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Relative Intelligence · IT Services

How Accenture (ACN) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on ACN alone. It places ACN (Accenture plc) 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 ACN stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: ACN's full trading record, from July 2001 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. 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 ACN →Chart ACN vs. 21 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ACN over the past 25 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ACN over the same span and ACN'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 2001 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. 331 of the 1,326 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ACN; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M2001200520092013201720212025$10,000$100,000$1M20012007201320192025
  • FFIV$959,412+9,494% total · +20.0% a year
  • CTSH$706,732+6,967% total · +18.6% a year
  • MSFT$328,610+3,186% total · +15.0% a year
  • CTAS$263,571+2,536% total · +14.0% a year
  • CACI$222,873+2,129% total · +13.2% a year
  • ACN$215,030+2,050% total · +13.1% a year
  • ORCL$137,478+1,275% total · +11.1% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$114,557+1,046% total · +10.2% a year
  • SAP$113,867+1,039% total · +10.2% a year
  • IBM$48,569+386% total · +6.5% 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. 3,106 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ACN; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000202120222023202420252026$0$10,000$20,000$30,000202120222023202420252026
  • CACI$23,239+132% total · +18.4% a year
  • IBM$20,049+100% total · +14.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • MSFT$18,958+89.6% total · +13.6% a year
  • SAP$16,715+67.2% total · +10.8% a year
  • SAIC$15,988+59.9% total · +9.8% a year
  • EXLS$13,964+39.6% total · +6.9% a year
  • NOW$10,768+7.7% total · +1.5% a year
  • CRM$8,626−13.7% total · −2.9% a year
  • ACN$6,304−37.0% total · −8.8% a year
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ACN 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
$146B
Industry
Information Technology Services
Price history from
July 2001

Returns

Past 1 year
+2.2%total return
Past 3 years
−13.6%−4.7% a year
Past 5 years
−23.6%−5.2% a year
Past 10 years
+146%+9.4% a year
Best calendar year
+60.7%2021
Worst calendar year
−34.8%2022
Losing years
6 of 24full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
32.7%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.00return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−67.8%Feb 2025 to Jun 2026
From its all-time high
−36.8%below the peak

ACN against the whole market

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

How does ACN rank among all stocks?

This section ranks ACN 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 ACN 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.

MeasureACNRankStanding
1-year return+2.2%1,902 of 3,287bottom 43%
3-year return−13.6%2,513 of 3,017bottom 18%
5-year return−23.6%2,060 of 2,893bottom 30%
10-year return+146%1,095 of 2,202top 50%
Volatility, 5 years32.7%974 of 2,893top 34%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.002,345 of 2,893bottom 20%
Worst decline, past 10 years−67.8%1,209 of 2,187bottom 46%

What has beaten ACN 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). ACN sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ACN 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 ACN; faint dots are 88 more of the 1,650 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 ACNPM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%MET: +12.0% a year, volatility 25.4%ELV: +2.2% a year, volatility 29.4%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%HMC: +6.1% a year, volatility 27.5%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%KDP: +2.5% a year, volatility 22.1%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%AIZ: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.3%SEIC: +12.7% a year, volatility 22.3%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%SJM: +4.8% a year, volatility 25.1%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%MSM: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.1%VOYA: +8.8% a year, volatility 28.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SXT: +9.3% a year, volatility 30.3%CHE: +3.4% a year, volatility 25.3%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%IVW: +13.1% a year, volatility 21.5%HACK: +12.6% a year, volatility 25.8%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%OFG: +19.5% a year, volatility 28.7%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%CNXN: +15.8% a year, volatility 29.2%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%CASY: +29.9% a year, volatility 29.3%ABM: +5.0% a year, volatility 31.0%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%HBT: +18.9% a year, volatility 28.7%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%IOSP: +4.4% a year, volatility 26.5%BUG: +7.1% a year, volatility 30.4%IGPT: +14.3% a year, volatility 30.1%XEL: +6.5% a year, volatility 20.9%SHO: +2.8% a year, volatility 30.1%SAFT: +10.6% a year, volatility 28.5%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%OEF: +14.3% a year, volatility 17.8%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%WEC: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.0%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%AEE: +7.9% a year, volatility 19.4%IHF: +3.1% a year, volatility 19.3%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%RSPH: +6.1% a year, volatility 16.8%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%HSTM: +3.9% a year, volatility 29.4%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%FTCS: +6.2% a year, volatility 13.2%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%RLI: +8.1% a year, volatility 23.9%NIC: +19.0% a year, volatility 30.1%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%AOA: +8.6% a year, volatility 13.1%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%CWB: +3.7% a year, volatility 13.7%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%PWB: +14.8% a year, volatility 22.2%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%GLTR: +14.9% a year, volatility 24.6%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%ACN: −5.2% a year, volatility 32.7%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%SAIC: +9.9% a year, volatility 30.7%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%CACI: +16.6% a year, volatility 29.9%EXLS: +10.6% a year, volatility 32.6%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%FFIV: +17.1% a year, volatility 30.8%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%DBX: +3.9% a year, volatility 34.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%RCBC: +14.6% a year, volatility 27.2%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%SOJE: −4.3% a year, volatility 14.1%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ACNSPY (S&P 500)MSFTSAICIBMCACIADPCIBRDBXCSCOCTASNHCABBVLLYEWTGLDSOJECAH−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 ACNPM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%MET: +12.0% a year, volatility 25.4%ELV: +2.2% a year, volatility 29.4%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%HMC: +6.1% a year, volatility 27.5%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%KDP: +2.5% a year, volatility 22.1%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%AIZ: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.3%SEIC: +12.7% a year, volatility 22.3%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%SJM: +4.8% a year, volatility 25.1%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%MSM: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.1%VOYA: +8.8% a year, volatility 28.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SXT: +9.3% a year, volatility 30.3%CHE: +3.4% a year, volatility 25.3%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%IVW: +13.1% a year, volatility 21.5%HACK: +12.6% a year, volatility 25.8%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%OFG: +19.5% a year, volatility 28.7%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%CNXN: +15.8% a year, volatility 29.2%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%CASY: +29.9% a year, volatility 29.3%ABM: +5.0% a year, volatility 31.0%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%HBT: +18.9% a year, volatility 28.7%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%IOSP: +4.4% a year, volatility 26.5%BUG: +7.1% a year, volatility 30.4%IGPT: +14.3% a year, volatility 30.1%XEL: +6.5% a year, volatility 20.9%SHO: +2.8% a year, volatility 30.1%SAFT: +10.6% a year, volatility 28.5%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%OEF: +14.3% a year, volatility 17.8%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%WEC: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.0%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%AEE: +7.9% a year, volatility 19.4%IHF: +3.1% a year, volatility 19.3%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%RSPH: +6.1% a year, volatility 16.8%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%HSTM: +3.9% a year, volatility 29.4%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%FTCS: +6.2% a year, volatility 13.2%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%RLI: +8.1% a year, volatility 23.9%NIC: +19.0% a year, volatility 30.1%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%AOA: +8.6% a year, volatility 13.1%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%CWB: +3.7% a year, volatility 13.7%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%PWB: +14.8% a year, volatility 22.2%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%GLTR: +14.9% a year, volatility 24.6%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%ACN: −5.2% a year, volatility 32.7%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%SAIC: +9.9% a year, volatility 30.7%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%CACI: +16.6% a year, volatility 29.9%EXLS: +10.6% a year, volatility 32.6%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%FFIV: +17.1% a year, volatility 30.8%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%DBX: +3.9% a year, volatility 34.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%RCBC: +14.6% a year, volatility 27.2%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%SOJE: −4.3% a year, volatility 14.1%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ACNSPY (S&P 500)SAICIBMCACIADPDBXCTASNHCABBVLLYEWTSOJECAH
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than ACN?

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

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

Screen the whole market against ACN 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 ACN?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
ACNAccenture plc · this page
−5.2%32.7%0.00−67.8%+146%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.500.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ACN. 10 of 21 passed at least one test.
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.67—
SAICScience Applications International Corporation · Business Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+9.9%30.7%0.46−45.9%+135%0.22—
IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation · IT Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+16.6%30.5%0.66−41.1%+151%0.29—
SAPSAP SE · Enterprise Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+11.5%30.0%0.52−52.5%+205%0.69—
CACICACI International Inc · Business Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+16.6%29.9%0.66−42.9%+499%0.28—
EXLSExlService Holdings, Inc. · IT Services
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+10.6%32.6%0.47−51.3%+327%0.67—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in IT Services and the categories next to it (Business Services, Enterprise Software, Software, E-Commerce), plus ACN's specific themes. 42 of 102 passed at least one test.
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.63—
FFIVF5, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.1%30.8%0.67−54.6%+287%0.34—
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%0.460.58%
DBXDropbox, Inc. · Application Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+3.9%34.4%0.29−62.6%—0.42—
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment · Cybersecurity theme
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.32—
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.55—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 2,169 of 3,511 passed at least one test.
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.12—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.03—
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.39—
RCBCRiver City Bank · Banks - Regional
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.6%27.2%0.64−45.5%+345%0.14—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.11—
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.060.59%
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.180.40%
SOJESouthern Company (The) Series 2 · Junior Subordinated Debt
Similar return, lower volatility−4.3%14.1%-0.24−30.4%—0.29—
What these numbers mean for ACN
Annual return
ACN lost 5.2% 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 $7,640. 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
ACN's volatility over the past 5 years was 32.7%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ACN's return lands within 32.7% 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
ACN's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was -0.00, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ACN 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
ACN's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 67.8%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 67.8% fall takes a 210% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, ACN's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.50 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 ACN instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ACN holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,650 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ACN 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 ACNExpense
1
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Whole market+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.12—
2
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.03—
3
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.39—
4
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.11—
5
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.07—
6
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.17—
7
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.12—
8
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.52—
9
RCBCRiver City Bank · Banks - Regional
Whole market+14.6%27.2%0.64−45.5%+345%0.14—
10
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.23—
11
METMetLife, Inc. · Life Insurance
Whole market+12.0%25.4%0.58−55.2%+240%0.30—
12
ELVElevance Health Inc. · Managed Health Care
Whole market+2.2%29.4%0.23−50.4%+307%0.21—
13
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.00—
14
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.3%23.8%0.65−49.7%—0.20—
15
HMCHonda Motor Co., Ltd. · Automobiles
Whole market+6.1%27.5%0.35−42.0%+63.3%0.26—
16
AAgilent Technologies, Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.6%30.6%0.24−43.2%+306%0.48—
17
KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+2.5%22.1%0.23−36.9%+281%-0.05—
18
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+12.0%27.1%0.56−35.6%+349%0.44—
19
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.060.59%
20
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Popular alternative+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.67—
21
AIZAssurant, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+13.3%25.3%0.62−44.6%+312%0.18—
22
SEICSEI Investments Company · Asset Management
Whole market+12.7%22.3%0.65−51.8%+168%0.52—
23
NEUNewMarket Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−40.7%+165%0.24—
24
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.180.40%
25
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+14.4%22.9%0.70−40.1%+291%-0.03—
26
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.10—
27
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Same or nearby category+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.63—
28
SJMThe J. M. Smucker Company · Packaged Foods
Whole market+4.8%25.1%0.32−38.1%+37.2%0.08—
29
FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology
Whole market+21.8%24.3%0.94−38.0%—0.060.19%
30
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.060.09%
31
MSMMSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+13.3%25.1%0.63−48.2%+184%0.21—
32
VOYAVoya Financial, Inc. · Retirement Services
Whole market+8.8%28.9%0.44−52.1%+253%0.20—
33
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.470.04%
34
FFIVF5, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Same or nearby category+17.1%30.8%0.67−54.6%+287%0.34—
35
SXTSensient Technologies Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+9.3%30.3%0.44−50.6%+133%0.04—
36
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Same or nearby category+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.460.58%
37
CHEChemed Corporation · Health Care Services
Whole market+3.4%25.3%0.26−42.9%+273%0.36—
38
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.13—
39
IVWiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%21.5%0.68−32.7%+413%0.460.18%
40
HACKAmplify Cybersecurity ETF · Technology
Whole market+12.6%25.8%0.59−38.7%+373%0.420.60%
41
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.15—
42
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%-0.09—
43
OFGOFG Bancorp · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.5%28.7%0.77−61.2%+580%0.18—
44
FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Healthcare
Whole market+10.8%22.2%0.58−33.3%+203%0.280.55%
45
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.24—
46
CNXNPC Connection, Inc. · Technology Distributors
Whole market+15.8%29.2%0.65−41.8%+277%0.37—
47
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.150.20%
48
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.05—
49
CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores
Whole market+29.9%29.3%1.04−36.1%+537%0.05—
50
ABMABM Industries Inc. · Specialty Business Services
Whole market+5.0%31.0%0.31−52.0%+66.3%0.15—
51
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.45—
52
HBTHBT Financial, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+18.9%28.7%0.75−54.0%—0.24—
53
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+14.9%18.4%0.85−32.9%+194%0.18—
54
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.380.61%
55
SAICScience Applications International Corporation · Business Services
Popular alternative+9.9%30.7%0.46−45.9%+135%0.22—
56
IOSPInnospec Inc. · Chemicals - Specialty
Whole market+4.4%26.5%0.29−48.4%+85.1%0.41—
57
BUGGlobal X - Cybersecurity ETF · Technology
Whole market+7.1%30.4%0.38−41.7%—0.370.50%
58
IGPTInvesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF · Technology
Whole market+14.3%30.1%0.60−50.1%+525%0.130.57%
59
XELXcel Energy Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+6.5%20.9%0.41−34.4%+156%-0.04—
60
SHOSunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. · REIT - Hotel & Motel
Whole market+2.8%30.1%0.24−55.9%+30.3%0.27—
61
SAFTSafety Insurance Group, Inc. · Insurance - Property & Casualty
Whole market+10.6%28.5%0.49−32.8%+138%0.41—
62
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+6.1%20.0%0.40−31.6%+270%0.18—
63
OEFiShares S&P 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+14.3%17.8%0.84−31.4%+367%0.520.20%
64
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.1%20.3%0.80−30.9%+158%0.00—
65
WECWEC Energy Group, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.2%19.0%0.46−32.3%+159%0.03—
66
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+12.0%16.7%0.76−31.6%+300%0.280.20%
67
AEEAmeren Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.9%19.4%0.49−29.1%+192%0.01—
68
IHFiShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+3.1%19.3%0.26−35.2%+171%0.210.37%
69
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.480.03%
70
RSPHInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+6.1%16.8%0.44−30.4%+177%0.430.40%
71
CHDChurch & Dwight Co., Inc. · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+6.1%21.1%0.39−31.7%+154%0.17—
72
HSTMHealthStream, Inc. · Medical - Healthcare Information Services
Whole market+3.9%29.4%0.28−42.7%+32.0%0.17—
73
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.17—
74
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.14—
75
QYLDGlobal X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+8.4%15.0%0.62−24.7%+156%0.380.60%
76
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.30—
77
FTCSFirst Trust Capital Strength ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+6.2%13.2%0.52−31.9%+188%0.540.53%
78
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+33.1%25.9%1.24−62.3%+319%0.13—
79
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.130.48%
80
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.260.40%
81
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.540.95%
82
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.5%11.8%0.83−26.6%+188%0.380.60%
83
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.17—
84
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.430.69%
85
CVXChevron Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+19.5%25.2%0.84−55.8%+238%0.30—
86
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.38—
87
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.290.05%
88
RLIRLI Corp. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+8.1%23.9%0.45−43.5%+206%0.10—
89
NICNicolet Bankshares, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.0%30.1%0.73−44.3%+344%0.10—
90
MUFGMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.2%29.4%1.13−54.9%+483%0.12—
91
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.50—
92
AOAiShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+8.6%13.1%0.69−28.4%+165%0.430.19%
93
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.050.30%
94
CWBState Street SPDR Bloomberg Convertible Securities ETF · Corporate Bonds
Whole market+3.7%13.7%0.34−32.1%+178%0.240.40%
95
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.17—
96
PWBInvesco Large Cap Growth ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.8%22.2%0.74−32.4%+409%0.290.55%
97
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.10—
98
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.360.03%
99
GLTRabrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+14.9%24.6%0.69−37.9%+191%0.180.60%
100
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%0.15—

ACN against its popular alternatives

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

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

Green points earned more than ACN 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%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityACN: −5.2% a year, volatility 32.7%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: 12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%SAIC: 9.9% a year, volatility 30.7%CACI: 16.6% a year, volatility 29.9%EXLS: 10.6% a year, volatility 32.6%SAP: 11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%LDOS: 6.3% a year, volatility 27.8%IBM: 16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%CTSH: −1.3% a year, volatility 30.2%G: −3.9% a year, volatility 30.3%TASK: −27.5% a year, volatility 65.2%WIT: −14.8% a year, volatility 33.2%KD: −19.4% a year, volatility 58.1%DXC: −15.9% a year, volatility 47.2%EPAM: −26.9% a year, volatility 56.1%GLOB: −33.0% a year, volatility 53.1%HCKT: −8.7% a year, volatility 35.0%CNXC: −29.3% a year, volatility 51.9%NOW: 1.9% a year, volatility 45.5%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%ORCL: 7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%INFY: −9.6% a year, volatility 29.8%ACNSPY (S&P 500)MSFTSAICCACILDOSIBMCTSHGTASKWITKDDXCEPAMGLOBHCKTCNXCNOWCRMORCLINFY10.0%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%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityACN: −5.2% a year, volatility 32.7%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: 12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%SAIC: 9.9% a year, volatility 30.7%CACI: 16.6% a year, volatility 29.9%EXLS: 10.6% a year, volatility 32.6%SAP: 11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%LDOS: 6.3% a year, volatility 27.8%IBM: 16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%CTSH: −1.3% a year, volatility 30.2%G: −3.9% a year, volatility 30.3%TASK: −27.5% a year, volatility 65.2%WIT: −14.8% a year, volatility 33.2%KD: −19.4% a year, volatility 58.1%DXC: −15.9% a year, volatility 47.2%EPAM: −26.9% a year, volatility 56.1%GLOB: −33.0% a year, volatility 53.1%HCKT: −8.7% a year, volatility 35.0%CNXC: −29.3% a year, volatility 51.9%NOW: 1.9% a year, volatility 45.5%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%ORCL: 7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%INFY: −9.6% a year, volatility 29.8%ACNSPY (S&P 500)SAICCACILDOSIBMCTSHGTASKWITKDDXCEPAMGLOBHCKTNOWCRMORCLINFY
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
IBM International Business Machines Corporation+16.6%30.5%
CACI CACI International Inc+16.6%29.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation+12.5%28.2%
SAP SAP SE+11.5%30.0%
EXLS ExlService Holdings, Inc.+10.6%32.6%
SAIC Science Applications International Corporation+9.9%30.7%
ORCL Oracle Corporation+7.7%44.3%
LDOS Leidos Holdings, Inc.+6.3%27.8%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.+1.9%45.5%
CTSH Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation−1.3%30.2%
CRM Salesforce, Inc.−3.2%39.4%
G Genpact Limited−3.9%30.3%
ACN This pageAccenture plc−5.2%32.7%
HCKT The Hackett Group, Inc.−8.7%35.0%
INFY Infosys Limited−9.6%29.8%
WIT Wipro Limited−14.8%33.2%
DXC DXC Technology Company−15.9%47.2%
KD Kyndryl Holdings, Inc.−19.4%58.1%
EPAM EPAM Systems, Inc.−26.9%56.1%
TASK TaskUs, Inc.−27.5%65.2%
CNXC Concentrix Corporation−29.3%51.9%
GLOB Globant S.A.−33.0%53.1%
Open these 23 in EasyCompare

Has ACN consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than ACN 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
ACN Accenture plc (this page)—+29.5%+66.5%+25.1%−4.8%+2.2%−13.6%−23.6%+146%32.7%0.00−67.8%—$146B—
MSFT QualifiedMicrosoft Corporation3/5 short3/3 long+6.0%+32.5%+27.7%+13.2%+3.8%+66.6%+80.3%+946%28.2%0.56−37.1%—$3.9T—
SAIC QualifiedScience Applications International Corporation3/5 short2/3 long+1.6%+20.3%+43.5%+35.3%+37.6%+27.6%+60.1%+135%30.7%0.46−45.9%—$5.7B—
NOW Software - ApplicationServiceNow, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+8.6%+42.8%+50.0%+1.4%−18.5%+37.8%+9.8%+848%45.5%0.27−64.5%—$155B—
CACI Information Technology ServicesCACI International Inc2/5 short3/3 long−4.0%+34.7%+16.4%+13.1%+15.4%+85.8%+115%+499%29.9%0.66−42.9%—$13B—
EXLS Information Technology ServicesExlService Holdings, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+15.9%+44.9%+28.5%−0.8%+0.4%+52.7%+65.2%+327%32.6%0.47−51.3%—$6.2B—
CRM Software - ApplicationSalesforce, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+2.5%+39.7%+30.7%−3.8%−3.9%+21.3%−14.8%+240%39.4%0.12−58.7%—$200B—
SAP Software - ApplicationSAP SE2/5 short3/3 long+9.4%+44.6%+29.6%−2.1%−16.6%+81.3%+72.6%+205%30.0%0.52−52.5%—$267B—
ORCL Software - InfrastructureOracle Corporation0/5 short3/3 long−11.4%+8.4%−25.6%−32.1%−52.1%+33.3%+45.1%+300%44.3%0.38−64.6%—$396B—
LDOS Information Technology ServicesLeidos Holdings, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−0.4%+19.7%−17.0%−29.8%−32.2%+42.4%+35.6%+253%27.8%0.36−49.5%—$16B—
IBM Information Technology ServicesInternational Business Machines Corporation0/5 short3/3 long+4.3%+14.4%−3.3%−15.3%−12.5%+93.5%+116%+151%30.5%0.66−41.1%—$228B—
CTSH Information Technology ServicesCognizant Technology Solutions Corporation1/5 short2/3 long+14.8%+53.6%+14.6%−14.6%+4.5%+9.5%−6.2%+56.3%30.2%0.11−56.1%—$31B—
G Information Technology ServicesGenpact Limited0/5 short2/3 long+13.6%+27.0%+6.8%−14.3%−1.0%+15.5%−18.1%+85.4%30.3%0.02−49.5%—$6.6B—
TASK Information Technology ServicesTaskUs, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long−2.7%+44.7%+16.5%+13.2%−4.3%+44.9%−79.9%—65.2%-0.17−91.6%—$772M—
WIT Information Technology ServicesWipro Limited0/5 short1/3 long+22.8%+12.0%−3.3%−29.1%−21.5%−6.4%−55.1%+19.9%33.2%-0.32−65.4%—$20B—
KD Information Technology ServicesKyndryl Holdings, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long+13.9%+13.7%−5.1%−45.5%−50.3%−5.1%−65.9%—58.1%-0.05−79.8%—$3.0B—
DXC Information Technology ServicesDXC Technology Company3/5 short0/3 long+34.3%+56.8%+9.9%+3.9%+12.6%−28.0%−58.0%−67.7%47.2%-0.13−92.0%—$2.3B—
INFY Information Technology ServicesInfosys Limited0/5 short0/3 long+16.3%+11.9%−9.0%−28.7%−22.4%−18.0%−39.8%+110%29.8%-0.19−54.4%—$52B—
EPAM Information Technology ServicesEPAM Systems, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+15.5%+46.2%−0.9%−34.8%−9.9%−41.5%−79.2%+103%56.1%-0.26−89.4%—$6.7B—
GLOB Information Technology ServicesGlobant S.A.0/5 short0/3 long+16.2%+29.0%−17.7%−34.0%−28.3%−76.9%−86.5%−5.9%53.1%-0.48−92.2%—$1.8B—
HCKT Information Technology ServicesThe Hackett Group, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+15.2%+16.9%−14.3%−37.5%−34.6%−43.1%−36.7%−8.5%35.0%-0.08−70.5%—$295M—
CNXC Information Technology ServicesConcentrix Corporation0/5 short0/3 long+6.2%+22.7%−0.7%−26.2%−32.1%−58.4%−82.3%—51.9%-0.42−88.9%—$1.8B—
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How did ACN do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2002, along with where ACN ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with ACN 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 ACN; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places ACN among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of ACN202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002
ACN This pageAccenture plc—−22.1%+1.9%+33.6%−34.8%+60.7%+26.0%+51.2%−6.2%+33.3%+14.3%+20.8%+11.4%+26.6%+27.7%+12.0%+19.1%+29.0%−7.5%−1.4%+29.3%+8.3%+2.6%+46.3%−33.2%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 3 of 2416 of 2217 of 228 of 2215 of 225 of 209 of 198 of 1911 of 197 of 197 of 1911 of 1910 of 1812 of 175 of 152 of 157 of 1512 of 153 of 159 of 145 of 124 of 1210 of 114 of 118 of 11
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF9 of 24+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%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation16 of 24+15.6%+12.9%+58.2%−28.0%+52.5%+42.5%+57.6%+20.8%+40.8%+15.1%+22.7%+27.5%+44.3%+5.8%−4.5%−6.5%+60.5%−44.4%+20.8%+15.8%−1.0%+9.2%+6.2%−22.0%
SAIC Science Applications International Corporation4 of 12−8.7%−9.0%+13.6%+34.9%−10.2%+10.8%+39.1%−15.5%−8.2%+89.5%−5.3%+54.0%————————————
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.9 of 13−27.8%+50.0%+82.0%−40.2%+17.9%+95.0%+58.6%+36.5%+75.4%−14.1%+27.6%+21.2%+86.4%———————————
CACI CACI International Inc11 of 24+31.9%+24.8%+7.7%+11.7%+8.0%−0.3%+73.6%+8.8%+6.5%+34.0%+7.7%+17.7%+33.1%−1.6%+4.7%+9.3%+8.3%+0.7%−20.8%−1.5%−15.8%+40.1%+36.4%−9.8%
EXLS ExlService Holdings, Inc.7 of 19−4.4%+43.9%−9.0%+17.1%+70.0%+22.6%+32.0%−12.8%+19.6%+12.2%+56.6%+4.0%+4.2%+18.6%+4.0%+18.5%+112%−63.0%+9.7%—————
CRM Salesforce, Inc.13 of 21−20.2%+27.8%+98.5%−47.8%+14.2%+36.8%+18.7%+34.0%+49.3%−12.7%+32.2%+7.5%+31.3%+65.8%−23.2%+79.0%+130%−49.0%+72.0%+13.7%+88.9%———
SAP SAP SE8 of 24−0.4%+61.3%+52.3%−24.2%+9.2%−1.3%+36.4%−10.0%+31.7%+11.1%+15.3%−18.6%+10.0%+55.8%+6.0%+9.8%+31.4%−28.0%−2.6%+18.7%+2.8%+7.0%+114%−38.7%
ORCL Oracle Corporation12 of 24+18.1%+60.0%+30.9%−4.7%+36.9%+24.3%+19.4%−3.0%+24.9%+6.9%−17.6%+19.0%+15.7%+31.8%−17.5%+28.6%+39.4%−21.4%+31.7%+40.4%−11.0%+3.6%+22.6%−21.8%
LDOS Leidos Holdings, Inc.9 of 19+26.5%+34.5%+4.5%+20.0%−14.2%+8.9%+88.8%−16.7%+28.4%+27.0%+35.0%−3.2%+64.2%−5.3%−22.5%−16.3%−2.8%−3.2%+13.1%—————
IBM International Business Machines Corporation8 of 24+38.2%+39.3%+21.9%+10.6%+16.6%−1.2%+23.6%−22.6%−4.9%+25.2%−11.4%−12.4%−0.2%+5.9%+27.4%+14.2%+58.7%−20.8%+12.8%+19.8%−15.8%+7.2%+20.5%−35.4%
CTSH Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation11 of 24+9.7%+3.5%+34.4%−34.5%+9.6%+33.9%−1.1%−9.7%+27.6%−6.7%+14.0%+4.3%+36.7%+14.8%−12.2%+61.7%+151%−46.8%−12.0%+53.4%+18.9%+85.3%+89.7%+75.8%
G Genpact Limited6 of 18+10.5%+25.8%−24.0%−11.7%+29.5%−0.9%+57.6%−14.1%+31.6%−2.6%+32.0%+3.0%+18.6%+17.8%−1.6%+2.1%+81.4%−46.1%——————
TASK TaskUs, Inc.1 of 4−30.4%+29.6%−22.6%−68.7%————————————————————
WIT Wipro Limited11 of 24−16.6%+27.7%+20.0%−51.9%+73.1%+50.9%−1.7%−5.8%+13.2%−15.2%+3.7%−9.5%+68.0%−3.9%−26.1%+23.9%+195%−40.5%+2.9%+49.3%+2.8%+77.0%+45.3%−7.7%
KD Kyndryl Holdings, Inc.2 of 4−23.2%+66.5%+86.9%−38.6%————————————————————
DXC DXC Technology Company10 of 24−26.7%−12.6%−13.7%−17.7%+25.0%−30.1%−27.9%−43.5%+85.7%+84.0%+24.9%+14.5%+41.7%+73.4%−51.1%−12.8%+63.7%−29.0%−7.3%+5.4%−10.2%+27.5%+28.4%−29.6%
INFY Infosys Limited13 of 24−16.4%+23.1%+4.8%−27.3%+51.9%+68.3%+11.8%+21.8%+12.3%−9.6%+9.0%+13.6%+36.3%−15.8%−31.7%+40.4%+128%−45.0%−16.2%+36.9%+17.2%+47.6%+38.1%+11.7%
EPAM EPAM Systems, Inc.9 of 13−12.4%−21.4%−9.3%−51.0%+86.5%+68.9%+82.9%+8.0%+67.0%−18.2%+64.6%+36.7%+93.0%———————————
GLOB Globant S.A.6 of 11−69.5%−9.9%+41.5%−46.5%+44.3%+105%+88.3%+21.2%+39.3%−11.1%+140%—————————————
HCKT The Hackett Group, Inc.9 of 24−34.7%+37.3%+14.2%+1.5%+45.9%−8.8%+3.1%+4.0%−9.3%+11.9%+86.6%+43.3%+47.8%+17.2%+6.6%+26.1%−4.7%−39.7%+57.6%−27.7%−8.8%−15.8%+122%−61.8%
CNXC Concentrix Corporation3 of 5−1.4%−55.0%−25.4%−24.9%+81.2%———————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How ACN 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 ACN's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents ACN's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2001, 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 ACN fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringACN fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−67.8%+25.7%Feb 2025Jun 202616 monthsNot yet—
Dot-com bust−59.2%−30.3%Mar 2002Oct 20027 monthsJan 20063.3 years
2022 bear market−39.7%−17.2%Dec 2021Mar 202315 monthsFeb 202523 months
2008 financial crisis−37.5%−42.5%Jul 2007Apr 200921 monthsDec 20098 months
Covid crash−33.5%−33.7%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthJun 20203 months

How did ACN do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far ACN, 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.

Note: ACN began trading on July 19, 2001, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

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

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
ACN This pageAccenture plc—−4.7%−37.3%−33.5%−22.6%−4.1%−14.9%−22.7%−1.9%−35.7%Not yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF5 of 9−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation6 of 9−2.0%−31.0%−27.7%−18.2%−7.4%−14.4%−14.1%−2.6%−57.9%−62.9%
SAIC Science Applications International Corporation2 of 6−2.6%−15.4%−45.9%−27.7%−9.3%−24.1%————
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.2 of 6−7.2%−39.9%−28.8%−20.6%−8.5%−47.6%————
CACI CACI International Inc5 of 9−3.4%−18.9%−41.4%−26.0%−3.0%−21.9%−24.0%0.0%−30.0%−43.5%
EXLS ExlService Holdings, Inc.4 of 9−5.4%−21.3%−46.2%−26.4%−5.6%−13.3%−18.9%0.0%−80.9%—
CRM Salesforce, Inc.0 of 9−5.3%−42.7%−35.7%−24.8%−6.1%−34.2%−26.9%−4.2%−70.5%—
SAP SAP SE4 of 9−2.0%−41.9%−32.6%−25.0%−6.9%−13.3%−25.0%−1.4%−49.6%−87.9%
ORCL Oracle Corporation3 of 9−5.0%−31.0%−28.3%−17.2%−6.6%−16.1%−23.9%−2.1%−41.1%−84.2%
LDOS Leidos Holdings, Inc.4 of 9−1.9%−19.8%−40.9%−27.2%−6.4%−30.5%−31.7%0.0%−20.9%—
IBM International Business Machines Corporation3 of 9−2.0%−16.7%−37.3%−29.1%−6.3%−23.3%−14.6%−1.5%−44.3%−58.3%
CTSH Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation1 of 9−5.8%−38.6%−40.6%−22.4%−3.2%−25.3%−26.7%−2.5%−65.5%−71.3%
G Genpact Limited3 of 9−4.9%−28.0%−48.4%−15.9%−5.6%−9.9%−22.3%−2.9%−61.7%—
TASK TaskUs, Inc.0 of 2−11.5%−72.4%————————
WIT Wipro Limited2 of 9−2.6%−52.6%−33.0%−8.6%−6.8%−14.6%−29.6%−1.5%−66.0%—
KD Kyndryl Holdings, Inc.0 of 2−7.1%−56.2%————————
DXC DXC Technology Company1 of 9−11.2%−39.9%−69.4%−47.9%−7.0%−18.1%−30.9%−1.4%−58.8%−74.6%
INFY Infosys Limited3 of 9−4.9%−35.9%−39.1%−12.7%−3.6%−17.3%−25.9%−0.6%−60.9%−90.0%
EPAM EPAM Systems, Inc.0 of 6−8.5%−71.8%−33.3%−23.1%−7.8%−29.6%————
GLOB Globant S.A.1 of 6−9.3%−40.5%−45.5%−20.4%−4.9%−38.5%————
HCKT The Hackett Group, Inc.2 of 9−5.0%−27.7%−46.1%−30.3%−4.8%−32.8%−34.2%0.0%−70.1%−94.9%
CNXC Concentrix Corporation0 of 2−9.8%−46.5%————————
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How closely does ACN 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 ACN 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 ACN's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
ACN This pageAccenture plc117%186%0.631.12
CACI CACI International Inc94%62%1.500.79
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.114%79%1.450.97
MSFT Microsoft Corporation127%91%1.390.96
SAIC Science Applications International Corporation44%36%1.220.59
LDOS Leidos Holdings, Inc.78%73%1.060.73
EXLS ExlService Holdings, Inc.99%109%0.900.90
ORCL Oracle Corporation131%159%0.821.30
CRM Salesforce, Inc.115%143%0.801.16
SAP SAP SE112%152%0.741.10
IBM International Business Machines Corporation89%121%0.730.95
INFY Infosys Limited85%126%0.670.90
G Genpact Limited90%146%0.610.99
CTSH Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation89%152%0.590.99
EPAM EPAM Systems, Inc.156%263%0.591.41
WIT Wipro Limited62%122%0.510.82
GLOB Globant S.A.91%188%0.481.16
HCKT The Hackett Group, Inc.51%119%0.430.85
DXC DXC Technology Company99%276%0.361.59
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What diversifies ACN?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252022201820082007200280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ACN Accenture plc (this page)1.00−23.6%0.00−22.1%−34.8%−6.2%−7.5%−1.4%−33.2%35.2%−8.8%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.26+119%1.48+27.1%+3.8%−5.2%———28.7%−3.2%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.13+225%1.34+32.8%+6.0%−19.8%−20.8%−7.4%—28.6%−1.4%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.19+101%1.04+9.7%+10.4%−8.7%———28.9%−3.3%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.33+83.3%1.00+11.9%+7.1%−3.0%———29.2%−4.0%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.14+323%0.97+49.2%−33.5%−9.1%−44.7%+6.0%−47.0%29.9%+0.8%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.32+85.0%0.96+23.1%−5.1%−9.5%———28.9%−3.8%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.18+126%0.96+63.7%−0.8%−1.9%+4.9%+30.4%—29.0%−2.9%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.15+136%0.93+26.6%−10.4%−0.9%———29.1%−2.2%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252022201820082007200280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ACN Accenture plc (this page)1.00−23.6%0.00−22.1%−34.8%−6.2%−7.5%−1.4%−33.2%35.2%−8.8%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.05+479%1.55+76.3%+54.1%−24.5%−39.6%−9.8%−8.3%28.9%+0.7%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.11+3,143%1.47+220%+1.3%−16.3%−20.5%−25.7%−65.1%31.7%+11.5%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.02+1,636%1.46+121%+17.0%+0.8%−15.2%+2.1%−9.4%29.7%+8.3%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.17+413%1.44+44.5%+51.8%−28.4%−40.4%+29.7%−27.2%29.4%0.0%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.21+690%1.41+19.2%+86.6%−8.2%———30.2%+2.2%
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Common questions

What was ACN's worst drawdown?

ACN's deepest decline since it began trading in 2001 was 67.8%, from February 2025 to June 2026. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.

What were ACN's best and worst years?

Over 24 full calendar years, ACN's best year was 2021, when it returned 60.7%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -34.8%.

Is there a better investment than ACN?

Among ACN's popular alternatives, MSFT, SAIC and IBM earned more than ACN with less volatility over the past 5 years. MSFT returned 12.5% a year at 28.2% volatility, against a loss of 5.2% a year at 32.7%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, ADP (business services) and FFIV (cybersecurity) earned more than ACN with less volatility over the past 5 years. ADP returned 9.0% a year at 22.9% volatility, against a loss of 5.2% a year at 32.7%.

Is ACN more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ACN's volatility over the past 5 years was 32.7%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ACN's return lands within 32.7% 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 ACN's Sharpe ratio?

ACN's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was -0.00, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ACN 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 ACN with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, ACN's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.50 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 ACN instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ACN holding.

What are the best alternatives to ACN?

Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, two outperformed ACN in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: MSFT and SAIC.

Did ACN outperform the S&P 500?

ACN finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 15 of 24 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -22.1%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did ACN do in stock market crashes?

ACN fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in five. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when ACN fell 37.3% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.

What diversifies ACN?

These had a low correlation with ACN over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.26), DXJ (correlation 0.13) and EMLP (correlation 0.19); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.05), CLS (correlation 0.11) and FIX (correlation 0.02). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to ACN

Other stocks and ETFs