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Relative Intelligence · Electronic Instruments

How AMETEK (AME) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

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

Period covered: AME'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 AME →Chart AME vs. 25 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in AME over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of AME over the same span and AME'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. 41 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of AME; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M$10M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M$10M19972004201120182025
  • AAPL$21M+205,249% total · +30.1% a year
  • AMZN$11M+114,749% total · +27.5% a year
  • ROK$1M+12,857% total · +18.3% a year
  • ASML$984,088+9,741% total · +17.1% a year
  • COHR$922,472+9,125% total · +16.9% a year
  • AME$869,262+8,593% total · +16.6% a year
  • ETN$538,468+5,285% total · +14.7% a year
  • PH$505,227+4,952% total · +14.5% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • EMR$115,655+1,057% total · +8.8% 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. 735 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of AME; 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$100,000$200,000202120222023202420252026$10,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • BELFB$203,703+1,937% total · +82.7% a year
  • LLY$52,411+424% total · +39.3% a year
  • COHR$48,485+385% total · +37.1% a year
  • MTSI$43,907+339% total · +34.4% a year
  • WAB$34,242+242% total · +27.9% a year
  • COR$26,420+164% total · +21.4% a year
  • RY$23,646+136% total · +18.8% a year
  • KEYS$22,159+122% total · +17.2% a year
  • AME$20,638+106% total · +15.6% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
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AME 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
$57B
Industry
Electrical Equipment & Parts
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+32.8%total return
Past 3 years
+78.1%+21.2% a year
Past 5 years
+96.1%+14.4% a year
Past 10 years
+481%+19.2% a year
Best calendar year
+54.8%2010
Worst calendar year
−35.1%2008
Losing years
6 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
22.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.72return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−53.3%Jun 2008 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−4.2%below the peak

AME against the whole market

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

How does AME rank among all stocks?

This section ranks AME 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 AME 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.

MeasureAMERankStanding
1-year return+32.8%897 of 3,287top 27%
3-year return+78.1%1,152 of 3,017top 38%
5-year return+96.1%705 of 2,893top 24%
10-year return+481%324 of 2,202top 15%
Volatility, 5 years22.1%154 of 2,893top 5%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.72417 of 2,893top 14%
Worst decline, past 10 years−42.7%219 of 2,187top 10%

What has beaten AME 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). AME sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than AME 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 AME; faint dots are 19 more of the 34 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.

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than AMETD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%FFLC: +15.7% a year, volatility 16.8%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%EPD: +16.4% a year, volatility 17.1%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%AMLP: +16.1% a year, volatility 18.9%PPA: +16.3% a year, volatility 18.9%MLPX: +18.6% a year, volatility 19.7%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%KEYS: +13.9% a year, volatility 34.5%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%MUSA: +26.1% a year, volatility 31.2%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%AMESPY (S&P 500)KEYSWABLLYRYCORDXJNXTGMUSAABBVBRK-BLVHI10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than AMETD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%FFLC: +15.7% a year, volatility 16.8%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%EPD: +16.4% a year, volatility 17.1%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%AMLP: +16.1% a year, volatility 18.9%PPA: +16.3% a year, volatility 18.9%MLPX: +18.6% a year, volatility 19.7%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%KEYS: +13.9% a year, volatility 34.5%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%MUSA: +26.1% a year, volatility 31.2%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%AMESPY (S&P 500)KEYSWABLLYRYCORDXJNXTGMUSABRK-BLVHI
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than AME?

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

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

Screen the whole market against AME for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 11 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 AME?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · this page
+14.4%22.1%0.72−42.7%+481%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.720.09%
Popular alternativesbest 1 shownThe investments people most often weigh against AME. 1 of 25 passed at least one test.
KEYSKeysight Technologies, Inc. · Electronic Equipment
Higher return in most periods+13.9%34.5%0.55−42.6%+923%0.63—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 1 shownEverything else in Electronic Instruments and the categories next to it (Industrial Machinery, Electronic Equipment, Electrical Equipment), plus AME's specific themes. 1 of 42 passed at least one test.
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Higher return in most periods+25.6%26.2%1.00−64.1%+264%0.64—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 200 of 3,566 passed at least one test.
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.16—
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.36—
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.44—
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.460.48%
NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+16.2%19.1%0.89−33.6%+330%0.570.70%
MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+26.1%31.2%0.90−35.5%+706%0.20—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.20—
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.43—
What these numbers mean for AME
Annual return
AME returned 14.4% 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 $19,600. 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
AME's volatility over the past 5 years was 22.1%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, AME's return lands within 22.1% 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
AME's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so AME 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
AME's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 42.7%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 42.7% fall takes a 74.6% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, AME's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.72 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 AME instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a AME holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 34 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than AME with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 23 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with AMEExpense
1
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.36—
2
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.460.48%
3
NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology
Whole market+16.2%19.1%0.89−33.6%+330%0.570.70%
4
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.42—
5
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.500.40%
6
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.25—
7
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—-0.030.80%
8
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.090.40%
9
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+15.9%18.4%0.90−39.5%+286%0.610.15%
10
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.600.13%
11
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.630.40%
12
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.270.61%
13
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.38—
14
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+15.7%16.8%0.95−19.7%—0.720.38%
15
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.550.45%
16
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.28—
17
EPDEnterprise Products Partners L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+16.4%17.1%0.98−58.1%+178%0.30—
18
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.0%20.8%0.95−54.9%+335%0.29—
19
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.1%15.1%1.07−41.3%—0.720.56%
20
AMLPAlerian MLP ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+16.1%18.9%0.89−72.9%+91.0%0.351.01%
21
PPAInvesco Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+16.3%18.9%0.90−43.9%+344%0.590.58%
22
MLPXGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF · Energy
Whole market+18.6%19.7%0.97−64.6%+186%0.420.45%
23
EWPiShares MSCI Spain ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+19.2%20.3%0.97−46.4%+196%0.410.50%

AME against its popular alternatives

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

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

Green points earned more than AME 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%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityAME: 14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%KEYS: 13.9% a year, volatility 34.5%EMR: 12.7% a year, volatility 27.7%TDY: 7.5% a year, volatility 24.5%MKSI: 8.5% a year, volatility 53.4%NOVT: −3.7% a year, volatility 41.4%IEX: 2.7% a year, volatility 24.0%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%ROP: −2.8% a year, volatility 22.7%CTS: 11.7% a year, volatility 33.9%ST: −4.8% a year, volatility 37.4%VNT: 0.1% a year, volatility 30.9%BMI: 5.2% a year, volatility 35.0%DOV: 4.4% a year, volatility 25.1%HON: 1.5% a year, volatility 22.8%FTV: 1.2% a year, volatility 25.5%ROK: 7.8% a year, volatility 32.3%ITRI: 1.6% a year, volatility 42.4%BELFB: 78.0% a year, volatility 52.1%MTSI: 32.0% a year, volatility 47.3%COHR: 31.6% a year, volatility 66.3%PH: 27.4% a year, volatility 28.8%ETN: 20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%OSIS: 15.5% a year, volatility 34.0%ITW: 6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%AMESPY (S&P 500)KEYSEMRTDYMKSINOVTIEXTMODHRROPCTSSTVNTBMIDOVHONROKITRIBELFBMTSICOHRPHETNOSISITW10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityAME: 14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%KEYS: 13.9% a year, volatility 34.5%EMR: 12.7% a year, volatility 27.7%TDY: 7.5% a year, volatility 24.5%MKSI: 8.5% a year, volatility 53.4%NOVT: −3.7% a year, volatility 41.4%IEX: 2.7% a year, volatility 24.0%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%ROP: −2.8% a year, volatility 22.7%CTS: 11.7% a year, volatility 33.9%ST: −4.8% a year, volatility 37.4%VNT: 0.1% a year, volatility 30.9%BMI: 5.2% a year, volatility 35.0%DOV: 4.4% a year, volatility 25.1%HON: 1.5% a year, volatility 22.8%FTV: 1.2% a year, volatility 25.5%ROK: 7.8% a year, volatility 32.3%ITRI: 1.6% a year, volatility 42.4%BELFB: 78.0% a year, volatility 52.1%MTSI: 32.0% a year, volatility 47.3%COHR: 31.6% a year, volatility 66.3%PH: 27.4% a year, volatility 28.8%ETN: 20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%OSIS: 15.5% a year, volatility 34.0%ITW: 6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%AMESPY (S&P 500)KEYSTDYMKSINOVTIEXDHRROPSTBMIDOVITRIBELFBMTSICOHRPHETN
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
BELFB Bel Fuse Inc.+78.0%52.1%
MTSI MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.+32.0%47.3%
COHR Coherent, Inc.+31.6%66.3%
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation+27.4%28.8%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc+20.4%32.1%
OSIS OSI Systems, Inc.+15.5%34.0%
AME This pageAMETEK, Inc.+14.4%22.1%
KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc.+13.9%34.5%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.+12.7%27.7%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
CTS CTS Corporation+11.7%33.9%
MKSI MKS Inc.+8.5%53.4%
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.+7.8%32.3%
TDY Teledyne Technologies Incorporated+7.5%24.5%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.+6.7%21.4%
BMI Badger Meter, Inc.+5.2%35.0%
DOV Dover Corporation+4.4%25.1%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
IEX IDEX Corporation+2.7%24.0%
ITRI Itron, Inc.+1.6%42.4%
HON Honeywell International Inc.+1.5%22.8%
FTV Fortive Corporation+1.2%25.5%
VNT Vontier Corporation+0.1%30.9%
ROP Roper Technologies, Inc.−2.8%22.7%
NOVT Novanta Inc.−3.7%41.4%
DHR Danaher Corporation−3.8%29.1%
ST Sensata Technologies Holding plc−4.8%37.4%
Open these 27 in EasyCompare

Has AME consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than AME 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
AME AMETEK, Inc. (this page)—+2.5%+5.3%+4.8%+18.8%+32.8%+78.1%+96.1%+481%22.1%0.72−42.7%—$57B—
KEYS QualifiedKeysight Technologies, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long−2.3%+6.4%−0.3%+61.8%+103%+172%+91.9%+923%34.5%0.55−42.6%—$57B—
BELFB Hardware, Equipment & PartsBel Fuse Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−12.7%−20.2%−16.5%+23.1%+43.7%+425%+1,688%+872%52.1%1.37−79.8%—$2.6B—
MTSI SemiconductorsMACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−5.8%−2.5%−6.5%+50.3%+87.4%+249%+302%+588%47.3%0.83−80.8%—$20B—
COHR Hardware, Equipment & PartsCoherent, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long−27.9%−18.8%−33.3%+19.3%+92.8%+648%+295%+795%66.3%0.75−72.2%—$46B—
PH Industrial - MachineryParker-Hannifin Corporation0/5 short3/3 long−1.4%−0.4%−4.8%+6.3%+28.7%+161%+235%+789%28.8%0.99−54.7%—$119B—
ETN Electrical Equipment & PartsEaton Corporation plc0/5 short3/3 long−12.3%−4.6%−5.8%+17.7%+2.3%+104%+153%+657%32.1%0.74−44.5%—$148B—
EMR Industrial - MachineryEmerson Electric Co.4/5 short1/3 long+5.8%+17.9%+10.1%+19.5%+25.0%+84.9%+82.1%+309%27.7%0.57−50.8%—$90B—
TDY Hardware, Equipment & PartsTeledyne Technologies Incorporated2/5 short1/3 long+3.7%+0.8%−2.2%+21.8%+10.5%+62.6%+43.7%+499%24.5%0.42−48.9%—$29B—
MKSI Hardware, Equipment & PartsMKS Inc.2/5 short1/3 long−17.8%−34.8%−24.4%+25.7%+49.8%+191%+50.5%+371%53.4%0.42−69.2%—$14B—
NOVT Hardware, Equipment & PartsNovanta Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+1.0%−5.5%+2.5%+22.0%+25.0%+0.2%−17.3%+673%41.4%0.12−46.7%—$5.1B—
OSIS Hardware, Equipment & PartsOSI Systems, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−2.8%−7.4%−37.0%−23.8%−23.3%+69.6%+106%+194%34.0%0.59−53.6%—$3.1B—
IEX Industrial - MachineryIDEX Corporation4/5 short0/3 long+5.1%+5.7%+14.1%+32.0%+41.9%+26.1%+14.1%+205%24.0%0.23−35.5%—$17B—
TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation3/5 short0/3 long+4.0%+11.6%+15.0%−2.2%+8.3%+10.8%−17.6%+232%29.1%0.01−43.8%—$157B—
ROP Software - ApplicationRoper Technologies, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+9.3%+10.0%+11.2%−7.7%−20.5%−15.6%−13.3%+145%22.7%-0.01−46.5%—$39B—
CTS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCTS Corporation2/5 short0/3 long−5.6%−6.5%+1.0%+26.4%+34.6%+42.6%+74.1%+252%33.9%0.50−52.6%—$1.6B—
ST Hardware, Equipment & PartsSensata Technologies Holding plc2/5 short0/3 long+0.4%−5.5%+3.6%+21.5%+33.9%+23.3%−21.6%+19.7%37.4%0.06−71.7%—$6.1B—
VNT Hardware, Equipment & PartsVontier Corporation2/5 short0/3 long+8.8%+14.2%−8.9%−9.9%−20.8%+14.1%+0.4%—30.9%0.16−54.5%—$4.6B—
BMI Industrial - MachineryBadger Meter, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long−1.9%−12.7%+14.5%−26.2%−30.4%−3.4%+29.1%+346%35.0%0.33−55.1%—$3.7B—
DOV Industrial - MachineryDover Corporation1/5 short0/3 long+5.9%−5.7%−10.7%+1.5%+17.9%+51.3%+24.2%+320%25.1%0.30−45.2%—$27B—
ITW Industrial - MachineryIllinois Tool Works Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+3.5%+1.9%+2.1%+12.3%+11.7%+32.1%+38.4%+208%21.4%0.41−37.9%—$78B—
HON ConglomeratesHoneywell International Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+3.3%−5.4%−10.7%+5.2%+6.8%+27.0%+7.5%+160%22.8%0.18−43.0%—$68B—
FTV Hardware, Equipment & PartsFortive Corporation1/5 short0/3 long+5.9%−4.2%−4.1%+5.7%+18.9%+11.7%+6.3%+98.0%25.5%0.18−52.6%—$18B—
ROK Industrial - MachineryRockwell Automation, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+0.7%−6.4%+4.1%+8.4%+22.9%+68.9%+45.6%+335%32.3%0.40−45.1%—$48B—
ITRI Hardware, Equipment & PartsItron, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−8.5%+0.3%−13.3%−10.4%−36.9%+47.7%+8.3%+54.5%42.4%0.25−65.3%—$3.7B—
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How did AME do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of AME20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
AME This pageAMETEK, Inc.—+14.7%+10.0%+18.8%−4.3%+22.3%+22.2%+48.3%−5.9%+50.0%−8.6%+2.5%+0.5%+41.0%+34.6%+7.9%+54.8%+27.6%−35.1%+47.9%+13.0%+20.0%+48.9%+26.4%+21.4%+23.7%+37.7%−13.6%−16.8%+22.4%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 10 of 2910 of 2613 of 2615 of 267 of 2610 of 2614 of 258 of 2511 of 254 of 2522 of 248 of 2417 of 2311 of 233 of 225 of 225 of 2114 of 2111 of 214 of 2117 of 215 of 214 of 2116 of 212 of 216 of 217 of 2116 of 189 of 1711 of 16
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF12 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%
KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc.6 of 11+26.5%+1.0%−7.0%−17.2%+56.3%+28.7%+65.3%+49.2%+13.8%+29.1%−16.1%——————————————————
BELFB Bel Fuse Inc.10 of 27+106%+24.0%+104%+159%−12.3%−24.9%+13.1%−25.9%−17.7%+81.6%−35.9%+29.9%+10.9%+5.9%−20.4%+12.8%+3.0%−26.7%−15.3%+10.0%−5.3%+4.2%+64.0%−19.2%−25.7%+43.2%+41.0%——
MTSI MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.9 of 13+31.8%+39.8%+47.6%−19.6%+42.3%+107%+83.3%−55.4%−29.7%+13.2%+30.7%+84.1%+13.5%————————————————
COHR Coherent, Inc.13 of 29+94.8%+118%+24.0%−48.6%−10.1%+126%+3.7%−30.9%+58.4%+59.8%+36.0%−22.4%−3.6%+5.4%−20.8%+45.8%+66.5%−37.5%+9.3%+56.3%−15.8%+64.8%+60.6%−6.9%+13.4%+51.0%+156%−67.2%−8.4%
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation13 of 29+39.5%+39.6%+60.8%−6.9%+18.3%+34.8%+40.7%−24.0%+44.3%+47.6%−23.1%+2.0%+53.9%+13.7%−10.1%+62.7%+29.4%−42.5%+48.6%+18.0%−11.8%+28.9%+31.2%+2.1%+5.7%−12.5%+59.3%−27.5%+80.2%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc13 of 29−2.8%+39.5%+56.2%−7.2%+46.7%+31.0%+42.8%−10.0%+21.5%+33.8%−20.7%−8.2%+44.2%+28.6%−11.8%+64.0%+33.3%−47.1%+31.6%+14.4%−5.4%+36.5%+41.1%+7.6%+40.8%+6.0%+5.3%−19.0%+30.7%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.9 of 29+8.9%+29.7%+3.8%+5.7%+18.2%+8.6%+31.6%−11.9%+29.1%+21.0%−19.7%−9.6%+36.1%+17.3%−16.3%+37.8%+20.7%−33.6%+31.5%+20.7%+9.2%+11.0%+31.4%−8.3%−25.7%+40.8%−3.0%+9.2%+19.1%
TDY Teledyne Technologies Incorporated9 of 26+10.0%+4.0%+11.6%−8.5%+11.5%+13.1%+67.3%+14.3%+47.3%+38.7%−13.7%+11.8%+41.2%+18.6%+24.7%+14.6%−13.9%−16.5%+32.9%+37.9%−1.1%+56.1%+20.2%−3.8%−31.1%+150%———
MKSI MKS Inc.12 of 26+54.4%+2.2%+22.6%−51.0%+16.4%+37.7%+71.9%−31.1%+60.5%+67.6%+0.3%+24.9%+18.8%−5.1%+16.3%+40.7%+17.7%−22.7%−15.2%+26.2%−3.6%−36.0%+76.6%−39.2%+74.4%−57.1%———
NOVT Novanta Inc.10 of 26−22.1%−9.3%+23.9%−22.9%+49.1%+33.7%+40.4%+26.0%+138%+54.2%−7.5%+31.0%+29.8%−15.3%−3.3%+305%+52.6%−93.8%−4.6%−10.8%−5.4%−2.5%+95.2%−28.8%+5.9%−8.6%———
OSIS OSI Systems, Inc.10 of 28+52.3%+29.7%+62.3%−14.7%0.0%−7.5%+37.4%+13.9%−15.4%−14.1%+25.3%+33.3%−17.1%+31.3%+34.2%+33.3%+97.0%−47.7%+26.5%+13.8%−19.0%+18.2%+13.1%−6.9%+198%+11.5%−36.3%−29.5%—
IEX IDEX Corporation11 of 29−13.7%−2.4%−3.8%−2.2%+19.8%+17.2%+37.9%−3.2%+48.5%+19.5%0.0%+7.0%+61.3%+27.9%−3.5%+27.8%+31.5%−32.1%+15.8%+16.8%+2.7%+48.2%+29.3%−3.6%+6.1%+11.2%+26.6%−28.5%+33.4%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.12 of 29+11.8%−1.7%−3.4%−17.3%+43.5%+43.7%+45.6%+18.2%+35.0%−0.1%+13.8%+13.1%+75.8%+43.2%−18.8%+16.1%+40.0%−40.9%+27.4%+50.3%−0.2%+19.8%+25.3%−15.7%+5.6%+98.2%−11.4%−61.5%+6.7%
DHR Danaher Corporation13 of 29+0.4%−0.4%−1.2%−19.0%+48.6%+45.4%+49.5%+11.8%+20.0%+73.2%+9.3%+11.6%+38.3%+19.1%−0.1%+25.7%+33.0%−35.4%+21.3%+30.1%−2.7%+25.3%+39.7%+9.1%−11.7%+41.5%−11.0%+72.4%+35.2%
ROP Roper Technologies, Inc.13 of 29−13.9%−4.1%+26.9%−11.6%+14.7%+22.4%+33.7%+3.5%+42.4%−2.9%+22.1%+13.4%+24.9%+29.3%+14.3%+46.9%+21.5%−30.2%+25.1%+27.8%+30.8%+24.3%+35.8%−25.4%+51.0%−11.8%+87.4%−27.1%+45.1%
CTS CTS Corporation11 of 29−18.4%+20.9%+11.4%+7.8%+7.5%+15.2%+16.6%+1.1%+15.8%+28.1%−0.2%−9.6%+89.3%+17.3%−15.7%+16.4%+77.8%−43.8%−36.2%+43.2%−15.9%+16.7%+50.2%−50.5%−56.0%−51.5%+248%+37.3%+126%
ST Sensata Technologies Holding plc2 of 15+23.6%−26.1%−5.8%−34.0%+17.0%−2.1%+20.1%−12.3%+31.2%−15.4%−12.1%+35.2%+19.4%+23.6%−12.8%——————————————
VNT Vontier Corporation1 of 5+2.2%+5.8%+79.3%−36.8%−7.8%————————————————————————
BMI Badger Meter, Inc.16 of 29−17.2%+38.3%+42.6%+3.2%+14.1%+46.4%+33.4%+4.1%+30.9%+27.7%0.0%+10.4%+16.6%+64.2%−32.3%+12.6%+39.0%−34.7%+64.1%+42.8%+33.3%+60.4%+22.8%+48.5%+1.0%−21.3%−13.2%−10.9%+116%
DOV Dover Corporation12 of 29+5.2%+23.4%+15.2%−24.3%+45.7%+11.5%+65.8%−11.0%+37.7%+25.4%−12.4%−8.8%+49.5%+15.7%+1.4%+43.7%+30.3%−26.9%−4.4%+22.9%−1.8%+7.2%+38.7%−20.1%−7.3%−9.7%+25.4%+2.5%+44.6%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.10 of 29−0.4%−1.0%+21.6%−8.5%+23.6%+16.4%+45.6%−22.1%+38.9%+35.0%+0.1%+15.0%+41.4%+33.6%−10.0%+14.4%+41.4%−32.7%+18.0%+7.1%−3.7%+11.7%+31.1%−2.9%+15.2%−10.6%+17.6%−2.6%+51.9%
HON Honeywell International Inc.10 of 29−6.3%+10.2%+0.1%+5.0%−0.2%+23.1%+36.9%−7.5%+35.2%+14.3%+4.9%+10.6%+45.8%+18.5%+3.8%+37.8%+21.9%−45.9%+37.5%+23.1%+6.6%+7.3%+41.6%−28.0%−27.7%−17.2%+31.0%+15.1%+16.7%
FTV Fortive Corporation0 of 9−1.9%+2.3%+15.1%−15.4%+8.1%+11.2%+13.3%−6.1%+35.4%————————————————————
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.12 of 29+38.4%−6.2%+22.6%−24.8%+41.2%+26.2%+37.9%−21.8%+48.9%+34.5%−5.5%−3.9%+43.8%+17.2%+4.5%+56.1%+50.9%−51.9%+14.9%+4.7%+21.3%+41.8%+76.5%+20.0%−11.3%+5.5%+168%−1.9%+37.1%
ITRI Itron, Inc.10 of 29−14.5%+43.8%+49.1%−26.1%−28.5%+14.2%+77.5%−30.7%+8.5%+73.7%−14.4%+2.1%−7.0%+24.6%−35.5%−17.9%+6.0%−33.6%+85.1%+29.5%+67.5%+30.2%−4.2%−36.7%+735%−40.8%−14.7%−60.1%+1.4%
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Risk and diversification

How AME 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 AME's worst declines?

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

DuringAME fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−53.3%−48.9%Jun 2008Mar 20099 monthsOct 201019 months
No named crash−49.6%—Oct 1987Sep 19902.9 yearsFeb 199217 months
Dot-com bust−47.5%+17.3%Jul 1998Mar 200020 monthsJun 200115 months
Covid crash−42.7%−30.9%Jan 2020Mar 20202 monthsAug 20205 months
No named crash−36.2%+3.1%Mar 1993Nov 19938 monthsSep 199410 months

How did AME do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far AME, 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 AME.

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
AME This pageAMETEK, Inc.—−3.7%−26.4%−42.0%−22.1%−6.7%−21.9%−30.3%−1.2%−53.3%−34.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF5 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc.3 of 6−2.6%−33.8%−17.7%−18.0%−6.7%−37.2%————
BELFB Bel Fuse Inc.1 of 10−13.5%−24.7%−55.1%−34.7%−9.3%−39.1%−34.6%−5.1%−73.6%−57.0%
MTSI MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.0 of 6−4.8%−43.9%−48.1%−37.0%−41.5%−22.4%————
COHR Coherent, Inc.1 of 10−10.7%−56.3%−43.0%−39.5%−9.8%−15.0%−40.4%−2.1%−68.2%−61.4%
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation0 of 10−8.4%−27.3%−54.7%−25.6%−8.1%−23.7%−30.4%−3.5%−66.9%−36.5%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc1 of 10−4.5%−26.3%−44.5%−26.0%−6.7%−22.3%−34.6%−1.4%−68.5%−31.6%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.5 of 10−4.3%−25.4%−47.2%−28.8%−5.9%−15.9%−25.8%0.0%−56.1%−43.6%
TDY Teledyne Technologies Incorporated1 of 10−5.0%−32.0%−48.9%−22.7%−7.6%−27.5%−16.5%−5.1%−66.2%−59.5%
MKSI MKS Inc.3 of 10−6.5%−57.1%−39.4%−31.8%−9.5%−14.4%−23.9%−3.4%−54.7%−85.7%
NOVT Novanta Inc.2 of 10−4.0%−36.2%−29.5%−25.6%−12.6%−19.6%−38.9%−0.7%−96.0%−91.4%
OSIS OSI Systems, Inc.4 of 10−3.7%−30.4%−40.4%−13.7%−3.7%−45.7%−28.9%−2.5%−61.4%−88.4%
IEX IDEX Corporation4 of 10−2.0%−26.1%−34.3%−23.8%−7.9%−13.1%−33.3%−3.3%−58.3%−33.9%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.6 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
DHR Danaher Corporation8 of 10−3.2%−22.8%−25.9%−13.4%−9.8%−14.0%−21.8%−0.6%−45.7%−33.7%
ROP Roper Technologies, Inc.7 of 10−1.0%−25.8%−34.4%−19.2%−9.0%−18.3%−24.3%−0.9%−50.0%−46.8%
CTS CTS Corporation4 of 10−1.2%−20.6%−38.5%−33.7%−7.5%−34.2%−26.4%−5.1%−84.2%−94.3%
ST Sensata Technologies Holding plc1 of 8−7.8%−42.4%−52.4%−20.6%−7.1%−41.4%−33.6%−4.0%——
VNT Vontier Corporation0 of 2−8.2%−45.9%————————
BMI Badger Meter, Inc.5 of 10−3.5%−29.3%−39.0%−17.5%−4.1%−12.9%−28.3%−2.8%−68.2%−42.4%
DOV Dover Corporation1 of 10−5.9%−35.6%−45.0%−25.1%−6.8%−20.9%−32.8%−1.5%−58.2%−54.1%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.6 of 10−2.9%−28.0%−37.9%−19.3%−8.4%−14.0%−29.0%−1.1%−54.9%−30.8%
HON Honeywell International Inc.4 of 10−1.4%−22.7%−42.2%−22.1%−6.8%−14.4%−25.3%−1.8%−62.2%−65.8%
FTV Fortive Corporation0 of 5−4.7%−27.4%−45.3%−26.8%−8.2%—————
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.0 of 10−5.4%−43.8%−42.4%−27.5%−7.9%−23.6%−37.5%−1.4%−74.7%−42.0%
ITRI Itron, Inc.1 of 10−3.8%−39.4%−51.5%−32.5%−7.2%−19.2%−44.1%−2.6%−68.5%−64.7%
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How closely does AME 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 AME 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 AME's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
AME This pageAMETEK, Inc.111%101%1.101.15
KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc.121%71%1.701.08
BMI Badger Meter, Inc.73%50%1.460.71
ETN Eaton Corporation plc114%80%1.431.16
TDY Teledyne Technologies Incorporated101%81%1.241.02
COHR Coherent, Inc.162%146%1.111.80
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation141%126%1.111.43
BELFB Bel Fuse Inc.168%160%1.051.61
DHR Danaher Corporation84%84%1.010.75
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
NOVT Novanta Inc.155%156%0.991.38
MTSI MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.148%157%0.941.93
CTS CTS Corporation94%104%0.910.87
OSIS OSI Systems, Inc.88%99%0.890.97
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.122%138%0.881.46
MKSI MKS Inc.156%181%0.861.77
DOV Dover Corporation114%133%0.851.27
EMR Emerson Electric Co.124%153%0.811.39
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.94%116%0.811.04
IEX IDEX Corporation97%121%0.801.03
HON Honeywell International Inc.90%118%0.771.00
ROP Roper Technologies, Inc.79%107%0.740.91
FTV Fortive Corporation88%133%0.661.10
ITRI Itron, Inc.97%158%0.611.27
ST Sensata Technologies Holding plc85%157%0.541.33
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What diversifies AME?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20222018201620081999199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
AME AMETEK, Inc. (this page)1.00+96.1%0.72−4.3%−5.9%−8.6%−35.1%−13.6%−16.8%20.7%+15.6%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.46+225%1.34+6.0%−19.8%+1.1%−20.8%——17.9%+18.1%
FDL Dividend & IncomeFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund0.48+91.8%0.98+6.7%−6.0%+20.7%−31.1%——18.3%+15.5%
EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF0.41+140%0.97−5.2%−15.3%−1.8%−36.8%−1.5%+50.5%18.4%+17.0%
MLPX EnergyGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF0.42+135%0.97+21.5%−15.5%+36.3%———18.5%+16.9%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.09+126%0.96−0.8%−1.9%+8.0%+4.9%——17.3%+16.7%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.25+177%0.93+64.4%−18.2%+28.0%−39.0%+18.1%—18.6%+17.8%
AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF0.35+111%0.89+25.5%−12.6%+14.9%———18.2%+16.6%
EFV InternationaliShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF0.49+89.0%0.88−5.2%−14.7%+5.1%−41.7%——18.3%+15.6%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20222018201620081999199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
AME AMETEK, Inc. (this page)1.00+96.1%0.72−4.3%−5.9%−8.6%−35.1%−13.6%−16.8%20.7%+15.6%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.39+479%1.55+54.1%−24.5%−17.5%−39.6%−36.8%+51.7%19.3%+20.4%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.44+3,143%1.47+1.3%−16.3%+7.4%−20.5%+350%—24.1%+33.0%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.30+413%1.44+51.8%−28.4%−28.3%−40.4%−71.3%+46.9%18.8%+19.8%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.15+690%1.41+86.6%−8.2%+0.7%———18.7%+22.7%
ATI Manufacturing - Metal FabricationATI Inc.0.35+1,008%1.34+87.5%−9.8%+43.9%−70.0%——21.8%+25.6%
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Common questions

What was AME's worst drawdown?

AME's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 53.3%, from June 2008 to March 2009. It took 19 months from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were AME's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, AME's best year was 2010, when it returned 54.8%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -35.1%.

Is there a better investment than AME?

Among AME's popular alternatives, KEYS was ahead of AME in most short and long periods, though with much bigger swings (34.5% volatility against 22.1%). Looking beyond its popular alternatives, WAB (industrial machinery) was ahead of AME in most short and long periods.

Is AME more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. AME's volatility over the past 5 years was 22.1%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, AME's return lands within 22.1% 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 AME's Sharpe ratio?

AME's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so AME 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 AME with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, AME's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.72 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 AME instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a AME holding.

What are the best alternatives to AME?

Of the 25 popular alternatives we compared, one outperformed AME in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: KEYS.

Did AME outperform the S&P 500?

AME finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 17 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +14.7%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did AME do in stock market crashes?

AME fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in five. The clearest case was the 2011 euro debt crisis, when AME fell 30.3% and the S&P 500 fell 17.9%.

What diversifies AME?

These had a low correlation with AME over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.46), FDL (correlation 0.48) and EWP (correlation 0.41); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.39), CLS (correlation 0.44) and MCK (correlation 0.30). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to AME

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