−67.6%−92.4%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF7 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
AMGN Amgen Inc.9 of 10−1.2%−11.9%−18.3%−14.3%−7.4%−22.1%−12.6%−0.5%−31.3%−60.2%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company8 of 10−0.6%−11.7%−16.9%−10.2%−8.6%−19.6%−10.9%0.0%−50.0%−54.3%
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.1 of 5−11.9%−36.4%−39.5%−26.1%−2.1%—————
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.8 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
WAT Waters Corporation7 of 10−1.6%−26.3%−25.3%−14.7%−9.7%−16.6%−26.4%−3.4%−60.7%−80.1%
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.3 of 9−7.7%−49.3%−44.5%−23.4%−4.6%−19.1%−33.3%−1.8%−69.8%—
ILMN Illumina, Inc.3 of 9−6.7%−58.2%−31.0%−25.8%−5.3%−36.1%−48.7%−1.9%−57.9%—
TXG 10x Genomics, Inc.0 of 3−8.1%−81.1%−43.1%———————
RVTY Revvity, Inc.5 of 10−3.2%−38.1%−29.3%−26.1%−7.7%−23.6%−31.2%−3.4%−62.6%−91.6%
AVTR Avantor, Inc.0 of 3−6.2%−50.5%−53.9%———————
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.1 of 6−6.8%−35.9%−48.9%−19.2%−5.3%−28.7%————
PACB Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.0 of 7−6.7%−79.3%−47.4%−28.1%−10.0%−34.7%−75.2%———
MTD Mettler-Toledo International Inc.5 of 10−3.8%−33.9%−23.8%−17.7%−10.0%−16.9%−21.5%−4.3%−60.6%−53.7%
BRKR Bruker Corporation1 of 9−2.5%−38.0%−36.2%−24.1%−13.4%−19.9%−39.0%−5.5%−80.2%—
QGEN Qiagen N.V.8 of 10−0.4%−21.3%−12.4%−14.0%−7.0%−27.8%−25.9%−2.6%−45.1%−92.1%
DHR Danaher Corporation7 of 10−3.2%−22.8%−25.9%−13.4%−9.8%−14.0%−21.8%−0.6%−45.7%−33.7%
TECH Bio-Techne Corporation6 of 10−3.6%−39.6%−23.5%−34.8%−4.5%−24.9%−18.8%−0.4%−43.8%−69.6%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.7 of 10−1.9%−45.3%−21.8%−29.7%−8.0%−18.1%−25.4%−0.5%−50.9%−29.1%
Open these 20 in EasyCompare

How closely does A move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares A with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than A's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
A This pageAgilent Technologies, Inc.120%141%0.851.13
LLY Eli Lilly and Company101%6%15.730.37
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.168%118%1.421.24
AMGN Amgen Inc.74%64%1.160.54
DHR Danaher Corporation84%84%1.010.75
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
MTD Mettler-Toledo International Inc.118%143%0.831.13
WAT Waters Corporation107%139%0.771.01
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.135%175%0.771.30
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.128%167%0.771.31
RVTY Revvity, Inc.111%146%0.761.10
BRKR Bruker Corporation121%160%0.751.27
QGEN Qiagen N.V.62%83%0.750.45
TECH Bio-Techne Corporation120%162%0.741.23
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.104%146%0.710.99
ILMN Illumina, Inc.120%200%0.601.19
PACB Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.76%234%0.331.70
Open these 17 in EasyCompare

What diversifies A?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with A's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing A with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which A lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% A and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242023202220112008200420022001200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
A Agilent Technologies, Inc. (this page)1.00+13.8%0.24−2.7%−6.4%−5.5%−15.7%−57.4%−17.6%−37.0%−47.9%−29.2%29.4%+2.5%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.38+119%1.48+15.9%+17.4%+3.8%——————24.3%+5.9%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.28+225%1.34+29.8%+42.0%+6.0%−16.1%−20.8%————24.3%+7.7%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.32+101%1.04+33.4%+8.0%+10.4%——————24.6%+5.7%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.40+83.3%1.00+14.1%+1.8%+7.1%——————24.8%+5.0%
EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF0.40+140%0.97+5.7%+30.3%−5.2%−9.8%−36.8%+30.2%−13.6%−9.2%−11.8%25.3%+6.6%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.43+323%0.97+39.1%+73.4%−33.5%+6.8%−44.7%−19.3%−47.0%−14.6%—27.2%+9.8%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.09+126%0.96+26.7%+12.7%−0.8%+9.6%+4.9%————24.0%+6.4%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.22+177%0.93+5.6%−0.6%+64.4%+2.8%−39.0%+33.8%−14.8%−18.2%+24.4%25.1%+7.3%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242023202220112008200420022001200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
A Agilent Technologies, Inc. (this page)1.00+13.8%0.24−2.7%−6.4%−5.5%−15.7%−57.4%−17.6%−37.0%−47.9%−29.2%29.4%+2.5%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.32+479%1.55+19.0%+34.1%+54.1%+8.1%−39.6%−4.7%−8.3%−2.5%+108%25.7%+9.7%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.27+3,143%1.47+215%+160%+1.3%−24.4%−20.5%−6.4%−65.1%−25.6%−2.3%29.0%+21.5%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.30+1,636%1.46+107%+79.6%+17.0%−17.0%−15.2%+40.0%−9.4%+73.7%−71.1%27.5%+17.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.04+413%1.44+23.7%+24.1%+51.8%+11.8%−40.4%−1.4%−27.2%+4.9%+61.2%24.2%+9.5%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.31+690%1.41−4.0%+30.4%+86.6%——————26.3%+11.6%
Open these 14 in EasyCompare

Common questions

What was A's worst drawdown?

A's deepest decline since it began trading in 1999 was 93.2%, from March 2000 to October 2002. It took about 18 years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were A's best and worst years?

Over 26 full calendar years, A's best year was 2009, when it returned 98.7%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -57.4%.

Is there a better investment than A?

Among A's popular alternatives, AMGN earned more than A with less volatility over the past 5 years: 19.6% a year at 24.9% volatility, against 2.6% a year at 30.6%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, JNJ (pharmaceuticals) and NVS (pharmaceuticals) earned more than A with less volatility over the past 5 years. JNJ returned 12.7% a year at 17.9% volatility, against 2.6% a year at 30.6%.

Is A more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. A's volatility over the past 5 years was 30.6%, 1.8 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, A's return lands within 30.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is A's Sharpe ratio?

A's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.24, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so A earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is A with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, A's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.64 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against A instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a A holding.

What are the best alternatives to A?

Of the 18 popular alternatives we compared, one outperformed A in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: AMGN.

Did A outperform the S&P 500?

A finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 12 of 26 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +1.9%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did A do in stock market crashes?

A fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when A fell 92.4% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies A?

These had a low correlation with A over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.38), DXJ (correlation 0.28) and EMLP (correlation 0.32); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.32), CLS (correlation 0.27) and FIX (correlation 0.30). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to A

Other stocks and ETFs