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Relative Intelligence · Application Software

How Adobe (ADBE) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

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

Period covered: ADBE'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 ADBE →Chart ADBE vs. 21 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ADBE over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ADBE over the same span and ADBE'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. 145 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ADBE; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M$10M199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M$10M19972004201120182025
  • AMZN$11M+114,749% total · +27.5% a year
  • INTU$591,451+5,815% total · +15.1% a year
  • MSFT$508,386+4,984% total · +14.5% a year
  • PGR$454,424+4,444% total · +14.1% a year
  • LLY$396,376+3,864% total · +13.5% a year
  • ADBE$386,385+3,764% total · +13.4% a year
  • ADSK$194,061+1,841% total · +10.8% a year
  • SAP$136,626+1,266% total · +9.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • PTC$25,432+154% total · +3.3% a year
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From the end of September 2021 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. 3,316 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ADBE; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • NVDA$110,811+1,008% total · +61.8% 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
  • PTC$11,712+17.1% total · +3.2% a year
  • NOW$10,768+7.7% total · +1.5% a year
  • CRM$8,626−13.7% total · −2.9% a year
  • WDAY$7,622−23.8% total · −5.3% a year
  • ADSK$7,329−26.7% total · −6.0% a year
  • ADBE$4,168−58.3% total · −16.1% a year
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ADBE 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
$100B
Industry
Software - Application
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
−25.2%total return
Past 3 years
−52.5%−22.0% a year
Past 5 years
−59.4%−16.5% a year
Past 10 years
+135%+8.9% a year
Best calendar year
+188%1999
Worst calendar year
−50.2%2008
Losing years
8 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
38.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
-0.28return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−79.9%Nov 2000 to Aug 2002
From its all-time high
−62.7%below the peak

ADBE against the whole market

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

How does ADBE rank among all stocks?

This section ranks ADBE 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 ADBE 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.

MeasureADBERankStanding
1-year return−25.2%2,759 of 3,287bottom 17%
3-year return−52.5%2,869 of 3,017bottom 6%
5-year return−59.4%2,498 of 2,893bottom 15%
10-year return+135%1,153 of 2,202bottom 49%
Volatility, 5 years38.1%1,335 of 2,893top 46%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years-0.282,770 of 2,893bottom 5%
Worst decline, past 10 years−71.9%1,349 of 2,187bottom 39%

What has beaten ADBE 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). ADBE sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ADBE 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 ADBE; faint dots are 93 more of the 2,121 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%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ADBECOR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%MTD: +2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%ERIE: +6.3% a year, volatility 31.4%VIRT: +20.8% a year, volatility 33.8%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%FTGC: +12.9% a year, volatility 15.6%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%TTE: +18.0% a year, volatility 25.8%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%UBS: +25.4% a year, volatility 30.4%SMFG: +33.7% a year, volatility 29.4%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%UNH: +1.1% a year, volatility 32.1%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%NPK: +16.3% a year, volatility 27.3%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%ITUB: +26.3% a year, volatility 33.8%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%MAR: +22.0% a year, volatility 28.6%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%TM: +5.0% a year, volatility 27.0%BP: +16.0% a year, volatility 28.7%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%EQNR: +19.2% a year, volatility 34.4%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%JCI: +17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%HCA: +14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%ISRG: +5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%RSP: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.1%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%ROST: +18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%CDC: +6.0% a year, volatility 12.5%IBN: +9.2% a year, volatility 23.5%LNG: +23.4% a year, volatility 30.2%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%EMR: +12.7% a year, volatility 27.7%SONY: +2.9% a year, volatility 29.2%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%BMY: +5.5% a year, volatility 24.9%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%ADBE: −16.5% a year, volatility 38.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%PTC: +8.3% a year, volatility 35.0%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%ADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%WDAY: −6.0% a year, volatility 41.7%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%TXN: +9.9% a year, volatility 33.7%FFIV: +17.1% a year, volatility 30.8%TSM: +31.5% a year, volatility 38.5%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%AMZN: +9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%ZTS: −16.3% a year, volatility 29.6%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%ADBESPY (S&P 500)MSFTSAPPTCCRMADSKWDAYVMAADITXNFFIVTSMLLYMRKPGPGRVTIAMZNZTSCAHMPC0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ADBECOR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%MTD: +2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%ERIE: +6.3% a year, volatility 31.4%VIRT: +20.8% a year, volatility 33.8%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%FTGC: +12.9% a year, volatility 15.6%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%TTE: +18.0% a year, volatility 25.8%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%UBS: +25.4% a year, volatility 30.4%SMFG: +33.7% a year, volatility 29.4%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%UNH: +1.1% a year, volatility 32.1%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%NPK: +16.3% a year, volatility 27.3%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%ITUB: +26.3% a year, volatility 33.8%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%MAR: +22.0% a year, volatility 28.6%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%TM: +5.0% a year, volatility 27.0%BP: +16.0% a year, volatility 28.7%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%EQNR: +19.2% a year, volatility 34.4%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%JCI: +17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%HCA: +14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%ISRG: +5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%RSP: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.1%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%ROST: +18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%CDC: +6.0% a year, volatility 12.5%IBN: +9.2% a year, volatility 23.5%LNG: +23.4% a year, volatility 30.2%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%EMR: +12.7% a year, volatility 27.7%SONY: +2.9% a year, volatility 29.2%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%BMY: +5.5% a year, volatility 24.9%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%ADBE: −16.5% a year, volatility 38.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%PTC: +8.3% a year, volatility 35.0%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%ADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%WDAY: −6.0% a year, volatility 41.7%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%TXN: +9.9% a year, volatility 33.7%FFIV: +17.1% a year, volatility 30.8%TSM: +31.5% a year, volatility 38.5%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%AMZN: +9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%ZTS: −16.3% a year, volatility 29.6%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%ADBESPY (S&P 500)PTCCRMADSKWDAYADIFFIVTSMLLYPGPGRVTIAMZNZTSCAHMPC
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than ADBE?

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

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

Screen the whole market against ADBE 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 ADBE?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
ADBEAdobe Inc. · this page
−16.5%38.1%-0.28−71.9%+135%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.570.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ADBE. 12 of 20 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%0.68—
SAPSAP SE · Enterprise Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+11.5%30.0%0.52−52.5%+205%0.65—
PTCPTC Inc. · Application Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+8.3%35.0%0.40−54.4%+317%0.56—
CRMSalesforce, Inc. · Enterprise Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods−3.2%39.4%0.12−58.7%+240%0.67—
ADSKAutodesk, Inc. · Application Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods−3.8%36.4%0.07−52.0%+245%0.65—
WDAYWorkday, Inc. · Enterprise Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods−6.0%41.7%0.06−63.4%+132%0.67—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Application Software and Software and the categories next to it (Enterprise Software, Payment Processing, Semiconductors), plus ADBE's specific themes. 71 of 118 passed at least one test.
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%0.46—
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.48—
ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+19.5%34.1%0.69−33.6%+652%0.22—
TXNTexas Instruments Incorporated · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+9.9%33.7%0.45−33.4%+424%0.20—
FFIVF5, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.1%30.8%0.67−54.6%+287%0.23—
TSMTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited · Semiconductors
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+31.5%38.5%0.91−56.6%+1,505%0.20—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 2,680 of 3,495 passed at least one test.
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.14—
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.05—
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.19—
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.10—
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.550.03%
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%0.570.03%
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. · E-Commerce
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+9.0%36.6%0.42−56.1%+548%0.47—
ZTSZoetis Inc. · Animal Health
Similar return, lower volatility−16.3%29.6%-0.45−70.5%+70.3%0.33—
What these numbers mean for ADBE
Annual return
ADBE lost 16.5% 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 $4,060. 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
ADBE's volatility over the past 5 years was 38.1%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ADBE's return lands within 38.1% 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
ADBE's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was -0.28, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ADBE 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
ADBE's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 71.9%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 71.9% fall takes a 256% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, ADBE's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.57 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 ADBE instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ADBE holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 2,121 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ADBE 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 ADBEExpense
1
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.14—
2
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.05—
3
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.19—
4
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.10—
5
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.26—
6
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.19—
7
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.09—
8
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.52—
9
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.550.03%
10
MTDMettler-Toledo International Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.6%32.5%0.24−43.5%+298%0.26—
11
CHDChurch & Dwight Co., Inc. · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+6.1%21.1%0.39−31.7%+154%0.16—
12
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.570.03%
13
NEUNewMarket Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−40.7%+165%0.26—
14
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.28—
15
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.14—
16
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.40—
17
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%-0.05—
18
ERIEErie Indemnity Company · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+6.3%31.4%0.35−60.9%+200%0.16—
19
VIRTVirtu Financial, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+20.8%33.8%0.73−56.2%+545%0.02—
20
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%-0.04—
21
FTGCFirst Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+12.9%15.6%0.86−35.9%+139%0.120.98%
22
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.190.48%
23
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.260.40%
24
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.540.95%
25
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.17—
26
CVXChevron Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+19.5%25.2%0.84−55.8%+238%0.24—
27
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.520.18%
28
MUFGMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.2%29.4%1.13−54.9%+483%0.20—
29
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.15—
30
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.28—
31
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.21—
32
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Whole market+33.8%32.2%1.07−37.5%+965%0.19—
33
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.400.03%
34
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
Whole market+26.0%23.8%1.09−63.3%+379%0.12—
35
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.17—
36
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.22—
37
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.24—
38
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.6%30.6%1.10−45.7%+345%0.09—
39
TTETotalEnergies SE · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+18.0%25.8%0.78−59.6%+234%0.10—
40
IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation · IT Services
Whole market+16.6%30.5%0.66−41.1%+151%0.19—
41
PSXPhillips 66 · Oil & Gas
Whole market+33.2%32.9%1.04−64.2%+430%0.37—
42
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.540.09%
43
UBSUBS Group AG · Banks
Whole market+25.4%30.4%0.90−59.8%+374%0.42—
44
SMFGSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.7%29.4%1.14−47.6%+474%0.15—
45
BHPBHP Group Limited · Metals & Mining
Whole market+16.6%31.4%0.65−44.3%+398%0.20—
46
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.7%22.0%0.90−56.1%+98.2%-0.06—
47
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.10—
48
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.6%29.1%0.85−41.6%+521%0.06—
49
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+17.8%21.4%0.88−53.7%+140%-0.02—
50
UNHUnitedHealth Group Incorporated · Managed Health Care
Whole market+1.1%32.1%0.20−61.4%+241%0.09—
51
BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks
Whole market+22.7%24.4%0.97−50.5%+341%0.42—
52
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.15—
53
VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.8%17.6%0.47−39.4%+198%0.460.03%
54
NPKNational Presto Industries, Inc. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+16.3%27.3%0.69−45.5%+181%0.22—
55
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+14.4%29.9%0.60−37.9%+755%0.16—
56
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.510.04%
57
ITUBItaú Unibanco Holding S.A. · Banks
Whole market+26.3%33.8%0.86−62.1%+190%0.02—
58
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.11—
59
MARMarriott International, Inc. · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+22.0%28.6%0.84−61.3%+544%0.33—
60
EEni S.p.A. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+23.0%25.6%0.94−61.4%+278%0.26—
61
TMToyota Motor Corporation · Automobiles
Whole market+5.0%27.0%0.32−36.8%+129%0.36—
62
BPBP p.l.c. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+16.0%28.7%0.66−63.9%+141%0.12—
63
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.28—
64
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.410.06%
65
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+13.6%21.4%0.71−51.0%+295%0.17—
66
MFCManulife Financial Corporation · Life Insurance
Whole market+22.6%24.0%0.97−57.5%+373%0.22—
67
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.32—
68
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+12.9%19.9%0.71−46.9%+187%0.30—
69
UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+7.1%22.9%0.42−38.7%+295%0.38—
70
EQNREquinor ASA · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+19.2%34.4%0.69−66.8%+416%0.15—
71
BLKBlackRock, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+7.1%27.1%0.39−43.9%+313%0.58—
72
HLTHilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−50.8%+694%0.28—
73
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.08—
74
KMIKinder Morgan, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+18.7%22.5%0.88−55.1%+163%0.23—
75
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.520.06%
76
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.50—
77
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.34—
78
GDGeneral Dynamics Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+12.9%20.8%0.69−51.6%+184%0.12—
79
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.0%20.8%0.95−54.9%+335%0.29—
80
JCIJohnson Controls International plc · Building Products
Whole market+17.4%29.1%0.70−46.4%+426%0.18—
81
HCAHCA Healthcare, Inc. · Health Care Facilities
Whole market+14.1%30.1%0.59−54.7%+513%0.21—
82
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.26—
83
ISRGIntuitive Surgical, Inc. · Medical Devices
Whole market+5.2%34.6%0.32−49.9%+478%0.41—
84
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Whole market+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.52—
85
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.18—
86
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.550.79%
87
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.1%0.57−39.0%+211%0.450.20%
88
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+25.6%26.2%1.00−64.1%+264%0.28—
89
ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+18.1%29.5%0.71−51.4%+312%0.33—
90
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.39—
91
CDCVictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+6.0%12.5%0.53−21.4%+168%0.230.38%
92
IBNICICI Bank Limited · Banks
Whole market+9.2%23.5%0.49−55.0%+318%0.19—
93
LNGCheniere Energy, Inc. · Oil & Gas
Whole market+23.4%30.2%0.85−57.5%+616%0.15—
94
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.20—
95
EMREmerson Electric Co. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+12.7%27.7%0.57−50.8%+309%0.28—
96
SONYSony Group Corporation · Consumer Electronics
Whole market+2.9%29.2%0.24−50.6%+309%0.55—
97
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.580.85%
98
BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+5.5%24.9%0.34−47.7%+74.8%0.01—
99
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.21—
100
ALLThe Allstate Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.0%26.2%0.73−41.4%+356%-0.03—

ADBE against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%−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 volatilityADBE: −16.5% a year, volatility 38.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: 12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%PTC: 8.3% a year, volatility 35.0%SAP: 11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%ADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%BSY: −7.5% a year, volatility 37.1%GOOG: 19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%HUBS: −20.6% a year, volatility 57.6%DOCU: −21.6% a year, volatility 58.8%ASAN: −39.3% a year, volatility 79.3%U: −22.4% a year, volatility 77.5%WIX: −16.7% a year, volatility 60.6%MNDY: −22.8% a year, volatility 71.0%TTD: −30.8% a year, volatility 67.7%NOW: 1.9% a year, volatility 45.5%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%NVDA: 58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%WDAY: −5.9% a year, volatility 41.7%META: 15.5% a year, volatility 45.4%INTU: −9.4% a year, volatility 39.1%ORCL: 7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%ADBESPY (S&P 500)MSFTPTCADSKBSYGOOGHUBSDOCUASANUWIXMNDYTTDNOWNVDAWDAYMETAORCL0.0%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 volatilityADBE: −16.5% a year, volatility 38.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: 12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%PTC: 8.3% a year, volatility 35.0%SAP: 11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%ADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%BSY: −7.5% a year, volatility 37.1%GOOG: 19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%HUBS: −20.6% a year, volatility 57.6%DOCU: −21.6% a year, volatility 58.8%ASAN: −39.3% a year, volatility 79.3%U: −22.4% a year, volatility 77.5%WIX: −16.7% a year, volatility 60.6%MNDY: −22.8% a year, volatility 71.0%TTD: −30.8% a year, volatility 67.7%NOW: 1.9% a year, volatility 45.5%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%NVDA: 58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%WDAY: −5.9% a year, volatility 41.7%META: 15.5% a year, volatility 45.4%INTU: −9.4% a year, volatility 39.1%ORCL: 7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%ADBESPY (S&P 500)PTCADSKBSYGOOGHUBSDOCUASANUWIXTTDNOWCRMNVDAMETAINTUORCL
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation+58.0%51.9%
GOOG Alphabet Inc.+19.0%32.0%
META Meta Platforms, Inc.+15.5%45.4%
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%
PTC PTC Inc.+8.3%35.0%
ORCL Oracle Corporation+7.7%44.3%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.+1.9%45.5%
CRM Salesforce, Inc.−3.2%39.4%
ADSK Autodesk, Inc.−3.8%36.4%
WDAY Workday, Inc.−5.9%41.7%
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated−7.5%37.1%
INTU Intuit Inc.−9.4%39.1%
ADBE This pageAdobe Inc.−16.5%38.1%
WIX Wix.com Ltd.−16.7%60.6%
HUBS HubSpot, Inc.−20.6%57.6%
DOCU DocuSign, Inc.−21.6%58.8%
U Unity Software Inc.−22.4%77.5%
MNDY monday.com Ltd.−22.8%71.0%
TTD The Trade Desk, Inc.−30.8%67.7%
ASAN Asana, Inc.−39.3%79.3%
Open these 22 in EasyCompare

Has ADBE consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than ADBE 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
ADBE Adobe Inc. (this page)—+2.9%+9.4%+3.3%−23.0%−25.2%−52.5%−59.4%+135%38.1%-0.28−71.9%—$100B—
MSFT QualifiedMicrosoft Corporation5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+6.0%+32.5%+27.7%+13.2%+3.8%+66.6%+80.3%+946%28.2%0.56−37.1%—$3.9T—
NOW QualifiedServiceNow, Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+8.6%+42.8%+50.0%+1.4%−18.5%+37.8%+9.8%+848%45.5%0.27−64.5%—$155B—
PTC QualifiedPTC Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+42.9%+54.9%+37.4%+13.7%−6.1%+40.4%+49.3%+317%35.0%0.40−54.4%—$21B—
SAP QualifiedSAP SE5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+9.4%+44.6%+29.6%−2.1%−16.6%+81.3%+72.6%+205%30.0%0.52−52.5%—$267B—
ADSK QualifiedAutodesk, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+12.2%+12.8%+0.1%−14.4%−20.3%+21.2%−17.8%+245%36.4%0.07−52.0%—$51B—
CRM QualifiedSalesforce, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+2.5%+39.7%+30.7%−3.8%−3.9%+21.3%−14.8%+240%39.4%0.12−58.7%—$200B—
NVDA QualifiedNVIDIA Corporation3/5 short3/3 long−4.8%+6.6%+7.4%+14.9%+18.8%+425%+884%+13,019%51.9%1.14−66.3%—$5.2T—
WDAY QualifiedWorkday, Inc.5/5 short2/3 long+6.3%+38.6%+59.4%−0.9%−15.4%−3.4%−26.4%+132%41.7%0.06−63.4%—$49B—
BSY QualifiedBentley Systems, Incorporated4/5 short2/3 long+19.6%+18.1%+8.8%+0.6%−25.6%−22.4%−32.4%—37.1%-0.03−61.0%—$11B—
GOOG Internet Content & InformationAlphabet Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−4.1%−4.2%+0.4%+6.9%+31.2%+148%+138%+752%32.0%0.71−44.6%—$4.1T—
META Internet Content & InformationMeta Platforms, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−6.3%+7.6%+3.7%+7.0%−4.9%+127%+106%+439%45.4%0.55−76.7%—$1.8T—
INTU Software - ApplicationIntuit Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+10.8%+14.6%−16.4%−46.0%−48.9%−32.1%−38.8%+237%39.1%-0.06−68.2%—$90B—
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—
HUBS Software - ApplicationHubSpot, Inc.2/5 short2/3 long+17.2%+8.4%+9.1%−34.4%−44.5%−41.6%−68.5%+377%57.6%-0.11−80.0%—$13B—
BRZE Software - ApplicationBraze, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+79.4%+74.0%+92.0%+40.0%+65.6%+4.1%————−83.2%—$5.2B—
DOCU Software - ApplicationDocuSign, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+17.1%+53.5%+68.3%+23.8%+13.6%+99.4%−70.4%—58.8%-0.11−87.6%—$15B—
ASAN Software - ApplicationAsana, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long+12.6%+41.3%+70.7%−17.1%−26.5%−41.5%−91.7%—79.3%-0.24−96.2%—$2.5B—
U Software - ApplicationUnity Software Inc.4/5 short1/3 long−7.1%+34.7%+51.4%−9.2%+13.9%+47.8%−71.8%—77.5%0.06−93.1%—$18B—
WIX Software - ApplicationWix.com Ltd.3/5 short1/3 long−5.4%+48.1%+4.6%−21.7%−42.5%−5.0%−59.9%+76.4%60.6%0.00−88.5%—$3.3B—
MNDY Software - Applicationmonday.com Ltd.3/5 short1/3 long+14.7%+31.4%+47.4%−29.7%−45.8%−23.6%−72.6%—71.0%-0.01−86.8%—$4.3B—
TTD Advertising AgenciesThe Trade Desk, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−8.9%−32.1%−47.4%−66.4%−75.9%−82.9%−84.1%+377%67.7%-0.20−91.5%—$6.0B—
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How did ADBE do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of ADBE20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
ADBE This pageAdobe Inc.—−21.3%−25.5%+77.3%−40.6%+13.4%+51.6%+45.8%+29.1%+70.2%+9.6%+29.2%+21.4%+58.9%+33.3%−8.2%−16.3%+72.8%−50.2%+3.9%+11.3%+17.9%+60.7%+57.9%−20.0%−46.6%+73.2%+188%+13.8%+11.1%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 7 of 2915 of 2221 of 227 of 2211 of 2214 of 209 of 177 of 178 of 164 of 169 of 156 of 155 of 143 of 133 of 105 of 109 of 104 of 107 of 107 of 108 of 105 of 102 of 84 of 82 of 87 of 81 of 82 of 76 of 75 of 7
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF13 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%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation15 of 29+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%+52.8%−62.9%+68.4%+115%+56.5%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.8 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%————————————————
PTC PTC Inc.10 of 29−5.3%+5.1%+45.8%−0.9%+1.3%+59.7%−9.7%+36.4%+31.3%+33.6%−5.5%+3.6%+57.2%+23.3%−18.9%+37.9%+29.2%−29.1%−0.9%+18.2%+3.6%+49.4%+56.4%−67.7%−41.9%−50.3%+66.6%−31.4%−7.8%
SAP SAP SE13 of 29−0.4%+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%−4.9%−35.1%+45.1%+38.0%+138%
ADSK Autodesk, Inc.12 of 29+0.1%+21.4%+30.3%−33.5%−7.9%+66.4%+42.6%+22.7%+41.6%+21.5%+1.5%+19.4%+42.4%+16.6%−20.6%+50.3%+29.3%−60.5%+23.0%−5.8%+13.2%+210%+73.0%−22.5%+39.5%−19.5%−20.3%+16.3%+33.0%
CRM Salesforce, Inc.12 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%————————
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation16 of 26+38.9%+171%+239%−50.2%+125%+122%+76.4%−30.8%+82.5%+228%+67.1%+27.4%+33.5%−11.0%−10.0%−17.6%+131%−76.3%+37.9%+102%+55.2%+1.6%+102%−82.8%+308%+39.6%———
WDAY Workday, Inc.5 of 13−16.8%−6.5%+65.0%−38.8%+14.0%+45.7%+3.0%+57.0%+53.9%−17.1%−2.4%−1.9%+52.6%————————————————
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated4 of 5−17.8%−10.1%+41.8%−23.3%+19.6%————————————————————————
GOOG Alphabet Inc.10 of 21+65.4%+35.6%+58.8%−38.7%+65.2%+31.0%+29.1%−1.0%+35.6%+1.7%+44.5%−6.0%+58.5%+9.5%+8.8%−4.2%+101%−55.5%+50.2%+11.1%+115%————————
META Meta Platforms, Inc.8 of 13+13.1%+66.0%+194%−64.2%+23.1%+33.1%+56.6%−25.7%+53.4%+9.9%+34.2%+42.8%+105%————————————————
INTU Intuit Inc.15 of 29+6.1%+1.2%+61.8%−39.1%+70.3%+46.1%+34.1%+25.9%+39.2%+20.2%+5.9%+22.1%+29.7%+14.3%+7.0%+60.4%+29.2%−24.7%+3.6%+14.5%+21.1%−16.7%+12.6%+9.7%+8.5%−34.2%+148%+75.8%+30.9%
ORCL Oracle Corporation10 of 29+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%−52.5%+3.7%+290%+93.5%−19.9%
HUBS HubSpot, Inc.7 of 11−42.4%+20.0%+101%−56.1%+66.3%+150%+26.1%+42.2%+88.1%−16.5%+67.5%——————————————————
BRZE Braze, Inc.3 of 4−18.1%−21.2%+94.8%−64.6%—————————————————————————
DOCU DocuSign, Inc.3 of 7−23.9%+51.3%+7.3%−63.6%−31.5%+200%+84.9%——————————————————————
ASAN Asana, Inc.2 of 5−32.4%+6.6%+38.0%−81.5%+152%————————————————————————
U Unity Software Inc.1 of 5+96.6%−45.1%+43.0%−80.0%−6.8%————————————————————————
WIX Wix.com Ltd.4 of 12−51.6%+74.4%+60.1%−51.3%−36.9%+104%+35.5%+57.0%+29.2%+95.8%+8.3%−21.8%—————————————————
MNDY monday.com Ltd.1 of 4−37.3%+25.4%+53.9%−60.5%—————————————————————————
TTD The Trade Desk, Inc.5 of 9−67.7%+63.3%+60.5%−51.1%+14.4%+208%+124%+154%+65.0%————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How ADBE 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 ADBE's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents ADBE'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 ADBE fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringADBE fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−79.9%−40.4%Nov 2000Aug 200221 monthsNov 20064.3 years
No named crash−72.6%—May 1987Oct 19875 monthsMay 198919 months
2022 bear market−71.9%+67.0%Nov 2021Jun 20264.6 yearsNot yet—
2008 financial crisis−66.7%−52.4%Oct 2007Mar 200917 monthsJul 20134.3 years
No named crash−65.6%+84.3%Dec 1995Aug 19982.7 yearsMay 19999 months

How did ADBE do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far ADBE, 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 ADBE.

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
ADBE This pageAdobe Inc.—−6.2%−50.3%−25.6%−25.5%−5.4%−22.7%−23.6%−0.2%−66.7%−79.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF7 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation7 of 10−2.0%−31.0%−27.7%−18.2%−7.4%−14.4%−14.1%−2.6%−57.9%−62.9%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.2 of 6−7.2%−39.9%−28.8%−20.6%−8.5%−47.6%————
PTC PTC Inc.4 of 10−4.3%−20.4%−45.3%−27.8%−4.9%−24.9%−33.9%−3.0%−66.1%−94.5%
SAP SAP SE5 of 10−2.0%−41.9%−32.6%−25.0%−6.9%−13.3%−25.0%−1.4%−49.6%−87.9%
ADSK Autodesk, Inc.4 of 10−5.1%−40.9%−35.5%−24.2%−6.9%−34.7%−36.9%−1.6%−76.9%−63.6%
CRM Salesforce, Inc.3 of 9−5.3%−42.7%−35.7%−24.8%−6.1%−34.2%−26.9%−4.2%−70.5%—
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation1 of 10−5.0%−60.7%−37.5%−55.9%−8.5%−25.3%−23.8%−1.7%−85.1%−89.7%
WDAY Workday, Inc.3 of 6−2.8%−47.0%−42.4%−17.3%−5.8%−42.3%————
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated2 of 2−4.3%−39.8%————————
GOOG Alphabet Inc.6 of 9−3.9%−35.0%−30.8%−18.9%−9.9%−12.7%−21.1%−1.1%−65.3%—
META Meta Platforms, Inc.2 of 6−2.9%−62.1%−32.9%−26.5%−9.8%−13.9%————
INTU Intuit Inc.5 of 10−6.0%−42.7%−36.3%−20.8%−6.5%−24.8%−18.0%−3.4%−38.3%−66.0%
ORCL Oracle Corporation5 of 10−5.0%−31.0%−28.3%−17.2%−6.6%−16.1%−23.9%−2.1%−41.1%−84.2%
HUBS HubSpot, Inc.1 of 6−8.4%−53.8%−47.3%−24.8%−6.8%−53.8%————
BRZE Braze, Inc.0 of 2−9.0%−57.9%————————
DOCU DocuSign, Inc.1 of 4−24.3%−71.2%−24.9%−29.9%——————
ASAN Asana, Inc.0 of 2−9.5%−77.5%————————
U Unity Software Inc.0 of 2−7.6%−76.6%————————
WIX Wix.com Ltd.0 of 6−7.4%−64.8%−47.5%−31.4%−5.2%−37.9%————
MNDY monday.com Ltd.0 of 2−12.9%−68.7%————————
TTD The Trade Desk, Inc.0 of 5−8.4%−51.7%−54.2%−33.0%−8.6%—————
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How closely does ADBE 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 ADBE 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 ADBE's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
ADBE This pageAdobe Inc.123%184%0.671.24
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation248%140%1.771.83
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.114%79%1.450.97
MSFT Microsoft Corporation127%91%1.390.96
GOOG Alphabet Inc.132%110%1.201.12
META Meta Platforms, Inc.134%143%0.941.25
PTC PTC Inc.105%127%0.831.12
ORCL Oracle Corporation131%159%0.821.30
HUBS HubSpot, Inc.121%149%0.811.46
TTD The Trade Desk, Inc.140%173%0.811.75
CRM Salesforce, Inc.115%143%0.801.16
INTU Intuit Inc.99%126%0.791.03
SAP SAP SE112%152%0.741.10
ADSK Autodesk, Inc.130%179%0.731.34
WDAY Workday, Inc.96%139%0.701.19
WIX Wix.com Ltd.106%171%0.621.21
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What diversifies ADBE?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202420222011201020082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ADBE Adobe Inc. (this page)1.00−59.4%-0.28−21.3%−25.5%−40.6%−8.2%−16.3%−50.2%−20.0%−46.6%39.0%−16.1%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.26+119%1.48+27.1%+15.9%+3.8%—————31.8%−9.2%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.19+225%1.34+32.8%+29.8%+6.0%−16.1%−1.8%−20.8%——31.8%−7.6%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.28+101%1.04+9.7%+33.4%+10.4%—————32.2%−9.5%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.34+83.3%1.00+11.9%+14.1%+7.1%—————32.3%−10.0%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.30+323%0.97+49.2%+39.1%−33.5%+6.8%+19.0%−44.7%−47.0%−14.6%34.0%−5.8%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.36+85.0%0.96+23.1%+13.4%−5.1%—————32.1%−9.8%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.12+126%0.96+63.7%+26.7%−0.8%+9.6%+29.3%+4.9%——31.8%−8.8%
FFLC Broad MarketFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF0.47+107%0.95+17.7%+27.9%0.0%—————32.8%−9.3%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202420222011201020082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ADBE Adobe Inc. (this page)1.00−59.4%-0.28−21.3%−25.5%−40.6%−8.2%−16.3%−50.2%−20.0%−46.6%39.0%−16.1%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.09+479%1.55+76.3%+19.0%+54.1%+8.1%+21.4%−39.6%−8.3%−2.5%32.1%−5.6%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.18+3,143%1.47+220%+215%+1.3%−24.4%+2.8%−20.5%−65.1%−25.6%35.3%+4.4%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.04+1,636%1.46+121%+107%+17.0%−17.0%+8.7%−15.2%−9.4%+73.7%32.8%+1.6%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.21+413%1.44+44.5%+23.7%+51.8%+11.8%+13.8%−40.4%−27.2%+4.9%32.6%−6.3%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.27+690%1.41+19.2%−4.0%+86.6%—————33.5%−4.3%
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Common questions

What was ADBE's worst drawdown?

ADBE's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 79.9%, from November 2000 to August 2002. It took about four years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were ADBE's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, ADBE's best year was 1999, when it returned 188%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -50.2%.

Is there a better investment than ADBE?

Among ADBE's popular alternatives, MSFT, SAP and PTC earned more than ADBE with less volatility over the past 5 years. MSFT returned 12.5% a year at 28.2% volatility, against a loss of 16.5% a year at 38.1%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, V (payment processing) and MA (payment processing) earned more than ADBE with less volatility over the past 5 years. V returned 12.8% a year at 22.9% volatility, against a loss of 16.5% a year at 38.1%.

Is ADBE more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ADBE's volatility over the past 5 years was 38.1%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ADBE's return lands within 38.1% 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 ADBE's Sharpe ratio?

ADBE's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was -0.28, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ADBE 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 ADBE with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, ADBE's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.57 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 ADBE instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ADBE holding.

What are the best alternatives to ADBE?

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

Did ADBE outperform the S&P 500?

ADBE finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 16 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -21.3%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did ADBE do in stock market crashes?

ADBE fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in three of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when ADBE fell 79.9% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies ADBE?

These had a low correlation with ADBE over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.26), DXJ (correlation 0.19) and EMLP (correlation 0.28); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.09), CLS (correlation 0.18) and FIX (correlation 0.04). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to ADBE

Other stocks and ETFs