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Relative Intelligence · Medical Devices

How Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

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

Period covered: BDX's full trading record, from May 2001 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against BDX →Chart BDX vs. 21 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in BDX over the past 25 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of BDX over the same span and BDX's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2001 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 681 of the 1,326 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of BDX; 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$200,000$500,0002001200520092013201720212025$10,000$100,00020012007201320192025
  • TMO$501,156+4,912% total · +16.9% a year
  • MCK$272,007+2,620% total · +14.1% a year
  • DVA$257,982+2,480% total · +13.9% a year
  • COR$236,064+2,261% total · +13.5% a year
  • RMD$211,187+2,012% total · +13.0% a year
  • SYK$132,535+1,225% total · +10.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$114,557+1,046% total · +10.2% a year
  • BDX$94,758+848% total · +9.4% a year
  • RVTY$73,397+634% total · +8.3% a year
  • CAH$48,039+380% total · +6.5% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,448 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of BDX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202120222023202420252026
  • CAH$49,682+397% total · +37.8% a year
  • MCK$43,941+339% total · +34.5% a year
  • COR$26,420+164% total · +21.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • JNJ$18,849+88.5% total · +13.5% a year
  • HCA$18,335+83.3% total · +12.9% a year
  • DVA$15,045+50.4% total · +8.5% a year
  • TMO$11,986+19.9% total · +3.7% a year
  • BDX$10,410+4.1% total · +0.8% a year
  • RVTY$8,929−10.7% total · −2.2% a year
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BDX 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
$53B
Industry
Medical - Instruments & Supplies
Price history from
May 2001

Returns

Past 1 year
+32.3%total return
Past 3 years
+1.6%+0.5% a year
Past 5 years
+12.2%+2.3% a year
Past 10 years
+71.4%+5.5% a year
Best calendar year
+44.3%2013
Worst calendar year
−16.9%2008
Losing years
7 of 24full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
24.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.22return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−39.9%Jul 2023 to May 2025
From its all-time high
−7.0%below the peak

BDX against the whole market

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

How does BDX rank among all stocks?

This section ranks BDX 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 BDX 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.

MeasureBDXRankStanding
1-year return+32.3%912 of 3,287top 28%
3-year return+1.6%2,307 of 3,017bottom 25%
5-year return+12.2%1,565 of 2,893bottom 47%
10-year return+71.4%1,470 of 2,202bottom 34%
Volatility, 5 years24.1%267 of 2,893top 9%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.221,799 of 2,893bottom 39%
Worst decline, past 10 years−39.9%152 of 2,187top 7%

What has beaten BDX 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). BDX sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than BDX 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 BDX; faint dots are 91 more of the 760 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than BDXWMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%IEFA: +8.3% a year, volatility 16.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%DFAC: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.0%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%NEAR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.4%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%QUAL: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%VNLA: +4.0% a year, volatility 1.1%FLTR: +4.8% a year, volatility 2.1%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%FLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%IUSG: +12.9% a year, volatility 21.2%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%XEL: +6.5% a year, volatility 20.9%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%FLDR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.2%HYGH: +6.6% a year, volatility 7.1%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%WEC: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.0%TBUX: +4.1% a year, volatility 1.1%DFAT: +9.6% a year, volatility 21.0%FTS: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.4%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%AEE: +7.9% a year, volatility 19.4%RAVI: +3.8% a year, volatility 1.4%USHY: +3.6% a year, volatility 7.4%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%USTB: +3.6% a year, volatility 2.0%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%BKLN: +5.4% a year, volatility 4.5%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.8% a year, volatility 18.9%ESGV: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.5%CMS: +5.6% a year, volatility 19.0%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%SRLN: +4.7% a year, volatility 3.9%LNT: +7.3% a year, volatility 19.8%XLP: +7.2% a year, volatility 13.8%VPL: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.6%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%FTSL: +5.0% a year, volatility 3.4%JAVA: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.5%FLUD: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.4%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%DFAE: +8.3% a year, volatility 18.8%DBMF: +9.8% a year, volatility 12.4%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%IDA: +8.8% a year, volatility 19.2%FTCS: +6.2% a year, volatility 13.2%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%GARP: +17.5% a year, volatility 22.5%ICVT: +3.8% a year, volatility 14.1%OMFL: +9.0% a year, volatility 16.4%BDX: +2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%RVTY: −2.2% a year, volatility 35.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%TAK: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%BDXSPY (S&P 500)CORCAHTMORVTYMCKJNJNVSLLYMRKRPRXSGOVAMGNFTLSVTIPDXJ−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than BDXWMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%IEFA: +8.3% a year, volatility 16.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%DFAC: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.0%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%NEAR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.4%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%QUAL: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%VNLA: +4.0% a year, volatility 1.1%FLTR: +4.8% a year, volatility 2.1%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%FLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%IUSG: +12.9% a year, volatility 21.2%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%XEL: +6.5% a year, volatility 20.9%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%FLDR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.2%HYGH: +6.6% a year, volatility 7.1%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%WEC: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.0%TBUX: +4.1% a year, volatility 1.1%DFAT: +9.6% a year, volatility 21.0%FTS: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.4%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%AEE: +7.9% a year, volatility 19.4%RAVI: +3.8% a year, volatility 1.4%USHY: +3.6% a year, volatility 7.4%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%CHD: +6.1% a year, volatility 21.1%USTB: +3.6% a year, volatility 2.0%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%BKLN: +5.4% a year, volatility 4.5%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.8% a year, volatility 18.9%ESGV: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.5%CMS: +5.6% a year, volatility 19.0%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%SRLN: +4.7% a year, volatility 3.9%LNT: +7.3% a year, volatility 19.8%XLP: +7.2% a year, volatility 13.8%VPL: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.6%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%FTSL: +5.0% a year, volatility 3.4%JAVA: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.5%FLUD: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.4%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%DFAE: +8.3% a year, volatility 18.8%DBMF: +9.8% a year, volatility 12.4%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%IDA: +8.8% a year, volatility 19.2%FTCS: +6.2% a year, volatility 13.2%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%GARP: +17.5% a year, volatility 22.5%ICVT: +3.8% a year, volatility 14.1%OMFL: +9.0% a year, volatility 16.4%BDX: +2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%RVTY: −2.2% a year, volatility 35.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%TAK: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%BDXSPY (S&P 500)CORCAHTMORVTYMCKJNJNVSLLYMRKSGOVJAAAAMGNFTLSDXJ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than BDX?

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

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

Screen the whole market against BDX for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 20 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 BDX?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
BDXBecton, Dickinson and Company · this page
+2.3%24.1%0.22−39.9%+71.4%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.160.09%
Popular alternativesbest 5 shownThe investments people most often weigh against BDX. 5 of 21 passed at least one test.
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.39—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatility+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.14—
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return in most periods+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.39—
RVTYRevvity, Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return in most periods−2.2%35.1%0.11−59.0%+203%0.41—
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, similar volatility+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.22—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Medical Devices and the categories next to it (Health Care Facilities, Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences Tools, Health Care Distribution), plus BDX's specific themes. 15 of 57 passed at least one test.
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.42—
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.47—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.15—
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.45—
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.3%23.8%0.65−49.7%—0.21—
TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatility+11.9%19.4%0.68−54.4%+30.4%0.36—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,061 of 3,555 passed at least one test.
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—-0.030.09%
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—-0.010.20%
FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Healthcare
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+10.8%22.2%0.58−33.3%+203%0.390.55%
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.50—
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.40—
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.160.03%
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.220.95%
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Treasury Bonds
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+2.7%2.9%0.94−6.3%+32.7%0.260.03%
What these numbers mean for BDX
Annual return
BDX returned 2.3% 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 $11,200. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
BDX's volatility over the past 5 years was 24.1%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, BDX's return lands within 24.1% 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
BDX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.22, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so BDX 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
BDX's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 39.9%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 39.9% fall takes a 66.4% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, BDX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.16 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against BDX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a BDX holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 760 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than BDX 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 BDXExpense
1
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—-0.030.09%
2
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—-0.010.20%
3
FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Healthcare
Whole market+10.8%22.2%0.58−33.3%+203%0.390.55%
4
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.40—
5
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.160.03%
6
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.06—
7
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.34—
8
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.27—
9
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.040.30%
10
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.420.40%
11
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.220.95%
12
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.230.69%
13
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.130.60%
14
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.400.40%
15
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.33—
16
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.24—
17
FTQIFirst Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.5%14.8%0.82−19.4%+121%0.130.75%
18
IEFAiShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+8.3%16.6%0.56−34.8%+140%0.330.07%
19
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.310.04%
20
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.8%2.48−13.5%+35.9%-0.010.15%
21
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.490.06%
22
IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+11.7%21.8%0.62−32.7%+416%-0.020.18%
23
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.230.06%
24
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%0.10—
25
DFACDimensional - US Core Equity 2 ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.0%0.72−23.1%—0.230.21%
26
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.13—
27
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.45—
28
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.190.79%
29
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.16—
30
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.170.85%
31
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%0.31—
32
NEARiShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+3.9%1.4%2.71−9.6%+31.8%0.180.25%
33
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.110.26%
34
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.2%19.2%0.46−29.0%+68.8%0.33—
35
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+5.4%21.8%0.35−34.3%+240%0.28—
36
QUALiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+11.4%17.3%0.71−34.1%+293%0.210.15%
37
JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+7.5%11.0%0.71−13.7%—0.390.35%
38
VNLAJanus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.0%1.1%3.77−4.5%—0.160.25%
39
FLTRVanEck IG Floating Rate ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+4.8%2.1%2.20−17.8%+41.8%0.010.14%
40
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.0%18.8%0.70−30.9%+114%0.34—
41
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+202%0.540.08%
42
FLRNState Street SPDR Bloomberg Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.7%2.58−14.7%+35.9%0.010.15%
43
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+14.9%18.4%0.85−32.9%+194%0.28—
44
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+7.7%13.3%0.63−23.8%+101%0.09—
45
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.000.13%
46
IUSGiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF · US Growth Equity
Whole market+12.9%21.2%0.68−32.4%+405%0.020.04%
47
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.410.27%
48
XELXcel Energy Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+6.5%20.9%0.41−34.4%+156%0.18—
49
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.320.15%
50
FLDRFidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF · Bonds
Whole market+3.9%1.2%3.09−12.2%—0.180.15%
51
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.42—
52
HYGHiShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF · Bonds
Whole market+6.6%7.1%0.94−23.9%+74.5%0.111.12%
53
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+6.1%20.0%0.40−31.6%+270%0.16—
54
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.1%20.3%0.80−30.9%+158%0.24—
55
WECWEC Energy Group, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.2%19.0%0.46−32.3%+159%0.26—
56
TBUXT. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.1%1.1%3.85−1.8%—0.110.17%
57
DFATDimensional - US Targeted Value ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.6%21.0%0.54−26.1%—0.320.33%
58
FTSFortis Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+8.4%16.4%0.58−34.3%+154%0.32—
59
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.47—
60
USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+7.6%12.3%0.66−33.1%+176%0.370.15%
61
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+12.0%16.7%0.76−31.6%+300%0.230.20%
62
AEEAmeren Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.9%19.4%0.49−29.1%+192%0.33—
63
RAVINorthern Trust Ultra-Short Fixed Income ETF · Bonds
Whole market+3.8%1.4%2.61−3.7%+30.8%0.100.26%
64
USHYiShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF · High Yield Bonds
Whole market+3.6%7.4%0.52−22.4%—0.240.08%
65
EWJiShares MSCI Japan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.2%18.8%0.57−33.1%+132%0.320.49%
66
BUFRFT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF · Buffered Equity
Whole market+9.9%10.5%0.96−13.7%—0.190.10%
67
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+13.9%15.4%0.93−36.9%—0.380.05%
68
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.16—
69
CHDChurch & Dwight Co., Inc. · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+6.1%21.1%0.39−31.7%+154%0.33—
70
USTBVictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF · Bonds
Whole market+3.6%2.0%1.73−5.3%—0.220.34%
71
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.280.35%
72
BKLNInvesco Senior Loan ETF · Bank Loans
Whole market+5.4%4.5%1.19−24.1%+50.7%0.130.67%
73
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.160.40%
74
XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.8%18.9%0.78−30.5%+379%0.040.20%
75
ESGVVanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF · US ESG Equity
Whole market+11.3%18.5%0.67−33.7%—0.110.09%
76
CMSCMS Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+5.6%19.0%0.38−29.6%+123%0.30—
77
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.230.12%
78
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+11.1%11.9%0.95−30.0%—0.400.56%
79
SRLNState Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF · Bank Loans
Whole market+4.7%3.9%1.18−22.3%+54.2%0.120.70%
80
LNTAlliant Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.3%19.8%0.46−33.5%+150%0.28—
81
XLPState Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF · Consumer Staples
Whole market+7.2%13.8%0.57−24.5%+121%0.420.08%
82
VPLVanguard FTSE Pacific ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.5%18.6%0.58−33.9%+141%0.310.07%
83
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.1%18.4%0.57−33.3%+276%0.380.46%
84
FTSLFirst Trust Senior Loan Fund · Bonds
Whole market+5.0%3.4%1.49−22.7%+52.1%0.070.70%
85
JAVAJPMorgan Active Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.5%14.5%0.82−16.5%——0.44%
86
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Popular alternative+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.39—
87
FLUDFranklin Ultra Short Bond ETF · Bonds
Whole market+3.9%1.4%2.74−1.7%—0.070.15%
88
QYLDGlobal X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+8.4%15.0%0.62−24.7%+156%0.130.60%
89
DFAEDimensional - Emerging Core Equity Market ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+8.3%18.8%0.52−32.2%—0.260.29%
90
DBMFiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+9.8%12.4%0.82−20.4%—-0.030.85%
91
USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.1%16.4%0.89−30.0%—0.130.12%
92
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.340.61%
93
IDAIDACORP, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+8.8%19.2%0.54−34.3%+141%0.14—
94
FTCSFirst Trust Capital Strength ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+6.2%13.2%0.52−31.9%+188%0.370.53%
95
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.070.50%
96
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.29—
97
IDMOInvesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.3%18.2%0.78−31.3%+229%0.240.25%
98
GARPiShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+17.5%22.5%0.83−31.4%—0.000.15%
99
ICVTiShares Convertible Bond ETF · Corporate Bonds
Whole market+3.8%14.1%0.34−33.2%+205%0.030.20%
100
OMFLInvesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+9.0%16.4%0.61−33.2%—0.210.29%

BDX against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityBDX: 2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%RVTY: −2.2% a year, volatility 35.1%COR: 24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%RMD: −0.4% a year, volatility 31.8%STE: 0.9% a year, volatility 26.2%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%EW: −5.3% a year, volatility 32.7%ICUI: −7.0% a year, volatility 40.0%PODD: −13.7% a year, volatility 44.1%BSX: 0.5% a year, volatility 26.6%COO: −10.4% a year, volatility 30.4%BAX: −19.8% a year, volatility 34.9%ZBH: −7.2% a year, volatility 27.2%TFX: −18.2% a year, volatility 34.5%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%CAH: 42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%DVA: 9.0% a year, volatility 38.3%MCK: 38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%HCA: 14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%SYK: 3.2% a year, volatility 25.7%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%BDXSPY (S&P 500)RVTYCORRMDSTEDHREWICUIPODDCOOBAXZBHTFXTMOCAHDVAMCKHCASYKABTMDT10.0%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 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityBDX: 2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%RVTY: −2.2% a year, volatility 35.1%COR: 24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%RMD: −0.4% a year, volatility 31.8%STE: 0.9% a year, volatility 26.2%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%EW: −5.3% a year, volatility 32.7%ICUI: −7.0% a year, volatility 40.0%PODD: −13.7% a year, volatility 44.1%BSX: 0.5% a year, volatility 26.6%COO: −10.4% a year, volatility 30.4%BAX: −19.8% a year, volatility 34.9%ZBH: −7.2% a year, volatility 27.2%TFX: −18.2% a year, volatility 34.5%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%CAH: 42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%DVA: 9.0% a year, volatility 38.3%MCK: 38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%HCA: 14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%SYK: 3.2% a year, volatility 25.7%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%BDXSPY (S&P 500)RVTYCORRMDDHREWICUIPODDCOOBAXZBHTFXTMOCAHDVAMCKHCASYKABTMDT
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc.+42.1%24.7%
MCK McKesson Corporation+38.7%25.0%
COR Cencora, Inc.+24.2%22.8%
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.+14.1%30.1%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
DVA DaVita Inc.+9.0%38.3%
SYK Stryker Corporation+3.2%25.7%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
BDX This pageBecton, Dickinson and Company+2.3%24.1%
STE STERIS plc+0.9%26.2%
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation+0.5%26.6%
RMD ResMed Inc.−0.4%31.8%
ABT Abbott Laboratories−1.7%23.1%
MDT Medtronic Plc−1.8%22.5%
RVTY Revvity, Inc.−2.2%35.1%
DHR Danaher Corporation−3.8%29.1%
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation−5.3%32.7%
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.−7.0%40.0%
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.−7.2%27.2%
COO The Cooper Companies, Inc.−10.4%30.4%
PODD Insulet Corp.−13.7%44.1%
TFX Teleflex Incorporated−18.2%34.5%
BAX Baxter International Inc.−19.8%34.9%
Open these 23 in EasyCompare

Has BDX consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than BDX 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
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company (this page)—+7.2%+26.2%+23.7%+28.9%+32.3%+1.6%+12.2%+71.4%24.1%0.22−39.9%—$53B—
RVTY QualifiedRevvity, Inc.5/5 short2/3 long+8.6%+46.6%+67.8%+59.3%+64.0%+54.6%−10.6%+203%35.1%0.11−59.0%—$17B—
TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+14.3%+14.3%+22.5%+26.1%+65.3%+191%+479%+349%24.7%1.55−46.1%—$60B—
DVA Medical - Care FacilitiesDaVita Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−3.8%−25.1%+17.4%+53.1%+36.9%+126%+53.7%+187%38.3%0.42−51.1%—$11B—
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation1/5 short3/3 long+16.2%+24.0%+20.2%+25.5%+31.3%+131%+413%+586%25.0%1.44−38.1%—$120B—
HCA Medical - Care FacilitiesHCA Healthcare, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+9.3%+26.0%−2.2%−0.5%+8.3%+97.6%+93.6%+513%30.1%0.59−54.7%—$101B—
COR Medical - DistributionCencora, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+8.5%+13.1%+6.7%+1.9%+5.7%+86.5%+195%+406%22.8%1.07−32.4%—$66B—
SYK Medical - DevicesStryker Corporation1/5 short3/3 long+11.4%−4.3%−9.5%−11.8%−19.2%+18.0%+17.2%+197%25.7%0.25−43.8%—$117B—
RMD Medical - Instruments & SuppliesResMed Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+9.8%+24.0%+9.2%+1.1%−8.6%+75.3%−1.7%+331%31.8%0.15−54.0%—$35B—
STE Medical - SpecialtiesSTERIS plc1/5 short2/3 long+8.8%+5.3%+0.1%−9.2%−6.0%+7.0%+4.5%+262%26.2%0.17−36.2%—$22B—
DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation0/5 short2/3 long+4.0%+11.6%+15.0%−2.2%+8.3%+10.8%−17.6%+232%29.1%0.01−43.8%—$157B—
ABT Medical - DevicesAbbott Laboratories0/5 short2/3 long+0.3%+1.6%+8.4%−15.3%−18.7%+13.0%−8.0%+204%23.1%0.04−39.6%—$178B—
EW Medical - DevicesEdwards Lifesciences Corporation0/5 short2/3 long−0.1%+3.9%+8.4%+3.5%+17.3%+27.1%−23.6%+125%32.7%0.01−54.3%—$51B—
ICUI Medical - Instruments & SuppliesICU Medical, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+3.8%+2.4%+23.4%+16.3%+37.3%+49.0%−30.5%+12.5%40.0%0.02−73.8%—$4.0B—
PODD Medical - DevicesInsulet Corp.0/5 short1/3 long+1.5%−14.8%−29.0%−49.6%−56.4%−1.4%−52.2%+255%44.1%-0.12−63.0%—$9.9B—
BSX Medical - DevicesBoston Scientific Corporation0/5 short1/3 long+4.3%+4.1%−25.3%−51.9%−54.7%−8.9%+2.5%+98.1%26.6%0.15−61.6%—$66B—
MDT Medical - DevicesMedtronic Plc0/5 short1/3 long+4.0%+14.5%+13.3%+1.0%+1.9%+43.6%−8.8%+46.7%22.5%0.03−45.1%—$121B—
COO Medical - Instruments & SuppliesThe Cooper Companies, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+9.2%−17.4%−14.9%−27.1%−21.2%−27.1%−42.3%+32.5%30.4%-0.21−53.2%—$11B—
BAX Medical - Instruments & SuppliesBaxter International Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+6.9%+11.1%+30.2%+25.9%+6.2%−20.7%−66.7%−40.7%34.9%-0.45−81.2%—$13B—
ZBH Medical - DevicesZimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+2.1%+7.3%+1.1%+7.5%−5.6%−5.5%−31.1%−16.1%27.2%-0.14−52.1%—$18B—
TFX Medical - Instruments & SuppliesTeleflex Incorporated0/5 short0/3 long+5.1%−1.9%−0.1%+8.0%+1.6%−28.1%−63.4%−17.4%34.5%-0.41−76.7%—$5.6B—
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How did BDX do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of BDX202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002
BDX This pageBecton, Dickinson and Company—−12.5%−5.3%−2.7%+5.1%+1.9%−6.8%+22.2%+6.6%+31.2%+9.2%+12.6%+28.3%+44.3%+7.3%−9.7%+9.4%+17.6%−16.9%+20.7%+18.3%+7.2%+39.8%+35.6%−6.4%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 2 of 2417 of 2218 of 2215 of 226 of 2217 of 2221 of 2217 of 2213 of 2210 of 2211 of 229 of 228 of 228 of 2221 of 2215 of 2112 of 2115 of 217 of 216 of 207 of 2010 of 203 of 208 of 209 of 20
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF11 of 24+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%
RVTY Revvity, Inc.11 of 24−13.1%+2.4%−21.9%−30.1%+40.4%+48.2%+24.0%+7.8%+40.8%−2.1%+23.2%+6.8%+31.0%+60.4%−21.6%+27.1%+50.6%−45.9%+18.4%−4.5%+6.2%+33.9%+112%−75.7%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.14 of 24+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%
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc.9 of 24+76.3%+19.0%+34.1%+54.1%−0.4%+10.1%+18.0%−24.5%−12.7%−17.5%+12.6%+23.0%+66.0%+3.8%+8.1%+21.4%−4.4%−39.6%−9.8%−5.8%+18.7%−4.7%+3.5%−8.3%
DVA DaVita Inc.13 of 24−24.0%+42.8%+40.3%−34.4%−3.1%+56.5%+45.8%−28.8%+12.5%−7.9%−8.0%+19.5%+14.7%+45.8%+9.1%+18.3%+18.5%−12.0%−0.9%+12.3%+28.1%+52.0%+58.1%+0.9%
MCK McKesson Corporation15 of 24+44.5%+23.7%+24.1%+51.8%+44.2%+27.1%+26.7%−28.4%+12.0%−28.3%−4.5%+29.3%+67.7%+25.6%+11.8%+13.8%+62.9%−40.4%+29.7%−1.2%+64.9%−1.4%+19.9%−27.2%
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.9 of 14+56.7%+11.8%+13.8%−5.6%+57.6%+11.6%+20.2%+43.4%+18.7%+9.4%−7.8%+53.8%+58.1%+70.9%——————————
COR Cencora, Inc.14 of 24+51.5%+10.4%+25.3%+26.3%+38.0%+17.0%+18.2%−16.6%+20.6%−23.3%+16.9%+29.9%+65.3%+17.9%+10.3%+32.4%+48.0%−19.8%+3.3%+8.9%+41.4%+2.5%+5.6%−14.5%
SYK Stryker Corporation13 of 24−1.5%+21.3%+23.8%−7.4%+10.2%+18.2%+35.3%+2.4%+30.8%+30.7%0.0%+27.4%+39.3%+12.1%−6.1%+7.9%+26.7%−46.0%+36.2%+24.5%−7.7%+13.7%+26.8%+15.2%
RMD ResMed Inc.13 of 24+6.3%+34.2%−16.5%−19.5%+23.4%+38.3%+37.8%+36.4%+39.1%+18.0%−2.3%+21.7%+15.3%+65.1%−26.7%+32.5%+39.4%−28.6%+6.8%+28.4%+50.0%+23.0%+35.9%−43.3%
STE STERIS plc13 of 24+24.6%−5.6%+20.2%−23.4%+29.5%+25.5%+44.1%+23.6%+31.7%−9.1%+17.9%+37.2%+40.9%+19.2%−16.5%+32.5%+26.3%−16.4%+15.4%+1.4%+6.0%+4.9%−6.8%+32.8%
DHR Danaher Corporation15 of 24+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%
ABT Abbott Laboratories11 of 24+12.9%+4.8%+2.3%−20.7%+30.5%+28.1%+22.1%+29.1%+52.0%−12.3%+1.9%+20.1%+24.3%+20.3%+21.8%−8.3%+4.6%−2.5%+18.1%+26.9%−13.5%+9.2%+19.3%−26.8%
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation14 of 24+15.2%−2.9%+2.2%−42.4%+42.0%+17.3%+52.3%+35.9%+20.3%+18.6%+24.0%+93.7%−27.1%+27.6%−12.6%+86.1%+58.1%+19.6%−2.3%+13.0%+0.9%+37.0%+18.4%−7.8%
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.12 of 24−8.1%+55.6%−36.7%−33.7%+10.7%+14.6%−18.5%+6.3%+46.6%+30.6%+37.7%+28.5%+4.6%+35.4%+23.3%+0.2%+10.0%−8.0%−11.5%+3.8%+43.4%−20.3%−8.1%+25.7%
PODD Insulet Corp.12 of 18+8.9%+20.3%−26.3%+10.6%+4.1%+49.3%+116%+15.0%+83.1%−0.3%−17.9%+24.1%+74.8%+12.7%+21.5%+8.5%+85.0%−67.1%——————
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation12 of 24+6.8%+54.5%+24.9%+8.9%+18.2%−20.5%+28.0%+42.6%+14.6%+17.3%+39.2%+10.2%+110%+7.3%−29.5%−15.9%+16.3%−33.5%−32.3%−29.8%−31.1%−3.3%+72.9%+76.3%
MDT Medtronic Plc10 of 24+24.0%+0.3%+9.6%−22.6%−9.8%+5.7%+27.3%+15.2%+15.3%−5.4%+8.6%+28.1%+42.8%+10.6%+5.8%−13.8%+42.6%−36.3%−5.2%−6.3%+16.8%+2.7%+7.3%−10.3%
COO The Cooper Companies, Inc.16 of 24−10.8%−2.8%+14.5%−21.0%+15.4%+13.2%+26.4%+16.9%+24.7%+30.6%−17.1%+31.1%+34.2%+31.6%+25.6%+48.6%+135%−56.7%−14.2%−12.8%−27.0%+50.3%+89.4%+1.0%
BAX Baxter International Inc.11 of 24−33.3%−22.4%−21.9%−39.6%+8.5%−3.0%+28.4%+2.9%+47.3%+17.6%−2.1%+8.4%+7.3%+38.5%+0.1%−11.6%+11.7%−6.3%+26.8%+24.8%+10.7%+15.2%+11.2%−46.8%
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.7 of 24−14.0%−12.5%−3.8%+4.3%−17.0%+3.8%+45.4%−13.3%+17.9%+1.5%−8.8%+22.8%+41.2%+26.2%−0.5%−9.2%+46.3%−38.9%−15.6%+16.2%−15.8%+13.8%+69.6%+35.9%
TFX Teleflex Incorporated9 of 24−30.7%−28.2%+0.5%−23.6%−19.9%+9.8%+46.3%+4.5%+55.4%+23.7%+15.7%+23.9%+33.8%+18.9%+16.6%+2.3%+10.7%−18.6%−0.7%+1.1%+27.1%+9.5%+14.8%−8.1%
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Risk and diversification

How BDX 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 BDX's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents BDX's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2001, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means BDX fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringBDX fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−39.9%+26.4%Jul 2023May 202522 monthsNot yet—
Dot-com bust−34.8%−24.9%Apr 2002Jul 20023 monthsMay 200310 months
2008 financial crisis−34.1%−44.0%Jan 2008Nov 200810 monthsMay 20112.5 years
Covid crash−29.6%−32.6%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthApr 20222.1 years
2011 euro debt crisis−20.7%−13.4%Jul 2011Nov 20114 monthsFeb 201315 months

How did BDX do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far BDX, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Note: BDX began trading on May 11, 2001, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

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

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
BDX This pageBecton, Dickinson and Company—−2.0%−19.7%−21.8%−20.4%−10.8%−15.1%−18.3%−1.6%−34.1%Not yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF3 of 9−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
RVTY Revvity, Inc.1 of 9−3.2%−38.1%−29.3%−26.1%−7.7%−23.6%−31.2%−3.4%−62.6%−91.6%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.2 of 9−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc.2 of 9−3.5%−21.0%−32.1%−25.5%−4.6%−15.9%−17.5%−1.8%−57.9%−36.1%
DVA DaVita Inc.1 of 9−5.9%−38.4%−24.0%−35.9%−4.9%−23.2%−29.4%−2.3%−36.1%−40.9%
MCK McKesson Corporation4 of 9−0.9%−10.5%−32.1%−20.7%−6.5%−30.8%−14.2%−3.5%−57.7%−39.4%
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.1 of 7−2.2%−39.5%−54.4%−20.6%−3.8%−31.3%−49.0%———
COR Cencora, Inc.3 of 9−2.3%−17.8%−23.8%−24.2%−7.1%−21.4%−14.5%−2.8%−41.9%−29.7%
SYK Stryker Corporation3 of 9−1.4%−31.4%−43.8%−18.8%−8.8%−15.6%−23.0%−3.8%−58.6%−26.9%
RMD ResMed Inc.3 of 9−4.1%−26.6%−35.3%−15.1%−7.6%−14.4%−19.4%−3.1%−43.8%−60.0%
STE STERIS plc2 of 9−2.8%−36.2%−35.8%−17.3%−7.1%−19.6%−23.9%−2.8%−49.6%−35.9%
DHR Danaher Corporation4 of 9−3.2%−22.8%−25.9%−13.4%−9.8%−14.0%−21.8%−0.6%−45.7%−33.7%
ABT Abbott Laboratories5 of 9−2.5%−27.9%−29.7%−11.7%−8.8%−27.4%−11.5%−0.5%−22.3%−45.7%
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation3 of 9−3.8%−36.0%−33.2%−20.0%−6.1%−9.7%−19.4%−2.4%−31.9%—
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.2 of 9−1.9%−43.5%−26.0%−24.6%−6.1%−29.8%−16.3%−4.0%−43.9%−38.6%
PODD Insulet Corp.2 of 9−2.0%−33.2%−39.9%−31.1%−4.1%−37.2%−36.5%0.0%−89.6%—
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation3 of 9−1.2%−25.2%−40.0%−18.7%−8.0%−15.2%−24.0%−3.2%−63.5%−56.7%
MDT Medtronic Plc2 of 9−2.1%−27.9%−36.0%−13.8%−7.2%−17.6%−18.0%−1.5%−56.5%−44.2%
COO The Cooper Companies, Inc.2 of 9−3.1%−41.0%−31.7%−17.4%−7.5%−31.1%−20.7%−2.6%−76.9%−28.4%
BAX Baxter International Inc.2 of 9−3.6%−39.1%−23.0%−20.9%−8.7%−23.0%−18.6%−1.9%−31.6%−55.7%
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.2 of 90.0%−23.9%−49.6%−26.0%−8.2%−14.8%−20.3%−2.1%−62.0%—
TFX Teleflex Incorporated4 of 9−2.6%−47.2%−42.9%−16.7%−8.5%−10.8%−21.6%−0.5%−42.8%−29.5%
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How closely does BDX 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 BDX 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 BDX's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
BDX This pageBecton, Dickinson and Company53%77%0.690.48
MCK McKesson Corporation72%27%2.710.56
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc.71%51%1.400.75
COR Cencora, Inc.80%58%1.390.56
RMD ResMed Inc.91%89%1.030.56
DHR Danaher Corporation84%84%1.010.75
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
PODD Insulet Corp.81%82%1.000.92
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.135%140%0.971.37
ABT Abbott Laboratories76%79%0.960.64
STE STERIS plc89%97%0.920.76
SYK Stryker Corporation82%96%0.860.88
DVA DaVita Inc.90%111%0.811.05
RVTY Revvity, Inc.111%146%0.761.10
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation88%120%0.730.97
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation76%109%0.700.72
MDT Medtronic Plc62%105%0.590.68
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.78%136%0.570.69
COO The Cooper Companies, Inc.78%137%0.570.85
TFX Teleflex Incorporated79%170%0.471.01
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.62%139%0.440.88
BAX Baxter International Inc.45%125%0.360.64
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What diversifies BDX?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202520242023202020112008200280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company (this page)1.00+12.2%0.22−12.5%−5.3%−2.7%−6.8%−9.7%−16.9%−6.4%21.2%+0.8%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.42+119%1.48+27.1%+15.9%+17.4%−9.0%———17.8%+4.2%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.33+225%1.34+32.8%+29.8%+42.0%+3.9%−16.1%−20.8%—17.9%+6.0%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.35+101%1.04+9.7%+33.4%+8.0%−13.4%———18.1%+4.0%
FDL Dividend & IncomeFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund0.48+91.8%0.98+14.8%+18.0%+3.0%−4.3%+14.5%−31.1%—18.6%+3.5%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF-0.07+323%0.97+49.2%+39.1%+73.4%+55.5%+6.8%−44.7%−47.0%17.8%+8.8%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.28+85.0%0.96+23.1%+13.4%+20.1%+2.1%———17.7%+3.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.40+126%0.96+63.7%+26.7%+12.7%+24.8%+9.6%+4.9%—18.6%+4.5%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.00+136%0.93+26.6%+45.8%+17.6%+28.2%———17.4%+5.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202520242023202020112008200280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company (this page)1.00+12.2%0.22−12.5%−5.3%−2.7%−6.8%−9.7%−16.9%−6.4%21.2%+0.8%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.14+479%1.55+76.3%+19.0%+34.1%+10.1%+8.1%−39.6%−8.3%18.4%+8.2%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.-0.15+3,143%1.47+220%+215%+160%−2.4%−24.4%−20.5%−65.1%19.0%+20.7%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.-0.12+1,636%1.46+121%+107%+79.6%+6.7%−17.0%−15.2%−9.4%18.2%+16.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.22+413%1.44+44.5%+23.7%+24.1%+27.1%+11.8%−40.4%−27.2%18.7%+7.6%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.25+690%1.41+19.2%−4.0%+30.4%−27.4%———19.6%+10.0%
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Common questions

What was BDX's worst drawdown?

BDX's deepest decline since it began trading in 2001 was 39.9%, from July 2023 to May 2025. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.

What were BDX's best and worst years?

Over 24 full calendar years, BDX's best year was 2013, when it returned 44.3%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -16.9%.

Is there a better investment than BDX?

Among BDX's popular alternatives, COR earned more than BDX with less volatility over the past 5 years: 24.2% a year at 22.8% volatility, against 2.3% a year at 24.1%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, JNJ (pharmaceuticals) and NVS (pharmaceuticals) earned more than BDX with less volatility over the past 5 years. JNJ returned 12.7% a year at 17.9% volatility, against 2.3% a year at 24.1%.

Is BDX more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. BDX's volatility over the past 5 years was 24.1%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, BDX's return lands within 24.1% 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 BDX's Sharpe ratio?

BDX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.22, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so BDX 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 BDX with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, BDX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.16 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against BDX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a BDX holding.

What are the best alternatives to BDX?

Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, one outperformed BDX in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: RVTY.

Did BDX outperform the S&P 500?

BDX finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 13 of 24 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -12.5%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did BDX do in stock market crashes?

BDX fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in four of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in three. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when BDX fell 34.1% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies BDX?

These had a low correlation with BDX over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.42), DXJ (correlation 0.33) and EMLP (correlation 0.35); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.14), CLS (correlation -0.15) and FIX (correlation -0.12). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to BDX

Other stocks and ETFs