Relative Intelligence · E-Commerce

How EBAY compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on EBAY alone. It places EBAY (eBay Inc.) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where EBAY stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: EBAY's full trading record, from September 1998 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowNot every peer went the same way. Over the past 6 months, W (Wayfair) rose 40.0% and BABA (Alibaba Group Holding) fell 21.7%. Over the past 6 months, EBAY rose 13.8% against 9.1% for the S&P 500 and 11.2% for the Nasdaq 100. Consistency ↓
- Stock or market?EBAY rose 6.5% over the past 3 months, 5.5 points ahead of the consumer discretionary sector ETF XLY (State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF), which rose 1.0%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Last month cut against the tape: EBAY rose 11.9% while the S&P 500 fell 0.6%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsEBAY has outpaced the market, rising 28.3% over the past year against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. The same gap shows up over 3 years (213% against 89.3%). EBAY finished ahead of the S&P 500 in both 2024 and 2025. By year ↓
- Long termEBAY turned $10,000 into $47,400 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. That said, the past 5 years only trailed the S&P 500 (74.2% against 81.7%), after a much stronger decade (374% against 321%). Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashEBAY fell harder than the S&P 500 in six of seven sell-offs. The Covid crash was the exception: EBAY fell 31.6%, less than the S&P 500's 33.7%. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationEBAY is more of the same, not a cushion: a correlation of 0.69 with the S&P 500 over 5 years and 0.70 with the total US market, more closely than 98% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- V (Visa) earned more than EBAY with less volatility over the past 5 years: 12.8% a year at 22.9% volatility, against 11.7% a year at 32.9%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- CIBR (First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF, cybersecurity) and TJX (TJX Companies, specialty retail) earned more than EBAY with less volatility over the past 5 years. CIBR returned 14.1% a year at 26.1% volatility, against 11.7% a year at 32.9%.
- Versus the S&P 500
- The S&P 500 matched EBAY's return over the past 5 years (12.7% a year against 11.7%) with 48% less volatility.
How much would $10,000 in EBAY have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in EBAY over the past 19 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of EBAY over the same span and EBAY'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: The chart covers the past 19 years rather than EBAY's full 28 years, because most of its popular alternatives have not traded that long.
- $10,000 invested in EBAY at the end of September 2007 would have grown to $73,236 by September 2026, more than the $70,725 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Five of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of EBAY, and AMZN finished highest, at $534,633.
Choose a period
From the end of September 2007 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. 450 of the 1,798 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of EBAY; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- AMZN$534,633+5,246% total · +23.3% a year
- MELI$491,887+4,819% total · +22.8% a year
- MSFT$245,308+2,353% total · +18.3% a year
- GOOG$243,382+2,334% total · +18.3% a year
- TJX$234,593+2,246% total · +18.1% a year
- EBAY$73,236+632% total · +11.0% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$70,725+607% total · +10.8% a year
- XRT$54,768+448% total · +9.4% a year
- FDX$41,745+317% total · +7.8% a year
- UPS$23,929+139% total · +4.7% 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. 1,273 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of EBAY; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- PANW$49,770+398% total · +37.8% a year
- GOOG$25,811+158% total · +20.9% a year
- CIBR$21,643+116% total · +16.7% a year
- TJX$21,559+116% total · +16.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- MSFT$18,958+89.6% total · +13.6% a year
- V$16,755+67.5% total · +10.9% a year
- EBAY$16,622+66.2% total · +10.7% a year
- SHOP$10,938+9.4% total · +1.8% a year
- ETSY$3,438−65.6% total · −19.2% a year
EBAY 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.
- EBAY's deepest decline since it began trading in 1998 was 82.6%, from December 2004 to March 2009. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 27 full calendar years, EBAY's best was 2001, when it returned 103%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 57.9%. It lost money in six of those years.
- EBAY is 1.4% below its all-time high.
The company
- Market value
- $54B
- Industry
- Specialty Retail
- Price history from
- September 1998
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +28.3%total return
- Past 3 years
- +213%+46.2% a year
- Past 5 years
- +74.2%+11.7% a year
- Past 10 years
- +374%+16.8% a year
- Best calendar year
- +103%2001
- Worst calendar year
- −57.9%2008
- Losing years
- 6 of 27full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 32.9%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.50return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −82.6%Dec 2004 to Mar 2009
- From its all-time high
- −1.4%below the peak
EBAY against the whole market
Where EBAY ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does EBAY rank among all stocks?
This section ranks EBAY 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 EBAY stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- EBAY's 3-year return ranks in the top 12% of the 3,017 stocks worth at least $300 million with 3 years of history.
Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | EBAY | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +28.3% | 1,018 of 3,287 | top 31% |
| 3-year return | +213% | 365 of 3,017 | top 12% |
| 5-year return | +74.2% | 867 of 2,893 | top 30% |
| 10-year return | +374% | 452 of 2,202 | top 21% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 32.9% | 986 of 2,893 | top 34% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.50 | 916 of 2,893 | top 32% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −53.6% | 596 of 2,187 | top 27% |
What has beaten EBAY 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). EBAY sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than EBAY 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.
- 218 stocks and 160 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than EBAY over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 10% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half EBAY's swings, CAH has the best return for its risk: 42.1% a year at 24.7% volatility, 25% less than EBAY's 32.9%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.55 against 0.50 for EBAY.
- Among EBAY's popular alternatives, V is in the region. V earned 12.8% a year against 11.7% a year for EBAY, at 22.9% volatility, 30% less than EBAY's 32.9%.
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 EBAY; faint dots are 91 more of the 378 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
- 1 with more than 1.6× EBAY's volatility is in the table only
Is there a better investment than EBAY?
Investments that beat EBAY over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among EBAY's popular alternatives, V earned more than EBAY with less volatility over the past 5 years: 12.8% a year at 22.9% volatility, against 11.7% a year at 32.9%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, CIBR (cybersecurity) and TJX (specialty retail) earned more than EBAY with less volatility over the past 5 years. CIBR returned 14.1% a year at 26.1% volatility, against 11.7% a year at 32.9%.
- The S&P 500 matched EBAY's return over the past 5 years (12.7% a year against 11.7%) with 48% less volatility.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat EBAY 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 EBAY'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 EBAY 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 EBAY'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× EBAY's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than EBAY's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with EBAY?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| +11.7% | 32.9% | 0.50 | −53.6% | +374% | 1.00 | — | |||
| +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.69 | 0.09% | |||
| Popular alternativesbest 2 shownThe investments people most often weigh against EBAY. 2 of 19 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.8% | 22.9% | 0.64 | −36.4% | +429% | 0.43 | — | ||
| Higher return in most periods | +3.1% | 66.9% | 0.38 | −84.8% | +3,916% | 0.45 | — | ||
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in E-Commerce and the categories next to it (Specialty Retail, Software, Internet Services, Freight & Logistics), plus EBAY's specific themes. 16 of 131 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +14.1% | 26.1% | 0.64 | −33.9% | +454% | 0.30 | 0.58% | |
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +19.9% | 22.3% | 0.93 | −42.5% | +361% | 0.40 | — | ||
| Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +31.9% | 43.4% | 0.86 | −48.0% | +1,274% | -0.02 | — | ||
| Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +12.5% | 28.2% | 0.56 | −37.1% | +946% | 0.38 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +19.0% | 32.0% | 0.71 | −44.6% | +752% | 0.41 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatility | +12.3% | 25.3% | 0.59 | −42.1% | +323% | 0.24 | — | ||
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 765 of 3,484 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +15.8% | 24.6% | 0.72 | −30.7% | +576% | 0.46 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +18.5% | 28.0% | 0.75 | −38.5% | +1,168% | 0.32 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | 0.02 | — | ||
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +20.4% | 24.2% | 0.89 | −38.9% | +468% | 0.43 | 0.59% | |
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.04 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +19.4% | 26.0% | 0.82 | −33.6% | +767% | 0.50 | 0.08% | ||
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.4% | 23.8% | 0.61 | −41.0% | +541% | 0.49 | — | ||
| On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +51.2% | 33.4% | 1.41 | −79.7% | +1,387% | 0.22 | — | ||
What these numbers mean for EBAY
- Annual return
- EBAY returned 11.7% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $17,400. 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
- EBAY's volatility over the past 5 years was 32.9%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, EBAY's return lands within 32.9% 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
- EBAY's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.50, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so EBAY 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
- EBAY's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 53.6%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 53.6% fall takes a 115% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, EBAY's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.69 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 EBAY instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a EBAY holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 378 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than EBAY 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 | 10Y return | Corr. with EBAY | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole market | +15.8% | 24.6% | 0.72 | −30.7% | +576% | 0.46 | — | |
| 2 | Whole market | +18.5% | 28.0% | 0.75 | −38.5% | +1,168% | 0.32 | — | |
| 3 | EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +20.4% | 24.2% | 0.89 | −38.9% | +468% | 0.43 | 0.59% |
| 4 | Whole market | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.04 | — | |
| 5 | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | -0.03 | — | |
| 6 | Whole market | +33.7% | 29.4% | 1.14 | −47.6% | +474% | 0.32 | — | |
| 7 | Whole market | +22.6% | 29.1% | 0.85 | −41.6% | +521% | 0.03 | — | |
| 8 | Whole market | +19.4% | 26.0% | 0.82 | −33.6% | +767% | 0.50 | 0.08% | |
| 9 | Whole market | +26.3% | 24.9% | 1.07 | −41.6% | +654% | 0.45 | — | |
| 10 | Whole market | +16.5% | 23.1% | 0.78 | −48.4% | +808% | 0.48 | — | |
| 11 | Whole market | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | 0.44 | — | |
| 12 | CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +21.5% | 25.1% | 0.91 | −43.2% | +463% | 0.20 | — |
| 13 | RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining | Whole market | +24.8% | 28.1% | 0.93 | −40.8% | +626% | 0.36 | — |
| 14 | Whole market | +17.4% | 22.9% | 0.82 | −31.4% | +685% | 0.42 | — | |
| 15 | Whole market | +16.8% | 26.1% | 0.73 | −42.0% | +374% | 0.38 | — | |
| 16 | CACICACI International Inc · Business Services | Whole market | +16.6% | 29.9% | 0.66 | −42.9% | +499% | 0.07 | — |
| 17 | MSGSMadison Square Garden Sports Corp. · Entertainment | Whole market | +18.4% | 25.6% | 0.79 | −41.6% | +432% | 0.27 | — |
| 18 | Popular alternative | +12.8% | 22.9% | 0.64 | −36.4% | +429% | 0.43 | — | |
| 19 | NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities | Whole market | +32.0% | 28.5% | 1.12 | −35.3% | +394% | 0.21 | — |
| 20 | RSPTInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF · Technology Equity | Whole market | +16.9% | 25.1% | 0.75 | −33.7% | +572% | 0.57 | 0.40% |
| 21 | CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity | Same or nearby category | +14.1% | 26.1% | 0.64 | −33.9% | +454% | 0.30 | 0.58% |
| 22 | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.51 | — | |
| 23 | Whole market | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | 0.07 | — | |
| 24 | Whole market | +33.2% | 29.4% | 1.13 | −54.9% | +483% | 0.32 | — | |
| 25 | Whole market | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +324% | 0.69 | 0.03% | |
| 26 | MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +26.1% | 31.2% | 0.90 | −35.5% | +706% | 0.19 | — |
| 27 | XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +13.8% | 18.9% | 0.78 | −30.5% | +379% | 0.61 | 0.20% |
| 28 | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.43 | — | |
| 29 | Whole market | +17.3% | 24.3% | 0.78 | −43.6% | +537% | 0.50 | — | |
| 30 | Whole market | +14.4% | 29.9% | 0.60 | −37.9% | +755% | 0.40 | — | |
| 31 | Whole market | +22.0% | 28.6% | 0.84 | −61.3% | +544% | 0.53 | — | |
| 32 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.38 | 0.48% |
| 33 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.56 | 0.40% |
| 34 | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.21 | — | |
| 35 | Whole market | +21.0% | 26.8% | 0.85 | −50.8% | +694% | 0.55 | — | |
| 36 | Whole market | +14.5% | 23.0% | 0.71 | −35.1% | +553% | 0.58 | 0.18% | |
| 37 | Whole market | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +242% | 0.21 | — | |
| 38 | Whole market | +16.3% | 24.8% | 0.74 | −43.4% | +241% | 0.12 | — | |
| 39 | Whole market | +17.1% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | +226% | 0.25 | — | |
| 40 | Whole market | +23.4% | 30.2% | 0.85 | −57.5% | +616% | 0.01 | — | |
| 41 | Whole market | +19.6% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | +266% | 0.10 | — | |
| 42 | Whole market | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +200% | 0.03 | — | |
| 43 | BAPCredicorp Ltd. · Banks | Whole market | +30.8% | 30.3% | 1.04 | −59.2% | +298% | 0.44 | — |
| 44 | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +310% | 0.49 | — | |
| 45 | BFCBank First Corporation · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +19.0% | 27.3% | 0.78 | −39.8% | +496% | 0.14 | — |
| 46 | Whole market | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +345% | 0.37 | — | |
| 47 | Whole market | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +213% | 0.09 | 0.40% | |
| 48 | Whole market | +16.6% | 30.5% | 0.66 | −41.1% | +151% | 0.06 | — | |
| 49 | Whole market | +21.3% | 25.6% | 0.89 | −30.3% | +816% | 0.13 | — | |
| 50 | Whole market | +15.7% | 20.4% | 0.82 | −42.6% | +248% | 0.25 | — | |
| 51 | Whole market | +19.2% | 21.6% | 0.93 | −47.3% | +395% | 0.55 | — | |
| 52 | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.26 | — | |
| 53 | Whole market | +22.7% | 27.7% | 0.88 | −40.5% | +955% | 0.52 | — | |
| 54 | Whole market | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.16 | — | |
| 55 | Whole market | +12.9% | 19.9% | 0.71 | −46.9% | +187% | 0.61 | — | |
| 56 | SNXTD Synnex Corp · Technology Distribution | Whole market | +20.3% | 30.4% | 0.76 | −55.8% | +430% | 0.58 | — |
| 57 | Whole market | +17.2% | 24.9% | 0.77 | −30.4% | +285% | 0.22 | — | |
| 58 | Whole market | +17.4% | 29.1% | 0.70 | −46.4% | +426% | 0.58 | — | |
| 59 | Whole market | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.24 | — | |
| 60 | Whole market | +19.9% | 29.0% | 0.77 | −44.0% | +444% | 0.56 | — | |
| 61 | Whole market | +14.8% | 23.6% | 0.71 | −32.8% | +625% | 0.40 | — | |
| 62 | Whole market | +19.2% | 22.4% | 0.90 | −42.0% | +311% | 0.29 | — | |
| 63 | Whole market | +17.0% | 26.2% | 0.73 | −41.4% | +356% | 0.14 | — | |
| 64 | Whole market | +17.9% | 26.1% | 0.76 | −37.9% | +314% | 0.50 | — | |
| 65 | Whole market | +14.4% | 22.1% | 0.72 | −42.7% | +481% | 0.48 | — | |
| 66 | Whole market | +14.7% | 17.5% | 0.87 | −34.7% | — | 0.68 | 0.26% | |
| 67 | Whole market | +17.9% | 25.4% | 0.78 | −42.5% | +284% | 0.55 | — | |
| 68 | IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs | Whole market | +24.6% | 30.3% | 0.88 | −39.0% | +470% | 0.41 | — |
| 69 | SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds | Whole market | +20.6% | 18.4% | 1.12 | −45.7% | — | 0.18 | 0.80% |
| 70 | CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +29.9% | 29.3% | 1.04 | −36.1% | +537% | 0.39 | — |
| 71 | FNDXSchwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +13.5% | 14.9% | 0.93 | −37.7% | +291% | 0.67 | 0.25% |
| 72 | Whole market | +14.0% | 25.7% | 0.64 | −45.5% | +79.7% | 0.14 | — | |
| 73 | ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +14.9% | 18.4% | 0.85 | −32.9% | +194% | 0.38 | — |
| 74 | WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +18.9% | 22.9% | 0.87 | −45.3% | +443% | 0.09 | — |
| 75 | FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 16.3% | 0.87 | −40.2% | +194% | 0.62 | 0.25% |
| 76 | SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity | Whole market | +18.7% | 20.8% | 0.93 | −30.9% | +499% | 0.58 | 0.13% |
| 77 | IUSGiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF · US Growth Equity | Whole market | +12.9% | 21.2% | 0.68 | −32.4% | +405% | 0.64 | 0.04% |
| 78 | DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +14.8% | 16.4% | 0.93 | −25.4% | — | 0.64 | 0.27% |
| 79 | HUBBHubbell Incorporated · Electrical Equipment | Whole market | +21.0% | 30.0% | 0.79 | −41.6% | +442% | 0.43 | — |
| 80 | LLoews Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +14.3% | 19.2% | 0.80 | −48.5% | +180% | 0.38 | — |
| 81 | HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.9% | 13.0% | 1.00 | −37.0% | +172% | 0.47 | 0.08% |
| 82 | AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 17.4% | 0.84 | −43.0% | — | 0.63 | 0.36% |
| 83 | NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +15.1% | 20.3% | 0.80 | −30.9% | +158% | 0.44 | — |
| 84 | PKGPackaging Corporation of America · Packaging | Whole market | +15.4% | 25.8% | 0.69 | −38.2% | +294% | 0.48 | — |
| 85 | DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +24.5% | 25.2% | 1.00 | −23.6% | — | 0.33 | — |
| 86 | Same or nearby category | +19.9% | 22.3% | 0.93 | −42.5% | +361% | 0.40 | — | |
| 87 | QTECFirst Trust NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector Index Fund · Technology | Whole market | +13.0% | 30.3% | 0.56 | −45.5% | +531% | 0.50 | 0.55% |
| 88 | RNRRenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. · Insurance | Whole market | +20.1% | 27.8% | 0.80 | −40.7% | +215% | 0.07 | — |
| 89 | SNASnap-on Incorporated · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +12.9% | 23.6% | 0.63 | −47.4% | +195% | 0.44 | — |
| 90 | RBCRBC Bearings Incorporated · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +16.8% | 29.9% | 0.67 | −40.8% | +745% | 0.50 | — |
| 91 | PAVEGlobal X - U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF · Infrastructure Equity | Whole market | +14.9% | 21.6% | 0.75 | −44.1% | — | 0.68 | 0.47% |
| 92 | FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.2% | 14.6% | 0.92 | −40.2% | +253% | 0.68 | 0.15% |
| 93 | DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.1% | 13.8% | 0.96 | −32.5% | +206% | 0.67 | 0.35% |
| 94 | IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +15.7% | 17.2% | 0.94 | −31.4% | +361% | 0.64 | 0.40% |
| 95 | EHCEncompass Health Corporation · Health Care Facilities | Whole market | +18.4% | 26.8% | 0.77 | −39.5% | +340% | 0.33 | — |
| 96 | PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +13.4% | 19.9% | 0.73 | −39.3% | +103% | 0.30 | — |
| 97 | FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 14.4% | 0.98 | −41.4% | +199% | 0.47 | 0.43% |
| 98 | JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 15.7% | 0.89 | −32.9% | — | 0.67 | 0.12% |
| 99 | VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +15.9% | 18.4% | 0.90 | −39.5% | +286% | 0.56 | 0.15% |
| 100 | LECOLincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +14.1% | 27.5% | 0.62 | −38.9% | +389% | 0.57 | — |
EBAY against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against EBAY, compared period by period and year by year.
How do EBAY'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 EBAY, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Only V and FDX were both more rewarding and calmer than EBAY over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- 15 of the 19 popular alternatives earned less than EBAY over the past 5 years while swinging more, the weaker corner of the map.
- Over the past 5 years, EBAY returned 11.7% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (32.9% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than EBAY 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 |
|---|---|---|
| V Visa Inc. | +12.8% | 22.9% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| FDX FedEx Corporation | +12.0% | 32.8% |
| EBAY This pageeBay Inc. | +11.7% | 32.9% |
| AMZN Amazon.com, Inc. | +9.0% | 36.6% |
| MELI MercadoLibre, Inc. | +3.2% | 49.5% |
| SHOP Shopify Inc. | +3.1% | 66.9% |
| XRT State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF | +0.3% | 26.8% |
| REAL The RealReal, Inc. | −3.2% | 97.2% |
| PDD PDD Holdings Inc. | −3.9% | 66.0% |
| BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited | −8.2% | 51.3% |
| GLBE Global-e Online Ltd. | −8.4% | 65.8% |
| UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | −8.6% | 28.9% |
| CPNG Coupang, Inc. | −13.1% | 52.0% |
| W Wayfair Inc. | −14.5% | 81.8% |
| ETSY Etsy, Inc. | −17.8% | 55.4% |
| JD JD.com, Inc. | −18.6% | 52.6% |
| CHWY Chewy, Inc. | −20.1% | 61.0% |
| RVLV Revolve Group, Inc. | −20.2% | 60.2% |
| PYPL PayPal Holdings, Inc. | −25.9% | 43.3% |
| SE Sea Limited | −25.9% | 64.6% |
Has EBAY consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares EBAY 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 EBAY helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Only one of the 20 popular alternatives, SHOP, outperformed EBAY in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- V earned more for the risk it took than EBAY (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in its worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than EBAY over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| EBAY eBay Inc. (this page) | — | +11.9% | +6.5% | +13.8% | +40.5% | +28.3% | +213% | +74.2% | +374% | 32.9% | 0.50 | −53.6% | — | $54B | — |
| SHOP QualifiedShopify Inc. | 3/5 short2/3 long | +25.8% | +39.4% | +28.4% | +10.4% | +5.3% | +239% | +16.6% | +3,916% | 66.9% | 0.38 | −84.8% | — | $225B | — |
| V Financial - Credit ServicesVisa Inc. | 2/5 short2/3 long | +9.9% | +13.0% | +30.0% | +18.0% | +19.0% | +78.2% | +82.5% | +429% | 22.9% | 0.64 | −36.4% | — | $759B | — |
| GCT Software - InfrastructureGigaCloud Technology Inc. | 4/5 short1/3 long | +11.1% | +53.6% | +17.6% | +52.0% | +117% | +589% | — | — | — | — | −91.1% | — | $2.1B | — |
| ETSY Specialty RetailEtsy, Inc. | 3/5 short1/3 long | +19.0% | +4.0% | +36.2% | +52.6% | +22.5% | +34.7% | −62.5% | +511% | 55.4% | -0.08 | −86.3% | — | $8.0B | — |
| FDX Integrated Freight & LogisticsFedEx Corporation | 1/5 short1/3 long | +1.0% | −2.1% | −5.4% | +27.6% | +56.7% | +63.1% | +76.6% | +156% | 32.8% | 0.52 | −66.0% | — | $71B | — |
| REAL Luxury GoodsThe RealReal, Inc. | 1/5 short1/3 long | +13.6% | −4.8% | −7.4% | −30.6% | −6.4% | +641% | −15.0% | — | 97.2% | 0.44 | −96.4% | — | $1.3B | — |
| MELI Specialty RetailMercadoLibre, Inc. | 0/5 short1/3 long | +3.2% | +2.6% | +0.5% | −4.8% | −10.6% | +60.7% | +17.2% | +1,002% | 49.5% | 0.31 | −69.1% | — | $95B | — |
| AMZN Specialty RetailAmazon.com, Inc. | 0/5 short1/3 long | +1.6% | +5.1% | +5.8% | +16.0% | +21.3% | +110% | +53.8% | +548% | 36.6% | 0.42 | −56.1% | — | $2.8T | — |
| W Specialty RetailWayfair Inc. | 3/5 short0/3 long | +8.2% | +29.4% | +40.0% | +6.6% | +36.6% | +159% | −54.2% | +213% | 81.8% | 0.21 | −93.0% | — | $16B | — |
| GLBE Specialty RetailGlobal-e Online Ltd. | 2/5 short0/3 long | +5.3% | +14.2% | +26.4% | +10.4% | +25.5% | +19.4% | −35.6% | — | 65.8% | 0.20 | −79.1% | — | $7.0B | — |
| XRT Consumer DiscretionaryState Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | +6.2% | −1.2% | +0.1% | +2.8% | +4.3% | +53.4% | +1.6% | +137% | 26.8% | 0.14 | −47.0% | 0.35% | $316M | — |
| PYPL Financial - Credit ServicesPayPal Holdings, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | +8.6% | +0.8% | +11.7% | −0.9% | −16.5% | +8.2% | −77.6% | +44.1% | 43.3% | -0.47 | −87.3% | — | $49B | — |
| UPS Integrated Freight & LogisticsUnited Parcel Service, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | +4.0% | −11.5% | −5.0% | +2.2% | +20.8% | −23.0% | −36.1% | +35.4% | 28.9% | -0.17 | −57.9% | — | $74B | — |
| JD Specialty RetailJD.com, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −1.9% | −12.5% | −14.7% | −6.2% | −18.0% | +20.2% | −64.3% | +14.4% | 52.6% | -0.14 | −79.1% | — | $36B | — |
| BABA Specialty RetailAlibaba Group Holding Limited | 0/5 short0/3 long | −6.1% | −9.7% | −21.7% | −29.6% | −36.8% | +44.5% | −34.8% | +11.2% | 51.3% | 0.08 | −80.1% | — | $270B | — |
| CHWY Specialty RetailChewy, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | +5.0% | −2.1% | −25.4% | −35.7% | −42.5% | +28.2% | −67.3% | — | 61.0% | -0.07 | −87.4% | — | $8.7B | — |
| CPNG Specialty RetailCoupang, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −2.1% | −12.9% | −33.4% | −38.7% | −54.8% | −18.9% | −50.3% | — | 52.0% | -0.01 | −81.5% | — | $26B | — |
| PDD Specialty RetailPDD Holdings Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | +2.9% | −5.1% | −21.7% | −29.5% | −38.0% | −20.6% | −17.9% | — | 66.0% | 0.26 | −87.4% | — | $116B | — |
| RVLV Specialty RetailRevolve Group, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | +9.7% | −10.9% | −13.2% | −21.5% | +6.0% | +70.7% | −67.7% | — | 60.2% | -0.08 | −85.7% | — | $1.6B | — |
| SE Specialty RetailSea Limited | 0/5 short0/3 long | −21.6% | −23.9% | −10.0% | −38.8% | −51.5% | +80.3% | −77.7% | — | 64.6% | -0.14 | −90.5% | — | $49B | — |
How did EBAY do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1999, along with where EBAY ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with EBAY and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- EBAY finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 16 of its 27 full calendar years, and ahead of it in each of the last two.
- Among its popular alternatives, SHOP came out ahead of EBAY most often, in seven of the ten years both traded.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, EBAY finished in the top quarter in five of 19 years and in the bottom quarter in four. In 2025, it ranked 6 of 21.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of EBAY; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places EBAY among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of EBAY | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBAY This pageeBay Inc. | — | +42.7% | +44.8% | +7.7% | −36.5% | +33.8% | +41.2% | +30.6% | −25.6% | +27.1% | +8.1% | +16.3% | +2.3% | +7.6% | +68.0% | +9.0% | +18.3% | +68.2% | −57.9% | +10.4% | −30.4% | −25.7% | +80.1% | +90.3% | +1.5% | +103% | −47.3% | +55.8% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 5 of 19 | 6 of 21 | 4 of 21 | 13 of 21 | 8 of 20 | 3 of 18 | 15 of 18 | 8 of 15 | 12 of 14 | 11 of 13 | 8 of 13 | 5 of 10 | 6 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 10 of 27 | +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% |
| SHOP Shopify Inc. | 7 of 10 | +51.4% | +36.5% | +124% | −74.8% | +21.7% | +185% | +187% | +37.1% | +135% | +66.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| V Visa Inc. | 9 of 17 | +11.8% | +22.3% | +26.3% | −3.4% | −0.3% | +17.1% | +43.3% | +16.5% | +47.2% | +1.4% | +19.1% | +18.7% | +48.0% | +50.5% | +45.4% | −18.9% | +68.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| GCT GigaCloud Technology Inc. | 2 of 3 | +112% | +1.2% | +222% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ETSY Etsy, Inc. | 4 of 10 | +4.8% | −34.7% | −32.3% | −45.3% | +23.1% | +302% | −6.9% | +133% | +73.6% | +42.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FDX FedEx Corporation | 12 of 27 | +5.1% | +13.5% | +49.1% | −31.6% | +0.7% | +74.3% | −4.8% | −34.7% | +35.2% | +26.1% | −13.7% | +21.4% | +57.6% | +10.5% | −9.7% | +12.1% | +31.1% | −27.7% | −17.6% | +5.4% | +5.3% | +46.4% | +24.9% | +4.8% | +61.0% | −2.4% | −8.2% |
| REAL The RealReal, Inc. | 3 of 6 | +44.4% | +444% | +60.8% | −89.2% | −40.6% | +3.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MELI MercadoLibre, Inc. | 11 of 18 | +18.4% | +8.2% | +85.7% | −37.2% | −19.5% | +193% | +95.3% | −6.9% | +102% | +37.1% | −10.1% | +19.2% | +38.0% | −0.7% | +19.9% | +28.5% | +216% | −77.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AMZN Amazon.com, Inc. | 15 of 27 | +5.2% | +44.4% | +80.9% | −49.6% | +2.4% | +76.3% | +23.0% | +28.4% | +56.0% | +10.9% | +118% | −22.2% | +59.0% | +45.0% | −3.9% | +33.7% | +163% | −44.7% | +135% | −16.5% | +6.8% | −16.0% | +178% | +74.6% | −30.5% | −79.6% | +42.2% |
| W Wayfair Inc. | 6 of 11 | +127% | −28.2% | +87.6% | −82.7% | −15.9% | +150% | +0.3% | +12.2% | +129% | −26.4% | +140% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| GLBE Global-e Online Ltd. | 1 of 4 | −27.9% | +37.6% | +92.0% | −67.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| XRT State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF | 10 of 19 | +8.1% | +11.8% | +21.6% | −31.6% | +42.6% | +41.9% | +14.1% | −8.0% | +4.2% | +3.3% | −8.9% | +9.9% | +42.2% | +20.7% | +9.8% | +37.4% | +77.5% | −38.0% | −17.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| PYPL PayPal Holdings, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −31.4% | +39.0% | −13.8% | −62.2% | −19.5% | +117% | +28.6% | +14.2% | +86.5% | +9.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | 12 of 26 | −15.9% | −15.9% | −6.0% | −16.2% | +30.0% | +48.6% | +24.2% | −15.5% | +7.1% | +22.7% | −10.9% | +8.7% | +46.5% | +3.9% | +3.8% | +30.3% | +7.8% | −19.8% | −3.5% | +1.8% | −10.5% | +16.4% | +19.9% | +17.3% | −6.0% | −13.8% | — |
| JD JD.com, Inc. | 5 of 11 | −14.9% | +23.5% | −47.8% | −17.9% | −20.3% | +149% | +68.3% | −49.5% | +62.9% | −21.2% | +39.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited | 5 of 11 | +75.8% | +11.8% | −10.8% | −25.9% | −49.0% | +9.7% | +54.7% | −20.5% | +96.4% | +8.1% | −21.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CHWY Chewy, Inc. | 1 of 6 | −1.3% | +41.7% | −36.3% | −37.1% | −34.4% | +210% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CPNG Coupang, Inc. | 1 of 4 | +7.3% | +35.8% | +10.1% | −49.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| PDD PDD Holdings Inc. | 4 of 7 | +16.9% | −33.7% | +79.4% | +39.9% | −67.2% | +370% | +68.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| RVLV Revolve Group, Inc. | 3 of 6 | −9.8% | +102% | −25.5% | −60.3% | +79.8% | +69.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SE Sea Limited | 4 of 8 | +20.2% | +162% | −22.2% | −76.7% | +12.4% | +395% | +255% | −15.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How EBAY 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 EBAY's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents EBAY's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1998, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
- In all five of EBAY's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: EBAY fell 64.7% from April to August 1999, while the S&P 500 slipped only 2.5%.
- The slowest recovery came after EBAY fell 82.6% from December 2004 to March 2009; it did not regain that peak until March 2014, five years later.
Green means EBAY fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | EBAY fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 financial crisis | −82.6% | −39.2% | Dec 2004 | Mar 2009 | 4.3 years | Mar 2014 | 5 years |
| Dot-com bust | −77.1% | −17.1% | Mar 2000 | Dec 2000 | 9 months | Dec 2003 | 3 years |
| No named crash | −64.7% | −2.5% | Apr 1999 | Aug 1999 | 4 months | Mar 2000 | 7 months |
| 2022 bear market | −53.6% | −20.0% | Oct 2021 | Sep 2022 | 11 months | Jun 2025 | 2.8 years |
| Late-2018 sell-off | −43.4% | −15.2% | Feb 2018 | Dec 2018 | 10 months | May 2020 | 17 months |
How did EBAY do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far EBAY, 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.
- EBAY fell further than the S&P 500 in nine of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when EBAY fell 77.1% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.
- Among its popular alternatives, V held up best, falling less than EBAY in seven of the eight crashes they both traded through.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than EBAY.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBAY This pageeBay Inc. | — | −6.6% | −44.2% | −31.6% | −23.2% | −7.4% | −25.6% | −21.8% | −3.5% | −74.7% | −77.1% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 9 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| SHOP Shopify Inc. | 2 of 6 | −5.1% | −79.0% | −40.7% | −27.6% | −5.4% | −49.2% | — | — | — | — |
| V Visa Inc. | 7 of 8 | −3.5% | −24.1% | −36.4% | −19.1% | −5.8% | −15.8% | −11.5% | −0.8% | — | — |
| GCT GigaCloud Technology Inc. | 1 of 1 | −1.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ETSY Etsy, Inc. | 1 of 6 | −8.4% | −65.7% | −49.3% | −25.1% | −5.6% | −63.3% | — | — | — | — |
| FDX FedEx Corporation | 3 of 10 | −5.3% | −45.3% | −44.9% | −38.1% | −8.0% | −27.0% | −29.7% | −3.3% | −67.8% | −30.0% |
| REAL The RealReal, Inc. | 0 of 3 | −11.7% | −89.6% | −65.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MELI MercadoLibre, Inc. | 1 of 9 | −7.2% | −51.6% | −39.1% | −30.3% | −8.8% | −31.9% | −39.5% | 0.0% | −89.5% | — |
| AMZN Amazon.com, Inc. | 6 of 10 | −3.4% | −39.6% | −22.7% | −33.2% | −7.1% | −30.6% | −20.7% | −2.9% | −65.3% | −91.8% |
| W Wayfair Inc. | 1 of 6 | −15.8% | −83.8% | −71.4% | −45.5% | −3.3% | −40.5% | — | — | — | — |
| GLBE Global-e Online Ltd. | 0 of 2 | −8.6% | −69.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| XRT State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF | 6 of 9 | −6.3% | −37.1% | −41.1% | −24.8% | −3.2% | −20.9% | −20.3% | −2.6% | −61.9% | — |
| PYPL PayPal Holdings, Inc. | 4 of 6 | −4.4% | −63.8% | −31.2% | −16.7% | −5.6% | −21.6% | — | — | — | — |
| UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | 8 of 10 | −1.5% | −29.8% | −18.5% | −23.7% | −8.7% | −16.4% | −16.4% | −1.6% | −47.9% | −26.5% |
| JD JD.com, Inc. | 1 of 6 | −14.6% | −45.1% | −21.0% | −27.3% | −8.2% | −29.9% | — | — | — | — |
| BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited | 3 of 6 | −4.7% | −45.1% | −20.6% | −20.7% | −7.3% | −29.1% | — | — | — | — |
| CHWY Chewy, Inc. | 2 of 3 | −3.7% | −57.1% | −26.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CPNG Coupang, Inc. | 0 of 2 | −7.3% | −64.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| PDD PDD Holdings Inc. | 1 of 4 | −7.9% | −61.4% | −15.7% | −38.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| RVLV Revolve Group, Inc. | 0 of 3 | −6.9% | −64.6% | −65.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SE Sea Limited | 1 of 5 | −8.0% | −73.3% | −27.7% | −26.4% | −8.8% | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does EBAY 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 EBAY with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- V took just 79% of the S&P 500's losses, against 133% for EBAY, while still keeping 93% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, EBAY captured 113% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 133% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.23. It amplified the market's moves in both directions.
- Five of the 12 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than EBAY's 0.85, led by MELI, V and SHOP.
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 EBAY's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBAY This pageeBay Inc. | 113% | 133% | 0.85 | 1.23 |
| MELI MercadoLibre, Inc. | 135% | 111% | 1.21 | 1.44 |
| V Visa Inc. | 93% | 79% | 1.18 | 0.87 |
| SHOP Shopify Inc. | 233% | 203% | 1.15 | 2.09 |
| AMZN Amazon.com, Inc. | 134% | 139% | 0.96 | 1.31 |
| ETSY Etsy, Inc. | 133% | 148% | 0.90 | 1.76 |
| XRT State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF | 91% | 125% | 0.73 | 1.27 |
| FDX FedEx Corporation | 116% | 166% | 0.70 | 1.29 |
| W Wayfair Inc. | 230% | 356% | 0.65 | 3.06 |
| PYPL PayPal Holdings, Inc. | 106% | 186% | 0.57 | 1.25 |
| UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | 85% | 149% | 0.57 | 1.08 |
| JD JD.com, Inc. | 51% | 92% | 0.56 | 0.57 |
| BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited | 74% | 140% | 0.53 | 0.65 |
What diversifies EBAY?
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 EBAY's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing EBAY with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in EBAY into MCK would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 19% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+10.7% for EBAY alone, +16.5% for the mix).
- Among large ETFs, DXJ, GCOW and HDV have moved largely independently of EBAY over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.48 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
- XLE made money in four of the six calendar years in which EBAY lost money.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which EBAY lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% EBAY and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2018 | 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2000 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBAY eBay Inc. (this page) | 1.00 | +74.2% | 0.50 | −36.5% | −25.6% | −57.9% | −30.4% | −25.7% | −47.3% | 30.2% | +10.7% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.38 | +225% | 1.34 | +6.0% | −19.8% | −20.8% | — | — | — | 25.2% | +14.5% |
| GCOW InternationalPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF | 0.48 | +93.4% | 1.04 | +5.5% | −8.0% | — | — | — | — | 25.7% | +11.8% |
| HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF | 0.47 | +83.3% | 1.00 | +7.1% | −3.0% | — | — | — | — | 25.6% | +11.6% |
| MLPX EnergyGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF | 0.48 | +135% | 0.97 | +21.5% | −15.5% | — | — | — | — | 26.2% | +13.2% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.49 | +323% | 0.97 | −33.5% | −9.1% | −44.7% | −6.7% | +10.8% | — | 28.2% | +16.6% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.09 | +126% | 0.96 | −0.8% | −1.9% | +4.9% | +22.6% | +17.8% | — | 24.7% | +13.2% |
| XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.29 | +177% | 0.93 | +64.4% | −18.2% | −39.0% | +18.0% | +40.1% | +24.4% | 26.1% | +14.0% |
| EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 0.43 | +153% | 0.89 | −28.9% | −9.9% | −45.3% | +18.8% | +4.7% | — | 26.8% | +13.6% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2018 | 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2000 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBAY eBay Inc. (this page) | 1.00 | +74.2% | 0.50 | −36.5% | −25.6% | −57.9% | −30.4% | −25.7% | −47.3% | 30.2% | +10.7% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.07 | +479% | 1.55 | +54.1% | −24.5% | −39.6% | −5.8% | +18.7% | +108% | 25.1% | +17.0% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.29 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +1.3% | −16.3% | −20.5% | −26.0% | −25.2% | −2.3% | 29.7% | +29.1% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | -0.03 | +413% | 1.44 | +51.8% | −28.4% | −40.4% | −1.2% | +64.9% | +61.2% | 24.5% | +16.5% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.22 | +690% | 1.41 | +86.6% | −8.2% | — | — | — | — | 26.3% | +18.8% |
| HWM Aerospace & DefenseHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 0.39 | +594% | 1.36 | +24.2% | −37.5% | −67.4% | +5.5% | −1.8% | −15.9% | 27.6% | +18.6% |
Common questions
What was EBAY's worst drawdown?
EBAY's deepest decline since it began trading in 1998 was 82.6%, from December 2004 to March 2009. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were EBAY's best and worst years?
Over 27 full calendar years, EBAY's best year was 2001, when it returned 103%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -57.9%.
Is there a better investment than EBAY?
Among EBAY's popular alternatives, V earned more than EBAY with less volatility over the past 5 years: 12.8% a year at 22.9% volatility, against 11.7% a year at 32.9%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, CIBR (cybersecurity) and TJX (specialty retail) earned more than EBAY with less volatility over the past 5 years. CIBR returned 14.1% a year at 26.1% volatility, against 11.7% a year at 32.9%.
Is EBAY more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. EBAY's volatility over the past 5 years was 32.9%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, EBAY's return lands within 32.9% 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 EBAY's Sharpe ratio?
EBAY's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.50, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so EBAY 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 EBAY with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, EBAY's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.69 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 EBAY instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a EBAY holding.
What are the best alternatives to EBAY?
Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, one outperformed EBAY in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: SHOP.
Did EBAY outperform the S&P 500?
EBAY finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 16 of 27 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +42.7%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did EBAY do in stock market crashes?
EBAY fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in nine. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when EBAY fell 77.1% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.
What diversifies EBAY?
These had a low correlation with EBAY over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.38), GCOW (correlation 0.48) and HDV (correlation 0.47); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.07), CLS (correlation 0.29) and MCK (correlation -0.03). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than EBAY's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of EBAY's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.
More research
Popular alternatives to EBAY
SHOPShopify
VVisa
FDXFedEx
MELIMercadoLibre
AMZNAmazon.com
PYPLPayPal
UPSUnited Parcel Service
BABAAlibaba Group Holding
PDDPDD
SESea