Relative Intelligence · Specialty Retail

How Carvana (CVNA) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on CVNA alone. It places CVNA (Carvana Co.) against 14 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 CVNA stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: CVNA's full trading record, from April 2017 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowOver the past 6 months, CVNA fell 25.0% while the S&P 500 rose 9.1%. The slide is CVNA's own: it is 37.0% below its high, against 1.3% for the S&P 500. At a glance ↓
- Stock or market?CVNA fell 6.0% over the past 3 months, 4.8 points behind the specialty retail ETF XRT (State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF), which fell 1.2%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Its specialty retail peers did not move as one over the past 3 months: PAG (Penske Automotive Group) rose 9.3%, while AN (AutoNation) fell 18.2%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsCVNA has gone against the market, falling 10.7% over the past year while the S&P 500 rose 15.8%. Even so, the past 3 years (ahead of 99% of the stocks worth at least $300 million) have been far stronger than the record over 5 years (behind 58% of them). By year ↓
- Long termCVNA turned $10,000 into $10,400 over the past 5 years, against $18,200 in the S&P 500. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashThe 2022 bear market took 91.8% off CVNA, against 24.5% for the S&P 500, and more than specialty retail peers such as PAG (Penske Automotive Group, 22.2%). CVNA fell further than the S&P 500 in four of the last four sell-offs, including the 2022 bear market (91.8% against 24.5%). Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationAgainst the S&P 500, CVNA has a correlation of 0.46 over 5 years, more closely than 63% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Next to an index fund it is some diversification, but not a hedge. Over 5 years, CVNA's beta versus the S&P 500 was 3.52: in the S&P 500's rising months it gained 2.5 times as much as the index, and in falling months it lost 4.0 times as much. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Nearby categories and themes
- WMT (Walmart, discount retail) and COST (Costco Wholesale, discount retail) earned more than CVNA with less volatility over the past 5 years. WMT returned 20.8% a year at 22.6% volatility, against 0.8% a year at 112%.
- Whole market
- 2,302 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than CVNA with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them NVDA (NVIDIA), AAPL (Apple) and GOOG (Alphabet).
How much would $10,000 in CVNA have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in CVNA over the past 9 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of CVNA over the same span and CVNA'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.
Note: CVNA began trading on April 28, 2017, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or three other sell-offs. It covers the most recent 9 years of CVNA's record, starting at the end of September 2017.
- $10,000 invested in CVNA at the end of September 2017 would have grown to $212,727 by September 2026, more than the $34,839 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Five of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of CVNA, and FIX finished highest, at $487,926.
Choose a period
From the end of September 2017 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. 25 of the 2,804 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of CVNA; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- FIX$487,926+4,779% total · +54.0% a year
- INOD$438,397+4,284% total · +52.2% a year
- STX$389,161+3,792% total · +50.2% a year
- CLS$291,946+2,819% total · +45.5% a year
- MU$277,700+2,677% total · +44.7% a year
- CVNA$212,727+2,027% total · +40.5% a year
- PAG$52,787+428% total · +20.3% a year
- RUSHA$37,521+275% total · +15.8% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$34,839+248% total · +14.9% a year
- GM$22,051+121% total · +9.2% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,454 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of CVNA; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- RUSHA$24,538+145% total · +19.7% a year
- PAG$22,510+125% total · +17.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- GM$15,245+52.4% total · +8.8% a year
- GPI$13,225+32.3% total · +5.7% a year
- AN$12,931+29.3% total · +5.3% a year
- SAH$12,789+27.9% total · +5.0% a year
- CVNA$10,370+3.7% total · +0.7% a year
- LAD$9,531−4.7% total · −1.0% a year
- KMX$4,307−56.9% total · −15.5% a year
CVNA 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.
Note: CVNA began trading on April 28, 2017, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or three other sell-offs.
- CVNA is still 37.0% below its all-time high.
- CVNA's deepest decline since it began trading in 2017 was 99.0%, from August 2021 to December 2022. It took about three years from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over eight full calendar years, CVNA's best was 2023, when it returned 1,017%, and its worst was 2022, when it lost 98.0%. It lost money in two of those years.
The company
- Market value
- $66B
- Industry
- Auto - Dealerships
- Price history from
- April 2017
Returns
- Past 1 year
- −10.7%total return
- Past 3 years
- +871%+113% a year
- Past 5 years
- +4.3%+0.8% a year
- Best calendar year
- +1,017%2023
- Worst calendar year
- −98.0%2022
- Losing years
- 2 of 8full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 112%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.55return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −99.0%Aug 2021 to Dec 2022
- From its all-time high
- −37.0%below the peak
CVNA against the whole market
Where CVNA ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does CVNA rank among all stocks?
This section ranks CVNA 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 CVNA stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- CVNA's 3-year return ranks in the top 1% of the 3,017 stocks worth at least $300 million with 3 years of history.
- CVNA is among the more volatile stocks: its price swings rank in the bottom 2% of the 2,893 stocks worth at least $300 million, where the top is the calmest.
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 | CVNA | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | −10.7% | 2,365 of 3,287 | bottom 29% |
| 3-year return | +871% | 36 of 3,017 | top 1% |
| 5-year return | +4.3% | 1,670 of 2,893 | bottom 43% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 112% | 2,824 of 2,893 | bottom 3% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.55 | 810 of 2,893 | top 28% |
What has beaten CVNA 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). CVNA sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than CVNA 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.
- 1,485 stocks and 817 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than CVNA over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 63% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half CVNA's swings, CLS has the best return for its risk: 101% a year at 59.7% volatility, 47% less than CVNA's 112%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.47 against 0.55 for CVNA.
- Among CVNA's popular alternatives, RUSHA, PAG and SAH are in the region. RUSHA earned 18.2% a year against 0.8% a year for CVNA, at 30.7% volatility, 73% less than CVNA's 112%.
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 CVNA; faint dots are 94 more of the 2,302 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 CVNA?
Investments that beat CVNA over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among CVNA's popular alternatives, PAG, RUSHA and GM earned more than CVNA with less volatility over the past 5 years. PAG returned 18.3% a year at 31.9% volatility, against 0.8% a year at 112%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, WMT (discount retail) and COST (discount retail) earned more than CVNA with less volatility over the past 5 years. WMT returned 20.8% a year at 22.6% volatility, against 0.8% a year at 112%.
- Across the whole market, 2,302 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than CVNA with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them NVDA, AAPL and GOOG.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat CVNA 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 CVNA'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 CVNA 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 CVNA'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× CVNA's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than CVNA'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 | 5Y returntotal | Corr. with CVNA?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| +0.8% | 112% | 0.55 | −99.0% | +4.3% | 1.00 | — | |||
| +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +81.7% | 0.46 | 0.09% | |||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against CVNA. 6 of 14 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
PAGPenske Automotive Group, Inc. · Specialty Retail | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +18.3% | 31.9% | 0.69 | −60.0% | +131% | 0.27 | — | |
RUSHARush Enterprises, Inc. · Industrial Distribution | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +18.2% | 30.7% | 0.70 | −47.9% | +131% | 0.35 | — | |
| Higher return, lower volatilitySmaller losses in recent crashes | +6.9% | 36.7% | 0.36 | −59.9% | +39.5% | 0.46 | — | ||
ANAutoNation, Inc. · Specialty Retail | Higher return, lower volatilitySmaller losses in recent crashes | +6.7% | 36.0% | 0.36 | −63.6% | +38.4% | 0.38 | — | |
GPIGroup 1 Automotive, Inc. · Auto - Dealerships | Higher return, lower volatilitySmaller losses in recent crashes | +5.7% | 38.1% | 0.34 | −70.3% | +32.2% | 0.35 | — | |
SAHSonic Automotive, Inc. · Auto - Dealerships | Higher return, lower volatilitySmaller losses in recent crashes | +6.8% | 42.9% | 0.37 | −70.8% | +38.7% | 0.28 | — | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Specialty Retail and the categories next to it (Discount Retail, Apparel & Footwear, Automobiles), plus CVNA's specific themes. 31 of 51 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +158% | 0.24 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +17.4% | 22.9% | 0.82 | −31.4% | +123% | 0.43 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +19.9% | 22.3% | 0.93 | −42.5% | +147% | 0.15 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +15.9% | 23.4% | 0.75 | −42.0% | +110% | 0.01 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +18.1% | 29.5% | 0.71 | −51.4% | +129% | 0.14 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatility | 0.0% | 24.7% | 0.12 | −38.0% | −0.2% | 0.29 | — | ||
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 2,510 of 3,568 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +101% | 59.7% | 1.47 | −80.6% | +3,143% | 0.42 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +68.1% | 57.1% | 1.20 | −57.6% | +1,244% | 0.16 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +57.4% | 48.7% | 1.18 | −57.0% | +866% | 0.29 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +53.7% | 53.5% | 1.07 | −70.5% | +759% | 0.28 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +57.3% | 64.5% | 1.03 | −66.9% | +863% | 0.23 | — | ||
| On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +3.7% | 0.3% | 14.05 | −0.2% | +19.9% | 0.38 | 0.14% | ||
SHYiShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds | Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +1.8% | 2.0% | 0.89 | −5.7% | +9.3% | 0.15 | 0.15% | |
INODInnodata Inc. · Information Technology Services | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +39.4% | 108% | 0.80 | −74.4% | +426% | 0.19 | — | |
What these numbers mean for CVNA
- Annual return
- CVNA returned 0.8% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $10,400. 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
- CVNA's volatility over the past 5 years was 112%, 6.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, CVNA's return lands within 112% 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
- CVNA's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.55, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so CVNA 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
- CVNA's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 99.0%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 99.0% fall takes a 9,801% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, CVNA's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.46 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 CVNA instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a CVNA holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 2,302 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than CVNA 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.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 5Y return | Corr. with CVNA | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole market | +101% | 59.7% | 1.47 | −80.6% | +3,143% | 0.42 | — | |
| 2 | Whole market | +68.1% | 57.1% | 1.20 | −57.6% | +1,244% | 0.16 | — | |
| 3 | Whole market | +57.4% | 48.7% | 1.18 | −57.0% | +866% | 0.29 | — | |
| 4 | Whole market | +53.7% | 53.5% | 1.07 | −70.5% | +759% | 0.28 | — | |
| 5 | Whole market | +57.3% | 64.5% | 1.03 | −66.9% | +863% | 0.23 | — | |
| 6 | Whole market | +3.7% | 0.3% | 14.05 | −0.2% | +19.9% | 0.38 | 0.14% | |
| 7 | Whole market | +51.4% | 67.0% | 0.95 | −84.6% | +695% | 0.49 | — | |
| 8 | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +122% | 0.25 | — | |
| 9 | Whole market | +51.8% | 37.5% | 1.31 | −71.7% | +705% | 0.19 | — | |
| 10 | Whole market | +47.3% | 32.5% | 1.36 | −68.9% | +594% | 0.20 | — | |
| 11 | Whole market | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +479% | -0.01 | — | |
| 12 | Whole market | +18.5% | 28.0% | 0.75 | −38.5% | +133% | 0.30 | — | |
| 13 | Whole market | +77.0% | 46.7% | 1.46 | −49.7% | +1,636% | 0.23 | — | |
| 14 | Whole market | +19.0% | 32.0% | 0.71 | −44.6% | +138% | 0.38 | — | |
| 15 | Whole market | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +187% | 0.13 | — | |
| 16 | Whole market | +48.3% | 44.5% | 1.11 | −48.3% | +617% | 0.30 | — | |
| 17 | Whole market | +31.5% | 38.5% | 0.91 | −56.6% | +293% | 0.38 | — | |
| 18 | Whole market | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +451% | -0.03 | — | |
| 19 | Whole market | +60.5% | 89.6% | 0.96 | −92.5% | +965% | 0.13 | — | |
| 20 | Whole market | +11.5% | 17.5% | 0.71 | −35.0% | +72.6% | 0.49 | 0.03% | |
| 21 | Whole market | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +82.3% | 0.46 | 0.03% | |
| 22 | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +87.8% | 0.10 | — | |
| 23 | CRSCarpenter Technology Corporation · Metals & Mining | Whole market | +63.9% | 46.5% | 1.30 | −74.7% | +1,082% | 0.21 | — |
| 24 | Whole market | +27.1% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | +232% | -0.17 | — | |
| 25 | VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds | Whole market | +4.7% | 1.3% | 3.51 | −13.1% | +25.6% | 0.45 | 0.30% |
| 26 | Whole market | +35.7% | 57.6% | 0.82 | −65.5% | +359% | 0.22 | — | |
| 27 | Whole market | +17.3% | 24.3% | 0.78 | −43.6% | +122% | 0.30 | — | |
| 28 | Whole market | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +218% | -0.10 | — | |
| 29 | Whole market | +33.1% | 25.9% | 1.24 | −62.3% | +318% | 0.19 | — | |
| 30 | Whole market | +12.7% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | +82.1% | -0.12 | — | |
| 31 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +225% | 0.28 | 0.48% |
| 32 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +119% | 0.14 | 0.40% |
| 33 | FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials | Whole market | +6.0% | 2.3% | 2.55 | −21.0% | +33.9% | 0.49 | 0.60% |
| 34 | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +98.2% | -0.17 | — | |
| 35 | Whole market | +19.5% | 25.2% | 0.84 | −55.8% | +144% | -0.08 | — | |
| 36 | Whole market | +31.1% | 31.9% | 1.01 | −43.4% | +288% | 0.23 | — | |
| 37 | Whole market | +55.2% | 54.4% | 1.08 | −59.6% | +800% | 0.05 | — | |
| 38 | Whole market | +14.5% | 23.0% | 0.71 | −35.1% | +97.2% | 0.53 | 0.18% | |
| 39 | Whole market | +33.2% | 29.4% | 1.13 | −54.9% | +319% | 0.20 | — | |
| 40 | Whole market | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +159% | 0.04 | — | |
| 41 | Whole market | +37.4% | 49.9% | 0.89 | −56.4% | +390% | 0.28 | — | |
| 42 | Whole market | +16.8% | 26.1% | 0.73 | −42.0% | +118% | 0.21 | — | |
| 43 | Whole market | +50.3% | 37.5% | 1.28 | −75.3% | +667% | 0.14 | — | |
| 44 | Whole market | +49.0% | 49.0% | 1.06 | −52.2% | +634% | 0.18 | — | |
| 45 | Whole market | +21.0% | 24.8% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +159% | -0.13 | — | |
| 46 | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +413% | -0.03 | — | |
| 47 | Whole market | +16.3% | 24.8% | 0.74 | −43.4% | +113% | -0.24 | — | |
| 48 | Whole market | +17.1% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | +121% | -0.08 | — | |
| 49 | INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. · Oil & Gas | Whole market | +56.5% | 40.5% | 1.31 | −57.4% | +839% | -0.12 | — |
| 50 | Whole market | +31.9% | 43.4% | 0.86 | −48.0% | +299% | 0.24 | — | |
| 51 | Whole market | +33.8% | 32.2% | 1.07 | −37.5% | +329% | 0.35 | — | |
| 52 | Whole market | +12.1% | 13.7% | 0.90 | −36.8% | +76.6% | 0.25 | 0.03% | |
| 53 | Whole market | +25.8% | 47.4% | 0.72 | −55.1% | +215% | 0.26 | — | |
| 54 | Whole market | +26.0% | 23.8% | 1.09 | −63.3% | +217% | 0.26 | — | |
| 55 | Whole market | +18.6% | 24.3% | 0.83 | −52.0% | +135% | -0.13 | — | |
| 56 | Whole market | +38.7% | 46.7% | 0.94 | −46.3% | +413% | 0.16 | — | |
| 57 | Whole market | +31.7% | 33.9% | 0.99 | −73.8% | +295% | 0.19 | — | |
| 58 | Whole market | +19.6% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | +145% | -0.11 | — | |
| 59 | Whole market | +38.7% | 33.3% | 1.16 | −69.6% | +413% | 0.12 | — | |
| 60 | Whole market | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +180% | -0.17 | — | |
| 61 | Whole market | +19.6% | 28.6% | 0.77 | −48.8% | +145% | 0.28 | — | |
| 62 | Whole market | +44.2% | 36.9% | 1.18 | −71.9% | +524% | 0.04 | — | |
| 63 | Whole market | +16.0% | 28.8% | 0.66 | −51.3% | +110% | 0.38 | — | |
| 64 | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +109% | 0.23 | — | |
| 65 | Whole market | +35.4% | 35.4% | 1.04 | −55.1% | +355% | 0.38 | — | |
| 66 | Whole market | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +326% | 0.17 | — | |
| 67 | Whole market | +32.0% | 40.7% | 0.89 | −55.3% | +301% | 0.18 | — | |
| 68 | Whole market | +18.0% | 25.8% | 0.78 | −59.6% | +129% | -0.25 | — | |
| 69 | Whole market | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +126% | 0.07 | 0.40% | |
| 70 | Whole market | +29.5% | 65.2% | 0.72 | −61.9% | +264% | 0.30 | — | |
| 71 | Whole market | +16.6% | 30.5% | 0.66 | −41.1% | +116% | 0.01 | — | |
| 72 | FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds | Whole market | +4.5% | 1.8% | 2.48 | −13.5% | +24.5% | 0.39 | 0.15% |
| 73 | BELFBBel Fuse Inc. · Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Whole market | +78.0% | 52.1% | 1.37 | −79.8% | +1,688% | 0.19 | — |
| 74 | Whole market | +33.2% | 32.9% | 1.04 | −64.2% | +319% | -0.05 | — | |
| 75 | Whole market | +18.4% | 26.0% | 0.78 | −35.1% | +133% | 0.44 | 0.09% | |
| 76 | Whole market | +25.4% | 30.4% | 0.90 | −59.8% | +210% | 0.26 | — | |
| 77 | Whole market | +33.7% | 29.4% | 1.14 | −47.6% | +327% | 0.10 | — | |
| 78 | Whole market | +27.4% | 28.8% | 0.99 | −54.7% | +235% | 0.44 | — | |
| 79 | Whole market | +19.5% | 34.1% | 0.69 | −33.6% | +144% | 0.21 | — | |
| 80 | Whole market | +48.8% | 43.0% | 1.15 | −52.5% | +631% | 0.17 | — | |
| 81 | Whole market | +18.7% | 22.0% | 0.90 | −56.1% | +136% | -0.13 | — | |
| 82 | Whole market | +21.3% | 25.6% | 0.89 | −30.3% | +162% | -0.05 | — | |
| 83 | Whole market | +18.2% | 32.6% | 0.68 | −70.7% | +131% | 0.02 | — | |
| 84 | Whole market | +15.7% | 20.4% | 0.82 | −42.6% | +107% | -0.07 | — | |
| 85 | Whole market | +39.3% | 37.2% | 1.08 | −45.5% | +425% | 0.37 | — | |
| 86 | Whole market | +22.6% | 29.1% | 0.85 | −41.6% | +177% | 0.07 | — | |
| 87 | Whole market | +17.8% | 21.4% | 0.88 | −53.7% | +126% | 0.03 | — | |
| 88 | Whole market | +33.1% | 32.5% | 1.05 | −73.5% | +318% | -0.02 | — | |
| 89 | Whole market | +20.4% | 32.1% | 0.74 | −44.5% | +153% | 0.35 | — | |
| 90 | TPCTutor Perini Corporation · Engineering & Construction | Whole market | +42.5% | 56.0% | 0.91 | −91.0% | +488% | 0.39 | — |
| 91 | Whole market | +22.7% | 24.4% | 0.97 | −50.5% | +179% | 0.32 | — | |
| 92 | Whole market | +24.6% | 24.0% | 1.04 | −68.1% | +200% | 0.14 | — | |
| 93 | Whole market | +31.4% | 42.1% | 0.86 | −51.5% | +292% | 0.14 | — | |
| 94 | Whole market | +19.2% | 21.6% | 0.93 | −47.3% | +141% | 0.41 | — | |
| 95 | Whole market | +10.4% | 14.1% | 0.78 | −31.7% | +64.0% | 0.31 | 0.04% | |
| 96 | Whole market | +26.3% | 33.8% | 0.86 | −62.1% | +221% | 0.16 | — | |
| 97 | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +174% | -0.04 | — | |
| 98 | Whole market | +22.7% | 27.7% | 0.88 | −40.5% | +178% | 0.32 | — | |
| 99 | JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds | Whole market | +5.1% | 1.7% | 2.98 | −2.6% | +28.0% | 0.48 | 0.20% |
| 100 | Whole market | +22.0% | 28.6% | 0.84 | −61.3% | +170% | 0.44 | — |
CVNA against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against CVNA, compared period by period and year by year.
How do CVNA'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 CVNA, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Six of the 14 popular alternatives, led by PAG, RUSHA and GM, were both more rewarding and calmer than CVNA over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, CVNA returned 0.9% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (112.2% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than CVNA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| PAG Penske Automotive Group, Inc. | +18.3% | 31.9% |
| RUSHA Rush Enterprises, Inc. | +18.2% | 30.7% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| GM General Motors Company | +6.9% | 36.7% |
| SAH Sonic Automotive, Inc. | +6.8% | 42.9% |
| AN AutoNation, Inc. | +6.7% | 36.0% |
| GPI Group 1 Automotive, Inc. | +5.7% | 38.1% |
| CVNA This pageCarvana Co. | +0.9% | 112% |
| CARG CarGurus, Inc. | −1.3% | 50.3% |
| LAD Lithia Motors, Inc. | −1.9% | 39.5% |
| CARS Cars.com Inc. | −3.4% | 44.8% |
| ALLY Ally Financial Inc. | −4.3% | 38.2% |
| ABG Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. | −4.4% | 40.0% |
| CPRT Copart, Inc. | −5.7% | 27.5% |
| KMX CarMax, Inc. | −17.2% | 44.9% |
| OPEN Opendoor Technologies Inc. | −38.6% | 114% |
Has CVNA consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares CVNA with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over seven periods from one month to five years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than CVNA helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- None of the 14 popular alternatives outperformed CVNA in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 2 long-term timeframes. The closest was PAG.
- RUSHA and PAG earned more for the risk they took than CVNA (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 CVNA over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 2 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| CVNA Carvana Co. (this page) | — | −10.2% | −6.0% | −25.0% | −24.7% | −10.7% | +871% | +4.3% | 112% | 0.55 | −99.0% | — | $66B | — |
| PAG Auto - DealershipsPenske Automotive Group, Inc. | 5/5 short1/2 long | 0.0% | +9.3% | +32.4% | +37.5% | +29.4% | +57.0% | +131% | 31.9% | 0.69 | −60.0% | — | $14B | — |
| GM Auto - ManufacturersGeneral Motors Company | 5/5 short1/2 long | −8.2% | +1.9% | −3.9% | −4.2% | +34.0% | +168% | +39.5% | 36.7% | 0.36 | −59.9% | — | $68B | — |
| RUSHA Auto - DealershipsRush Enterprises, Inc. | 4/5 short1/2 long | −4.6% | −7.9% | −7.9% | +28.2% | +36.3% | +83.6% | +131% | 30.7% | 0.70 | −47.9% | — | $5.4B | — |
| SAH Auto - DealershipsSonic Automotive, Inc. | 3/5 short1/2 long | −2.9% | −33.2% | −9.9% | +5.6% | −13.6% | +50.3% | +38.7% | 42.9% | 0.37 | −70.8% | — | $2.0B | — |
| AN Auto - DealershipsAutoNation, Inc. | 3/5 short1/2 long | −4.1% | −18.2% | −22.7% | −21.6% | −25.3% | +21.1% | +38.4% | 36.0% | 0.36 | −63.6% | — | $5.4B | — |
| GPI Auto - DealershipsGroup 1 Automotive, Inc. | 1/5 short1/2 long | −3.0% | −20.3% | −30.5% | −37.7% | −45.1% | +1.6% | +32.2% | 38.1% | 0.34 | −70.3% | — | $2.9B | — |
| KMX Auto - DealershipsCarMax, Inc. | 5/5 short0/2 long | −7.0% | −3.7% | +32.4% | +37.0% | +25.1% | −14.4% | −61.2% | 44.9% | -0.19 | −80.1% | — | $7.6B | — |
| LAD Auto - DealershipsLithia Motors, Inc. | 4/5 short0/2 long | −5.1% | −7.6% | +4.3% | −9.2% | −2.3% | +18.5% | −9.2% | 39.5% | 0.15 | −61.2% | — | $6.6B | — |
| CARS Internet Content & InformationCars.com Inc. | 4/5 short0/2 long | −7.9% | −11.9% | −4.5% | −12.5% | −0.3% | −34.3% | −15.8% | 44.8% | 0.15 | −88.9% | — | $589M | — |
| ALLY Financial - Credit ServicesAlly Financial Inc. | 4/5 short0/2 long | −4.8% | −16.0% | −16.9% | −15.3% | −3.5% | +73.9% | −19.6% | 38.2% | 0.08 | −66.2% | — | $12B | — |
| CARG Internet Content & InformationCarGurus, Inc. | 3/5 short0/2 long | −4.6% | −10.0% | −14.7% | −15.9% | −11.5% | +77.5% | −6.2% | 50.3% | 0.22 | −78.7% | — | $2.8B | — |
| CPRT Specialty Business ServicesCopart, Inc. | 3/5 short0/2 long | −3.7% | +1.2% | −17.6% | −26.3% | −37.8% | −36.3% | −25.5% | 27.5% | -0.08 | −58.9% | — | $26B | — |
| ABG Auto - DealershipsAsbury Automotive Group, Inc. | 2/5 short0/2 long | −6.7% | −18.1% | −19.1% | −26.7% | −30.0% | −15.9% | −20.0% | 40.0% | 0.09 | −65.7% | — | $3.1B | — |
| OPEN Real Estate - ServicesOpendoor Technologies Inc. | 0/5 short0/2 long | −23.1% | −53.7% | −61.5% | −66.1% | −72.0% | −5.5% | −91.2% | 114% | 0.10 | −98.6% | — | $2.0B | — |
How did CVNA do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2018, along with where CVNA ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with CVNA and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
Note: CVNA began trading on April 28, 2017, so the table starts with 2018, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or three other sell-offs.
- CVNA finished ahead of the S&P 500 in six of its eight full calendar years, and ahead of it in each of the last three.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, CVNA finished in the top quarter in six of eight years and in the bottom quarter in two. In 2025, it ranked 2 of 15.
- None of the 14 popular alternatives came out ahead of CVNA in most of the years they have in common.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of CVNA; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places CVNA among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of CVNA | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVNA This pageCarvana Co. | — | +108% | +284% | +1,017% | −98.0% | −3.2% | +160% | +182% | +71.2% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 6 of 8 | 2 of 15 | 1 of 15 | 1 of 15 | 15 of 15 | 14 of 15 | 1 of 14 | 1 of 14 | 1 of 14 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 2 of 8 | +17.7% | +24.9% | +26.2% | −18.2% | +28.7% | +18.3% | +31.2% | −4.6% |
| PAG Penske Automotive Group, Inc. | 2 of 8 | +7.1% | −2.5% | +42.3% | +9.2% | +84.4% | +20.1% | +28.9% | −13.2% |
| GM General Motors Company | 2 of 8 | +54.2% | +49.8% | +8.0% | −42.4% | +40.8% | +15.2% | +14.0% | −15.0% |
| RUSHA Rush Enterprises, Inc. | 2 of 8 | −0.2% | +10.5% | +46.8% | −4.5% | +36.5% | +35.4% | +36.6% | −31.8% |
| SAH Sonic Automotive, Inc. | 2 of 8 | −0.3% | +15.2% | +16.7% | +2.0% | +29.4% | +26.1% | +129% | −24.5% |
| AN AutoNation, Inc. | 2 of 8 | +21.6% | +13.1% | +40.0% | −8.2% | +67.4% | +43.5% | +36.2% | −30.4% |
| GPI Group 1 Automotive, Inc. | 2 of 8 | −6.3% | +39.1% | +70.2% | −6.9% | +50.0% | +31.9% | +92.4% | −24.6% |
| KMX CarMax, Inc. | 2 of 8 | −52.7% | +6.5% | +26.0% | −53.2% | +37.9% | +7.8% | +39.8% | −2.2% |
| LAD Lithia Motors, Inc. | 2 of 8 | −6.3% | +9.3% | +62.0% | −30.6% | +1.8% | +101% | +94.5% | −32.0% |
| CARS Cars.com Inc. | 2 of 8 | −29.6% | −8.6% | +37.8% | −14.4% | +42.4% | −7.5% | −43.2% | −25.4% |
| ALLY Ally Financial Inc. | 2 of 8 | +29.9% | +6.4% | +49.2% | −46.9% | +36.0% | +20.6% | +37.9% | −20.7% |
| CARG CarGurus, Inc. | 2 of 8 | +5.0% | +51.2% | +72.5% | −58.4% | +6.0% | −9.8% | +4.3% | +12.5% |
| CPRT Copart, Inc. | 2 of 8 | −31.8% | +17.1% | +60.9% | −19.7% | +19.1% | +39.9% | +90.3% | +10.7% |
| ABG Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. | 2 of 8 | −4.3% | +8.0% | +25.5% | +3.8% | +18.5% | +30.4% | +67.7% | +4.2% |
| OPEN Opendoor Technologies Inc. | 2 of 5 | +264% | −64.3% | +286% | −92.1% | −35.7% | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How CVNA 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 CVNA's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents CVNA's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2017, 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.
Note: CVNA began trading on April 28, 2017, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or three other sell-offs. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.
- In all five of CVNA's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: CVNA fell 46.6% from June to October 2017, while the S&P 500 rose 6.1%.
- The slowest recovery came after CVNA fell 99.0% from August 2021 to December 2022; it did not regain that peak until July 2025, three years later.
Green means CVNA fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | CVNA fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 bear market | −99.0% | −11.9% | Aug 2021 | Dec 2022 | 16 months | Jul 2025 | 2.6 years |
| Covid crash | −73.3% | −31.0% | Feb 2020 | Mar 2020 | 1 month | Jun 2020 | 3 months |
| Late-2018 sell-off | −57.8% | −15.9% | Sep 2018 | Dec 2018 | 3 months | Apr 2019 | 4 months |
| No named crash | −46.6% | +6.1% | Jun 2017 | Oct 2017 | 4 months | Apr 2018 | 6 months |
| No named crash | −41.2% | −5.6% | Jan 2026 | Mar 2026 | 2 months | Not yet | — |
How did CVNA do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far CVNA, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.
Note: CVNA began trading on April 28, 2017, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or three other sell-offs. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.
- CVNA fell further than the S&P 500 in four of the five crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when CVNA fell 91.8% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.
- Among its popular alternatives, GM held up best, falling less than CVNA in all five crashes they both traded through.
- CVNA began trading after the 2008 financial crisis, but nine of its popular alternatives lived through it. The mildest fall among them was CPRT's 51.8%, against 55.2% for the S&P 500.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than CVNA.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVNA This pageCarvana Co. | — | −17.5% | −91.8% | −73.3% | −51.2% | −4.6% | Not yet trading | Not yet trading | Not yet trading | Not yet trading | Not yet trading |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 4 of 5 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| PAG Penske Automotive Group, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −5.8% | −22.2% | −59.6% | −22.4% | −6.1% | −43.9% | −36.9% | −1.5% | −77.5% | −63.3% |
| GM General Motors Company | 5 of 5 | −10.1% | −53.0% | −51.8% | −14.9% | −3.9% | −25.5% | −34.4% | — | — | — |
| RUSHA Rush Enterprises, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −5.8% | −27.2% | −36.9% | −23.6% | −11.5% | −46.0% | −36.6% | −5.9% | −70.1% | — |
| SAH Sonic Automotive, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −8.8% | −36.5% | −66.3% | −36.2% | −6.0% | −36.7% | −35.3% | −2.5% | −96.0% | −63.6% |
| AN AutoNation, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −7.7% | −23.9% | −53.6% | −25.1% | −7.9% | −36.4% | −22.9% | −1.5% | −77.0% | −49.0% |
| GPI Group 1 Automotive, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −8.0% | −28.3% | −70.1% | −30.1% | −6.3% | −45.0% | −31.3% | −6.6% | −83.4% | −60.0% |
| KMX CarMax, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −13.2% | −49.9% | −56.6% | −27.4% | −6.4% | −33.7% | −29.4% | −2.0% | −73.1% | −59.2% |
| LAD Lithia Motors, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −10.0% | −41.1% | −51.5% | −23.6% | −4.6% | −41.5% | −37.0% | −5.3% | −91.5% | −48.1% |
| CARS Cars.com Inc. | 4 of 5 | −4.9% | −47.7% | −69.1% | −27.1% | −4.1% | — | — | — | — | — |
| ALLY Ally Financial Inc. | 3 of 5 | −21.7% | −46.0% | −60.2% | −24.3% | −5.8% | −32.3% | — | — | — | — |
| CARG CarGurus, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −1.9% | −71.1% | −42.9% | −44.9% | −5.3% | — | — | — | — | — |
| CPRT Copart, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −4.6% | −29.6% | −43.7% | −14.8% | −6.2% | −16.7% | −19.2% | −1.4% | −51.8% | −61.7% |
| ABG Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. | 4 of 5 | −11.6% | −26.8% | −55.3% | −18.3% | −4.2% | −48.4% | −28.3% | −4.0% | −89.8% | — |
| OPEN Opendoor Technologies Inc. | 1 of 2 | −23.7% | −80.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does CVNA 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 CVNA with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 5 years.
- Over the past 5 years, CVNA captured 246% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 401% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 3.52. It amplified the market's moves in both directions.
- Six of the 14 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than CVNA's 0.61, led by PAG, RUSHA and SAH.
Monthly total returns over the past 5 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 CVNA's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVNA This pageCarvana Co. | 246% | 401% | 0.61 | 3.52 |
| PAG Penske Automotive Group, Inc. | 103% | 85% | 1.21 | 0.92 |
| RUSHA Rush Enterprises, Inc. | 117% | 99% | 1.19 | 0.92 |
| SAH Sonic Automotive, Inc. | 56% | 71% | 0.78 | 0.92 |
| GPI Group 1 Automotive, Inc. | 68% | 88% | 0.77 | 0.92 |
| GM General Motors Company | 130% | 178% | 0.73 | 1.40 |
| AN AutoNation, Inc. | 83% | 118% | 0.71 | 0.81 |
| LAD Lithia Motors, Inc. | 114% | 206% | 0.55 | 1.27 |
| CARG CarGurus, Inc. | 71% | 129% | 0.55 | 1.21 |
| ALLY Ally Financial Inc. | 84% | 167% | 0.51 | 1.12 |
| CARS Cars.com Inc. | 91% | 186% | 0.49 | 1.64 |
| ABG Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. | 70% | 142% | 0.49 | 0.78 |
| CPRT Copart, Inc. | 75% | 163% | 0.46 | 1.06 |
| OPEN Opendoor Technologies Inc. | 270% | 658% | 0.41 | 3.76 |
| KMX CarMax, Inc. | 69% | 223% | 0.31 | 1.23 |
What diversifies CVNA?
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 CVNA's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing CVNA with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in CVNA into MCK would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 20% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+0.7% for CVNA alone, +18.1% for the mix).
- MCK made money in two of the two calendar years in which CVNA lost money.
- Among large ETFs, LVHI, DXJ and EMLP have moved largely independently of CVNA over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.28 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
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 CVNA lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% CVNA and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2021 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVNA Carvana Co. (this page) | 1.00 | +4.3% | 0.55 | −98.0% | −3.2% | 121% | +0.7% |
| LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF | 0.14 | +119% | 1.48 | +3.8% | +17.8% | 97.3% | +14.0% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.28 | +225% | 1.34 | +6.0% | +18.0% | 97.7% | +15.6% |
| EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 0.19 | +101% | 1.04 | +10.4% | +23.1% | 97.6% | +13.4% |
| HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF | 0.09 | +83.3% | 1.00 | +7.1% | +19.6% | 97.3% | +13.0% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.41 | +323% | 0.97 | −33.5% | +42.1% | 100% | +16.2% |
| DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 0.30 | +85.0% | 0.96 | −5.1% | +19.6% | 97.7% | +13.0% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.07 | +126% | 0.96 | −0.8% | −4.2% | 97.3% | +14.3% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 0.28 | +136% | 0.93 | −10.4% | +22.7% | 98.2% | +14.1% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2021 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVNA Carvana Co. (this page) | 1.00 | +4.3% | 0.55 | −98.0% | −3.2% | 121% | +0.7% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | -0.01 | +479% | 1.55 | +54.1% | −0.4% | 97.1% | +18.6% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.42 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +1.3% | +37.9% | 102% | +27.1% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | 0.23 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +17.0% | +89.0% | 99.4% | +25.5% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | -0.03 | +413% | 1.44 | +51.8% | +44.2% | 97.0% | +18.1% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.01 | +690% | 1.41 | +86.6% | +61.0% | 97.2% | +20.9% |
Common questions
What was CVNA's worst drawdown?
CVNA's deepest decline since it began trading in 2017 was 99.0%, from August 2021 to December 2022. It took about three years from the low to climb back to its old high. Because CVNA launched in April 2017, that record does not include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or three other sell-offs.
What were CVNA's best and worst years?
Over eight full calendar years, CVNA's best year was 2023, when it returned 1,017%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -98.0%.
Is there a better investment than CVNA?
Among CVNA's popular alternatives, PAG, RUSHA and GM earned more than CVNA with less volatility over the past 5 years. PAG returned 18.3% a year at 31.9% volatility, against 0.8% a year at 112%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, WMT (discount retail) and COST (discount retail) earned more than CVNA with less volatility over the past 5 years. WMT returned 20.8% a year at 22.6% volatility, against 0.8% a year at 112%.
Is CVNA more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. CVNA's volatility over the past 5 years was 112%, 6.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, CVNA's return lands within 112% 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 CVNA's Sharpe ratio?
CVNA's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.55, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so CVNA 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 CVNA with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, CVNA's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.46 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 CVNA instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a CVNA holding.
What are the best alternatives to CVNA?
None of the 14 popular alternatives we compared outperformed CVNA in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 2 long-term timeframes, which says more about CVNA's strength than about its alternatives.
Did CVNA outperform the S&P 500?
CVNA finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in six of eight full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +108%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did CVNA do in stock market crashes?
CVNA fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the five major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when CVNA fell 91.8% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.
What diversifies CVNA?
These had a low correlation with CVNA over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.14), DXJ (correlation 0.28) and EMLP (correlation 0.19); among large stocks, CAH (correlation -0.01), CLS (correlation 0.42) and FIX (correlation 0.23). 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. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than CVNA's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of CVNA's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 2 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.