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Relative Intelligence · Application Software

How Autodesk (ADSK) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

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

Period covered: ADSK'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 ADSK →Chart ADSK vs. 20 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ADSK over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ADSK over the same span and ADSK'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. 303 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ADSK; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • TYL$926,134+9,161% total · +16.9% a year
  • TT$405,736+3,957% total · +13.6% a year
  • ORCL$284,972+2,750% total · +12.2% a year
  • J$234,448+2,244% total · +11.5% a year
  • SNPS$204,671+1,947% total · +11.0% 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
  • NEM$39,676+297% total · +4.9% 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. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,996 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ADSK; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000$35,000202120222023202420252026$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000202120222023202420252026
  • TT$27,878+179% total · +22.8% a year
  • CDNS$21,803+118% total · +16.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • SAP$16,715+67.2% total · +10.8% a year
  • SNPS$14,527+45.3% total · +7.8% a year
  • MANH$12,984+29.8% total · +5.4% a year
  • J$12,939+29.4% total · +5.3% a year
  • PTC$11,712+17.1% total · +3.2% a year
  • NOW$10,768+7.7% total · +1.5% a year
  • ADSK$7,329−26.7% total · −6.0% a year
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ADSK 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
$51B
Industry
Software - Application
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
−20.3%total return
Past 3 years
+21.2%+6.6% a year
Past 5 years
−17.8%−3.8% a year
Past 10 years
+245%+13.2% a year
Best calendar year
+210%2004
Worst calendar year
−60.5%2008
Losing years
8 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
36.4%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.07return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−76.9%Dec 2007 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−28.2%below the peak

ADSK against the whole market

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

How does ADSK rank among all stocks?

This section ranks ADSK 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 ADSK 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.

MeasureADSKRankStanding
1-year return−20.3%2,643 of 3,287bottom 21%
3-year return+21.2%2,003 of 3,017bottom 35%
5-year return−17.8%1,973 of 2,893bottom 33%
10-year return+245%719 of 2,202top 33%
Volatility, 5 years36.4%1,233 of 2,893top 43%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.072,178 of 2,893bottom 26%
Worst decline, past 10 years−52.0%531 of 2,187top 24%

What has beaten ADSK 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). ADSK sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ADSK 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 ADSK; faint dots are 89 more of the 1,859 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.

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−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 ADSKCSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%QUAL: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%FNV: +12.5% a year, volatility 31.3%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%KDP: +2.5% a year, volatility 22.1%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%VRSN: +7.8% a year, volatility 25.9%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%MTD: +2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%MTUM: +10.9% a year, volatility 22.1%MUSA: +26.1% a year, volatility 31.2%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%IXN: +19.2% a year, volatility 26.2%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%RSPT: +16.9% a year, volatility 25.1%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%SUSA: +10.4% a year, volatility 17.4%NIC: +19.0% a year, volatility 30.1%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CHE: +3.4% a year, volatility 25.3%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%IGV: +4.4% a year, volatility 28.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%BFC: +19.0% a year, volatility 27.3%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%QQEW: +6.8% a year, volatility 21.3%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%QQQE: +8.1% a year, volatility 20.7%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%FSBC: +14.1% a year, volatility 31.3%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%RCBC: +14.6% a year, volatility 27.2%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%DFAC: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.0%JCI: +17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%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%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%ADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%J: +5.3% a year, volatility 26.2%SNPS: +7.2% a year, volatility 42.3%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%CDNS: +14.8% a year, volatility 37.2%ORCL: +7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%TXN: +9.9% a year, volatility 33.7%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%SMH: +33.4% a year, volatility 36.9%DOX: −3.0% a year, volatility 21.8%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%WPM: +27.5% a year, volatility 36.9%AMT: −4.8% a year, volatility 27.3%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%ADSKSPY (S&P 500)JSNPSSAPTTCDNSMSFTADITXNSMHDOXLLYVOOABBVDXJWPMAMTCAHMPC0.0%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 ADSKCSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%QUAL: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%FNV: +12.5% a year, volatility 31.3%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%KDP: +2.5% a year, volatility 22.1%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%VRSN: +7.8% a year, volatility 25.9%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%MTD: +2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%MTUM: +10.9% a year, volatility 22.1%MUSA: +26.1% a year, volatility 31.2%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%IXN: +19.2% a year, volatility 26.2%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%RSPT: +16.9% a year, volatility 25.1%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%SUSA: +10.4% a year, volatility 17.4%NIC: +19.0% a year, volatility 30.1%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CHE: +3.4% a year, volatility 25.3%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%IGV: +4.4% a year, volatility 28.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%BFC: +19.0% a year, volatility 27.3%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%QQEW: +6.8% a year, volatility 21.3%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%QQQE: +8.1% a year, volatility 20.7%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%FSBC: +14.1% a year, volatility 31.3%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%RCBC: +14.6% a year, volatility 27.2%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%DFAC: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.0%JCI: +17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%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%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%ADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%J: +5.3% a year, volatility 26.2%SNPS: +7.2% a year, volatility 42.3%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%CDNS: +14.8% a year, volatility 37.2%ORCL: +7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%TXN: +9.9% a year, volatility 33.7%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%SMH: +33.4% a year, volatility 36.9%DOX: −3.0% a year, volatility 21.8%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%WPM: +27.5% a year, volatility 36.9%AMT: −4.8% a year, volatility 27.3%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%ADSKSPY (S&P 500)JSNPSTTCDNSORCLADISMHDOXLLYVOOABBVWPMAMTCAHMPC
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than ADSK?

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

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

Screen the whole market against ADSK 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 ADSK?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
ADSKAutodesk, Inc. · this page
−3.8%36.4%0.07−52.0%+245%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.600.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ADSK. 12 of 20 passed at least one test.
JJacobs Solutions Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+5.3%26.2%0.33−39.3%+266%0.45—
SNPSSynopsys, Inc. · Software
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+7.2%42.3%0.39−43.0%+656%0.35—
SAPSAP SE · Enterprise Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+11.5%30.0%0.52−52.5%+205%0.70—
TTTrane Technologies plc · Building Products
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+22.7%27.7%0.88−40.5%+955%0.25—
CDNSCadence Design Systems, Inc. · Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.8%37.2%0.56−34.2%+1,139%0.40—
ORCLOracle Corporation · Enterprise Software
Smaller losses in recent crashes+7.7%44.3%0.38−64.6%+300%0.46—
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 ADSK's specific themes. 42 of 118 passed at least one test.
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.57—
ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+19.5%34.1%0.69−33.6%+652%0.15—
TXNTexas Instruments Incorporated · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+9.9%33.7%0.45−33.4%+424%0.15—
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.420.58%
SMHVanEck Semiconductor ETF · Semiconductors
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+33.4%36.9%0.97−45.3%+1,665%0.240.35%
DOXAmdocs Limited · Application Software
Similar return, lower volatility−3.0%21.8%-0.03−46.1%+26.9%0.55—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 2,302 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%0.11—
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.600.03%
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.32—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.05—
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.260.48%
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.480.18%
WPMWheaton Precious Metals Corp. · Metals & Mining
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+27.5%36.9%0.85−46.7%+510%0.14—
AMTAmerican Tower Corporation · Specialty REITs
Similar return, lower volatility−4.8%27.3%-0.04−45.4%+107%0.38—
What these numbers mean for ADSK
Annual return
ADSK lost 3.8% 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 $8,220. 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
ADSK's volatility over the past 5 years was 36.4%, 2.1 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ADSK's return lands within 36.4% 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
ADSK's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.07, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ADSK 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
ADSK's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 52.0%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 52.0% fall takes a 108% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, ADSK's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.60 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 ADSK instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ADSK holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,859 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ADSK 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 ADSKExpense
1
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.11—
2
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.600.03%
3
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.32—
4
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.05—
5
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.260.48%
6
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.480.18%
7
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.32—
8
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.18—
9
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.15—
10
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Whole market+33.8%32.2%1.07−37.5%+965%0.28—
11
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.23—
12
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.27—
13
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.11—
14
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.560.04%
15
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.35—
16
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.490.06%
17
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.18—
18
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.24—
19
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.30—
20
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.44—
21
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.22—
22
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.27—
23
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%22.4%0.67−34.5%+451%0.610.04%
24
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Same or nearby category+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.57—
25
QUALiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+11.4%17.3%0.71−34.1%+293%0.570.15%
26
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.13—
27
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.43—
28
FNVFranco-Nevada Corporation · Gold Mining
Whole market+12.5%31.3%0.53−37.1%+303%0.16—
29
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+6.1%20.0%0.40−31.6%+270%0.27—
30
AAgilent Technologies, Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.6%30.6%0.24−43.2%+306%0.43—
31
KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+2.5%22.1%0.23−36.9%+281%0.08—
32
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+12.0%16.7%0.76−31.6%+300%0.470.20%
33
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+12.0%27.1%0.56−35.6%+349%0.41—
34
VRSNVeriSign, Inc. · Internet Services
Whole market+7.8%25.9%0.42−38.9%+308%0.46—
35
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.180.59%
36
MTDMettler-Toledo International Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.6%32.5%0.24−43.5%+298%0.41—
37
MTUMiShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+10.9%22.1%0.58−34.1%+336%0.290.15%
38
MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores
Whole market+26.1%31.2%0.90−35.5%+706%0.19—
39
ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Same or nearby category+19.5%34.1%0.69−33.6%+652%0.15—
40
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.570.40%
41
IXNiShares Global Tech ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+19.2%26.2%0.81−36.3%+720%0.410.37%
42
TXNTexas Instruments Incorporated · Semiconductors
Same or nearby category+9.9%33.7%0.45−33.4%+424%0.15—
43
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.1%18.4%0.57−33.3%+276%0.630.46%
44
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Whole market+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.19—
45
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.50—
46
RSPTInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.9%25.1%0.75−33.7%+572%0.480.40%
47
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.500.50%
48
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.01—
49
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.340.40%
50
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.14—
51
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.500.69%
52
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.400.05%
53
SUSAiShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.4%17.4%0.66−32.9%+302%0.600.25%
54
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Same or nearby category+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.420.58%
55
NICNicolet Bankshares, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.0%30.1%0.73−44.3%+344%0.17—
56
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.600.30%
57
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.11—
58
CHEChemed Corporation · Health Care Services
Whole market+3.4%25.3%0.26−42.9%+273%0.22—
59
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.18—
60
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.490.03%
61
CHCOCity Holding Company · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.9%22.8%0.77−32.3%+286%0.37—
62
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.18—
63
IGViShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF · Software
Same or nearby category+4.4%28.9%0.29−45.9%+383%0.650.38%
64
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.430.03%
65
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.280.60%
66
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.25—
67
BFCBank First Corporation · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.0%27.3%0.78−39.8%+496%0.06—
68
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.6%30.6%1.10−45.7%+345%0.08—
69
IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation · IT Services
Whole market+16.6%30.5%0.66−41.1%+151%0.17—
70
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.300.45%
71
BHPBHP Group Limited · Metals & Mining
Whole market+16.6%31.4%0.65−44.3%+398%0.11—
72
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology
Whole market+9.7%14.1%0.73−28.1%+305%0.330.65%
73
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.17—
74
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.6%29.1%0.85−41.6%+521%0.06—
75
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.590.19%
76
QQEWFirst Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF · Technology
Whole market+6.8%21.3%0.42−32.1%+267%0.560.55%
77
GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services
Whole market+19.0%32.0%0.71−44.6%+752%0.32—
78
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+33.1%25.9%1.24−62.3%+319%0.10—
79
VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.8%17.6%0.47−39.4%+198%0.560.03%
80
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+14.4%29.9%0.60−37.9%+755%0.16—
81
QQQEDirexion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+8.1%20.7%0.48−32.1%+294%0.540.35%
82
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.24—
83
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.490.50%
84
FSBCFive Star Bancorp · Banks - Regional
Whole market+14.1%31.3%0.58−40.8%+297%0.05—
85
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.32—
86
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.35—
87
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+12.9%19.9%0.71−46.9%+187%0.46—
88
UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+7.1%22.9%0.42−38.7%+295%0.35—
89
VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.2%20.6%0.40−42.0%+179%0.520.03%
90
BLKBlackRock, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+7.1%27.1%0.39−43.9%+313%0.67—
91
RCBCRiver City Bank · Banks - Regional
Whole market+14.6%27.2%0.64−45.5%+345%0.03—
92
EP-PCEl Paso Energy Capital Trust I PFD CV TR SECS · Preferred Stocks
Whole market+5.2%8.9%0.61−25.4%+37.8%0.27—
93
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.31—
94
DFACDimensional - US Core Equity 2 ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.0%0.72−23.1%—0.580.21%
95
JCIJohnson Controls International plc · Building Products
Whole market+17.4%29.1%0.70−46.4%+426%0.24—
96
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Whole market+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.50—
97
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.22—
98
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.520.79%
99
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.1%0.57−39.0%+211%0.560.20%
100
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.570.85%

ADSK against its popular alternatives

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

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

Green points earned more than ADSK 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 volatilityADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%PTC: 8.3% a year, volatility 35.0%J: 5.3% a year, volatility 26.2%SAP: 11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%TT: 22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%U: −22.4% a year, volatility 77.5%ACM: −1.0% a year, volatility 27.7%PCOR: −9.5% a year, volatility 49.7%BSY: −7.5% a year, volatility 37.1%ADBE: −16.5% a year, volatility 38.1%NOW: 1.9% a year, volatility 45.5%MANH: 6.5% a year, volatility 40.2%NEM: 18.6% a year, volatility 39.1%NVDA: 58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%SNPS: 7.2% a year, volatility 42.3%CDNS: 14.8% a year, volatility 37.2%ORCL: 7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%TRMB: −6.4% a year, volatility 33.5%ACN: −5.2% a year, volatility 32.7%TYL: −5.9% a year, volatility 33.3%ADSKSPY (S&P 500)PTCJSAPTTUACMPCORBSYADBENOWMANHNEMNVDACDNSORCLTRMBACN0.0%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 volatilityADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%PTC: 8.3% a year, volatility 35.0%J: 5.3% a year, volatility 26.2%SAP: 11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%TT: 22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%U: −22.4% a year, volatility 77.5%ACM: −1.0% a year, volatility 27.7%PCOR: −9.5% a year, volatility 49.7%BSY: −7.5% a year, volatility 37.1%ADBE: −16.5% a year, volatility 38.1%NOW: 1.9% a year, volatility 45.5%MANH: 6.5% a year, volatility 40.2%NEM: 18.6% a year, volatility 39.1%NVDA: 58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%SNPS: 7.2% a year, volatility 42.3%CDNS: 14.8% a year, volatility 37.2%ORCL: 7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%TRMB: −6.4% a year, volatility 33.5%ACN: −5.2% a year, volatility 32.7%TYL: −5.9% a year, volatility 33.3%ADSKSPY (S&P 500)PTCJTTUACMPCORBSYADBENOWNEMNVDASNPS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation+58.0%51.9%
TT Trane Technologies plc+22.7%27.7%
NEM Newmont Corporation+18.6%39.1%
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.+14.8%37.2%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
SAP SAP SE+11.5%30.0%
PTC PTC Inc.+8.3%35.0%
ORCL Oracle Corporation+7.7%44.3%
SNPS Synopsys, Inc.+7.2%42.3%
MANH Manhattan Associates, Inc.+6.5%40.2%
J Jacobs Solutions Inc.+5.3%26.2%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.+1.9%45.5%
ACM Aecom−1.0%27.7%
CRM Salesforce, Inc.−3.2%39.4%
ADSK This pageAutodesk, Inc.−3.8%36.4%
ACN Accenture plc−5.2%32.7%
TYL Tyler Technologies, Inc.−5.9%33.3%
TRMB Trimble Inc.−6.4%33.5%
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated−7.5%37.1%
PCOR Procore Technologies, Inc.−9.5%49.7%
ADBE Adobe Inc.−16.5%38.1%
U Unity Software Inc.−22.4%77.5%
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Has ADSK consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than ADSK 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
ADSK Autodesk, Inc. (this page)—+12.2%+12.8%+0.1%−14.4%−20.3%+21.2%−17.8%+245%36.4%0.07−52.0%—$51B—
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—
NOW QualifiedServiceNow, Inc.4/5 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—
MANH QualifiedManhattan Associates, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+11.2%+40.7%+74.0%+39.2%+16.4%+22.3%+37.1%+344%40.2%0.36−61.0%—$14B—
NEM QualifiedNewmont Corporation4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−5.1%+31.2%+2.2%+16.1%+24.3%+219%+135%+304%39.1%0.63−62.4%—$123B—
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—
J QualifiedJacobs Solutions Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−2.8%+8.1%+9.0%+4.0%−13.2%+31.1%+29.6%+266%26.2%0.33−39.3%—$16B—
SAP QualifiedSAP SE4/5 short2/3 long+9.4%+44.6%+29.6%−2.1%−16.6%+81.3%+72.6%+205%30.0%0.52−52.5%—$267B—
SNPS QualifiedSynopsys, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long+11.4%+18.3%−2.9%−6.8%−1.3%−4.3%+41.9%+656%42.3%0.39−43.0%—$86B—
CDNS Software - ApplicationCadence Design Systems, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+8.5%−3.0%+0.4%+3.1%−3.0%+34.0%+99.8%+1,139%37.2%0.56−34.2%—$88B—
TT Industrial - MachineryTrane Technologies plc2/5 short3/3 long+6.5%−1.2%−2.9%+16.8%+11.3%+154%+178%+955%27.7%0.88−40.5%—$102B—
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—
CRM Software - ApplicationSalesforce, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long+2.5%+39.7%+30.7%−3.8%−3.9%+21.3%−14.8%+240%39.4%0.12−58.7%—$200B—
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—
TRMB Hardware, Equipment & PartsTrimble Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+7.6%+16.7%−10.6%−20.7%−20.9%+27.3%−28.2%+111%33.5%-0.03−57.4%—$14B—
ACM Engineering & ConstructionAecom0/5 short1/3 long−5.8%−12.7%−31.1%−37.8%−55.1%−21.6%−4.7%+128%27.7%0.10−56.1%—$7.6B—
ACN Information Technology ServicesAccenture plc5/5 short0/3 long+29.5%+66.5%+25.1%−4.8%+2.2%−13.6%−23.6%+146%32.7%0.00−67.8%—$146B—
PCOR Software - ApplicationProcore Technologies, Inc.5/5 short0/3 long+17.5%+31.3%+9.0%−13.3%−16.1%−3.4%−39.3%—49.7%0.05−63.8%—$9.2B—
TYL Software - ApplicationTyler Technologies, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+13.4%+18.6%+9.0%−13.5%−26.1%+2.6%−26.3%+132%33.3%-0.02−57.4%—$15B—
BSY Software - ApplicationBentley Systems, Incorporated4/5 short0/3 long+19.6%+18.1%+8.8%+0.6%−25.6%−22.4%−32.4%—37.1%-0.03−61.0%—$11B—
ADBE Software - ApplicationAdobe Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+2.9%+9.4%+3.3%−23.0%−25.2%−52.5%−59.4%+135%38.1%-0.28−71.9%—$100B—
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How did ADSK do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of ADSK20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
ADSK This pageAutodesk, Inc.—+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%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 299 of 2111 of 2116 of 2112 of 2120 of 205 of 1812 of 185 of 187 of 188 of 1811 of 186 of 187 of 1813 of 1714 of 173 of 1710 of 1714 of 175 of 1615 of 167 of 161 of 155 of 159 of 154 of 148 of 1412 of 137 of 125 of 12
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF11 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%
PTC PTC Inc.11 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%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.10 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%————————————————
MANH Manhattan Associates, Inc.15 of 27−35.9%+25.5%+77.4%−21.9%+47.8%+31.9%+88.2%−14.5%−6.6%−19.9%+62.5%+38.6%+94.6%+49.1%+32.5%+27.1%+52.1%−40.1%−12.4%+46.9%−14.2%−13.6%+16.7%−18.8%−31.6%+479%−73.0%——
NEM Newmont Corporation9 of 29+173%−7.8%−8.8%−20.8%+7.4%+40.3%+30.5%−6.2%+10.9%+90.1%−4.4%−17.2%−48.5%−20.4%−0.6%+31.0%+17.3%−15.9%+9.1%−14.8%+21.4%−8.1%+68.2%+52.6%+12.7%−29.9%+35.0%−37.7%−34.1%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation18 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%———
J Jacobs Solutions Inc.16 of 29+1.1%+24.3%+9.2%−13.0%+28.7%+22.5%+55.2%−10.6%+17.0%+35.9%−6.1%−29.0%+47.9%+4.9%−11.5%+21.9%−21.8%−49.7%+134%+20.1%+42.1%−0.5%+34.9%+7.9%+42.8%+42.1%−20.2%+60.3%+7.4%
SAP SAP SE14 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%
SNPS Synopsys, Inc.14 of 29−3.2%−5.7%+61.3%−13.4%+42.1%+86.2%+65.2%−1.2%+44.8%+29.0%+4.9%+7.1%+27.4%+17.1%+1.1%+20.8%+20.3%−28.6%−3.0%+33.3%+2.6%−42.3%+46.7%−21.9%+24.5%−28.9%+23.0%+51.7%−22.7%
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.17 of 29+4.0%+10.3%+69.5%−13.8%+36.6%+96.7%+59.5%+4.0%+65.8%+21.2%+9.7%+35.3%+3.8%+29.9%+25.9%+37.9%+63.7%−78.5%−5.0%+5.9%+22.5%−23.2%+52.5%−46.2%−20.3%+14.6%−19.3%+21.4%+24.1%
TT Trane Technologies plc14 of 29+6.4%+53.0%+47.4%−15.3%+41.0%+43.4%+48.3%+4.4%+21.3%+38.5%−11.1%+4.6%+29.9%+59.3%−34.7%+32.6%+110%−62.0%+20.2%−1.7%+1.7%+19.6%+59.7%+4.3%+1.2%−23.0%+17.7%+17.9%+38.1%
ORCL Oracle Corporation14 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%
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%————————
U Unity Software Inc.3 of 5+96.6%−45.1%+43.0%−80.0%−6.8%————————————————————————
TRMB Trimble Inc.13 of 29+10.9%+32.8%+5.2%−42.0%+30.6%+60.2%+26.7%−19.0%+34.8%+40.6%−19.2%−23.5%+16.1%+37.7%+8.7%+58.5%+16.6%−28.5%+19.2%+43.0%+7.4%+33.0%+199%−23.0%−32.5%+11.1%+198%−66.8%+89.6%
ACM Aecom4 of 18−9.9%+16.7%+9.8%+10.7%+55.4%+15.4%+62.7%−28.6%+2.2%+21.1%−1.1%+3.2%+23.7%+15.7%−26.5%+1.7%−10.5%+7.6%———————————
ACN Accenture plc8 of 24−22.1%+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%—————
PCOR Procore Technologies, Inc.1 of 4−2.9%+8.3%+46.7%−41.0%—————————————————————————
TYL Tyler Technologies, Inc.15 of 29−21.3%+37.9%+29.7%−40.1%+23.2%+45.5%+61.5%+5.0%+24.0%−18.1%+59.3%+7.2%+111%+60.9%+45.0%+4.3%+66.2%−7.1%−8.3%+60.1%+5.0%−13.2%+131%−8.3%+169%−69.3%−10.3%+11.5%+193%
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated3 of 5−17.8%−10.1%+41.8%−23.3%+19.6%————————————————————————
ADBE Adobe Inc.17 of 29−21.3%−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%
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Risk and diversification

How ADSK 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 ADSK's worst declines?

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

DuringADSK fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−76.9%−53.4%Dec 2007Mar 200915 monthsJan 20144.8 years
No named crash−66.0%+148%Aug 1995Oct 19994.2 yearsMar 20005 months
Dot-com bust−63.6%+1.9%Mar 2000Jul 20004 monthsFeb 20043.6 years
No named crash−61.2%—Jun 1991Feb 19928 monthsMar 19942.1 years
No named crash−60.4%—Oct 1987Oct 1987Under a monthFeb 198916 months

How did ADSK do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far ADSK, 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 ADSK.

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
ADSK This pageAutodesk, Inc.—−5.1%−40.9%−35.5%−24.2%−6.9%−34.7%−36.9%−1.6%−76.9%−63.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF8 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
PTC PTC Inc.6 of 10−4.3%−20.4%−45.3%−27.8%−4.9%−24.9%−33.9%−3.0%−66.1%−94.5%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.3 of 6−7.2%−39.9%−28.8%−20.6%−8.5%−47.6%————
MANH Manhattan Associates, Inc.4 of 10−4.2%−26.5%−54.1%−30.4%−21.1%−40.5%−16.4%−2.5%−54.1%−84.7%
NEM Newmont Corporation8 of 10−1.0%−51.8%−24.5%−9.5%−6.0%−20.2%−12.0%−2.3%−61.5%−53.0%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation2 of 10−5.0%−60.7%−37.5%−55.9%−8.5%−25.3%−23.8%−1.7%−85.1%−89.7%
J Jacobs Solutions Inc.5 of 10−4.9%−26.3%−39.3%−31.7%−7.3%−22.0%−26.6%−4.3%−74.1%−38.3%
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%
SNPS Synopsys, Inc.8 of 10−3.7%−29.3%−34.3%−20.3%−8.4%−22.8%−13.7%−1.9%−49.1%−48.0%
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.6 of 10−1.8%−24.3%−32.1%−14.1%−10.4%−19.3%−21.4%−4.6%−88.2%−72.3%
TT Trane Technologies plc6 of 10−3.3%−37.5%−39.2%−17.9%−8.0%−20.6%−34.2%−2.6%−77.5%−44.7%
ORCL Oracle Corporation6 of 10−5.0%−31.0%−28.3%−17.2%−6.6%−16.1%−23.9%−2.1%−41.1%−84.2%
CRM Salesforce, Inc.3 of 9−5.3%−42.7%−35.7%−24.8%−6.1%−34.2%−26.9%−4.2%−70.5%—
U Unity Software Inc.0 of 2−7.6%−76.6%————————
TRMB Trimble Inc.4 of 10−6.7%−38.9%−53.8%−30.9%−12.0%−20.4%−16.7%−2.4%−71.9%−87.2%
ACM Aecom3 of 9−6.1%−22.9%−54.1%−27.1%−9.2%−27.9%−36.5%−5.7%−58.6%—
ACN Accenture plc7 of 9−4.7%−37.3%−33.5%−22.6%−4.1%−14.9%−22.7%−1.9%−35.7%—
PCOR Procore Technologies, Inc.0 of 2−9.7%−47.3%————————
TYL Tyler Technologies, Inc.5 of 10−5.2%−41.7%−22.5%−29.3%−4.6%−27.1%−14.5%−3.5%−35.9%−86.0%
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated2 of 2−4.3%−39.8%————————
ADBE Adobe Inc.6 of 10−6.2%−50.3%−25.6%−25.5%−5.4%−22.7%−23.6%−0.2%−66.7%−79.9%
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How closely does ADSK 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 ADSK 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 ADSK's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
ADSK This pageAutodesk, Inc.130%179%0.731.34
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation248%140%1.771.83
TT Trane Technologies plc115%69%1.661.10
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.132%83%1.581.09
NEM Newmont Corporation68%45%1.520.39
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.114%79%1.450.97
SNPS Synopsys, Inc.124%108%1.161.17
J Jacobs Solutions Inc.82%78%1.050.79
PTC PTC Inc.105%127%0.831.12
ORCL Oracle Corporation131%159%0.821.30
CRM Salesforce, Inc.115%143%0.801.16
MANH Manhattan Associates, Inc.129%166%0.781.44
TYL Tyler Technologies, Inc.65%87%0.750.75
SAP SAP SE112%152%0.741.10
ACM Aecom82%111%0.741.24
ADBE Adobe Inc.123%184%0.671.24
TRMB Trimble Inc.121%187%0.651.46
ACN Accenture plc117%186%0.631.12
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What diversifies ADSK?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2022202120112008200620022000199980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ADSK Autodesk, Inc. (this page)1.00−17.8%0.07−33.5%−7.9%−20.6%−60.5%−5.8%−22.5%−19.5%−20.3%34.7%−6.0%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.34+119%1.48+3.8%+17.8%——————28.5%−1.0%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.26+225%1.34+6.0%+18.0%−16.1%−20.8%————28.5%+0.8%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.40+101%1.04+10.4%+23.1%——————29.1%−1.3%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.42+83.3%1.00+7.1%+19.6%——————29.1%−1.8%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.24+323%0.97−33.5%+42.1%+6.8%−44.7%−6.7%−47.0%——30.3%+2.9%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.44+85.0%0.96−5.1%+19.6%——————28.8%−1.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.12+126%0.96−0.8%−4.2%+9.6%+4.9%+22.6%———28.4%−0.5%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.38+136%0.93−10.4%+22.7%——————29.6%−0.2%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2022202120112008200620022000199980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ADSK Autodesk, Inc. (this page)1.00−17.8%0.07−33.5%−7.9%−20.6%−60.5%−5.8%−22.5%−19.5%−20.3%34.7%−6.0%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.13+479%1.55+54.1%−0.4%+8.1%−39.6%−5.8%−8.3%+108%−36.8%28.9%+2.9%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.25+3,143%1.47+1.3%+37.9%−24.4%−20.5%−26.0%−65.1%−2.3%+350%32.7%+13.6%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.20+1,636%1.46+17.0%+89.0%−17.0%−15.2%+38.9%−9.4%−71.1%−58.7%30.9%+10.4%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.18+413%1.44+51.8%+44.2%+11.8%−40.4%−1.2%−27.2%+61.2%−71.3%29.1%+2.3%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.34+690%1.41+86.6%+61.0%——————30.6%+4.3%
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Common questions

What was ADSK's worst drawdown?

ADSK's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 76.9%, from December 2007 to March 2009. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were ADSK's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, ADSK's best year was 2004, when it returned 210%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -60.5%.

Is there a better investment than ADSK?

Among ADSK's popular alternatives, J, SAP and TT earned more than ADSK with less volatility over the past 5 years. J returned 5.3% a year at 26.2% volatility, against a loss of 3.8% a year at 36.4%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, MSFT (software) and ADI (semiconductors) earned more than ADSK with less volatility over the past 5 years. MSFT returned 12.5% a year at 28.2% volatility, against a loss of 3.8% a year at 36.4%.

Is ADSK more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ADSK's volatility over the past 5 years was 36.4%, 2.1 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ADSK's return lands within 36.4% 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 ADSK's Sharpe ratio?

ADSK's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.07, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ADSK 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 ADSK with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, ADSK's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.60 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 ADSK instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ADSK holding.

What are the best alternatives to ADSK?

Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, eight outperformed ADSK in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: PTC, NOW and MANH.

Did ADSK outperform the S&P 500?

ADSK finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 16 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +0.1%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did ADSK do in stock market crashes?

ADSK fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in none of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in eight. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when ADSK fell 34.7% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.

What diversifies ADSK?

These had a low correlation with ADSK over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.34), DXJ (correlation 0.26) and EMLP (correlation 0.40); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.13), CLS (correlation 0.25) and FIX (correlation 0.20). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to ADSK

Other stocks and ETFs