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Relative Intelligence · Medical Devices

How Abbott Laboratories (ABT) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on ABT alone. It places ABT (Abbott Laboratories) against 20+ 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 ABT stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: ABT's full trading record, from October 1986 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 ABT →Chart ABT vs. 24 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ABT over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ABT over the same span and ABT'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 1997 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. 440 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ABT; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • RMD$2M+16,400% total · +19.3% a year
  • DHR$777,394+7,674% total · +16.2% a year
  • LLY$396,376+3,864% total · +13.5% a year
  • SYK$323,233+3,132% total · +12.7% a year
  • TMO$235,386+2,254% total · +11.5% a year
  • JNJ$189,226+1,792% total · +10.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • ABT$130,278+1,203% total · +9.3% a year
  • CVS$97,705+877% total · +8.2% a year
  • MDT$61,200+512% total · +6.4% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,725 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ABT; 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
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • JNJ$18,849+88.5% total · +13.5% a year
  • ISRG$12,270+22.7% total · +4.2% a year
  • TMO$11,986+19.9% total · +3.7% a year
  • CVS$11,915+19.1% total · +3.6% a year
  • SYK$11,008+10.1% total · +1.9% a year
  • ABT$9,221−7.8% total · −1.6% a year
  • RMD$8,780−12.2% total · −2.6% a year
  • DHR$8,422−15.8% total · −3.4% a year
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ABT 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
$178B
Industry
Medical - Devices
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
−18.7%total return
Past 3 years
+13.0%+4.2% a year
Past 5 years
−8.0%−1.7% a year
Past 10 years
+204%+11.8% a year
Best calendar year
+52.0%2017
Worst calendar year
−26.8%2002
Losing years
7 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
23.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.04return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−45.7%Jan 2002 to Jul 2002
From its all-time high
−23.9%below the peak

ABT against the whole market

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

How does ABT rank among all stocks?

This section ranks ABT 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 ABT 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.

MeasureABTRankStanding
1-year return−18.7%2,610 of 3,287bottom 22%
3-year return+13.0%2,121 of 3,017bottom 31%
5-year return−8.0%1,834 of 2,893bottom 38%
10-year return+204%847 of 2,202top 38%
Volatility, 5 years23.1%218 of 2,893top 8%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.042,248 of 2,893bottom 23%
Worst decline, past 10 years−39.6%145 of 2,187top 7%

What has beaten ABT 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). ABT sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ABT 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 ABT; faint dots are 92 more of the 901 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%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ABTVIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%DFAC: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.0%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%QUAL: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%IUSG: +12.9% a year, volatility 21.2%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.8% a year, volatility 18.9%ESGV: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.5%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%XLP: +7.2% a year, volatility 13.8%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%JAVA: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.5%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%DBMF: +9.8% a year, volatility 12.4%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%FTCS: +6.2% a year, volatility 13.2%VIGI: +4.9% a year, volatility 14.5%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%OMFL: +9.0% a year, volatility 16.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%XYLD: +7.4% a year, volatility 11.2%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%BCI: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.7%ACWV: +6.3% a year, volatility 10.3%ACIO: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.1%FTHI: +10.3% a year, volatility 13.3%SCHY: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.3%FLQL: +13.8% a year, volatility 16.3%FHLC: +7.3% a year, volatility 15.4%XT: +7.3% a year, volatility 21.2%AVIV: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.7%DSTL: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.1%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%RLY: +9.9% a year, volatility 13.3%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%INFL: +11.8% a year, volatility 17.8%FDLO: +9.8% a year, volatility 13.0%QGRO: +9.9% a year, volatility 21.2%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%FTXH: +11.9% a year, volatility 16.9%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%QQEW: +6.8% a year, volatility 21.3%FLSP: +8.4% a year, volatility 13.4%SIXH: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.2%IDHQ: +10.0% a year, volatility 17.9%QQQE: +8.1% a year, volatility 20.7%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%OUSA: +9.4% a year, volatility 13.4%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%WTPI: +9.1% a year, volatility 12.2%SSUS: +10.5% a year, volatility 15.4%RSPH: +6.1% a year, volatility 16.8%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%SVOL: +7.6% a year, volatility 21.8%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%MRSH: +4.4% a year, volatility 20.9%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%ISRG: +5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%CVS: +5.3% a year, volatility 30.4%BDX: +2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%TAK: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%SNY: +0.6% a year, volatility 25.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TBB: −1.7% a year, volatility 11.3%ERIE: +6.3% a year, volatility 31.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%ABTSPY (S&P 500)JNJLLYTMOISRGCVSBDXNVSCORMRKCAHGLDLVHIPGWMTTBBERIEDXJ−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%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ABTVIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%DFAC: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.0%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%QUAL: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%IUSG: +12.9% a year, volatility 21.2%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.8% a year, volatility 18.9%ESGV: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.5%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%XLP: +7.2% a year, volatility 13.8%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%JAVA: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.5%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%DBMF: +9.8% a year, volatility 12.4%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%FTCS: +6.2% a year, volatility 13.2%VIGI: +4.9% a year, volatility 14.5%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%OMFL: +9.0% a year, volatility 16.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%XYLD: +7.4% a year, volatility 11.2%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%BCI: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.7%ACWV: +6.3% a year, volatility 10.3%ACIO: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.1%FTHI: +10.3% a year, volatility 13.3%SCHY: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.3%FLQL: +13.8% a year, volatility 16.3%FHLC: +7.3% a year, volatility 15.4%XT: +7.3% a year, volatility 21.2%AVIV: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.7%DSTL: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.1%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%RLY: +9.9% a year, volatility 13.3%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%INFL: +11.8% a year, volatility 17.8%FDLO: +9.8% a year, volatility 13.0%QGRO: +9.9% a year, volatility 21.2%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%FTXH: +11.9% a year, volatility 16.9%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%QQEW: +6.8% a year, volatility 21.3%FLSP: +8.4% a year, volatility 13.4%SIXH: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.2%IDHQ: +10.0% a year, volatility 17.9%QQQE: +8.1% a year, volatility 20.7%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%OUSA: +9.4% a year, volatility 13.4%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%WTPI: +9.1% a year, volatility 12.2%SSUS: +10.5% a year, volatility 15.4%RSPH: +6.1% a year, volatility 16.8%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%SVOL: +7.6% a year, volatility 21.8%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%MRSH: +4.4% a year, volatility 20.9%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%ISRG: +5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%CVS: +5.3% a year, volatility 30.4%BDX: +2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%TAK: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%SNY: +0.6% a year, volatility 25.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TBB: −1.7% a year, volatility 11.3%ERIE: +6.3% a year, volatility 31.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%ABTSPY (S&P 500)JNJLLYTMOBDXNVSCORMRKCAHSNYGLDLVHIPGWMTTBBERIEDXJ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than ABT?

Investments that beat ABT 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 ABT 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 ABT'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 ABT 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 ABT'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× ABT's volatility counts as better.

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

Screen the whole market against ABT for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 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 ABT?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
ABTAbbott Laboratories · this page
−1.7%23.1%0.04−39.6%+204%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.390.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ABT. 7 of 23 passed at least one test.
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.47—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.26—
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return in most periods+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.36—
ISRGIntuitive Surgical, Inc. · Medical Devices
Higher return in most periods+5.2%34.6%0.32−49.9%+478%0.44—
CVSCVS Health Corp. · Managed Health Care
Higher return in most periods+5.3%30.4%0.32−56.8%+47.0%0.43—
BDXBecton, Dickinson and Company · Medical Devices
Higher return, similar volatility+2.3%24.1%0.22−39.9%+71.4%0.42—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Medical Devices and the categories next to it (Health Care Facilities, Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences Tools, Health Care Distribution), plus ABT's specific themes. 25 of 55 passed at least one test.
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.56—
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.57—
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.31—
TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+11.9%19.4%0.68−54.4%+30.4%0.27—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.36—
SNYSanofi · Pharmaceuticals
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+0.6%25.3%0.15−33.5%+61.5%0.38—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,449 of 3,555 passed at least one test.
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.220.40%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.390.03%
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.57—
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.540.40%
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.45—
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.24—
TBBAT&T Inc. 5.35% GLB NTS 66 · Corporate Bonds
Similar return, lower volatility−1.7%11.3%-0.10−19.4%—0.18—
ERIEErie Indemnity Company · Property & Casualty Insurance
Smaller losses in recent crashes+6.3%31.4%0.35−60.9%+200%0.30—
What these numbers mean for ABT
Annual return
ABT lost 1.7% 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 $9,200. 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
ABT's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.1%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ABT's return lands within 23.1% 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
ABT's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.04, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ABT 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
ABT's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 39.6%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 39.6% fall takes a 65.7% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, ABT's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.39 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ABT instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ABT holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 901 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ABT 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 ABTExpense
1
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.220.40%
2
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.390.03%
3
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.57—
4
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.540.40%
5
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.45—
6
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.580.04%
7
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.530.06%
8
IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+11.7%21.8%0.62−32.7%+416%0.240.18%
9
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.440.06%
10
DFACDimensional - US Core Equity 2 ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.0%0.72−23.1%—0.440.21%
11
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.61—
12
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.52—
13
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.420.79%
14
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.340.85%
15
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.2%19.2%0.46−29.0%+68.8%0.39—
16
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+5.4%21.8%0.35−34.3%+240%0.55—
17
QUALiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+11.4%17.3%0.71−34.1%+293%0.460.15%
18
JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+7.5%11.0%0.71−13.7%—0.640.35%
19
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+202%0.660.08%
20
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+7.7%13.3%0.63−23.8%+101%0.22—
21
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.220.13%
22
IUSGiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF · US Growth Equity
Whole market+12.9%21.2%0.68−32.4%+405%0.260.04%
23
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.520.27%
24
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.430.15%
25
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.56—
26
USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+7.6%12.3%0.66−33.1%+176%0.660.15%
27
EWJiShares MSCI Japan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.2%18.8%0.57−33.1%+132%0.380.49%
28
BUFRFT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF · Buffered Equity
Whole market+9.9%10.5%0.96−13.7%—0.410.10%
29
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.40—
30
CHDChurch & Dwight Co., Inc. · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+6.1%21.1%0.39−31.7%+154%0.36—
31
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.350.40%
32
XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.8%18.9%0.78−30.5%+379%0.270.20%
33
ESGVVanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF · US ESG Equity
Whole market+11.3%18.5%0.67−33.7%—0.370.09%
34
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.500.12%
35
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+11.1%11.9%0.95−30.0%—0.600.56%
36
XLPState Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF · Consumer Staples
Whole market+7.2%13.8%0.57−24.5%+121%0.560.08%
37
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Popular alternative+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.47—
38
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.1%18.4%0.57−33.3%+276%0.530.46%
39
JAVAJPMorgan Active Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.5%14.5%0.82−16.5%——0.44%
40
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.120.09%
41
QYLDGlobal X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+8.4%15.0%0.62−24.7%+156%0.240.60%
42
DBMFiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+9.8%12.4%0.82−20.4%—-0.210.85%
43
USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.1%16.4%0.89−30.0%—0.410.12%
44
FTCSFirst Trust Capital Strength ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+6.2%13.2%0.52−31.9%+188%0.680.53%
45
VIGIVanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF · International Equity
Whole market+4.9%14.5%0.40−31.0%+122%0.640.07%
46
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.220.50%
47
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.38—
48
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.470.95%
49
OMFLInvesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+9.0%16.4%0.61−33.2%—0.460.29%
50
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.5%11.8%0.83−26.6%+188%0.380.60%
51
SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology
Whole market+15.0%19.5%0.82−30.8%—0.280.45%
52
XYLDGlobal X - S&P 500 Covered Call ETF · International
Whole market+7.4%11.2%0.70−33.4%+128%0.400.60%
53
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.530.30%
54
BCIabrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+10.1%16.7%0.66−32.7%—0.000.26%
55
ACWViShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF · International
Whole market+6.3%10.3%0.65−28.8%+116%0.710.20%
56
ACIOAptus Collared Income Opportunity ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.3%11.1%0.86−14.2%—0.380.79%
57
FTHIFirst Trust BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+10.3%13.3%0.81−32.7%+126%0.380.75%
58
SCHYSchwab International Dividend Equity ETF · International
Whole market+9.5%13.3%0.75−24.0%—0.580.08%
59
FLQLFranklin U.S. Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.8%16.3%0.88−33.6%—0.390.15%
60
FHLCFidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+7.3%15.4%0.53−28.8%+199%0.650.08%
61
XTiShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+7.3%21.2%0.44−34.4%+279%0.280.46%
62
AVIVAvantis International Large Cap Value ETF · International
Whole market+12.6%16.7%0.80−27.7%—0.530.25%
63
DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.3%16.1%0.75−33.1%—0.660.39%
64
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.130.20%
65
RLYState Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+9.9%13.3%0.78−34.2%+128%0.380.50%
66
RAAXVanEck Real Assets ETF · Commodities
Whole market+11.7%15.6%0.79−33.9%—0.330.55%
67
INFLHorizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.8%17.8%0.72−21.3%—0.470.85%
68
FDLOFidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.8%13.0%0.79−34.4%+249%0.570.15%
69
QGROAmerican Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.9%21.2%0.55−32.6%—0.430.29%
70
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.150.45%
71
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+153%0.600.36%
72
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology
Whole market+9.7%14.1%0.73−28.1%+305%0.060.65%
73
FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.9%16.9%0.75−32.1%+153%0.530.60%
74
HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.0%18.0%0.82−33.6%—0.270.50%
75
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.550.19%
76
QQEWFirst Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF · Technology
Whole market+6.8%21.3%0.42−32.1%+267%0.360.55%
77
FLSPFranklin Systematic Style Premia ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+8.4%13.4%0.68−22.9%—0.180.65%
78
SIXHETC 6 Meridian Hedged Equity Index Option ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.2%1.00−11.7%—0.540.31%
79
IDHQInvesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF · International
Whole market+10.0%17.9%0.63−33.6%+183%0.500.29%
80
QQQEDirexion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+8.1%20.7%0.48−32.1%+294%0.330.35%
81
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.520.50%
82
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.190.48%
83
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.52—
84
OUSAALPS Funds O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.4%13.4%0.74−33.1%+186%0.670.48%
85
VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.7%16.2%0.88−23.8%—0.460.49%
86
WTPIWisdomTree Equity Premium Income Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+9.1%12.2%0.78−28.4%+121%0.410.44%
87
SSUSStrategy Shares Day Hagan Smart Sector ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%15.4%0.73−23.8%—0.340.77%
88
RSPHInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+6.1%16.8%0.44−30.4%+177%0.670.40%
89
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.37—
90
SVOLSimplify Volatility Premium ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+7.6%21.8%0.44−33.5%—0.410.66%
91
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.48—
92
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+17.8%21.4%0.88−53.7%+140%0.23—
93
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+13.6%21.4%0.71−51.0%+295%0.37—
94
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+12.9%19.9%0.71−46.9%+187%0.44—
95
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.390.69%
96
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.38—
97
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.150.30%
98
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.390.26%
99
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.220.60%
100
MRSHMarsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+4.4%20.9%0.31−35.8%+245%0.67—

ABT against its popular alternatives

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

How do ABT'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 ABT, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than ABT 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%−40.0%−30.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: 12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%ICUI: −7.0% a year, volatility 40.0%DXCM: −9.2% a year, volatility 47.3%EW: −5.3% a year, volatility 32.7%PHG: −6.8% a year, volatility 38.0%PODD: −13.7% a year, volatility 44.1%BAX: −19.8% a year, volatility 34.9%ZBH: −7.2% a year, volatility 27.2%ALGN: −24.4% a year, volatility 50.0%TFX: −18.2% a year, volatility 34.5%COO: −10.4% a year, volatility 30.4%TNDM: −33.5% a year, volatility 69.0%NVO: −4.0% a year, volatility 39.1%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%RMD: −0.4% a year, volatility 31.8%ISRG: 5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%CVS: 5.3% a year, volatility 30.4%SYK: 3.2% a year, volatility 25.7%BDX: 2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%BSX: 0.5% a year, volatility 26.6%ABTSPY (S&P 500)JNJDHRICUIDXCMEWPHGPODDBAXZBHALGNTFXCOOTNDMNVOLLYTMORMDISRGCVSSYKBDXMDT0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%−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 volatilityABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: 12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%ICUI: −7.0% a year, volatility 40.0%DXCM: −9.2% a year, volatility 47.3%EW: −5.3% a year, volatility 32.7%PHG: −6.8% a year, volatility 38.0%PODD: −13.7% a year, volatility 44.1%BAX: −19.8% a year, volatility 34.9%ZBH: −7.2% a year, volatility 27.2%ALGN: −24.4% a year, volatility 50.0%TFX: −18.2% a year, volatility 34.5%COO: −10.4% a year, volatility 30.4%TNDM: −33.5% a year, volatility 69.0%NVO: −4.0% a year, volatility 39.1%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%RMD: −0.4% a year, volatility 31.8%ISRG: 5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%CVS: 5.3% a year, volatility 30.4%SYK: 3.2% a year, volatility 25.7%BDX: 2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%BSX: 0.5% a year, volatility 26.6%ABTSPY (S&P 500)JNJDHRICUIPODDBAXZBHALGNTFXCOOTNDMLLYTMOISRGCVSBDX
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
LLY Eli Lilly and Company+40.7%32.8%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson+12.7%17.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
CVS CVS Health Corp.+5.3%30.4%
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.+5.2%34.6%
SYK Stryker Corporation+3.2%25.7%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company+2.3%24.1%
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation+0.5%26.6%
RMD ResMed Inc.−0.4%31.8%
ABT This pageAbbott Laboratories−1.7%23.1%
MDT Medtronic Plc−1.8%22.5%
DHR Danaher Corporation−3.8%29.1%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S−4.0%39.1%
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation−5.3%32.7%
PHG Koninklijke Philips N.V.−6.8%38.0%
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.−7.0%40.0%
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.−7.2%27.2%
DXCM DexCom, Inc.−9.2%47.3%
COO The Cooper Companies, Inc.−10.4%30.4%
PODD Insulet Corp.−13.7%44.1%
TFX Teleflex Incorporated−18.2%34.5%
BAX Baxter International Inc.−19.8%34.9%
ALGN Align Technology, Inc.−24.4%50.0%
TNDM Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.−33.5%69.0%
Open these 25 in EasyCompare

Has ABT consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares ABT 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 ABT helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than ABT 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
ABT Abbott Laboratories (this page)—+0.3%+1.6%+8.4%−15.3%−18.7%+13.0%−8.0%+204%23.1%0.04−39.6%—$178B—
LLY QualifiedEli Lilly and Company5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+10.2%+12.1%+40.0%+19.4%+59.7%+124%+451%+1,807%32.8%1.21−34.5%—$1.2T—
TMO QualifiedThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
RMD QualifiedResMed Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+9.8%+24.0%+9.2%+1.1%−8.6%+75.3%−1.7%+331%31.8%0.15−54.0%—$35B—
ISRG QualifiedIntuitive Surgical, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+9.0%+24.0%−5.9%−22.1%−4.5%+64.1%+28.9%+478%34.6%0.32−49.9%—$155B—
JNJ QualifiedJohnson & Johnson4/5 short2/3 long−3.8%+4.8%+13.6%+27.1%+36.9%+84.6%+82.1%+196%17.9%0.76−27.4%—$625B—
CVS QualifiedCVS Health Corp.4/5 short2/3 long+8.2%−11.4%+25.6%+21.0%+18.5%+52.5%+29.2%+47.0%30.4%0.32−56.8%—$121B—
SYK Medical - DevicesStryker Corporation2/5 short2/3 long+11.4%−4.3%−9.5%−11.8%−19.2%+18.0%+17.2%+197%25.7%0.25−43.8%—$117B—
DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation5/5 short1/3 long+4.0%+11.6%+15.0%−2.2%+8.3%+10.8%−17.6%+232%29.1%0.01−43.8%—$157B—
BDX Medical - Instruments & SuppliesBecton, Dickinson and Company5/5 short1/3 long+7.2%+26.2%+23.7%+28.9%+32.3%+1.6%+12.2%+71.4%24.1%0.22−39.9%—$53B—
MDT Medical - DevicesMedtronic Plc5/5 short1/3 long+4.0%+14.5%+13.3%+1.0%+1.9%+43.6%−8.8%+46.7%22.5%0.03−45.1%—$121B—
ICUI Medical - Instruments & SuppliesICU Medical, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+3.8%+2.4%+23.4%+16.3%+37.3%+49.0%−30.5%+12.5%40.0%0.02−73.8%—$4.0B—
DXCM Medical - DevicesDexCom, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long−3.8%+13.3%+32.7%+28.9%+25.3%−0.3%−38.4%+316%47.3%0.04−66.3%—$32B—
EW Medical - DevicesEdwards Lifesciences Corporation3/5 short1/3 long−0.1%+3.9%+8.4%+3.5%+17.3%+27.1%−23.6%+125%32.7%0.01−54.3%—$51B—
PHG Medical - DevicesKoninklijke Philips N.V.3/5 short1/3 long+4.4%−2.8%−8.0%−0.2%−5.1%+65.1%−29.5%+31.7%38.0%0.00−77.9%—$25B—
BSX Medical - DevicesBoston Scientific Corporation2/5 short1/3 long+4.3%+4.1%−25.3%−51.9%−54.7%−8.9%+2.5%+98.1%26.6%0.15−61.6%—$66B—
PODD Medical - DevicesInsulet Corp.1/5 short1/3 long+1.5%−14.8%−29.0%−49.6%−56.4%−1.4%−52.2%+255%44.1%-0.12−63.0%—$9.9B—
BAX Medical - Instruments & SuppliesBaxter International Inc.5/5 short0/3 long+6.9%+11.1%+30.2%+25.9%+6.2%−20.7%−66.7%−40.7%34.9%-0.45−81.2%—$13B—
ZBH Medical - DevicesZimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+2.1%+7.3%+1.1%+7.5%−5.6%−5.5%−31.1%−16.1%27.2%-0.14−52.1%—$18B—
ALGN Medical - DevicesAlign Technology, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+2.5%−14.0%−21.5%−3.5%+11.5%−44.2%−75.3%+64.4%50.0%-0.30−82.9%—$11B—
TFX Medical - Instruments & SuppliesTeleflex Incorporated3/5 short0/3 long+5.1%−1.9%−0.1%+8.0%+1.6%−28.1%−63.4%−17.4%34.5%-0.41−76.7%—$5.6B—
GEHC Medical - DevicesGE HealthCare Technologies Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+8.4%+11.8%−5.2%−15.1%−6.8%+10.1%————−37.4%—$32B—
COO Medical - Instruments & SuppliesThe Cooper Companies, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+9.2%−17.4%−14.9%−27.1%−21.2%−27.1%−42.3%+32.5%30.4%-0.21−53.2%—$11B—
TNDM Medical - DevicesTandem Diabetes Care, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long−6.2%−8.7%−22.2%−23.3%+6.3%−14.5%−87.0%−76.4%69.0%-0.25−96.8%—$1.1B—
NVO Drug Manufacturers - GeneralNovo Nordisk A/S0/5 short0/3 long−1.1%−20.0%−1.5%−23.9%−28.5%−57.0%−18.5%+134%39.1%0.09−75.2%—$174B—
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How did ABT do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where ABT ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with ABT 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 ABT; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places ABT among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of ABT20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
ABT This pageAbbott Laboratories—+12.9%+4.8%+2.3%−20.7%+30.5%+28.1%+22.1%+29.1%+52.0%−12.3%+1.9%+20.1%+24.3%+20.3%+21.8%−8.3%+4.6%−2.5%+18.1%+26.9%−13.5%+9.2%+19.3%−26.8%+17.0%+35.8%−24.7%+51.9%+31.4%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 296 of 2510 of 2512 of 2514 of 2410 of 2410 of 2420 of 248 of 246 of 2420 of 2415 of 2415 of 2416 of 2312 of 235 of 2318 of 2322 of 232 of 2310 of 226 of 2217 of 2115 of 2114 of 2115 of 218 of 1812 of 1613 of 165 of 1611 of 16
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF15 of 29+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%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company17 of 29+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%−24.3%+29.1%+93.6%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.18 of 29+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%−11.4%−61.5%+6.7%
RMD ResMed Inc.18 of 29+6.3%+34.2%−16.5%−19.5%+23.4%+38.3%+37.8%+36.4%+39.1%+18.0%−2.3%+21.7%+15.3%+65.1%−26.7%+32.5%+39.4%−28.6%+6.8%+28.4%+50.0%+23.0%+35.9%−43.3%+35.2%+91.2%−7.9%+222%+27.2%
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.17 of 25+8.5%+54.7%+27.1%−26.2%+31.8%+38.4%+23.4%+31.2%+72.7%+16.1%+3.3%+37.7%−21.7%+5.9%+79.6%−15.0%+139%−60.7%+237%−18.2%+193%+134%+38.7%−38.6%+18.0%————
JNJ Johnson & Johnson11 of 29+47.5%−4.8%−8.6%+6.0%+11.4%+10.8%+16.2%−5.1%+24.4%+15.3%+1.2%+17.3%+34.6%+10.8%+9.9%−0.6%+11.3%−7.7%+3.6%+12.4%−3.4%+25.2%−2.0%−7.9%+14.0%+14.2%+12.5%+29.0%+34.3%
CVS CVS Health Corp.16 of 29+84.3%−40.8%−12.6%−7.6%+54.9%−5.1%+17.3%−7.0%−5.8%−17.8%+2.9%+36.5%+50.4%+20.3%+19.0%+9.1%+13.2%−27.2%+29.4%+17.7%+17.8%+25.7%+45.7%−14.9%−50.4%+51.1%−27.1%+72.6%+55.5%
SYK Stryker Corporation16 of 29−1.5%+21.3%+23.8%−7.4%+10.2%+18.2%+35.3%+2.4%+30.8%+30.7%0.0%+27.4%+39.3%+12.1%−6.1%+7.9%+26.7%−46.0%+36.2%+24.5%−7.7%+13.7%+26.8%+15.2%+15.6%+45.6%+26.6%+47.9%+25.0%
DHR Danaher Corporation19 of 29+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%−11.0%+72.4%+35.2%
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company12 of 24−12.5%−5.3%−2.7%+5.1%+1.9%−6.8%+22.2%+6.6%+31.2%+9.2%+12.6%+28.3%+44.3%+7.3%−9.7%+9.4%+17.6%−16.9%+20.7%+18.3%+7.2%+39.8%+35.6%−6.4%—————
MDT Medtronic Plc13 of 29+24.0%+0.3%+9.6%−22.6%−9.8%+5.7%+27.3%+15.2%+15.3%−5.4%+8.6%+28.1%+42.8%+10.6%+5.8%−13.8%+42.6%−36.3%−5.2%−6.3%+16.8%+2.7%+7.3%−10.3%−14.8%+66.4%−1.5%+42.1%+55.3%
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.14 of 29−8.1%+55.6%−36.7%−33.7%+10.7%+14.6%−18.5%+6.3%+46.6%+30.6%+37.7%+28.5%+4.6%+35.4%+23.3%+0.2%+10.0%−8.0%−11.5%+3.8%+43.4%−20.3%−8.1%+25.7%+47.8%+97.5%−30.7%+77.8%+57.1%
DXCM DexCom, Inc.12 of 20−14.7%−37.3%+9.6%−15.6%+45.2%+69.0%+82.6%+109%−3.9%−27.1%+48.8%+55.5%+160%+45.9%−31.7%+68.8%+193%−68.8%−10.5%−33.8%—————————
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation15 of 25+15.2%−2.9%+2.2%−42.4%+42.0%+17.3%+52.3%+35.9%+20.3%+18.6%+24.0%+93.7%−27.1%+27.6%−12.6%+86.1%+58.1%+19.6%−2.3%+13.0%+0.9%+37.0%+18.4%−7.8%+55.4%————
PHG Koninklijke Philips N.V.12 of 29+11.3%+16.4%+50.4%−54.1%−30.6%+15.6%+42.6%−4.7%+27.0%+24.7%−8.9%−18.5%+44.8%+34.0%−29.3%+7.7%+57.7%−52.1%+16.3%+22.9%+19.9%−7.3%+68.6%−38.6%−18.6%+7.9%+86.4%+13.2%+54.1%
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation13 of 29+6.8%+54.5%+24.9%+8.9%+18.2%−20.5%+28.0%+42.6%+14.6%+17.3%+39.2%+10.2%+110%+7.3%−29.5%−15.9%+16.3%−33.5%−32.3%−29.8%−31.1%−3.3%+72.9%+76.3%+76.3%−37.5%−18.4%+16.9%−23.5%
PODD Insulet Corp.10 of 18+8.9%+20.3%−26.3%+10.6%+4.1%+49.3%+116%+15.0%+83.1%−0.3%−17.9%+24.1%+74.8%+12.7%+21.5%+8.5%+85.0%−67.1%———————————
BAX Baxter International Inc.10 of 29−33.3%−22.4%−21.9%−39.6%+8.5%−3.0%+28.4%+2.9%+47.3%+17.6%−2.1%+8.4%+7.3%+38.5%+0.1%−11.6%+11.7%−6.3%+26.8%+24.8%+10.7%+15.2%+11.2%−46.8%+22.8%+56.1%−0.5%+30.3%+26.0%
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.10 of 24−14.0%−12.5%−3.8%+4.3%−17.0%+3.8%+45.4%−13.3%+17.9%+1.5%−8.8%+22.8%+41.2%+26.2%−0.5%−9.2%+46.3%−38.9%−15.6%+16.2%−15.8%+13.8%+69.6%+35.9%—————
ALGN Align Technology, Inc.12 of 24−25.1%−23.9%+29.9%−67.9%+23.0%+91.5%+33.2%−5.7%+131%+46.0%+17.8%−2.1%+106%+16.9%+21.4%+9.7%+104%−47.5%+19.4%+116%−39.8%−34.9%+498%−38.7%—————
TFX Teleflex Incorporated12 of 29−30.7%−28.2%+0.5%−23.6%−19.9%+9.8%+46.3%+4.5%+55.4%+23.7%+15.7%+23.9%+33.8%+18.9%+16.6%+2.3%+10.7%−18.6%−0.7%+1.1%+27.1%+9.5%+14.8%−8.1%+8.6%+43.6%−30.6%+22.2%+46.8%
GEHC GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.1 of 3+5.1%+1.3%+32.6%——————————————————————————
COO The Cooper Companies, Inc.15 of 29−10.8%−2.8%+14.5%−21.0%+15.4%+13.2%+26.4%+16.9%+24.7%+30.6%−17.1%+31.1%+34.2%+31.6%+25.6%+48.6%+135%−56.7%−14.2%−12.8%−27.0%+50.3%+89.4%+1.0%+26.3%+33.7%+47.0%−49.4%+137%
TNDM Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.5 of 12−39.0%+21.8%−34.2%−70.1%+57.3%+60.5%+57.0%+1,509%−89.0%−81.8%−7.0%−50.7%—————————————————
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S17 of 29−39.2%−15.9%+54.8%+22.6%+63.5%+23.3%+28.7%−11.8%+54.3%−36.6%+39.3%+16.7%+15.3%+44.0%+4.1%+79.3%+27.2%−19.8%+57.4%+51.3%+5.6%+34.6%+43.5%−27.0%+14.4%+39.0%−1.9%−7.3%+54.9%
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Risk and diversification

How ABT 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 ABT's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents ABT's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, 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 ABT fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringABT fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−45.7%−28.9%Jan 2002Jul 20026 monthsAug 20064.1 years
No named crash−43.3%+5.4%Apr 1999Jan 20009 monthsOct 20009 months
No named crash−39.6%+28.5%Mar 2025May 202614 monthsNot yet—
No named crash−34.6%—Mar 1987Nov 19878 monthsJul 198920 months
2022 bear market−33.9%−6.6%Dec 2021Oct 202322 monthsFeb 202516 months

How did ABT do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far ABT, 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 ABT.

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
ABT This pageAbbott Laboratories—−2.5%−27.9%−29.7%−11.7%−8.8%−27.4%−11.5%−0.5%−22.3%−45.7%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF3 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company7 of 10−0.6%−11.7%−16.9%−10.2%−8.6%−19.6%−10.9%0.0%−50.0%−54.3%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.4 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
RMD ResMed Inc.3 of 10−4.1%−26.6%−35.3%−15.1%−7.6%−14.4%−19.4%−3.1%−43.8%−60.0%
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.1 of 9−2.7%−47.6%−40.5%−24.3%−8.4%−14.7%−20.6%−3.8%−75.9%—
JNJ Johnson & Johnson7 of 10−1.1%−12.7%−25.4%−16.9%−8.2%−9.0%−9.8%−0.1%−34.4%−35.9%
CVS CVS Health Corp.3 of 10−4.4%−19.9%−27.3%−22.1%−9.2%−16.9%−14.2%−1.1%−45.3%−62.4%
SYK Stryker Corporation3 of 10−1.4%−31.4%−43.8%−18.8%−8.8%−15.6%−23.0%−3.8%−58.6%−26.9%
DHR Danaher Corporation4 of 10−3.2%−22.8%−25.9%−13.4%−9.8%−14.0%−21.8%−0.6%−45.7%−33.7%
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company3 of 9−2.0%−19.7%−21.8%−20.4%−10.8%−15.1%−18.3%−1.6%−34.1%—
MDT Medtronic Plc3 of 10−2.1%−27.9%−36.0%−13.8%−7.2%−17.6%−18.0%−1.5%−56.5%−44.2%
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.4 of 10−1.9%−43.5%−26.0%−24.6%−6.1%−29.8%−16.3%−4.0%−43.9%−38.6%
DXCM DexCom, Inc.1 of 9−4.4%−48.8%−36.8%−27.8%−5.1%−47.6%−33.2%−6.1%−87.0%—
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation2 of 9−3.8%−36.0%−33.2%−20.0%−6.1%−9.7%−19.4%−2.4%−31.9%—
PHG Koninklijke Philips N.V.2 of 10−1.4%−61.7%−34.5%−27.0%−8.4%−17.8%−34.1%−2.5%−68.3%−75.2%
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation4 of 10−1.2%−25.2%−40.0%−18.7%−8.0%−15.2%−24.0%−3.2%−63.5%−56.7%
PODD Insulet Corp.2 of 9−2.0%−33.2%−39.9%−31.1%−4.1%−37.2%−36.5%0.0%−89.6%—
BAX Baxter International Inc.2 of 10−3.6%−39.1%−23.0%−20.9%−8.7%−23.0%−18.6%−1.9%−31.6%−55.7%
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.4 of 90.0%−23.9%−49.6%−26.0%−8.2%−14.8%−20.3%−2.1%−62.0%—
ALGN Align Technology, Inc.1 of 9−5.9%−66.8%−50.3%−50.7%−14.2%−14.1%−40.6%−4.3%−82.6%—
TFX Teleflex Incorporated2 of 10−2.6%−47.2%−42.9%−16.7%−8.5%−10.8%−21.6%−0.5%−42.8%−29.5%
GEHC GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.0 of 1−2.2%—————————
COO The Cooper Companies, Inc.2 of 10−3.1%−41.0%−31.7%−17.4%−7.5%−31.1%−20.7%−2.6%−76.9%−28.4%
TNDM Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.0 of 6−8.0%−69.9%−47.4%−40.5%−19.5%−46.1%————
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S5 of 10−1.1%−21.4%−23.7%−13.8%−3.9%−20.8%−23.1%−1.7%−40.9%−51.0%
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How closely does ABT 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 ABT 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 ABT's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
ABT This pageAbbott Laboratories76%79%0.960.64
LLY Eli Lilly and Company101%6%15.730.37
JNJ Johnson & Johnson64%53%1.200.46
RMD ResMed Inc.91%89%1.030.56
DHR Danaher Corporation84%84%1.010.75
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
DXCM DexCom, Inc.97%97%1.001.13
PODD Insulet Corp.81%82%1.000.92
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.136%154%0.881.28
SYK Stryker Corporation82%96%0.860.88
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S75%94%0.800.60
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation88%120%0.730.97
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation76%109%0.700.72
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company53%77%0.690.48
CVS CVS Health Corp.59%99%0.600.70
MDT Medtronic Plc62%105%0.590.68
ALGN Align Technology, Inc.144%243%0.591.70
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.78%136%0.570.69
COO The Cooper Companies, Inc.78%137%0.570.85
PHG Koninklijke Philips N.V.75%134%0.560.80
TFX Teleflex Incorporated79%170%0.471.01
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.62%139%0.440.88
BAX Baxter International Inc.45%125%0.360.64
TNDM Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.35%172%0.201.00
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What diversifies ABT?

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 ABT's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing ABT 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 ABT lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% ABT and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202220162010200820052002199980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ABT Abbott Laboratories (this page)1.00−8.0%0.04−20.7%−12.3%−8.3%−2.5%−13.5%−26.8%−24.7%23.3%−1.6%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.19+225%1.34+6.0%+1.1%−1.8%−20.8%———19.3%+4.1%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.44+101%1.04+10.4%+29.8%—————20.1%+2.0%
EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF0.47+140%0.97−5.2%−1.8%−18.8%−36.8%+4.6%−13.6%−1.5%20.7%+2.9%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF-0.01+323%0.97−33.5%+35.6%+19.0%−44.7%+10.8%−47.0%—19.8%+6.7%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.49+85.0%0.96−5.1%+6.3%—————19.8%+1.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.22+126%0.96−0.8%+8.0%+29.3%+4.9%+17.8%——19.7%+2.6%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.22+136%0.93−10.4%+7.4%—————20.0%+3.3%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.21+177%0.93+64.4%+28.0%+21.9%−39.0%+40.1%−14.8%+18.1%20.4%+3.7%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202220162010200820052002199980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ABT Abbott Laboratories (this page)1.00−8.0%0.04−20.7%−12.3%−8.3%−2.5%−13.5%−26.8%−24.7%23.3%−1.6%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.36+479%1.55+54.1%−17.5%+21.4%−39.6%+18.7%−8.3%−36.8%21.1%+5.9%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.-0.01+3,143%1.47+1.3%+7.4%+2.8%−20.5%−25.2%−65.1%+350%21.9%+18.2%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.02+1,636%1.46+17.0%+18.3%+8.7%−15.2%+20.1%−9.4%−58.7%20.8%+14.4%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.39+413%1.44+51.8%−28.3%+13.8%−40.4%+64.9%−27.2%−71.3%21.2%+5.4%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.19+690%1.41+86.6%+0.7%—————20.9%+8.0%
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Common questions

What was ABT's worst drawdown?

ABT's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 45.7%, from January to July 2002. It took about four years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were ABT's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, ABT's best year was 2017, when it returned 52.0%. Its worst was 2002, with a return of -26.8%.

Is there a better investment than ABT?

Among ABT's popular alternatives, JNJ earned more than ABT with less volatility over the past 5 years: 12.7% a year at 17.9% volatility, against a loss of 1.7% a year at 23.1%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, NVS (pharmaceuticals) and TAK (pharmaceuticals) earned more than ABT with less volatility over the past 5 years. NVS returned 17.1% a year at 20.7% volatility, against a loss of 1.7% a year at 23.1%.

Is ABT more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ABT's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.1%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ABT's return lands within 23.1% 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 ABT's Sharpe ratio?

ABT's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.04, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ABT 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 ABT with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, ABT's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.39 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ABT instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ABT holding.

What are the best alternatives to ABT?

Of the 24 popular alternatives we compared, six outperformed ABT in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: LLY, TMO and RMD.

Did ABT outperform the S&P 500?

ABT finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 14 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +12.9%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did ABT do in stock market crashes?

ABT fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in seven of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in three. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when ABT fell 22.3% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies ABT?

These had a low correlation with ABT over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.19), EMLP (correlation 0.44) and EWP (correlation 0.47); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.36), CLS (correlation -0.01) and FIX (correlation 0.02). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

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Popular alternatives to ABT