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Relative Intelligence · Medical Devices

How Boston Scientific (BSX) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

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

Period covered: BSX's full trading record, from May 1992 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

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

Rank the market against BSX →Chart BSX vs. 25 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in BSX over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of BSX over the same span and BSX's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 856 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of BSX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • UNH$772,802+7,628% total · +16.2% a year
  • SYK$323,233+3,132% total · +12.7% a year
  • TMO$235,386+2,254% total · +11.5% a year
  • ICUI$226,694+2,167% total · +11.4% a year
  • JNJ$189,226+1,792% total · +10.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • ABT$130,278+1,203% total · +9.3% a year
  • HAE$111,549+1,015% total · +8.7% a year
  • MDT$61,200+512% total · +6.4% a year
  • BSX$31,631+216% total · +4.1% 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. 2,512 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of BSX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026
  • 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
  • HAE$14,917+49.2% total · +8.3% a year
  • ISRG$12,270+22.7% total · +4.2% a year
  • TMO$11,986+19.9% total · +3.7% a year
  • SYK$11,008+10.1% total · +1.9% a year
  • BDX$10,410+4.1% total · +0.8% a year
  • UNH$10,283+2.8% total · +0.6% a year
  • BSX$10,060+0.6% total · +0.1% a year
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BSX 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
$66B
Industry
Medical - Devices
Price history from
May 1992

Returns

Past 1 year
−54.7%total return
Past 3 years
−8.9%−3.1% a year
Past 5 years
+2.5%+0.5% a year
Past 10 years
+98.1%+7.1% a year
Best calendar year
+110%2013
Worst calendar year
−37.5%2000
Losing years
11 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
26.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.15return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−89.1%Apr 2004 to Jul 2012
From its all-time high
−57.9%below the peak

BSX against the whole market

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

How does BSX rank among all stocks?

This section ranks BSX 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 BSX 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.

MeasureBSXRankStanding
1-year return−54.7%3,148 of 3,287bottom 5%
3-year return−8.9%2,457 of 3,017bottom 20%
5-year return+2.5%1,705 of 2,893bottom 42%
10-year return+98.1%1,347 of 2,202bottom 40%
Volatility, 5 years26.6%449 of 2,893top 16%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.151,978 of 2,893bottom 33%
Worst decline, past 10 years−61.6%945 of 2,187top 43%

What has beaten BSX 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). BSX sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than BSX 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 BSX; faint dots are 92 more of the 983 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 BSXSCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%MRSH: +4.4% a year, volatility 20.9%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%WEC: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.0%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%AEE: +7.9% a year, volatility 19.4%XLU: +7.8% a year, volatility 17.4%SDY: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.0%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%EVRG: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.9%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%XLP: +7.2% a year, volatility 13.8%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%IDA: +8.8% a year, volatility 19.2%SPLV: +5.5% a year, volatility 12.6%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%SR: +9.7% a year, volatility 21.2%RLI: +8.1% a year, volatility 23.9%AOR: +6.4% a year, volatility 10.7%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%ACWV: +6.3% a year, volatility 10.3%CWB: +3.7% a year, volatility 13.7%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%DHS: +12.0% a year, volatility 13.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%IHDG: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%REGL: +7.2% a year, volatility 16.0%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%T: +9.8% a year, volatility 25.2%QDEF: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.7%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%OUSA: +9.4% a year, volatility 13.4%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%FXU: +11.2% a year, volatility 16.6%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%IEMG: +6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%BSX: +0.5% a year, volatility 26.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%BDX: +2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%HCA: +14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%ISRG: +5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%UNH: +1.1% a year, volatility 32.1%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%EHC: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.8%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%SUB: +1.4% a year, volatility 1.7%BSXSPY (S&P 500)JNJBDXHCAISRGUNHTMOCAHABBVMCKNVSEHCDHRVTVSGOVGLDPGVIGAZOSUB−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 BSXSCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%MRSH: +4.4% a year, volatility 20.9%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%WEC: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.0%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%AEE: +7.9% a year, volatility 19.4%XLU: +7.8% a year, volatility 17.4%SDY: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.0%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%EVRG: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.9%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%XLP: +7.2% a year, volatility 13.8%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%IDA: +8.8% a year, volatility 19.2%SPLV: +5.5% a year, volatility 12.6%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%SR: +9.7% a year, volatility 21.2%RLI: +8.1% a year, volatility 23.9%AOR: +6.4% a year, volatility 10.7%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%ACWV: +6.3% a year, volatility 10.3%CWB: +3.7% a year, volatility 13.7%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%DHS: +12.0% a year, volatility 13.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%IHDG: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%REGL: +7.2% a year, volatility 16.0%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%T: +9.8% a year, volatility 25.2%QDEF: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.7%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%OUSA: +9.4% a year, volatility 13.4%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%FXU: +11.2% a year, volatility 16.6%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%IEMG: +6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%BSX: +0.5% a year, volatility 26.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%BDX: +2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%HCA: +14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%ISRG: +5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%UNH: +1.1% a year, volatility 32.1%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%EHC: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.8%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%SUB: +1.4% a year, volatility 1.7%BSXSPY (S&P 500)JNJBDXISRGUNHTMOCAHABBVMCKNVSEHCDHRVTVSGOVGLDPGSUB
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than BSX?

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

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

Screen the whole market against BSX for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with BSX?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
BSXBoston Scientific Corporation · this page
+0.5%26.6%0.15−61.6%+98.1%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.370.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against BSX. 14 of 24 passed at least one test.
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.07—
BDXBecton, Dickinson and Company · Medical Devices
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+2.3%24.1%0.22−39.9%+71.4%0.21—
HCAHCA Healthcare, Inc. · Health Care Facilities
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.1%30.1%0.59−54.7%+513%0.53—
ISRGIntuitive Surgical, Inc. · Medical Devices
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+5.2%34.6%0.32−49.9%+478%0.56—
UNHUnitedHealth Group Incorporated · Managed Health Care
Higher return in most periods+1.1%32.1%0.20−61.4%+241%-0.03—
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return in most periods+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.32—
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 BSX's specific themes. 32 of 57 passed at least one test.
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.32—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.05—
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.29—
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.27—
EHCEncompass Health Corporation · Health Care Facilities
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+18.4%26.8%0.77−39.5%+340%0.41—
DHRDanaher Corporation · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes−3.8%29.1%0.01−43.8%+232%0.25—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,957 of 3,552 passed at least one test.
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.33—
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.380.03%
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.230.09%
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.230.40%
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.33—
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.420.04%
AZOAutoZone, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.3%25.3%0.59−42.1%+323%0.30—
SUBiShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF · Municipal Bonds
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+1.4%1.7%0.85−9.4%+15.6%0.280.07%
What these numbers mean for BSX
Annual return
BSX returned 0.5% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $10,200. 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
BSX's volatility over the past 5 years was 26.6%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, BSX's return lands within 26.6% 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
BSX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.15, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so BSX 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
BSX's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 61.6%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 61.6% fall takes a 160% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, BSX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.37 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 BSX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a BSX holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 983 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than BSX 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 BSXExpense
1
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.33—
2
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.380.03%
3
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.230.09%
4
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.230.40%
5
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.33—
6
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.420.04%
7
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.320.06%
8
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−38.4%+170%0.18—
9
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.32—
10
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.17—
11
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.30—
12
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.210.20%
13
DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.5%18.0%0.50−37.4%+132%0.21—
14
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%0.15—
15
MRSHMarsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+4.4%20.9%0.31−35.8%+245%0.43—
16
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.0%18.8%0.70−30.9%+114%0.13—
17
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+14.9%18.4%0.85−32.9%+194%0.27—
18
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+7.7%13.3%0.63−23.8%+101%0.14—
19
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+6.1%20.0%0.40−31.6%+270%0.33—
20
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.0%1.00−37.0%+172%0.380.08%
21
WECWEC Energy Group, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.2%19.0%0.46−32.3%+159%0.18—
22
USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+7.6%12.3%0.66−33.1%+176%0.460.15%
23
AEEAmeren Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.9%19.4%0.49−29.1%+192%0.16—
24
XLUState Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF · Utilities Equity
Whole market+7.8%17.4%0.52−36.0%+138%0.250.08%
25
SDYState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+7.6%14.0%0.59−36.7%+157%0.370.35%
26
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.360.03%
27
EVRGEvergy, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+9.5%18.9%0.57−38.8%+109%0.12—
28
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.370.03%
29
XLPState Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF · Consumer Staples
Whole market+7.2%13.8%0.57−24.5%+121%0.410.08%
30
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Popular alternative+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.07—
31
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.39—
32
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.43—
33
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.1%18.4%0.57−33.3%+276%0.440.46%
34
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+14.4%22.9%0.70−40.1%+291%0.09—
35
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.40—
36
IDAIDACORP, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+8.8%19.2%0.54−34.3%+141%0.10—
37
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Same or nearby category+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.32—
38
SPLVInvesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+5.5%12.6%0.49−36.3%+129%0.410.25%
39
IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.7%13.8%0.94−35.8%+221%0.420.20%
40
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.52—
41
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.170.48%
42
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.290.40%
43
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.390.95%
44
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.5%11.8%0.83−26.6%+188%0.260.60%
45
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.190.30%
46
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.380.69%
47
CVXChevron Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+19.5%25.2%0.84−55.8%+238%0.26—
48
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.33—
49
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.280.05%
50
SRSpire Inc. · Gas Utilities
Whole market+9.7%21.2%0.55−39.5%+98.3%0.30—
51
RLIRLI Corp. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+8.1%23.9%0.45−43.5%+206%0.19—
52
AORiShares Core 60/40 Balanced Allocation ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+6.4%10.7%0.64−23.0%+118%0.340.20%
53
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.190.18%
54
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.59—
55
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.27—
56
ACWViShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF · International
Whole market+6.3%10.3%0.65−28.8%+116%0.470.20%
57
CWBState Street SPDR Bloomberg Convertible Securities ETF · Corporate Bonds
Whole market+3.7%13.7%0.34−32.1%+178%0.140.40%
58
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%0.35—
59
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.310.60%
60
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.27—
61
DHSWisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund · Dividend & Income
Whole market+12.0%13.9%0.89−37.4%+156%0.320.38%
62
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.17—
63
IHDGWisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Fund · International
Whole market+7.6%14.9%0.57−29.2%+163%0.390.58%
64
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.320.03%
65
QUSState Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.1%14.2%0.81−33.8%+273%0.430.15%
66
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.04—
67
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.27—
68
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.18—
69
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.7%22.0%0.90−56.1%+98.2%0.23—
70
REGLProShares - S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+7.2%16.0%0.52−36.4%+148%0.310.40%
71
FTQIFirst Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.5%14.8%0.82−19.4%+121%0.290.75%
72
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.17—
73
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+17.8%21.4%0.88−53.7%+140%0.20—
74
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.430.19%
75
BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks
Whole market+22.7%24.4%0.97−50.5%+341%0.32—
76
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.17—
77
VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.8%17.6%0.47−39.4%+198%0.350.03%
78
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.27—
79
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.8%2.48−13.5%+35.9%0.220.15%
80
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+13.6%21.4%0.71−51.0%+295%0.08—
81
TAT&T Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+9.8%25.2%0.50−39.4%+60.7%0.35—
82
QDEFNorthern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+12.7%13.7%0.94−35.7%+228%0.410.40%
83
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.23—
84
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+12.9%19.9%0.71−46.9%+187%0.25—
85
OUSAALPS Funds O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.4%13.4%0.74−33.1%+186%0.480.48%
86
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+2.7%2.9%0.94−6.3%+32.7%0.310.03%
87
FXUFirst Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund · Utilities
Whole market+11.2%16.6%0.72−34.8%+138%0.270.61%
88
UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+7.1%22.9%0.42−38.7%+295%0.18—
89
VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.2%20.6%0.40−42.0%+179%0.280.03%
90
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.02—
91
KMIKinder Morgan, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+18.7%22.5%0.88−55.1%+163%0.25—
92
LMTLockheed Martin Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+11.1%24.2%0.56−36.7%+204%0.17—
93
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.350.06%
94
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.46—
95
IEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+6.8%19.4%0.44−38.7%+122%0.060.09%
96
VWOVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+5.2%17.5%0.38−36.4%+102%0.130.06%
97
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%0.08—
98
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.31—
99
GDGeneral Dynamics Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+12.9%20.8%0.69−51.6%+184%0.32—
100
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.0%20.8%0.95−54.9%+335%0.35—

BSX against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−30.0%−25.0%−20.0%−15.0%−10.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityBSX: 0.5% a year, volatility 26.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%SYK: 3.2% a year, volatility 25.7%JNJ: 12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%BDX: 2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%DXCM: −9.2% a year, volatility 47.3%GMED: 0.3% a year, volatility 38.6%EW: −5.3% a year, volatility 32.7%ZBH: −7.2% a year, volatility 27.2%LIVN: −0.4% a year, volatility 39.6%ICUI: −7.0% a year, volatility 40.0%NVST: −10.0% a year, volatility 36.4%ATEC: −2.4% a year, volatility 63.5%CNMD: −19.4% a year, volatility 41.3%TFX: −18.2% a year, volatility 34.5%ENOV: −25.1% a year, volatility 43.0%INSP: −22.3% a year, volatility 61.0%HCA: 14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%ISRG: 5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%HAE: 10.7% a year, volatility 41.0%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%IRTC: 10.2% a year, volatility 61.6%PEN: 3.5% a year, volatility 40.4%UNH: 1.1% a year, volatility 32.1%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%BSXSPY (S&P 500)SYKJNJBDXDXCMGMEDEWZBHLIVNICUINVSTATECCNMDTFXENOVINSPHCAISRGHAETMOIRTCPENUNHABTMDT10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−30.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityBSX: 0.5% a year, volatility 26.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%SYK: 3.2% a year, volatility 25.7%JNJ: 12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%BDX: 2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%DXCM: −9.2% a year, volatility 47.3%GMED: 0.3% a year, volatility 38.6%EW: −5.3% a year, volatility 32.7%ZBH: −7.2% a year, volatility 27.2%LIVN: −0.4% a year, volatility 39.6%ICUI: −7.0% a year, volatility 40.0%NVST: −10.0% a year, volatility 36.4%ATEC: −2.4% a year, volatility 63.5%CNMD: −19.4% a year, volatility 41.3%TFX: −18.2% a year, volatility 34.5%ENOV: −25.1% a year, volatility 43.0%INSP: −22.3% a year, volatility 61.0%HCA: 14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%ISRG: 5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%HAE: 10.7% a year, volatility 41.0%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%IRTC: 10.2% a year, volatility 61.6%PEN: 3.5% a year, volatility 40.4%UNH: 1.1% a year, volatility 32.1%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%BSXSPY (S&P 500)SYKJNJBDXDXCMGMEDEWZBHLIVNICUINVSTATECCNMDTFXENOVINSPISRGHAEIRTCPENABTMDT
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.+14.1%30.1%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson+12.7%17.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
HAE Haemonetics Corporation+10.7%41.0%
IRTC iRhythm Technologies, Inc.+10.2%61.6%
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.+5.2%34.6%
PEN Penumbra, Inc.+3.5%40.4%
SYK Stryker Corporation+3.2%25.7%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company+2.3%24.1%
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated+1.1%32.1%
BSX This pageBoston Scientific Corporation+0.5%26.6%
GMED Globus Medical, Inc.+0.3%38.6%
LIVN LivaNova PLC−0.4%39.6%
ABT Abbott Laboratories−1.7%23.1%
MDT Medtronic Plc−1.8%22.5%
ATEC Alphatec Holdings, Inc.−2.4%63.5%
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%
DXCM DexCom, Inc.−9.2%47.3%
NVST Envista Holdings Corp−10.0%36.4%
TFX Teleflex Incorporated−18.2%34.5%
CNMD CONMED Corporation−19.4%41.3%
INSP Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.−22.3%61.0%
ENOV Enovis Corporation−25.1%43.0%
Open these 26 in EasyCompare

Has BSX consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than BSX 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
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation (this page)—+4.3%+4.1%−25.3%−51.9%−54.7%−8.9%+2.5%+98.1%26.6%0.15−61.6%—$66B—
HCA QualifiedHCA Healthcare, Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+9.3%+26.0%−2.2%−0.5%+8.3%+97.6%+93.6%+513%30.1%0.59−54.7%—$101B—
ISRG QualifiedIntuitive Surgical, Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+9.0%+24.0%−5.9%−22.1%−4.5%+64.1%+28.9%+478%34.6%0.32−49.9%—$155B—
HAE QualifiedHaemonetics Corporation5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+8.7%+51.2%+93.2%+47.8%+133%+32.7%+66.5%+241%41.0%0.45−68.6%—$5.4B—
TMO QualifiedThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
SYK QualifiedStryker Corporation4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+11.4%−4.3%−9.5%−11.8%−19.2%+18.0%+17.2%+197%25.7%0.25−43.8%—$117B—
JNJ QualifiedJohnson & Johnson4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−3.8%+4.8%+13.6%+27.1%+36.9%+84.6%+82.1%+196%17.9%0.76−27.4%—$625B—
IRTC QualifiediRhythm Technologies, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+3.1%+2.2%−8.9%−35.0%−37.5%+38.6%+62.9%+337%61.6%0.45−84.4%—$3.8B—
PEN QualifiedPenumbra, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+1.7%+2.0%−1.6%+4.8%+31.0%+57.8%+18.5%+333%40.4%0.28−62.6%—$13B—
BDX QualifiedBecton, Dickinson and Company5/5 short2/3 long+7.2%+26.2%+23.7%+28.9%+32.3%+1.6%+12.2%+71.4%24.1%0.22−39.9%—$53B—
DXCM QualifiedDexCom, Inc.4/5 short2/3 long−3.8%+13.3%+32.7%+28.9%+25.3%−0.3%−38.4%+316%47.3%0.04−66.3%—$32B—
GMED QualifiedGlobus Medical, Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+6.3%+3.9%−18.4%−9.6%+28.2%+53.9%+1.3%+243%38.6%0.20−47.9%—$11B—
UNH QualifiedUnitedHealth Group Incorporated4/5 short2/3 long+11.0%+0.1%+31.2%+27.1%+18.1%−15.3%+5.5%+241%32.1%0.20−61.4%—$376B—
ABT QualifiedAbbott Laboratories3/5 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 QualifiedEdwards Lifesciences Corporation3/5 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—
GEHC Medical - DevicesGE HealthCare Technologies Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+8.4%+11.8%−5.2%−15.1%−6.8%+10.1%————−37.4%—$32B—
MDT Medical - DevicesMedtronic Plc4/5 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—
ZBH Medical - DevicesZimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long+2.1%+7.3%+1.1%+7.5%−5.6%−5.5%−31.1%−16.1%27.2%-0.14−52.1%—$18B—
LIVN Medical - DevicesLivaNova PLC3/5 short1/3 long+2.0%+0.6%+21.1%+31.4%+47.3%+61.3%−2.2%+41.4%39.6%0.18−74.2%—$4.4B—
ICUI Medical - Instruments & SuppliesICU Medical, Inc.3/5 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—
NVST Medical - Instruments & SuppliesEnvista Holdings Corp3/5 short1/3 long−2.0%−13.6%−17.5%+5.9%+14.1%−7.3%−41.0%—36.4%-0.11−71.0%—$3.7B—
ATEC Medical - DevicesAlphatec Holdings, Inc.5/5 short0/3 long+6.8%+31.3%−6.0%−47.7%−29.9%−11.3%−11.4%+81.6%63.5%0.28−81.8%—$1.7B—
CNMD Medical - DevicesCONMED Corporation5/5 short0/3 long+6.5%+9.5%+19.9%+17.4%−0.4%−47.3%−65.9%+30.2%41.3%-0.32−78.8%—$1.4B—
TFX Medical - Instruments & SuppliesTeleflex Incorporated4/5 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—
ENOV Medical - DevicesEnovis Corporation4/5 short0/3 long+14.7%−22.9%−21.2%−22.0%−36.2%−53.5%−76.4%−59.0%43.0%-0.46−80.9%—$1.2B—
INSP Medical - DevicesInspire Medical Systems, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long−5.8%+33.9%+25.2%−22.7%−11.7%−54.3%−71.6%—61.0%-0.10−87.7%—$2.1B—
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How did BSX do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of BSX20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
BSX This pageBoston Scientific Corporation—+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%+76.3%−37.5%−18.4%+16.9%−23.5%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 9 of 2913 of 264 of 263 of 263 of 2514 of 2525 of 2513 of 244 of 2320 of 239 of 222 of 2016 of 202 of 2016 of 1916 of 1817 of 1810 of 189 of 1717 of 1715 of 1615 of 1514 of 151 of 151 of 152 of 1311 of 117 of 119 of 1110 of 11
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF19 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%
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.6 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%———————————————
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.13 of 25+8.5%+54.7%+27.1%−26.2%+31.8%+38.4%+23.4%+31.2%+72.7%+16.1%+3.3%+37.7%−21.7%+5.9%+79.6%−15.0%+139%−60.7%+237%−18.2%+193%+134%+38.7%−38.6%+18.0%————
HAE Haemonetics Corporation16 of 29+2.6%−8.7%+8.7%+48.3%−55.3%+3.4%+14.8%+72.3%+44.5%+24.7%−13.8%−11.2%+3.2%+33.4%−3.1%+14.5%−2.4%−10.3%+40.0%−7.9%+34.9%+51.5%+11.4%−36.7%+9.8%+29.6%+4.7%+62.6%−25.9%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.17 of 29+11.8%−1.7%−3.4%−17.3%+43.5%+43.7%+45.6%+18.2%+35.0%−0.1%+13.8%+13.1%+75.8%+43.2%−18.8%+16.1%+40.0%−40.9%+27.4%+50.3%−0.2%+19.8%+25.3%−15.7%+5.6%+98.2%−11.4%−61.5%+6.7%
SYK Stryker Corporation17 of 29−1.5%+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%+15.6%+45.6%+26.6%+47.9%+25.0%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson16 of 29+47.5%−4.8%−8.6%+6.0%+11.4%+10.8%+16.2%−5.1%+24.4%+15.3%+1.2%+17.3%+34.6%+10.8%+9.9%−0.6%+11.3%−7.7%+3.6%+12.4%−3.4%+25.2%−2.0%−7.9%+14.0%+14.2%+12.5%+29.0%+34.3%
IRTC iRhythm Technologies, Inc.3 of 9+96.8%−15.8%+14.3%−20.4%−50.4%+248%−2.0%+24.0%+86.8%————————————————————
PEN Penumbra, Inc.6 of 10+30.9%−5.6%+13.1%−22.6%+64.2%+6.5%+34.4%+29.9%+47.5%+18.6%———————————————————
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company11 of 24−12.5%−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%—————
DXCM DexCom, Inc.11 of 20−14.7%−37.3%+9.6%−15.6%+45.2%+69.0%+82.6%+109%−3.9%−27.1%+48.8%+55.5%+160%+45.9%−31.7%+68.8%+193%−68.8%−10.5%−33.8%—————————
GMED Globus Medical, Inc.4 of 13+5.6%+55.2%−28.2%+2.9%+10.7%+10.8%+36.0%+5.3%+65.7%−10.8%+17.0%+17.8%+92.4%————————————————
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated15 of 29−33.1%−2.4%+0.8%+6.9%+45.2%+21.3%+20.0%+14.5%+39.8%+38.4%+18.3%+36.5%+41.0%+8.6%+42.2%+19.9%+14.8%−54.3%+8.3%−13.5%+41.2%+51.4%+39.4%+18.1%+15.3%+131%+23.5%−13.4%+10.3%
ABT Abbott Laboratories16 of 29+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%+17.0%+35.8%−24.7%+51.9%+31.4%
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation16 of 25+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%+55.4%————
GEHC GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.1 of 3+5.1%+1.3%+32.6%——————————————————————————
MDT Medtronic Plc16 of 29+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%−14.8%+66.4%−1.5%+42.1%+55.3%
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.12 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%—————
LIVN LivaNova PLC4 of 10+32.9%−10.5%−6.8%−36.5%+32.0%−12.2%−17.5%+14.4%+77.7%−24.3%———————————————————
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.14 of 29−8.1%+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%+47.8%+97.5%−30.7%+77.8%+57.1%
NVST Envista Holdings Corp3 of 6+12.5%−19.8%−28.5%−25.3%+33.6%+13.8%———————————————————————
ATEC Alphatec Holdings, Inc.5 of 19+129%−39.3%+22.4%+8.1%−21.3%+105%+210%−13.9%−17.1%−10.8%−78.7%−29.8%+21.8%−4.1%−36.3%−49.4%+127%−53.4%+35.1%——————————
CNMD CONMED Corporation16 of 29−40.0%−36.8%+24.5%−37.0%+27.4%+1.2%+75.7%+27.4%+17.3%+2.2%−0.4%+7.8%+55.0%+11.2%−2.9%+15.9%−4.8%+3.6%−0.1%−2.3%−16.7%+19.4%+21.5%−1.9%+162%+32.4%−21.6%+25.8%+28.0%
TFX Teleflex Incorporated16 of 29−30.7%−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%+8.6%+43.6%−30.6%+22.2%+46.8%
ENOV Enovis Corporation7 of 17−39.3%−21.7%+4.7%−32.4%+20.2%+5.1%+74.1%−47.3%+10.3%+53.9%−54.7%−19.0%+57.8%+41.7%+54.7%+52.9%+15.9%————————————
INSP Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.4 of 7−50.2%−8.9%−19.2%+9.5%+22.3%+153%+75.6%——————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How BSX 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 BSX's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents BSX's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1992, 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 BSX fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringBSX fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−89.1%+39.5%Apr 2004Jul 20128.3 yearsAug 20219.1 years
Dot-com bust−73.6%−3.2%Jul 1999Dec 200017 monthsMar 20032.3 years
No named crash−61.6%+21.4%Sep 2025Oct 202613 monthsNot yet—
No named crash−58.3%—Jan 1993Oct 19939 monthsMar 199517 months
No named crash−47.8%+3.3%Aug 1998Nov 19983 monthsMar 19994 months

How did BSX do in stock market crashes?

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

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

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
BSX This pageBoston Scientific Corporation—−1.2%−25.2%−40.0%−18.7%−8.0%−15.2%−24.0%−3.2%−63.5%−56.7%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF8 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.1 of 7−2.2%−39.5%−54.4%−20.6%−3.8%−31.3%−49.0%———
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.1 of 9−2.7%−47.6%−40.5%−24.3%−8.4%−14.7%−20.6%−3.8%−75.9%—
HAE Haemonetics Corporation7 of 10−5.1%−22.8%−38.3%−22.3%−4.3%−24.6%−18.9%−0.9%−24.2%−54.7%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.5 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
SYK Stryker Corporation3 of 10−1.4%−31.4%−43.8%−18.8%−8.8%−15.6%−23.0%−3.8%−58.6%−26.9%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson8 of 10−1.1%−12.7%−25.4%−16.9%−8.2%−9.0%−9.8%−0.1%−34.4%−35.9%
IRTC iRhythm Technologies, Inc.1 of 5−9.9%−35.8%−43.0%−36.9%−0.8%—————
PEN Penumbra, Inc.2 of 5−2.1%−58.0%−35.8%−27.5%−7.2%—————
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company5 of 9−2.0%−19.7%−21.8%−20.4%−10.8%−15.1%−18.3%−1.6%−34.1%—
DXCM DexCom, Inc.2 of 9−4.4%−48.8%−36.8%−27.8%−5.1%−47.6%−33.2%−6.1%−87.0%—
GMED Globus Medical, Inc.2 of 6−5.9%−34.8%−38.0%−28.0%−5.1%−23.6%————
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated7 of 10−1.8%−16.9%−35.9%−18.6%−6.7%−12.4%−20.7%−0.8%−72.4%−19.8%
ABT Abbott Laboratories6 of 10−2.5%−27.9%−29.7%−11.7%−8.8%−27.4%−11.5%−0.5%−22.3%−45.7%
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation6 of 9−3.8%−36.0%−33.2%−20.0%−6.1%−9.7%−19.4%−2.4%−31.9%—
GEHC GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.0 of 1−2.2%—————————
MDT Medtronic Plc7 of 10−2.1%−27.9%−36.0%−13.8%−7.2%−17.6%−18.0%−1.5%−56.5%−44.2%
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.5 of 90.0%−23.9%−49.6%−26.0%−8.2%−14.8%−20.3%−2.1%−62.0%—
LIVN LivaNova PLC1 of 5−6.3%−49.0%−55.3%−32.9%−5.0%—————
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.5 of 10−1.9%−43.5%−26.0%−24.6%−6.1%−29.8%−16.3%−4.0%−43.9%−38.6%
NVST Envista Holdings Corp0 of 3−3.3%−36.3%−57.9%———————
ATEC Alphatec Holdings, Inc.1 of 9−10.1%−51.4%−66.8%−36.0%−1.3%−72.9%−41.4%−3.4%−82.1%—
CNMD CONMED Corporation2 of 10−6.1%−50.9%−62.1%−28.1%−6.3%−35.9%−26.0%−3.9%−64.6%−42.2%
TFX Teleflex Incorporated6 of 10−2.6%−47.2%−42.9%−16.7%−8.5%−10.8%−21.6%−0.5%−42.8%−29.5%
ENOV Enovis Corporation1 of 8−5.1%−44.5%−62.4%−47.4%−17.3%−53.6%−31.8%−0.2%——
INSP Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.0 of 4−9.6%−44.7%−53.7%−29.5%——————
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How closely does BSX 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 BSX 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 BSX's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
BSX This pageBoston Scientific Corporation76%109%0.700.72
PEN Penumbra, Inc.70%40%1.720.52
HAE Haemonetics Corporation62%51%1.220.47
JNJ Johnson & Johnson64%53%1.200.46
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
DXCM DexCom, Inc.97%97%1.001.13
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated81%82%0.980.70
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.135%140%0.971.37
ABT Abbott Laboratories76%79%0.960.64
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.136%154%0.881.28
SYK Stryker Corporation82%96%0.860.88
GMED Globus Medical, Inc.118%148%0.801.03
EW Edwards Lifesciences Corporation88%120%0.730.97
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company53%77%0.690.48
MDT Medtronic Plc62%105%0.590.68
LIVN LivaNova PLC74%129%0.570.89
ICUI ICU Medical, Inc.78%136%0.570.69
CNMD CONMED Corporation90%159%0.571.25
ATEC Alphatec Holdings, Inc.63%117%0.541.28
TFX Teleflex Incorporated79%170%0.471.01
ZBH Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.62%139%0.440.88
ENOV Enovis Corporation95%252%0.381.65
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What diversifies BSX?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2020201120102008200720062005200420001999199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation (this page)1.00+2.5%0.15−20.5%−29.5%−15.9%−33.5%−32.3%−29.8%−31.1%−3.3%−37.5%−18.4%−23.5%24.5%+0.1%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.29+119%1.48−9.0%——————————20.2%+3.8%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.17+225%1.34+3.9%−16.1%−1.8%−20.8%−7.4%——————20.2%+5.6%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.34+101%1.04−13.4%——————————20.8%+3.5%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.38+83.3%1.00−6.5%——————————20.8%+2.9%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF-0.01+323%0.97+55.5%+6.8%+19.0%−44.7%+6.0%−6.7%+10.8%−19.3%———20.7%+8.3%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.34+85.0%0.96+2.1%——————————20.5%+3.2%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.23+126%0.96+24.8%+9.6%+29.3%+4.9%+30.4%+22.6%+17.8%————20.7%+4.1%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.20+136%0.93+28.2%——————————20.8%+4.8%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2020201120102008200720062005200420001999199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation (this page)1.00+2.5%0.15−20.5%−29.5%−15.9%−33.5%−32.3%−29.8%−31.1%−3.3%−37.5%−18.4%−23.5%24.5%+0.1%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.32+479%1.55+10.1%+8.1%+21.4%−39.6%−9.8%−5.8%+18.7%−4.7%+108%−36.8%+29.1%21.9%+7.5%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.19+3,143%1.47−2.4%−24.4%+2.8%−20.5%−25.7%−26.0%−25.2%−6.4%−2.3%+350%—24.6%+19.4%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.05+1,636%1.46+6.7%−17.0%+8.7%−15.2%+2.1%+38.9%+20.1%+40.0%−71.1%−58.7%—22.0%+16.0%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.29+413%1.44+27.1%+11.8%+13.8%−40.4%+29.7%−1.2%+64.9%−1.4%+61.2%−71.3%+96.3%21.6%+7.0%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.11+690%1.41−27.4%——————————21.3%+9.7%
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Common questions

What was BSX's worst drawdown?

BSX's deepest decline since it began trading in 1992 was 89.1%, from April 2004 to July 2012. It took about nine years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were BSX's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, BSX's best year was 2013, when it returned 110%. Its worst was 2000, with a return of -37.5%.

Is there a better investment than BSX?

Among BSX's popular alternatives, JNJ and BDX earned more than BSX with less volatility over the past 5 years. JNJ returned 12.7% a year at 17.9% volatility, against 0.5% a year at 26.6%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, CAH (health care distribution) and ABBV (pharmaceuticals) earned more than BSX with less volatility over the past 5 years. CAH returned 42.1% a year at 24.7% volatility, against 0.5% a year at 26.6%.

Is BSX more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. BSX's volatility over the past 5 years was 26.6%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, BSX's return lands within 26.6% 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 BSX's Sharpe ratio?

BSX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.15, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so BSX 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 BSX with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, BSX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.37 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 BSX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a BSX holding.

What are the best alternatives to BSX?

Of the 25 popular alternatives we compared, 14 outperformed BSX in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: HCA, ISRG and HAE.

Did BSX outperform the S&P 500?

BSX finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in ten of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +6.8%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did BSX do in stock market crashes?

BSX fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in eight. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when BSX fell 56.7% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies BSX?

These had a low correlation with BSX over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.29), DXJ (correlation 0.17) and EMLP (correlation 0.34); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.32), CLS (correlation 0.19) and FIX (correlation 0.05). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

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Popular alternatives to BSX

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