Relative Intelligence · Oilfield Services

How Baker Hughes (BKR) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on BKR alone. It places BKR (Baker Hughes 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 BKR stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: BKR's full trading record, from April 1987 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.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowBKR has gone against the market, falling 5.3% over the past 6 months while the S&P 500 rose 9.1%. Not every peer went the same way. Over the past 6 months, NOV rose 0.4% and LBRT (Liberty Energy) fell 37.1%. Consistency ↓
- Stock or market?BKR rose 1.3% over the past 3 months, in line with the oilfield services ETF OIH (VanEck Oil Services ETF), which rose 2.6%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Its oilfield services peers did not move as one over the past 3 months: PTEN (Patterson-UTI Energy) rose 16.1%, while FTI (TechnipFMC) fell 4.3%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsOver the past year, BKR rose 22.1% against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. That said, BKR finished behind the S&P 500 in both 2024 and 2025. By year ↓
- Long termBKR turned $10,000 into $34,800 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. That said, the past 5 years have been the better stretch: BKR rose 146% against 81.7% for the S&P 500, after trailing over the decade. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashAcross seven sell-offs, BKR has typically fallen 1.8 times as far as the S&P 500. In the 2022 bear market, BKR fell 46.5%, against 24.5% for the S&P 500. That was more than SLB (36.8%) but less than WFRD (Weatherford International, 55.2%). Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationOver 10 years BKR took more of the market's losses than of its gains: in the S&P 500's rising months it gained 1.3 times as much as the index, and in falling months it lost 1.6 times as much, with a beta of 1.37. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- XOM (Exxonmobil) and LNG (Cheniere Energy) earned more than BKR with less volatility over the past 5 years. XOM returned 27.1% a year at 26.5% volatility, against 19.7% a year at 34.6%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- E (Eni S.p.A., integrated oil & gas) and SHEL (Shell, integrated oil & gas) earned more than BKR with less volatility over the past 5 years. E returned 23.0% a year at 25.6% volatility, against 19.7% a year at 34.6%.
- Whole market
- 97 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than BKR with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them LLY (Eli Lilly and Company), WMT (Walmart) and XOM (Exxonmobil).
How much would $10,000 in BKR have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in BKR over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of BKR over the same span and BKR'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.
- $10,000 invested in BKR at the end of September 1997 would have grown to $57,190 by September 2026, less than the $132,907 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Six of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of BKR, and LNG finished highest, at $451,390.
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. 709 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of BKR; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- LNG$451,390+4,414% total · +14.0% a year
- CVX$142,109+1,321% total · +9.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
- XOM$124,235+1,142% total · +9.1% a year
- RES$86,800+768% total · +7.7% a year
- HP$84,217+742% total · +7.6% a year
- OII$82,944+729% total · +7.6% a year
- BKR$57,190+472% total · +6.2% a year
- SLB$21,770+118% total · +2.7% a year
- PTEN$12,257+22.6% total · +0.7% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 511 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of BKR; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- FTI$92,034+820% total · +55.9% a year
- WTTR$42,106+321% total · +33.3% a year
- WFRD$41,237+312% total · +32.8% a year
- FET$35,915+259% total · +29.1% a year
- XOM$32,965+230% total · +26.9% a year
- OII$32,754+228% total · +26.8% a year
- LNG$28,953+190% total · +23.7% a year
- BKR$24,898+149% total · +20.0% a year
- KMI$23,609+136% total · +18.7% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
BKR 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.
- BKR's deepest decline since it began trading in 1987 was 73.5%, from July 2017 to March 2020. It took 24 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 29 full calendar years, BKR's best was 2000, when it returned 102%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 59.9%. It lost money in nine of those years.
- BKR is 19.6% below its all-time high.
The company
- Market value
- $55B
- Industry
- Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
- Price history from
- April 1987
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +22.1%total return
- Past 3 years
- +70.1%+19.4% a year
- Past 5 years
- +146%+19.7% a year
- Past 10 years
- +248%+13.3% a year
- Best calendar year
- +102%2000
- Worst calendar year
- −59.9%2008
- Losing years
- 9 of 29full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 34.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.70return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −73.5%Jul 2017 to Mar 2020
- From its all-time high
- −19.6%below the peak
BKR against the whole market
Where BKR ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does BKR rank among all stocks?
This section ranks BKR 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 BKR stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- BKR's 5-year return ranks in the top 16% of the 2,893 stocks worth at least $300 million with 5 years of history.
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.
| Measure | BKR | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +22.1% | 1,181 of 3,287 | top 36% |
| 3-year return | +70.1% | 1,251 of 3,017 | top 41% |
| 5-year return | +146% | 464 of 2,893 | top 16% |
| 10-year return | +248% | 712 of 2,202 | top 32% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 34.6% | 1,112 of 2,893 | top 38% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.70 | 467 of 2,893 | top 16% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −73.5% | 1,411 of 2,187 | bottom 36% |
What has beaten BKR 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). BKR sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than BKR 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.
- 83 stocks and 14 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than BKR over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 3% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half BKR's swings, CAH has the best return for its risk: 42.1% a year at 24.7% volatility, 29% less than BKR's 34.6%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.55 against 0.70 for BKR. HWM earned the most, 47.3% a year, while still swinging less than BKR (32.5% against 34.6%).
- Among BKR's popular alternatives, XOM and LNG are in the region. XOM earned 27.1% a year against 19.7% a year for BKR, at 26.5% volatility, 23% less than BKR's 34.6%.
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 BKR; faint dots are 80 more of the 97 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.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
Is there a better investment than BKR?
Investments that beat BKR over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among BKR's popular alternatives, XOM and LNG earned more than BKR with less volatility over the past 5 years. XOM returned 27.1% a year at 26.5% volatility, against 19.7% a year at 34.6%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, E (integrated oil & gas) and SHEL (integrated oil & gas) earned more than BKR with less volatility over the past 5 years. E returned 23.0% a year at 25.6% volatility, against 19.7% a year at 34.6%.
- Across the whole market, 97 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than BKR with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them LLY, WMT and XOM.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat BKR 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 BKR'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 BKR 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 BKR'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× BKR's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than BKR's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with BKR?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| +19.7% | 34.6% | 0.70 | −73.5% | +248% | 1.00 | — | |||
| +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.43 | 0.09% | |||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against BKR. 8 of 21 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +27.1% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | +214% | 0.55 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +23.4% | 30.2% | 0.85 | −57.5% | +616% | 0.33 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +19.5% | 25.2% | 0.84 | −55.8% | +238% | 0.66 | — | ||
FTITechnipFMC plc · Oilfield Services | Higher return in most periods | +54.1% | 41.3% | 1.26 | −85.8% | +178% | 0.75 | — | |
OIIOceaneering International, Inc. · Oilfield Services | Higher return in most periods | +23.2% | 50.2% | 0.67 | −93.3% | +66.9% | 0.74 | — | |
WTTRSelect Water Solutions, Inc. · Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | Higher return in most periods | +25.5% | 49.4% | 0.71 | −89.5% | — | 0.52 | — | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Oilfield Services and Oil & Gas and the categories next to it (Integrated Oil & Gas, Exploration & Production, Oil & Gas Midstream), plus BKR's specific themes. 33 of 74 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +23.0% | 25.6% | 0.94 | −61.4% | +278% | 0.56 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +21.0% | 24.8% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +233% | 0.57 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +33.2% | 32.9% | 1.04 | −64.2% | +430% | 0.56 | — | ||
| On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +350% | 0.56 | — | ||
| On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +51.2% | 33.4% | 1.41 | −79.7% | +1,387% | 0.45 | — | ||
AMAntero Midstream Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream | Similar return, lower volatility | +20.0% | 25.9% | 0.84 | −92.9% | — | 0.58 | — | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 609 of 3,539 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | 0.09 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | -0.10 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.17 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +33.1% | 25.9% | 1.24 | −62.3% | +319% | 0.43 | — | ||
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.35 | 0.48% | |
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +242% | 0.28 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +19.6% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | +266% | 0.41 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +33.4% | 36.9% | 0.97 | −45.3% | +1,665% | 0.15 | 0.35% | ||
What these numbers mean for BKR
- Annual return
- BKR returned 19.7% 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 $24,600. 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
- BKR's volatility over the past 5 years was 34.6%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, BKR's return lands within 34.6% 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
- BKR's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.70, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so BKR 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
- BKR's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 73.5%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 73.5% fall takes a 278% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, BKR's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.43 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 BKR instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a BKR holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 97 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than BKR with less volatility
Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 92 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with BKR | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole market | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | 0.09 | — | |
| 2 | Whole market | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | -0.10 | — | |
| 3 | Whole market | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.17 | — | |
| 4 | Whole market | +33.1% | 25.9% | 1.24 | −62.3% | +319% | 0.43 | — | |
| 5 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.35 | 0.48% |
| 6 | Whole market | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +242% | 0.28 | — | |
| 7 | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | 0.38 | — | |
| 8 | Whole market | +33.8% | 32.2% | 1.07 | −37.5% | +965% | 0.14 | — | |
| 9 | Whole market | +21.3% | 25.6% | 0.89 | −30.3% | +816% | 0.17 | — | |
| 10 | Whole market | +22.7% | 24.4% | 0.97 | −50.5% | +341% | 0.48 | — | |
| 11 | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.44 | — | |
| 12 | Whole market | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.43 | — | |
| 13 | Whole market | +26.3% | 24.9% | 1.07 | −41.6% | +654% | 0.27 | — | |
| 14 | CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +21.5% | 25.1% | 0.91 | −43.2% | +463% | 0.23 | — |
| 15 | RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining | Whole market | +24.8% | 28.1% | 0.93 | −40.8% | +626% | 0.35 | — |
| 16 | WFWoori Financial Group Inc. · Banks | Whole market | +26.3% | 31.6% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +282% | 0.51 | — |
| 17 | AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Distribution | Whole market | +28.5% | 30.3% | 0.98 | −59.3% | +742% | 0.45 | — |
| 18 | MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +26.1% | 31.2% | 0.90 | −35.5% | +706% | 0.09 | — |
| 19 | Same or nearby category | +23.0% | 25.6% | 0.94 | −61.4% | +278% | 0.56 | — | |
| 20 | NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities | Whole market | +32.0% | 28.5% | 1.12 | −35.3% | +394% | 0.12 | — |
| 21 | Whole market | +33.2% | 29.4% | 1.13 | −54.9% | +483% | 0.44 | — | |
| 22 | Whole market | +26.0% | 23.8% | 1.09 | −63.3% | +379% | 0.40 | — | |
| 23 | Whole market | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +200% | 0.40 | — | |
| 24 | Whole market | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +345% | 0.41 | — | |
| 25 | Whole market | +25.4% | 30.4% | 0.90 | −59.8% | +374% | 0.41 | — | |
| 26 | Whole market | +33.7% | 29.4% | 1.14 | −47.6% | +474% | 0.31 | — | |
| 27 | DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International | Whole market | +20.9% | 19.2% | 1.09 | −31.3% | +348% | 0.27 | 0.45% |
| 28 | Whole market | +22.6% | 29.1% | 0.85 | −41.6% | +521% | 0.14 | — | |
| 29 | EPUiShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF · International | Whole market | +29.5% | 24.9% | 1.17 | −51.0% | +275% | 0.48 | 0.59% |
| 30 | Whole market | +22.0% | 28.6% | 0.84 | −61.3% | +544% | 0.34 | — | |
| 31 | Whole market | +22.6% | 24.0% | 0.97 | −57.5% | +373% | 0.36 | — | |
| 32 | FBIZFirst Business Financial Services, Inc. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +23.1% | 29.4% | 0.85 | −50.2% | +307% | 0.38 | — |
| 33 | Whole market | +21.0% | 26.8% | 0.85 | −50.8% | +694% | 0.29 | — | |
| 34 | Whole market | +25.6% | 26.2% | 1.00 | −64.1% | +264% | 0.47 | — | |
| 35 | BAPCredicorp Ltd. · Banks | Whole market | +30.8% | 30.3% | 1.04 | −59.2% | +298% | 0.38 | — |
| 36 | Whole market | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | 0.24 | — | |
| 37 | KOFCoca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +22.3% | 24.7% | 0.94 | −55.1% | +119% | 0.16 | — |
| 38 | IHGInterContinental Hotels Group PLC · Hotels & Resorts | Whole market | +21.4% | 26.6% | 0.86 | −59.3% | +383% | 0.29 | — |
| 39 | BCHBanco de Chile · Banks | Whole market | +25.2% | 28.2% | 0.94 | −58.4% | +180% | 0.23 | — |
| 40 | Same or nearby category | +21.0% | 24.8% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +233% | 0.57 | — | |
| 41 | MOG-AMoog Inc. · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +36.6% | 32.0% | 1.14 | −63.7% | +595% | 0.36 | — |
| 42 | CLHClean Harbors, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +23.1% | 28.6% | 0.88 | −64.5% | +588% | 0.40 | — |
| 43 | Whole market | +31.1% | 31.9% | 1.01 | −43.4% | +936% | 0.52 | — | |
| 44 | Popular alternative | +27.1% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | +214% | 0.55 | — | |
| 45 | LAURLaureate Education, Inc. · Education Services | Whole market | +37.5% | 32.8% | 1.14 | −64.5% | — | 0.22 | — |
| 46 | NEUNewMarket Corporation · Specialty Chemicals | Whole market | +21.0% | 26.8% | 0.85 | −40.7% | +165% | 0.00 | — |
| 47 | AVTAvnet, Inc. · Technology Distribution | Whole market | +22.1% | 30.7% | 0.81 | −58.4% | +173% | 0.41 | — |
| 48 | FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology | Whole market | +21.8% | 24.3% | 0.94 | −38.0% | — | 0.23 | 0.19% |
| 49 | QTUMDefiance Quantum ETF · Technology | Whole market | +22.8% | 28.1% | 0.87 | −38.5% | — | 0.20 | 0.40% |
| 50 | Popular alternative | +23.4% | 30.2% | 0.85 | −57.5% | +616% | 0.33 | — | |
| 51 | Whole market | +22.7% | 27.7% | 0.88 | −40.5% | +955% | 0.21 | — | |
| 52 | DMLPDorchester Minerals, L.P. · Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Whole market | +21.1% | 29.1% | 0.81 | −56.8% | +435% | 0.51 | — |
| 53 | IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs | Whole market | +24.6% | 30.3% | 0.88 | −39.0% | +470% | 0.45 | — |
| 54 | CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +29.9% | 29.3% | 1.04 | −36.1% | +537% | 0.46 | — |
| 55 | CWCurtiss-Wright Corporation · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +30.8% | 28.7% | 1.08 | −48.7% | +512% | 0.39 | — |
| 56 | BLXBladex, Inc. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +31.4% | 25.9% | 1.19 | −68.5% | +290% | 0.39 | — |
| 57 | Same or nearby category | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +350% | 0.56 | — | |
| 58 | ALSNAllison Transmission Holdings, Inc. · Auto Parts | Whole market | +27.3% | 29.9% | 0.96 | −48.7% | +367% | 0.53 | — |
| 59 | FSSFederal Signal Corporation · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +23.3% | 31.7% | 0.82 | −33.0% | +882% | 0.26 | — |
| 60 | ESEESCO Technologies Inc. · Electronic Instruments | Whole market | +24.2% | 31.1% | 0.85 | −46.0% | +473% | 0.37 | — |
| 61 | Whole market | +24.7% | 31.1% | 0.87 | −74.4% | +339% | 0.37 | — | |
| 62 | SHGShinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. · Banks | Whole market | +21.0% | 31.1% | 0.77 | −64.1% | +175% | 0.54 | — |
| 63 | Whole market | +27.4% | 28.8% | 0.99 | −54.7% | +789% | 0.38 | — | |
| 64 | USFDUS Foods Holding Corp. · Food Distribution | Whole market | +22.7% | 29.8% | 0.84 | −77.3% | +347% | 0.35 | — |
| 65 | UNMUnum Group · Life Insurance | Whole market | +30.6% | 29.3% | 1.06 | −81.0% | +256% | 0.42 | — |
| 66 | Same or nearby category | +41.8% | 31.7% | 1.27 | −90.8% | +829% | 0.60 | — | |
| 67 | Same or nearby category | +33.1% | 32.5% | 1.05 | −73.5% | +295% | 0.58 | — | |
| 68 | Same or nearby category | +34.3% | 32.0% | 1.09 | −77.1% | +430% | 0.67 | — | |
| 69 | Same or nearby category | +26.5% | 32.5% | 0.89 | −77.5% | +433% | 0.65 | — | |
| 70 | Whole market | +22.6% | 25.5% | 0.93 | −66.8% | +189% | 0.73 | 0.08% | |
| 71 | RRyder System, Inc. · Freight & Logistics | Whole market | +25.1% | 32.6% | 0.85 | −72.3% | +407% | 0.44 | — |
| 72 | PAAPlains All American Pipeline, L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Same or nearby category | +27.0% | 25.6% | 1.06 | −87.9% | +64.0% | 0.61 | — |
| 73 | IFSIntercorp Financial Services Inc. · Regional Banks | Whole market | +20.8% | 31.1% | 0.77 | −56.9% | — | 0.22 | — |
| 74 | WESWestern Midstream Partners, LP · Oil & Gas Midstream | Same or nearby category | +23.5% | 27.6% | 0.91 | −91.9% | +128% | 0.58 | — |
| 75 | WTWisdomTree, Inc. · Asset Management | Whole market | +31.4% | 32.8% | 1.00 | −84.0% | +174% | 0.51 | — |
| 76 | PAGPPlains GP Holdings LP · Oil & Gas Midstream | Same or nearby category | +26.8% | 26.1% | 1.05 | −88.0% | +56.3% | 0.61 | — |
| 77 | APGAPi Group Corporation · Engineering & Construction | Whole market | +23.0% | 31.9% | 0.81 | −49.6% | — | 0.43 | — |
| 78 | Same or nearby category | +24.6% | 24.0% | 1.04 | −68.1% | +288% | 0.62 | — | |
| 79 | Whole market | +47.3% | 32.5% | 1.36 | −68.9% | +1,028% | 0.38 | — | |
| 80 | DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Same or nearby category | +24.5% | 25.2% | 1.00 | −23.6% | — | 0.54 | — |
| 81 | ATMPBarclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN · Broad Market | Whole market | +21.2% | 21.5% | 1.01 | −70.3% | +172% | 0.68 | 0.95% |
| 82 | HUBBHubbell Incorporated · Electrical Equipment | Whole market | +21.0% | 30.0% | 0.79 | −41.6% | +442% | 0.07 | — |
| 83 | WWDWoodward, Inc. · Aerospace & Defense · Gas Turbines theme | Same or nearby category | +23.8% | 32.3% | 0.82 | −60.6% | +488% | 0.29 | — |
| 84 | TKOTKO Group Holdings, Inc. · Entertainment | Whole market | +26.3% | 32.7% | 0.88 | −69.1% | +941% | 0.19 | — |
| 85 | ESQEsquire Financial Holdings, Inc. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +31.7% | 31.7% | 1.03 | −56.5% | — | 0.25 | — |
| 86 | IGICInternational General Insurance Holdings Ltd. · Insurance - Diversified | Whole market | +30.8% | 30.9% | 1.03 | −50.6% | — | 0.15 | — |
| 87 | Whole market | +36.0% | 31.0% | 1.15 | −80.9% | +139% | 0.37 | — | |
| 88 | SBRSabine Royalty Trust · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +21.4% | 31.6% | 0.78 | −50.7% | +340% | 0.44 | — |
| 89 | ARGTGlobal X - MSCI Argentina ETF · International | Whole market | +22.3% | 32.1% | 0.79 | −61.7% | +301% | 0.22 | 0.59% |
| 90 | GVAGranite Construction Incorporated · Engineering & Construction | Whole market | +23.8% | 30.6% | 0.85 | −84.7% | +186% | 0.44 | — |
| 91 | ARLPAlliance Resource Partners, L.P. · Coal | Whole market | +29.4% | 31.6% | 0.98 | −85.3% | +173% | 0.38 | — |
| 92 | IYEiShares U.S. Energy ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +21.1% | 25.2% | 0.89 | −68.6% | +159% | 0.73 | 0.37% |
BKR against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against BKR, compared period by period and year by year.
How do BKR'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 BKR, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Only XOM and LNG were both more rewarding and calmer than BKR over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- 12 of the 21 popular alternatives earned less than BKR over the past 5 years while swinging more, the weaker corner of the map.
- Over the past 5 years, BKR returned 19.8% a year, more than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (34.6% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than BKR with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| FTI TechnipFMC plc | +54.1% | 41.3% |
| FET Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. | +27.9% | 51.0% |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | +27.1% | 26.5% |
| WTTR Select Water Solutions, Inc. | +25.5% | 49.4% |
| WFRD Weatherford International plc | +24.2% | 50.1% |
| LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc. | +23.4% | 30.2% |
| OII Oceaneering International, Inc. | +23.2% | 50.2% |
| BKR This pageBaker Hughes Company | +19.8% | 34.6% |
| CVX Chevron Corporation | +19.5% | 25.2% |
| KMI Kinder Morgan, Inc. | +18.7% | 22.5% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| SLB Slb N.V. | +10.0% | 37.5% |
| WHD Cactus, Inc. | +7.9% | 44.8% |
| PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | +7.6% | 54.6% |
| HAL Halliburton Company | +6.9% | 39.4% |
| NOV NOV Inc. | +6.2% | 41.4% |
| HP Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | +5.9% | 48.7% |
| RES RPC, Inc. | +4.7% | 51.1% |
| OIS Oil States International, Inc. | +3.6% | 58.4% |
| LBRT Liberty Energy Inc. | +2.8% | 55.2% |
| PUMP ProPetro Holding Corp. | −5.8% | 61.8% |
| NBR Nabors Industries Ltd. | −8.7% | 65.3% |
| CLB Core Laboratories N.V. | −19.2% | 53.5% |
Has BKR consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares BKR 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 BKR helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Six of the 22 popular alternatives, led by LNG, XOM and FET, outperformed BKR in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- XOM, KMI and LNG earned more for the risk they took than BKR (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than BKR 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.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| BKR Baker Hughes Company (this page) | — | −3.8% | +1.3% | −5.3% | +19.3% | +22.1% | +70.1% | +146% | +248% | 34.6% | 0.70 | −73.5% | — | $55B | — |
| LNG QualifiedCheniere Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short2/3 long | +3.0% | +7.2% | +12.8% | +44.3% | +29.3% | +69.8% | +186% | +616% | 30.2% | 0.85 | −57.5% | — | $59B | — |
| XOM QualifiedExxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 5/5 short2/3 long | +12.4% | +20.7% | +22.0% | +47.9% | +62.4% | +76.7% | +232% | +214% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | — | $731B | — |
| FET QualifiedForum Energy Technologies, Inc. | 5/5 short2/3 long | +4.1% | +59.3% | +53.6% | +120% | +196% | +266% | +242% | −80.4% | 51.0% | 0.74 | −99.4% | — | $952M | — |
| OII QualifiedOceaneering International, Inc. | 4/5 short2/3 long | −4.0% | +2.9% | +18.8% | +77.3% | +87.1% | +76.8% | +184% | +66.9% | 50.2% | 0.67 | −93.3% | — | $4.4B | — |
| FTI QualifiedTechnipFMC plc | 3/5 short2/3 long | −3.3% | −4.3% | −1.7% | +46.0% | +89.4% | +241% | +769% | +178% | 41.3% | 1.26 | −85.8% | — | $27B | — |
| WTTR QualifiedSelect Water Solutions, Inc. | 3/5 short2/3 long | −8.9% | −7.8% | +25.7% | +71.5% | +68.6% | +170% | +211% | — | 49.4% | 0.71 | −89.5% | — | $2.4B | — |
| KMI Oil & Gas MidstreamKinder Morgan, Inc. | 5/5 short1/3 long | +5.8% | +4.0% | +7.1% | +24.6% | +26.9% | +129% | +136% | +163% | 22.5% | 0.88 | −55.1% | — | $75B | — |
| WFRD Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesWeatherford International plc | 2/5 short1/3 long | −3.5% | +1.8% | −20.3% | −1.1% | +23.7% | −12.0% | +195% | — | 50.1% | 0.69 | −95.5% | — | $5.7B | — |
| CVX Oil & Gas IntegratedChevron Corporation | 5/5 short0/3 long | +10.8% | +20.0% | +25.4% | +48.8% | +51.9% | +53.4% | +144% | +238% | 25.2% | 0.84 | −55.8% | — | $446B | — |
| PTEN Oil & Gas DrillingPatterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short0/3 long | +1.8% | +16.1% | +21.1% | +84.9% | +110% | −4.2% | +44.3% | −40.4% | 54.6% | 0.41 | −94.0% | — | $4.4B | — |
| HP Oil & Gas DrillingHelmerich & Payne, Inc. | 4/5 short0/3 long | −5.2% | +14.0% | +14.8% | +30.0% | +66.7% | +1.9% | +33.1% | −8.6% | 48.7% | 0.36 | −81.9% | — | $3.8B | — |
| SLB Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesSlb N.V. | 4/5 short0/3 long | −3.4% | +8.3% | −3.3% | +26.4% | +53.2% | −7.2% | +60.7% | −21.3% | 37.5% | 0.44 | −84.5% | — | $74B | — |
| WHD Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesCactus, Inc. | 4/5 short0/3 long | −7.4% | +16.7% | +19.5% | +33.7% | +69.4% | +28.0% | +46.0% | — | 44.8% | 0.39 | −79.1% | — | $4.4B | — |
| RES Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesRPC, Inc. | 3/5 short0/3 long | +10.2% | +7.7% | −8.1% | +15.7% | +43.6% | −23.8% | +25.7% | −60.8% | 51.1% | 0.34 | −92.3% | — | $1.4B | — |
| NBR Oil & Gas DrillingNabors Industries Ltd. | 3/5 short0/3 long | −4.7% | −3.1% | +1.0% | +44.4% | +95.1% | −32.7% | −36.4% | −86.6% | 65.3% | 0.19 | −98.8% | — | $1.2B | — |
| HAL Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesHalliburton Company | 2/5 short0/3 long | +0.6% | −3.9% | −7.6% | +15.0% | +51.5% | −14.7% | +39.8% | −17.1% | 39.4% | 0.37 | −91.5% | — | $28B | — |
| NOV Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesNOV Inc. | 2/5 short0/3 long | −5.9% | −2.6% | +0.4% | +17.6% | +51.9% | +1.8% | +35.1% | −42.2% | 41.4% | 0.35 | −83.3% | — | $6.8B | — |
| OIS Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesOil States International, Inc. | 2/5 short0/3 long | −0.2% | +0.5% | −16.1% | +17.3% | +39.6% | +8.8% | +19.6% | −73.8% | 58.4% | 0.35 | −96.0% | — | $500M | — |
| GEV Industrial - MachineryGE Vernova Inc. | 2/5 short0/3 long | −5.9% | −17.5% | −10.0% | +31.3% | +50.1% | — | — | — | — | — | −38.3% | — | $237B | — |
| PUMP Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesProPetro Holding Corp. | 1/5 short0/3 long | −24.9% | −40.9% | −45.1% | −22.3% | +31.8% | −28.6% | −25.6% | — | 61.8% | 0.20 | −93.9% | — | $937M | — |
| CLB Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesCore Laboratories N.V. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −8.0% | −10.0% | −38.3% | −40.5% | −14.8% | −56.2% | −65.6% | −89.5% | 53.5% | -0.14 | −93.5% | — | $462M | — |
| LBRT Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesLiberty Energy Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −12.0% | −30.8% | −37.1% | −11.2% | +6.2% | −15.7% | +14.7% | — | 55.2% | 0.33 | −90.0% | — | $2.7B | — |
How did BKR do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where BKR ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with BKR and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- BKR finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 14 of its 29 full calendar years, and behind it in each of the last three.
- Among its popular alternatives, WHD came out ahead of BKR most often, in four of the seven years both traded.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, BKR finished in the top quarter in seven of 29 years and in the bottom quarter in five. In 2025, it ranked 6 of 23.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of BKR; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places BKR among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of BKR | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BKR This pageBaker Hughes Company | — | +13.4% | +23.2% | +18.6% | +26.0% | +19.0% | −15.2% | +23.0% | −30.4% | +25.1% | +43.7% | −16.3% | +3.0% | +37.8% | −14.4% | −13.9% | +43.8% | +29.0% | −59.9% | +9.6% | +24.0% | +44.3% | +35.2% | +2.0% | −9.8% | −10.7% | +102% | +22.7% | −58.8% | +28.7% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 7 of 29 | 6 of 23 | 6 of 22 | 4 of 22 | 20 of 22 | 15 of 22 | 3 of 22 | 6 of 21 | 7 of 19 | 3 of 17 | 7 of 17 | 7 of 17 | 3 of 17 | 8 of 17 | 14 of 16 | 12 of 15 | 7 of 15 | 11 of 15 | 13 of 15 | 11 of 15 | 7 of 15 | 10 of 15 | 8 of 15 | 13 of 15 | 11 of 15 | 5 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 6 of 13 | 11 of 13 | 9 of 13 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 15 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% |
| LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc. | 16 of 29 | −8.7% | +27.2% | +15.0% | +49.3% | +69.5% | −1.7% | +3.2% | +9.9% | +29.9% | +11.2% | −47.1% | +63.3% | +130% | +116% | +57.5% | +128% | −15.1% | −91.3% | +13.0% | −22.4% | +16.9% | +444% | +815% | +28.0% | −58.6% | −16.1% | −27.9% | −51.5% | −48.1% |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 14 of 29 | +16.0% | +11.3% | −6.3% | +87.4% | +57.6% | −36.2% | +7.2% | −15.1% | −3.8% | +19.9% | −12.8% | −6.0% | +20.1% | +4.7% | +18.7% | +10.1% | −12.6% | −13.1% | +24.3% | +39.1% | +11.8% | +28.1% | +20.7% | −8.9% | −7.5% | +10.2% | +12.7% | +22.5% | +28.3% |
| FET Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. | 4 of 13 | +139% | −30.1% | −24.9% | +83.8% | +34.9% | −64.6% | −59.3% | −73.4% | −29.3% | +76.6% | −39.9% | −26.6% | +14.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| OII Oceaneering International, Inc. | 14 of 29 | −7.9% | +22.6% | +21.7% | +54.6% | +42.3% | −46.7% | +23.2% | −42.8% | −23.7% | −22.2% | −34.7% | −24.3% | +48.3% | +18.1% | +26.5% | +25.8% | +101% | −56.7% | +69.6% | +59.6% | +33.3% | +33.3% | +13.2% | +11.9% | +13.7% | +30.3% | −0.3% | −24.1% | +24.2% |
| FTI TechnipFMC plc | 13 of 24 | +54.9% | +44.7% | +66.0% | +106% | −23.2% | −55.3% | +11.9% | −36.4% | −11.5% | +22.4% | −38.0% | −10.3% | +21.9% | −18.0% | +17.5% | +53.8% | +143% | −55.7% | +84.0% | +43.6% | +33.1% | +38.4% | +13.9% | +24.1% | — | — | — | — | — |
| WTTR Select Water Solutions, Inc. | 4 of 8 | −18.3% | +79.0% | −15.7% | +49.0% | +51.9% | −55.8% | +46.8% | −65.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| KMI Kinder Morgan, Inc. | 6 of 14 | +4.7% | +64.4% | +4.2% | +21.2% | +23.8% | −30.8% | +44.4% | −11.1% | −11.1% | +42.7% | −62.8% | +23.2% | +6.3% | +13.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| WFRD Weatherford International plc | 3 of 6 | +11.1% | −26.4% | +92.1% | +83.7% | +362% | −78.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CVX Chevron Corporation | 11 of 29 | +10.1% | +1.3% | −13.6% | +58.5% | +46.2% | −25.9% | +15.3% | −9.7% | +10.6% | +36.7% | −16.2% | −7.0% | +19.3% | +5.1% | +20.3% | +22.9% | +8.1% | −18.3% | +30.5% | +33.7% | +11.5% | +25.6% | +35.4% | −23.2% | +9.4% | +0.6% | +7.2% | +11.1% | +22.1% |
| PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | 14 of 29 | −21.9% | −21.1% | −34.2% | +102% | +62.4% | −48.9% | +3.1% | −54.6% | −14.2% | +79.9% | −6.9% | −33.5% | +37.1% | −5.5% | −6.6% | +42.1% | +35.4% | −39.0% | −14.3% | −28.7% | +70.3% | +18.5% | +9.2% | +29.3% | −37.4% | +186% | +221% | −79.0% | +200% |
| HP Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | 13 of 29 | −6.3% | −7.8% | −23.2% | +115% | +6.3% | −44.3% | +0.5% | −22.6% | −12.2% | +51.7% | −17.2% | −17.5% | +52.9% | −3.5% | +20.9% | +22.2% | +76.4% | −42.9% | +64.7% | −20.5% | +83.2% | +23.7% | +1.1% | +82.6% | −23.2% | +104% | +13.7% | −41.6% | +31.6% |
| SLB Slb N.V. | 12 of 29 | +3.3% | −24.5% | −0.8% | +81.1% | +39.6% | −43.8% | +17.8% | −44.7% | −18.5% | +23.5% | −16.3% | −3.6% | +32.1% | +3.0% | −17.2% | +30.0% | +56.2% | −56.5% | +57.1% | +31.1% | +46.6% | +23.8% | +32.0% | −22.2% | −30.3% | +43.9% | +34.9% | −41.6% | +63.2% |
| WHD Cactus, Inc. | 4 of 7 | −20.8% | +29.7% | −8.7% | +33.0% | +47.8% | −22.8% | +25.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| RES RPC, Inc. | 16 of 29 | −5.7% | −16.3% | −16.4% | +96.4% | +44.2% | −39.9% | −46.1% | −60.2% | +29.9% | +66.3% | −7.3% | −25.3% | +49.6% | +5.3% | +2.5% | +164% | +9.2% | −14.8% | −29.5% | −3.1% | +137% | +131% | −4.4% | −33.3% | +117% | +158% | −20.0% | −36.6% | +65.9% |
| NBR Nabors Industries Ltd. | 11 of 29 | −5.0% | −30.0% | −47.3% | +91.0% | +39.3% | −58.6% | +45.3% | −69.3% | −57.8% | +96.9% | −33.1% | −22.8% | +18.8% | −16.7% | −26.1% | +7.2% | +82.9% | −56.3% | −8.0% | −21.4% | +47.7% | +23.6% | +17.7% | +2.7% | −42.0% | +91.2% | +129% | −57.3% | +64.3% |
| HAL Halliburton Company | 16 of 29 | +7.0% | −23.2% | −6.5% | +74.5% | +22.0% | −21.2% | −4.9% | −44.6% | −8.9% | +61.7% | −11.9% | −21.6% | +47.9% | +1.6% | −14.8% | +37.3% | +68.3% | −51.5% | +23.3% | +1.1% | +59.4% | +53.4% | +42.1% | +47.2% | −63.3% | −8.9% | +37.7% | −42.1% | +74.5% |
| NOV NOV Inc. | 13 of 29 | +11.2% | −26.8% | −1.8% | +55.7% | −0.8% | −44.9% | −1.7% | −28.3% | −3.3% | +13.9% | −46.7% | −9.3% | +17.8% | +1.2% | +1.7% | +53.9% | +85.0% | −66.7% | +140% | −2.4% | +77.8% | +57.7% | +2.5% | +6.0% | −46.7% | +147% | +40.2% | −67.3% | +122% |
| OIS Oil States International, Inc. | 12 of 24 | +33.8% | −25.5% | −9.0% | +50.1% | −1.0% | −69.2% | +14.2% | −49.5% | −27.4% | +43.1% | −44.3% | −15.9% | +42.2% | −6.3% | +19.2% | +63.1% | +110% | −45.2% | +5.9% | +1.8% | +64.3% | +38.3% | +89.3% | +41.8% | — | — | — | — | — |
| GEV GE Vernova Inc. | 1 of 1 | +99.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| PUMP ProPetro Holding Corp. | 1 of 8 | +1.9% | +11.3% | −19.2% | +28.0% | +9.6% | −34.3% | −8.7% | −38.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CLB Core Laboratories N.V. | 14 of 29 | −7.1% | −1.8% | −12.7% | −9.0% | −15.8% | −29.1% | −34.3% | −44.5% | −6.8% | +12.6% | −7.8% | −36.2% | +76.3% | −3.1% | +29.3% | +52.5% | +100% | −51.5% | +54.0% | +117% | +60.0% | +39.9% | +47.1% | −19.1% | −48.6% | +36.6% | +4.5% | +5.9% | +115% |
| LBRT Liberty Energy Inc. | 2 of 7 | −5.0% | +11.3% | +14.8% | +65.7% | −5.9% | −6.5% | −12.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How BKR 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 BKR's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents BKR's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1987, 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.
- In all three of BKR's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: BKR fell 73.5% from July 2017 to March 2020, while the S&P 500 slipped only 2.9%.
- The slowest recovery came after BKR fell 73.2% from October 2007 to December 2008; it did not regain that peak until July 2017, nine years later.
Green means BKR fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | BKR fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late-2018 sell-off | −73.5% | −2.9% | Jul 2017 | Mar 2020 | 2.7 years | Mar 2022 | 2 years |
| 2008 financial crisis | −73.2% | −43.4% | Oct 2007 | Dec 2008 | 14 months | Jul 2017 | 8.6 years |
| No named crash | −67.9% | +27.8% | Nov 1997 | Dec 1998 | 13 months | Sep 2004 | 5.8 years |
| No named crash | −57.0% | — | Jul 1987 | Nov 1987 | 4 months | Nov 1989 | 2 years |
| No named crash | −48.8% | — | Aug 1990 | Apr 1992 | 20 months | Mar 1996 | 3.9 years |
How did BKR do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far BKR, 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.
- BKR fell further than the S&P 500 in nine of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the 2011 euro debt crisis, when BKR fell 44.2% and the S&P 500 fell 17.9%.
- Among its popular alternatives, XOM held up best, falling less than BKR in all ten crashes they both traded through.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than BKR.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BKR This pageBaker Hughes Company | — | −10.5% | −46.5% | −55.2% | −39.0% | −14.6% | −33.1% | −44.2% | −3.4% | −73.2% | −47.8% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 9 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc. | 6 of 10 | −1.3% | −17.8% | −46.1% | −21.3% | −5.1% | −66.5% | −62.4% | 0.0% | −97.7% | −84.4% |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 10 of 10 | −3.1% | −20.5% | −47.9% | −23.6% | −10.0% | −15.0% | −19.6% | −0.3% | −33.7% | −33.6% |
| FET Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. | 2 of 6 | −5.7% | −32.6% | −84.0% | −68.2% | −28.1% | −43.1% | — | — | — | — |
| OII Oceaneering International, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −15.1% | −58.0% | −84.7% | −61.2% | −12.5% | −43.4% | −24.9% | −1.7% | −76.8% | −46.9% |
| FTI TechnipFMC plc | 4 of 9 | −9.6% | −36.7% | −70.9% | −42.7% | −10.9% | −35.8% | −22.2% | −4.0% | −73.5% | — |
| WTTR Select Water Solutions, Inc. | 2 of 5 | −14.0% | −38.3% | −69.3% | −48.1% | −8.1% | — | — | — | — | — |
| KMI Kinder Morgan, Inc. | 5 of 7 | −3.2% | −20.3% | −55.1% | −19.8% | −4.0% | −64.4% | −16.2% | — | — | — |
| WFRD Weatherford International plc | 0 of 3 | −15.1% | −55.2% | −80.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CVX Chevron Corporation | 10 of 10 | −2.6% | −24.9% | −51.0% | −19.6% | −5.3% | −18.5% | −17.2% | −0.1% | −43.8% | −29.5% |
| PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | 1 of 10 | −12.3% | −44.9% | −72.3% | −46.0% | −21.7% | −35.7% | −53.0% | −3.2% | −78.3% | −71.1% |
| HP Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −12.9% | −33.7% | −71.9% | −37.7% | −8.3% | −30.4% | −48.4% | −4.5% | −76.4% | −59.3% |
| SLB Slb N.V. | 6 of 10 | −8.8% | −36.8% | −64.9% | −43.6% | −10.9% | −27.1% | −38.9% | −3.8% | −68.0% | −59.8% |
| WHD Cactus, Inc. | 2 of 4 | −13.8% | −43.4% | −71.0% | −37.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| RES RPC, Inc. | 5 of 10 | −12.9% | −53.5% | −54.5% | −43.0% | −12.5% | −31.5% | −43.7% | −6.1% | −71.3% | −49.7% |
| NBR Nabors Industries Ltd. | 1 of 10 | −13.5% | −52.8% | −86.0% | −70.5% | −14.5% | −54.4% | −57.4% | −2.2% | −82.9% | −70.2% |
| HAL Halliburton Company | 2 of 10 | −10.2% | −45.5% | −79.1% | −40.0% | −10.5% | −32.7% | −49.8% | −4.3% | −75.0% | −82.8% |
| NOV NOV Inc. | 3 of 10 | −14.8% | −35.5% | −64.0% | −46.2% | −8.5% | −36.3% | −39.6% | −4.7% | −80.5% | −68.2% |
| OIS Oil States International, Inc. | 2 of 9 | −19.1% | −58.4% | −85.0% | −60.1% | −11.1% | −31.7% | −45.1% | −3.0% | −81.8% | — |
| PUMP ProPetro Holding Corp. | 1 of 5 | −13.6% | −54.7% | −86.0% | −40.4% | −13.6% | — | — | — | — | — |
| CLB Core Laboratories N.V. | 5 of 10 | −13.2% | −61.9% | −75.6% | −52.5% | −7.8% | −27.6% | −24.8% | −1.6% | −65.4% | −74.2% |
| LBRT Liberty Energy Inc. | 2 of 5 | −14.5% | −40.1% | −71.1% | −43.5% | −11.2% | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does BKR 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 BKR with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- FTI took just 137% of the S&P 500's losses, against 160% for BKR, while still keeping 109% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, BKR captured 127% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 160% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.37. It amplified the market's moves in both directions.
- Five of the 16 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than BKR's 0.79, led by LNG, XOM and CVX.
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 BKR's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BKR This pageBaker Hughes Company | 127% | 160% | 0.79 | 1.37 |
| LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc. | 79% | 30% | 2.65 | 0.77 |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 78% | 83% | 0.94 | 0.76 |
| CVX Chevron Corporation | 86% | 94% | 0.91 | 0.89 |
| KMI Kinder Morgan, Inc. | 68% | 82% | 0.83 | 0.82 |
| FTI TechnipFMC plc | 109% | 137% | 0.80 | 1.45 |
| OII Oceaneering International, Inc. | 162% | 272% | 0.60 | 2.29 |
| HP Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | 108% | 214% | 0.50 | 1.43 |
| HAL Halliburton Company | 113% | 225% | 0.50 | 1.75 |
| SLB Slb N.V. | 104% | 212% | 0.49 | 1.54 |
| PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | 113% | 248% | 0.46 | 1.89 |
| NOV NOV Inc. | 96% | 220% | 0.44 | 1.59 |
| OIS Oil States International, Inc. | 134% | 338% | 0.40 | 2.46 |
| FET Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. | 118% | 323% | 0.37 | 2.31 |
| NBR Nabors Industries Ltd. | 125% | 357% | 0.35 | 2.28 |
| RES RPC, Inc. | 56% | 172% | 0.33 | 1.38 |
| CLB Core Laboratories N.V. | 95% | 329% | 0.29 | 2.14 |
What diversifies BKR?
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 BKR's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing BKR with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in BKR into CAH would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 18% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+20.0% for BKR alone, +25.3% for the mix).
- Among large ETFs, DXJ, SMH and DBEF have moved largely independently of BKR over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.41 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
- CAH made money in five of the nine calendar years in which BKR lost money.
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 BKR lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% BKR and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2020 | 2018 | 2015 | 2012 | 2011 | 2008 | 2002 | 2001 | 1998 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BKR Baker Hughes Company (this page) | 1.00 | +146% | 0.70 | −15.2% | −30.4% | −16.3% | −14.4% | −13.9% | −59.9% | −9.8% | −10.7% | −58.8% | 38.3% | +20.0% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.35 | +225% | 1.34 | +3.9% | −19.8% | +7.7% | +19.6% | −16.1% | −20.8% | — | — | — | 31.6% | +22.6% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.15 | +323% | 0.97 | +55.5% | −9.1% | −0.3% | +8.6% | +6.8% | −44.7% | −47.0% | −14.6% | — | 32.5% | +25.4% |
| DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 0.41 | +85.0% | 0.96 | +2.1% | −9.5% | +4.1% | +20.9% | — | — | — | — | — | 31.6% | +19.9% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.30 | +126% | 0.96 | +24.8% | −1.9% | −10.7% | +6.6% | +9.6% | +4.9% | — | — | — | 31.9% | +20.9% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 0.28 | +136% | 0.93 | +28.2% | −0.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32.1% | +21.7% |
| VLUE Broad MarketiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF | 0.48 | +109% | 0.90 | −0.2% | −11.1% | −4.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32.8% | +20.5% |
| EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 0.23 | +153% | 0.89 | +31.5% | −9.9% | −12.9% | +18.6% | −21.8% | −45.3% | −24.4% | +2.1% | — | 32.2% | +21.8% |
| EUFN InternationaliShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF | 0.42 | +133% | 0.89 | −8.5% | −23.1% | −4.7% | +35.4% | −26.6% | — | — | — | — | 32.6% | +21.3% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2020 | 2018 | 2015 | 2012 | 2011 | 2008 | 2002 | 2001 | 1998 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BKR Baker Hughes Company (this page) | 1.00 | +146% | 0.70 | −15.2% | −30.4% | −16.3% | −14.4% | −13.9% | −59.9% | −9.8% | −10.7% | −58.8% | 38.3% | +20.0% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.09 | +479% | 1.55 | +10.1% | −24.5% | +12.6% | +3.8% | +8.1% | −39.6% | −8.3% | −2.5% | +51.7% | 31.6% | +25.3% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.34 | +3,143% | 1.47 | −2.4% | −16.3% | −6.0% | +11.2% | −24.4% | −20.5% | −65.1% | −25.6% | — | 36.3% | +37.7% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | 0.31 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +6.7% | +0.8% | +67.7% | +15.7% | −17.0% | −15.2% | −9.4% | +73.7% | −9.5% | 34.5% | +33.9% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.38 | +413% | 1.44 | +27.1% | −28.4% | −4.5% | +25.6% | +11.8% | −40.4% | −27.2% | +4.9% | +46.9% | 32.9% | +24.1% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.45 | +690% | 1.41 | −27.4% | −8.2% | +17.4% | +94.3% | — | — | — | — | — | 34.1% | +26.6% |
Common questions
What was BKR's worst drawdown?
BKR's deepest decline since it began trading in 1987 was 73.5%, from July 2017 to March 2020. It took 24 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were BKR's best and worst years?
Over 29 full calendar years, BKR's best year was 2000, when it returned 102%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -59.9%.
Is there a better investment than BKR?
Among BKR's popular alternatives, XOM and LNG earned more than BKR with less volatility over the past 5 years. XOM returned 27.1% a year at 26.5% volatility, against 19.7% a year at 34.6%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, E (integrated oil & gas) and SHEL (integrated oil & gas) earned more than BKR with less volatility over the past 5 years. E returned 23.0% a year at 25.6% volatility, against 19.7% a year at 34.6%.
Is BKR more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. BKR's volatility over the past 5 years was 34.6%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, BKR's return lands within 34.6% 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 BKR's Sharpe ratio?
BKR's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.70, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so BKR 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 BKR with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, BKR's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.43 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 BKR instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a BKR holding.
What are the best alternatives to BKR?
Of the 22 popular alternatives we compared, six outperformed BKR in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: LNG, XOM and FET.
Did BKR outperform the S&P 500?
BKR finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 14 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +13.4%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did BKR do in stock market crashes?
BKR fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in none of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in nine. The clearest case was the 2011 euro debt crisis, when BKR fell 44.2% and the S&P 500 fell 17.9%.
What diversifies BKR?
These had a low correlation with BKR over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.35), SMH (correlation 0.15) and DBEF (correlation 0.41); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.09), CLS (correlation 0.34) and FIX (correlation 0.31). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than BKR's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of BKR's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.