Relative Intelligence · Industrial Machinery

How Emerson Electric (EMR) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on EMR alone. It places EMR (Emerson Electric Co.) 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 EMR stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: EMR's full trading record, from October 1986 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 nowEMR has outpaced the market, rising 17.9% over the past 3 months against 3.9% for the S&P 500 and 3.2% for the Nasdaq 100. EMR sits 2.1% below its record high, and the S&P 500 is similarly close to its own. At a glance ↓
- Stock or market?EMR held up far better than its industry: it rose 17.9% over the past 3 months while the industrial machinery ETF XLI (State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF) fell 6.1%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Last month cut against the tape: EMR rose 5.8% while the S&P 500 fell 0.6%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsOver the past year, EMR rose 25.0% against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. By year ↓
- Long termEMR turned $10,000 into $40,900 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashAcross seven sell-offs, EMR has typically fallen 1.2 times as far as the S&P 500. Even so, in the 2022 bear market, EMR held up better than PH (Parker-Hannifin), ITW and KEYS; only HON (Honeywell International) fell less. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationAgainst the S&P 500, EMR has a correlation of 0.67 over 5 years, more closely than 97% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Next to an index fund it is more of the same, not a cushion. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- AME (AMETEK) earned more than EMR with less volatility over the past 5 years: 14.4% a year at 22.1% volatility, against 12.7% a year at 27.7%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- GWW (W.W. Grainger, industrial distribution) and PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF, aerospace & defense) earned more than EMR with less volatility over the past 5 years. GWW returned 26.3% a year at 24.9% volatility, against 12.7% a year at 27.7%.
- Versus the S&P 500
- The S&P 500 matched EMR's return over the past 5 years (12.7% a year against 12.7%) with 38% less volatility.
How much would $10,000 in EMR have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in EMR over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of EMR over the same span and EMR's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
- $10,000 invested in EMR at the end of September 1997 would have grown to $115,655 by September 2026, less than the $132,907 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Seven of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of EMR, and AME finished highest, at $869,262.
Choose a period
From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 481 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of EMR; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- AME$869,262+8,593% total · +16.6% a year
- ETN$538,468+5,285% total · +14.7% a year
- PH$505,227+4,952% total · +14.5% a year
- LNG$451,390+4,414% total · +14.0% a year
- ITT$446,521+4,365% total · +14.0% a year
- TER$161,859+1,519% total · +10.1% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
- XOM$124,235+1,142% total · +9.1% a year
- EMR$115,655+1,057% total · +8.8% a year
- FLS$106,282+963% total · +8.5% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,032 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of EMR; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- TER$37,422+274% total · +30.2% a year
- PH$36,392+264% total · +29.5% a year
- XOM$32,965+230% total · +26.9% a year
- ETN$31,102+211% total · +25.5% a year
- LNG$28,953+190% total · +23.7% a year
- ITT$24,779+148% total · +19.9% a year
- KEYS$22,159+122% total · +17.2% a year
- AME$20,638+106% total · +15.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- EMR$18,174+81.7% total · +12.7% a year
EMR 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.
- EMR's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 56.1%, from June 2008 to March 2009. It took 19 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 29 full calendar years, EMR's best was 2000, when it returned 40.8%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 33.6%. It lost money in eight of those years.
- EMR is 2.1% below its all-time high.
The company
- Market value
- $90B
- Industry
- Industrial - Machinery
- Price history from
- October 1986
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +25.0%total return
- Past 3 years
- +84.9%+22.7% a year
- Past 5 years
- +82.1%+12.7% a year
- Past 10 years
- +309%+15.1% a year
- Best calendar year
- +40.8%2000
- Worst calendar year
- −33.6%2008
- Losing years
- 8 of 29full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 27.7%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.57return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −56.1%Jun 2008 to Mar 2009
- From its all-time high
- −2.1%below the peak
EMR against the whole market
Where EMR ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does EMR rank among all stocks?
This section ranks EMR 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 EMR stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- EMR is among the steadier stocks: its price swings rank in the top 18% 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 | EMR | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +25.0% | 1,109 of 3,287 | top 34% |
| 3-year return | +84.9% | 1,074 of 3,017 | top 36% |
| 5-year return | +82.1% | 804 of 2,893 | top 28% |
| 10-year return | +309% | 565 of 2,202 | top 26% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 27.7% | 531 of 2,893 | top 18% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.57 | 736 of 2,893 | top 25% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −50.8% | 487 of 2,187 | top 22% |
What has beaten EMR 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). EMR sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than EMR with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.
- 83 stocks and 85 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than EMR over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 5% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half EMR's swings, CAH has the best return for its risk: 42.1% a year at 24.7% volatility, 11% less than EMR's 27.7%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.55 against 0.57 for EMR.
- Among EMR's popular alternatives, AME is in the region. AME earned 14.4% a year against 12.7% a year for EMR, at 22.1% volatility, 20% less than EMR's 27.7%.
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 EMR; faint dots are 90 more of the 168 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 EMR?
Investments that beat EMR over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among EMR's popular alternatives, AME earned more than EMR with less volatility over the past 5 years: 14.4% a year at 22.1% volatility, against 12.7% a year at 27.7%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, GWW (industrial distribution) and PPA (aerospace & defense) earned more than EMR with less volatility over the past 5 years. GWW returned 26.3% a year at 24.9% volatility, against 12.7% a year at 27.7%.
- The S&P 500 matched EMR's return over the past 5 years (12.7% a year against 12.7%) with 38% less volatility.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat EMR 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 EMR'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 EMR 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 EMR'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× EMR's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than EMR'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 EMR?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| +12.7% | 27.7% | 0.57 | −50.8% | +309% | 1.00 | — | |||
| +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.67 | 0.09% | |||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against EMR. 6 of 20 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +14.4% | 22.1% | 0.72 | −42.7% | +481% | 0.70 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +23.4% | 30.2% | 0.85 | −57.5% | +616% | 0.11 | — | ||
| Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +20.4% | 32.1% | 0.74 | −44.5% | +657% | 0.68 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatility | +27.1% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | +214% | 0.32 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatility | +27.4% | 28.8% | 0.99 | −54.7% | +789% | 0.60 | — | ||
ITTITT Inc. · Industrial Machinery | Higher return, similar volatility | +17.1% | 29.8% | 0.68 | −49.5% | +539% | 0.64 | — | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Industrial Machinery and the categories next to it (Infrastructure, Electrical Equipment, Aerospace & Defense, Industrial Distribution), plus EMR's specific themes. 22 of 99 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +26.3% | 24.9% | 1.07 | −41.6% | +654% | 0.52 | — | ||
PPAInvesco Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +16.3% | 18.9% | 0.90 | −43.9% | +344% | 0.69 | 0.58% | |
AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Distribution | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +28.5% | 30.3% | 0.98 | −59.3% | +742% | 0.62 | — | |
ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense | Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +39.8% | 34.6% | 1.15 | −35.4% | +765% | 0.06 | — | |
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +19.9% | 29.0% | 0.77 | −44.0% | +444% | 0.59 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatility | +12.9% | 20.8% | 0.69 | −51.6% | +184% | 0.41 | — | ||
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 513 of 3,514 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.29 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +17.0% | 26.2% | 0.73 | −41.4% | +356% | 0.08 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.09 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +242% | 0.26 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +18.4% | 26.0% | 0.78 | −35.1% | +779% | 0.51 | 0.09% | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +18.5% | 28.0% | 0.75 | −38.5% | +1,168% | 0.25 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.29 | — | ||
SPTMState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF · US Total Market | Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +12.3% | 16.9% | 0.77 | −34.7% | +310% | 0.68 | 0.03% | |
What these numbers mean for EMR
- Annual return
- EMR returned 12.7% 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 $18,200. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
- Volatility
- EMR's volatility over the past 5 years was 27.7%, 1.6 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, EMR's return lands within 27.7% 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
- EMR's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.57, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so EMR 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
- EMR's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 50.8%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 50.8% fall takes a 103% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, EMR's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.67 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 EMR instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a EMR holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 168 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than EMR 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 EMR | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.29 | — | |
| 2 | Whole market | +17.0% | 26.2% | 0.73 | −41.4% | +356% | 0.08 | — | |
| 3 | Whole market | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.09 | — | |
| 4 | Whole market | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +242% | 0.26 | — | |
| 5 | Whole market | +16.8% | 26.1% | 0.73 | −42.0% | +374% | 0.47 | — | |
| 6 | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | 0.35 | — | |
| 7 | Whole market | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +200% | 0.28 | — | |
| 8 | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +310% | 0.34 | — | |
| 9 | Whole market | +18.4% | 26.0% | 0.78 | −35.1% | +779% | 0.51 | 0.09% | |
| 10 | Whole market | +17.2% | 24.9% | 0.77 | −30.4% | +285% | 0.27 | — | |
| 11 | Whole market | +17.9% | 25.4% | 0.78 | −42.5% | +284% | 0.42 | — | |
| 12 | SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds | Whole market | +20.6% | 18.4% | 1.12 | −45.7% | — | 0.23 | 0.80% |
| 13 | PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +16.1% | 15.1% | 1.07 | −41.3% | — | 0.71 | 0.56% |
| 14 | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.29 | — | |
| 15 | EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +20.4% | 24.2% | 0.89 | −38.9% | +468% | 0.36 | 0.59% |
| 16 | Same or nearby category | +26.3% | 24.9% | 1.07 | −41.6% | +654% | 0.52 | — | |
| 17 | VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +15.9% | 18.4% | 0.90 | −39.5% | +286% | 0.59 | 0.15% |
| 18 | MSGSMadison Square Garden Sports Corp. · Entertainment | Whole market | +18.4% | 25.6% | 0.79 | −41.6% | +432% | 0.36 | — |
| 19 | Whole market | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | 0.27 | — | |
| 20 | THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +14.4% | 22.9% | 0.70 | −40.1% | +291% | 0.16 | — |
| 21 | FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology | Whole market | +21.8% | 24.3% | 0.94 | −38.0% | — | 0.36 | 0.19% |
| 22 | RSPTInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF · Technology Equity | Whole market | +16.9% | 25.1% | 0.75 | −33.7% | +572% | 0.56 | 0.40% |
| 23 | Whole market | +21.3% | 25.6% | 0.89 | −30.3% | +816% | 0.04 | — | |
| 24 | Whole market | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.16 | — | |
| 25 | DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +13.9% | 15.4% | 0.93 | −36.9% | — | 0.66 | 0.05% |
| 26 | Whole market | +19.2% | 22.4% | 0.90 | −42.0% | +311% | 0.29 | — | |
| 27 | IUSInvesco RAFI Strategic US ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.7% | 14.9% | 1.00 | −34.7% | — | 0.70 | 0.19% |
| 28 | VFMFVanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.3% | 17.6% | 0.85 | −41.3% | — | 0.70 | 0.18% |
| 29 | CTBICommunity Trust Bancorp, Inc. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +16.0% | 26.0% | 0.70 | −43.0% | +192% | 0.42 | — |
| 30 | THFFFirst Financial Corporation · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +15.9% | 26.2% | 0.69 | −42.8% | +161% | 0.27 | — |
| 31 | NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology | Whole market | +16.2% | 19.1% | 0.89 | −33.6% | +330% | 0.45 | 0.70% |
| 32 | IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +15.7% | 17.2% | 0.94 | −31.4% | +361% | 0.62 | 0.40% |
| 33 | Whole market | +26.0% | 23.8% | 1.09 | −63.3% | +379% | 0.28 | — | |
| 34 | Whole market | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | 0.41 | — | |
| 35 | Whole market | +17.3% | 24.3% | 0.78 | −43.6% | +537% | 0.51 | — | |
| 36 | Whole market | +23.0% | 25.6% | 0.94 | −61.4% | +278% | 0.27 | — | |
| 37 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.43 | 0.48% |
| 38 | Whole market | +22.6% | 24.0% | 0.97 | −57.5% | +373% | 0.44 | — | |
| 39 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.45 | 0.40% |
| 40 | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.25 | — | |
| 41 | Whole market | +17.4% | 22.9% | 0.82 | −31.4% | +685% | 0.35 | — | |
| 42 | PPAInvesco Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense | Same or nearby category | +16.3% | 18.9% | 0.90 | −43.9% | +344% | 0.69 | 0.58% |
| 43 | Whole market | +14.5% | 23.0% | 0.71 | −35.1% | +553% | 0.51 | 0.18% | |
| 44 | Whole market | +16.3% | 24.8% | 0.74 | −43.4% | +241% | 0.15 | — | |
| 45 | Whole market | +17.1% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | +226% | 0.21 | — | |
| 46 | Whole market | +19.7% | 23.2% | 0.90 | −48.8% | +292% | 0.37 | — | |
| 47 | Whole market | +19.6% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | +266% | 0.25 | — | |
| 48 | Whole market | +19.9% | 22.3% | 0.93 | −42.5% | +361% | 0.37 | — | |
| 49 | Whole market | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +213% | 0.09 | 0.40% | |
| 50 | KOFCoca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +22.3% | 24.7% | 0.94 | −55.1% | +119% | 0.28 | — |
| 51 | PAAPlains All American Pipeline, L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +27.0% | 25.6% | 1.06 | −87.9% | +64.0% | 0.42 | — |
| 52 | Whole market | +15.7% | 20.4% | 0.82 | −42.6% | +248% | 0.23 | — | |
| 53 | PBAPembina Pipeline Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +13.8% | 21.5% | 0.71 | −70.9% | +172% | 0.37 | — |
| 54 | Whole market | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.39 | — | |
| 55 | CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity | Whole market | +14.1% | 26.1% | 0.64 | −33.9% | +454% | 0.30 | 0.58% |
| 56 | Whole market | +15.9% | 23.4% | 0.75 | −42.0% | +393% | 0.30 | — | |
| 57 | Whole market | +14.8% | 23.6% | 0.71 | −32.8% | +625% | 0.38 | — | |
| 58 | Whole market | +17.9% | 26.1% | 0.76 | −37.9% | +314% | 0.62 | — | |
| 59 | Whole market | +14.7% | 17.5% | 0.87 | −34.7% | — | 0.64 | 0.26% | |
| 60 | PAGPPlains GP Holdings LP · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +26.8% | 26.1% | 1.05 | −88.0% | +56.3% | 0.43 | — |
| 61 | CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +21.5% | 25.1% | 0.91 | −43.2% | +463% | 0.22 | — |
| 62 | ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +14.9% | 18.4% | 0.85 | −32.9% | +194% | 0.31 | — |
| 63 | WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +18.9% | 22.9% | 0.87 | −45.3% | +443% | 0.16 | — |
| 64 | SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity | Whole market | +18.7% | 20.8% | 0.93 | −30.9% | +499% | 0.62 | 0.13% |
| 65 | DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +14.8% | 16.4% | 0.93 | −25.4% | — | 0.51 | 0.27% |
| 66 | AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +14.0% | 16.9% | 0.86 | −19.5% | — | 0.72 | 0.15% |
| 67 | AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 17.4% | 0.84 | −43.0% | — | 0.53 | 0.36% |
| 68 | NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +15.1% | 20.3% | 0.80 | −30.9% | +158% | 0.40 | — |
| 69 | PKGPackaging Corporation of America · Packaging | Whole market | +15.4% | 25.8% | 0.69 | −38.2% | +294% | 0.43 | — |
| 70 | DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +24.5% | 25.2% | 1.00 | −23.6% | — | 0.50 | — |
| 71 | PAVEGlobal X - U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF · Infrastructure Equity | Whole market | +14.9% | 21.6% | 0.75 | −44.1% | — | 0.75 | 0.47% |
| 72 | XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +13.8% | 18.9% | 0.78 | −30.5% | +379% | 0.58 | 0.20% |
| 73 | FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 14.4% | 0.98 | −41.4% | +199% | 0.50 | 0.43% |
| 74 | ACTEnact Holdings Inc. · Insurance | Whole market | +20.5% | 24.3% | 0.89 | −20.2% | — | 0.24 | — |
| 75 | Same or nearby category | +15.8% | 24.6% | 0.72 | −30.7% | +576% | 0.36 | — | |
| 76 | EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure | Whole market | +14.9% | 14.5% | 1.04 | −43.6% | +150% | 0.59 | 0.95% |
| 77 | USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.1% | 16.4% | 0.89 | −30.0% | — | 0.61 | 0.12% |
| 78 | CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy | Whole market | +19.8% | 20.9% | 0.97 | −58.8% | +336% | 0.44 | 0.61% |
| 79 | GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · International | Whole market | +14.1% | 13.6% | 1.04 | −37.6% | +168% | 0.45 | 0.60% |
| 80 | WTMWhite Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. · Insurance | Whole market | +15.4% | 23.6% | 0.73 | −40.2% | +169% | 0.24 | — |
| 81 | TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity | Whole market | +16.2% | 21.3% | 0.81 | −32.0% | +388% | 0.55 | 0.50% |
| 82 | Whole market | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +350% | 0.48 | — | |
| 83 | Popular alternative | +14.4% | 22.1% | 0.72 | −42.7% | +481% | 0.70 | — | |
| 84 | GARPiShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +17.5% | 22.5% | 0.83 | −31.4% | — | 0.58 | 0.15% |
| 85 | FRDMFreedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF · International | Whole market | +17.3% | 22.8% | 0.82 | −40.5% | — | 0.43 | 0.49% |
| 86 | SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology | Whole market | +15.0% | 19.5% | 0.82 | −30.8% | — | 0.60 | 0.45% |
| 87 | AIRRFirst Trust RBA American Industrial RenaissanceTM ETF · US Industrials · Industrial Automation theme | Same or nearby category | +18.3% | 25.9% | 0.78 | −42.4% | +407% | 0.70 | 0.69% |
| 88 | FLQLFranklin U.S. Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.8% | 16.3% | 0.88 | −33.6% | — | 0.67 | 0.15% |
| 89 | GLTRabrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF · Alternatives | Whole market | +14.9% | 24.6% | 0.69 | −37.9% | +191% | 0.15 | 0.60% |
| 90 | CHCOCity Holding Company · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +15.9% | 22.8% | 0.77 | −32.3% | +286% | 0.40 | — |
| 91 | DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International | Whole market | +20.9% | 19.2% | 1.09 | −31.3% | +348% | 0.43 | 0.45% |
| 92 | HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.0% | 18.0% | 0.82 | −33.6% | — | 0.61 | 0.50% |
| 93 | Whole market | +33.1% | 25.9% | 1.24 | −62.3% | +319% | 0.21 | — | |
| 94 | EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · International | Whole market | +14.9% | 18.2% | 0.86 | −30.1% | — | 0.48 | 0.15% |
| 95 | DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International | Whole market | +13.8% | 15.1% | 0.94 | −34.4% | +261% | 0.61 | 0.50% |
| 96 | IDOGALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF · International | Whole market | +14.1% | 15.6% | 0.93 | −37.3% | +180% | 0.40 | 0.50% |
| 97 | Whole market | +19.5% | 25.2% | 0.84 | −55.8% | +238% | 0.49 | — | |
| 98 | VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.7% | 16.2% | 0.88 | −23.8% | — | 0.67 | 0.49% |
| 99 | Whole market | +21.0% | 24.8% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +233% | 0.21 | — | |
| 100 | Whole market | +18.0% | 25.8% | 0.78 | −59.6% | +234% | 0.17 | — |
EMR against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against EMR, compared period by period and year by year.
How do EMR'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 EMR, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Only XOM and AME were both more rewarding and calmer than EMR over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, EMR returned 12.7% a year, more than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (27.7% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than EMR 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 |
|---|---|---|
| PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation | +27.4% | 28.8% |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | +27.1% | 26.5% |
| TER Teradyne, Inc. | +24.0% | 54.3% |
| LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc. | +23.4% | 30.2% |
| ETN Eaton Corporation plc | +20.4% | 32.1% |
| ITT ITT Inc. | +17.1% | 29.8% |
| FLS Flowserve Corporation | +15.4% | 36.6% |
| AME AMETEK, Inc. | +14.4% | 22.1% |
| KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc. | +13.9% | 34.5% |
| EMR This pageEmerson Electric Co. | +12.7% | 27.7% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| LIN Linde plc | +11.5% | 20.9% |
| PTC PTC Inc. | +8.3% | 35.0% |
| IR Ingersoll Rand Inc. | +8.1% | 30.4% |
| ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc. | +7.8% | 32.3% |
| ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | +6.7% | 21.4% |
| DOV Dover Corporation | +4.4% | 25.1% |
| HON Honeywell International Inc. | +1.5% | 22.8% |
| FTV Fortive Corporation | +1.2% | 25.5% |
| NOVT Novanta Inc. | −3.7% | 41.4% |
| CGNX Cognex Corporation | −7.1% | 45.1% |
| GNRC Generac Holdings Inc. | −15.7% | 54.5% |
Has EMR consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares EMR 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 EMR helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Only one of the 20 popular alternatives, LNG, outperformed EMR in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- ETN, AME and ITT earned more for the risk they took than EMR (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
- ETN outperformed EMR over all three long-term periods but in none of the five short-term ones, so EMR has had the better of it lately.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than EMR 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 | ||
| EMR Emerson Electric Co. (this page) | — | +5.8% | +17.9% | +10.1% | +19.5% | +25.0% | +84.9% | +82.1% | +309% | 27.7% | 0.57 | −50.8% | — | $90B | — |
| LNG QualifiedCheniere Energy, Inc. | 3/5 short2/3 long | +3.0% | +7.2% | +12.8% | +44.3% | +29.3% | +69.8% | +186% | +616% | 30.2% | 0.85 | −57.5% | — | $59B | — |
| TER SemiconductorsTeradyne, Inc. | 2/5 short3/3 long | −11.8% | +0.9% | −10.2% | +62.4% | +142% | +271% | +193% | +1,565% | 54.3% | 0.67 | −59.1% | — | $53B | — |
| KEYS Hardware, Equipment & PartsKeysight Technologies, Inc. | 2/5 short3/3 long | −2.3% | +6.4% | −0.3% | +61.8% | +103% | +172% | +91.9% | +923% | 34.5% | 0.55 | −42.6% | — | $57B | — |
| PH Industrial - MachineryParker-Hannifin Corporation | 1/5 short3/3 long | −1.4% | −0.4% | −4.8% | +6.3% | +28.7% | +161% | +235% | +789% | 28.8% | 0.99 | −54.7% | — | $119B | — |
| ETN Electrical Equipment & PartsEaton Corporation plc | 0/5 short3/3 long | −12.3% | −4.6% | −5.8% | +17.7% | +2.3% | +104% | +153% | +657% | 32.1% | 0.74 | −44.5% | — | $148B | — |
| ITT Industrial - MachineryITT Inc. | 0/5 short3/3 long | −4.6% | +2.8% | −9.8% | +13.3% | +14.6% | +112% | +121% | +539% | 29.8% | 0.68 | −49.5% | — | $18B | — |
| AME Electrical Equipment & PartsAMETEK, Inc. | 1/5 short2/3 long | +2.5% | +5.3% | +4.8% | +18.8% | +32.8% | +78.1% | +96.1% | +481% | 22.1% | 0.72 | −42.7% | — | $57B | — |
| GNRC Industrial - MachineryGenerac Holdings Inc. | 1/5 short2/3 long | −5.1% | −8.7% | −10.4% | +37.9% | −0.6% | +120% | −57.5% | +430% | 54.5% | -0.04 | −83.8% | — | $11B | — |
| FLS Industrial - MachineryFlowserve Corporation | 1/5 short2/3 long | −6.1% | +5.1% | −15.7% | −0.3% | +38.1% | +97.4% | +104% | +94.5% | 36.6% | 0.57 | −64.8% | — | $8.9B | — |
| XOM Oil & Gas IntegratedExxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 5/5 short1/3 long | +12.4% | +20.7% | +22.0% | +47.9% | +62.4% | +76.7% | +232% | +214% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | — | $731B | — |
| NOVT Hardware, Equipment & PartsNovanta Inc. | 1/5 short1/3 long | +1.0% | −5.5% | +2.5% | +22.0% | +25.0% | +0.2% | −17.3% | +673% | 41.4% | 0.12 | −46.7% | — | $5.1B | — |
| LIN Chemicals - SpecialtyLinde plc | 1/5 short1/3 long | +9.7% | −1.7% | +1.4% | +18.1% | +12.7% | +42.4% | +72.6% | +394% | 20.9% | 0.63 | −32.6% | — | $231B | — |
| ROK Industrial - MachineryRockwell Automation, Inc. | 0/5 short1/3 long | +0.7% | −6.4% | +4.1% | +8.4% | +22.9% | +68.9% | +45.6% | +335% | 32.3% | 0.40 | −45.1% | — | $48B | — |
| DOV Industrial - MachineryDover Corporation | 0/5 short1/3 long | +5.9% | −5.7% | −10.7% | +1.5% | +17.9% | +51.3% | +24.2% | +320% | 25.1% | 0.30 | −45.2% | — | $27B | — |
| PTC Software - ApplicationPTC Inc. | 3/5 short0/3 long | +42.9% | +54.9% | +37.4% | +13.7% | −6.1% | +40.4% | +49.3% | +317% | 35.0% | 0.40 | −54.4% | — | $21B | — |
| CGNX Hardware, Equipment & PartsCognex Corporation | 1/5 short0/3 long | −8.4% | −9.9% | +2.6% | +54.4% | +20.8% | +59.1% | −30.8% | +130% | 45.1% | 0.06 | −74.6% | — | $9.6B | — |
| IR Industrial - MachineryIngersoll Rand Inc. | 1/5 short0/3 long | +8.7% | −2.0% | −8.6% | −1.4% | +0.3% | +30.4% | +47.6% | — | 30.4% | 0.41 | −49.1% | — | $30B | — |
| ITW Industrial - MachineryIllinois Tool Works Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | +3.5% | +1.9% | +2.1% | +12.3% | +11.7% | +32.1% | +38.4% | +208% | 21.4% | 0.41 | −37.9% | — | $78B | — |
| HON ConglomeratesHoneywell International Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | +3.3% | −5.4% | −10.7% | +5.2% | +6.8% | +27.0% | +7.5% | +160% | 22.8% | 0.18 | −43.0% | — | $68B | — |
| FTV Hardware, Equipment & PartsFortive Corporation | 0/5 short0/3 long | +5.9% | −4.2% | −4.1% | +5.7% | +18.9% | +11.7% | +6.3% | +98.0% | 25.5% | 0.18 | −52.6% | — | $18B | — |
How did EMR do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where EMR ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with EMR and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, EMR finished in the top quarter in four of 29 years and in the bottom quarter in eight. In 2025, it ranked 9 of 21.
- EMR finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 14 of its 29 full calendar years.
- Among its popular alternatives, AME came out ahead of EMR most often, in 20 of the 29 years both traded.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of EMR; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places EMR among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of EMR | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMR This pageEmerson Electric Co. | — | +8.9% | +29.7% | +3.8% | +5.7% | +18.2% | +8.6% | +31.6% | −11.9% | +29.1% | +21.0% | −19.7% | −9.6% | +36.1% | +17.3% | −16.3% | +37.8% | +20.7% | −33.6% | +31.5% | +20.7% | +9.2% | +11.0% | +31.4% | −8.3% | −25.7% | +40.8% | −3.0% | +9.2% | +19.1% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 4 of 29 | 9 of 21 | 4 of 21 | 17 of 21 | 3 of 21 | 16 of 21 | 17 of 21 | 17 of 21 | 14 of 21 | 15 of 20 | 12 of 19 | 14 of 19 | 16 of 18 | 14 of 18 | 11 of 18 | 17 of 18 | 10 of 17 | 14 of 17 | 8 of 17 | 7 of 17 | 5 of 17 | 8 of 17 | 12 of 17 | 12 of 17 | 9 of 17 | 14 of 17 | 1 of 17 | 13 of 16 | 5 of 16 | 11 of 16 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 13 of 29 | +17.7% | +24.9% | +26.2% | −18.2% | +28.7% | +18.3% | +31.2% | −4.6% | +21.7% | +12.0% | +1.2% | +13.5% | +32.3% | +16.0% | +1.9% | +15.1% | +26.4% | −36.8% | +5.1% | +15.9% | +4.8% | +10.7% | +28.2% | −21.6% | −11.7% | −9.8% | +20.4% | +28.7% | +33.5% |
| LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc. | 13 of 29 | −8.7% | +27.2% | +15.0% | +49.3% | +69.5% | −1.7% | +3.2% | +9.9% | +29.9% | +11.2% | −47.1% | +63.3% | +130% | +116% | +57.5% | +128% | −15.1% | −91.3% | +13.0% | −22.4% | +16.9% | +444% | +815% | +28.0% | −58.6% | −16.1% | −27.9% | −51.5% | −48.1% |
| TER Teradyne, Inc. | 17 of 29 | +54.4% | +16.5% | +24.8% | −46.4% | +36.8% | +76.8% | +119% | −24.4% | +65.8% | +24.3% | +5.8% | +13.4% | +4.3% | +23.9% | −2.9% | +30.9% | +154% | −59.1% | −30.9% | +2.7% | −14.7% | −32.9% | +95.6% | −56.8% | −19.1% | −43.6% | +211% | +32.5% | +31.3% |
| KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc. | 7 of 11 | +26.5% | +1.0% | −7.0% | −17.2% | +56.3% | +28.7% | +65.3% | +49.2% | +13.8% | +29.1% | −16.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation | 18 of 29 | +39.5% | +39.6% | +60.8% | −6.9% | +18.3% | +34.8% | +40.7% | −24.0% | +44.3% | +47.6% | −23.1% | +2.0% | +53.9% | +13.7% | −10.1% | +62.7% | +29.4% | −42.5% | +48.6% | +18.0% | −11.8% | +28.9% | +31.2% | +2.1% | +5.7% | −12.5% | +59.3% | −27.5% | +80.2% |
| ETN Eaton Corporation plc | 19 of 29 | −2.8% | +39.5% | +56.2% | −7.2% | +46.7% | +31.0% | +42.8% | −10.0% | +21.5% | +33.8% | −20.7% | −8.2% | +44.2% | +28.6% | −11.8% | +64.0% | +33.3% | −47.1% | +31.6% | +14.4% | −5.4% | +36.5% | +41.1% | +7.6% | +40.8% | +6.0% | +5.3% | −19.0% | +30.7% |
| ITT ITT Inc. | 18 of 29 | +22.5% | +20.8% | +48.9% | −19.5% | +33.9% | +5.5% | +54.6% | −8.6% | +40.1% | +7.6% | −9.1% | −5.9% | +87.4% | +23.4% | −1.5% | +6.7% | +10.0% | −29.6% | +17.1% | +11.3% | +22.5% | +14.8% | +23.3% | +21.3% | +31.9% | +17.8% | −14.7% | +28.4% | +30.7% |
| AME AMETEK, Inc. | 20 of 29 | +14.7% | +10.0% | +18.8% | −4.3% | +22.3% | +22.2% | +48.3% | −5.9% | +50.0% | −8.6% | +2.5% | +0.5% | +41.0% | +34.6% | +7.9% | +54.8% | +27.6% | −35.1% | +47.9% | +13.0% | +20.0% | +48.9% | +26.4% | +21.4% | +23.7% | +37.7% | −13.6% | −16.8% | +22.4% |
| GNRC Generac Holdings Inc. | 9 of 15 | −12.0% | +20.0% | +28.4% | −71.4% | +54.8% | +126% | +102% | +0.4% | +21.6% | +36.9% | −36.3% | −17.4% | +118% | +162% | +73.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FLS Flowserve Corporation | 16 of 29 | +22.5% | +41.9% | +37.3% | +3.1% | −15.0% | −23.9% | +33.7% | −8.2% | −11.2% | +16.0% | −28.6% | −23.4% | +62.6% | +49.6% | −15.6% | +27.6% | +86.1% | −45.8% | +92.3% | +27.4% | +43.8% | +32.0% | +41.0% | −44.4% | +24.3% | +25.8% | +6.1% | −39.5% | +5.0% |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 14 of 29 | +16.0% | +11.3% | −6.3% | +87.4% | +57.6% | −36.2% | +7.2% | −15.1% | −3.8% | +19.9% | −12.8% | −6.0% | +20.1% | +4.7% | +18.7% | +10.1% | −12.6% | −13.1% | +24.3% | +39.1% | +11.8% | +28.1% | +20.7% | −8.9% | −7.5% | +10.2% | +12.7% | +22.5% | +28.3% |
| NOVT Novanta Inc. | 14 of 26 | −22.1% | −9.3% | +23.9% | −22.9% | +49.1% | +33.7% | +40.4% | +26.0% | +138% | +54.2% | −7.5% | +31.0% | +29.8% | −15.3% | −3.3% | +305% | +52.6% | −93.8% | −4.6% | −10.8% | −5.4% | −2.5% | +95.2% | −28.8% | +5.9% | −8.6% | — | — | — |
| LIN Linde plc | 18 of 29 | +3.2% | +3.2% | +27.7% | −4.4% | +33.4% | +25.9% | +39.1% | +3.0% | +35.1% | +17.5% | −19.0% | +1.6% | +21.3% | +4.5% | +14.2% | +21.5% | +38.4% | −31.8% | +52.0% | +14.0% | +21.8% | +17.3% | +34.4% | +5.9% | +26.3% | −10.3% | +44.4% | −20.7% | −1.6% |
| ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc. | 20 of 29 | +38.4% | −6.2% | +22.6% | −24.8% | +41.2% | +26.2% | +37.9% | −21.8% | +48.9% | +34.5% | −5.5% | −3.9% | +43.8% | +17.2% | +4.5% | +56.1% | +50.9% | −51.9% | +14.9% | +4.7% | +21.3% | +41.8% | +76.5% | +20.0% | −11.3% | +5.5% | +168% | −1.9% | +37.1% |
| DOV Dover Corporation | 19 of 29 | +5.2% | +23.4% | +15.2% | −24.3% | +45.7% | +11.5% | +65.8% | −11.0% | +37.7% | +25.4% | −12.4% | −8.8% | +49.5% | +15.7% | +1.4% | +43.7% | +30.3% | −26.9% | −4.4% | +22.9% | −1.8% | +7.2% | +38.7% | −20.1% | −7.3% | −9.7% | +25.4% | +2.5% | +44.6% |
| PTC PTC Inc. | 14 of 29 | −5.3% | +5.1% | +45.8% | −0.9% | +1.3% | +59.7% | −9.7% | +36.4% | +31.3% | +33.6% | −5.5% | +3.6% | +57.2% | +23.3% | −18.9% | +37.9% | +29.2% | −29.1% | −0.9% | +18.2% | +3.6% | +49.4% | +56.4% | −67.7% | −41.9% | −50.3% | +66.6% | −31.4% | −7.8% |
| CGNX Cognex Corporation | 15 of 29 | +1.2% | −13.4% | −10.8% | −39.1% | −2.9% | +47.7% | +45.5% | −36.5% | +92.9% | +89.5% | −17.9% | +8.3% | +107% | +7.1% | +22.8% | +68.0% | +22.5% | −24.5% | −14.2% | −19.7% | +9.1% | −0.7% | +54.2% | −28.0% | +15.6% | −43.2% | +95.1% | −26.7% | +46.9% |
| IR Ingersoll Rand Inc. | 4 of 8 | −12.3% | +17.1% | +48.2% | −15.4% | +35.9% | +27.0% | +92.8% | −35.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 17 of 29 | −0.4% | −1.0% | +21.6% | −8.5% | +23.6% | +16.4% | +45.6% | −22.1% | +38.9% | +35.0% | +0.1% | +15.0% | +41.4% | +33.6% | −10.0% | +14.4% | +41.4% | −32.7% | +18.0% | +7.1% | −3.7% | +11.7% | +31.1% | −2.9% | +15.2% | −10.6% | +17.6% | −2.6% | +51.9% |
| HON Honeywell International Inc. | 15 of 29 | −6.3% | +10.2% | +0.1% | +5.0% | −0.2% | +23.1% | +36.9% | −7.5% | +35.2% | +14.3% | +4.9% | +10.6% | +45.8% | +18.5% | +3.8% | +37.8% | +21.9% | −45.9% | +37.5% | +23.1% | +6.6% | +7.3% | +41.6% | −28.0% | −27.7% | −17.2% | +31.0% | +15.1% | +16.7% |
| FTV Fortive Corporation | 4 of 9 | −1.9% | +2.3% | +15.1% | −15.4% | +8.1% | +11.2% | +13.3% | −6.1% | +35.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How EMR 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 EMR's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents EMR's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, 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 EMR's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: EMR fell 40.6% from May 1999 to March 2000, while the S&P 500 rose 4.1%.
- The slowest recovery came after EMR fell 43.6% from December 2000 to October 2002; it did not regain that peak until September 2005, three years later.
Green means EMR fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | EMR fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 financial crisis | −56.1% | −50.7% | Jun 2008 | Mar 2009 | 9 months | Oct 2010 | 19 months |
| Covid crash | −50.8% | −32.2% | Jan 2020 | Mar 2020 | 2 months | Nov 2020 | 8 months |
| Dot-com bust | −43.6% | −40.2% | Dec 2000 | Oct 2002 | 22 months | Sep 2005 | 2.9 years |
| Dot-com bust | −40.6% | +4.1% | May 1999 | Mar 2000 | 10 months | Aug 2000 | 5 months |
| 2015 China and oil sell-off | −35.9% | +6.2% | Dec 2013 | Jan 2016 | 2.1 years | Feb 2017 | 13 months |
How did EMR do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far EMR, 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.
- EMR fell further than the S&P 500 in seven of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when EMR fell 47.2% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.
- Among its popular alternatives, XOM held up best, falling less than EMR in seven of the ten crashes they both traded through.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than EMR.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMR This pageEmerson Electric Co. | — | −4.3% | −25.4% | −47.2% | −28.8% | −5.9% | −15.9% | −25.8% | 0.0% | −56.1% | −43.6% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 7 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc. | 5 of 10 | −1.3% | −17.8% | −46.1% | −21.3% | −5.1% | −66.5% | −62.4% | 0.0% | −97.7% | −84.4% |
| TER Teradyne, Inc. | 3 of 10 | −1.9% | −56.6% | −34.8% | −24.6% | −10.7% | −18.3% | −28.2% | −2.5% | −79.2% | −93.4% |
| KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc. | 3 of 6 | −2.6% | −33.8% | −17.7% | −18.0% | −6.7% | −37.2% | — | — | — | — |
| PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation | 2 of 10 | −8.4% | −27.3% | −54.7% | −25.6% | −8.1% | −23.7% | −30.4% | −3.5% | −66.9% | −36.5% |
| ETN Eaton Corporation plc | 3 of 10 | −4.5% | −26.3% | −44.5% | −26.0% | −6.7% | −22.3% | −34.6% | −1.4% | −68.5% | −31.6% |
| ITT ITT Inc. | 4 of 10 | −7.7% | −37.8% | −46.4% | −25.9% | −8.7% | −25.4% | −28.3% | −3.4% | −52.4% | −20.6% |
| AME AMETEK, Inc. | 5 of 10 | −3.7% | −26.4% | −42.0% | −22.1% | −6.7% | −21.9% | −30.3% | −1.2% | −53.3% | −34.9% |
| GNRC Generac Holdings Inc. | 3 of 8 | −6.8% | −54.8% | −33.1% | −21.8% | −5.6% | −16.2% | −24.4% | −4.0% | — | — |
| FLS Flowserve Corporation | 0 of 10 | −7.1% | −33.4% | −58.5% | −35.3% | −9.4% | −26.6% | −36.7% | −3.6% | −73.1% | −76.8% |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 7 of 10 | −3.1% | −20.5% | −47.9% | −23.6% | −10.0% | −15.0% | −19.6% | −0.3% | −33.7% | −33.6% |
| NOVT Novanta Inc. | 2 of 10 | −4.0% | −36.2% | −29.5% | −25.6% | −12.6% | −19.6% | −38.9% | −0.7% | −96.0% | −91.4% |
| LIN Linde plc | 6 of 10 | −5.3% | −22.8% | −32.3% | −11.9% | −7.2% | −16.6% | −15.4% | −0.6% | −51.8% | −33.5% |
| ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc. | 3 of 10 | −5.4% | −43.8% | −42.4% | −27.5% | −7.9% | −23.6% | −37.5% | −1.4% | −74.7% | −42.0% |
| DOV Dover Corporation | 2 of 10 | −5.9% | −35.6% | −45.0% | −25.1% | −6.8% | −20.9% | −32.8% | −1.5% | −58.2% | −54.1% |
| PTC PTC Inc. | 4 of 10 | −4.3% | −20.4% | −45.3% | −27.8% | −4.9% | −24.9% | −33.9% | −3.0% | −66.1% | −94.5% |
| CGNX Cognex Corporation | 2 of 10 | −2.8% | −48.0% | −27.5% | −40.7% | −12.3% | −26.4% | −30.6% | −4.7% | −64.5% | −78.8% |
| IR Ingersoll Rand Inc. | 0 of 5 | −8.0% | −34.3% | −49.1% | −34.4% | −7.6% | — | — | — | — | — |
| ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 6 of 10 | −2.9% | −28.0% | −37.9% | −19.3% | −8.4% | −14.0% | −29.0% | −1.1% | −54.9% | −30.8% |
| HON Honeywell International Inc. | 5 of 10 | −1.4% | −22.7% | −42.2% | −22.1% | −6.8% | −14.4% | −25.3% | −1.8% | −62.2% | −65.8% |
| FTV Fortive Corporation | 2 of 5 | −4.7% | −27.4% | −45.3% | −26.8% | −8.2% | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does EMR 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 EMR with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- 14 of the 19 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than EMR's 0.81, led by LNG, KEYS and ETN.
- KEYS took just 71% of the S&P 500's losses, against 153% for EMR, while still keeping 121% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, EMR captured 124% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 153% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.39. It amplified the market's moves in both directions.
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 EMR's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMR This pageEmerson Electric Co. | 124% | 153% | 0.81 | 1.39 |
| LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc. | 79% | 30% | 2.65 | 0.77 |
| KEYS Keysight Technologies, Inc. | 121% | 71% | 1.70 | 1.08 |
| ETN Eaton Corporation plc | 114% | 80% | 1.43 | 1.16 |
| TER Teradyne, Inc. | 167% | 121% | 1.37 | 1.53 |
| LIN Linde plc | 90% | 73% | 1.23 | 0.76 |
| PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation | 141% | 126% | 1.11 | 1.43 |
| AME AMETEK, Inc. | 111% | 101% | 1.10 | 1.15 |
| NOVT Novanta Inc. | 155% | 156% | 0.99 | 1.38 |
| ITT ITT Inc. | 135% | 138% | 0.98 | 1.42 |
| GNRC Generac Holdings Inc. | 129% | 133% | 0.97 | 1.45 |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 78% | 83% | 0.94 | 0.76 |
| ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc. | 122% | 138% | 0.88 | 1.46 |
| DOV Dover Corporation | 114% | 133% | 0.85 | 1.27 |
| PTC PTC Inc. | 105% | 127% | 0.83 | 1.12 |
| ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 94% | 116% | 0.81 | 1.04 |
| HON Honeywell International Inc. | 90% | 118% | 0.77 | 1.00 |
| CGNX Cognex Corporation | 126% | 182% | 0.69 | 1.58 |
| FTV Fortive Corporation | 88% | 133% | 0.66 | 1.10 |
| FLS Flowserve Corporation | 119% | 188% | 0.63 | 1.49 |
What diversifies EMR?
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 EMR's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing EMR with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in EMR into GLD would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 18% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+12.7% for EMR alone, +14.6% for the mix).
- Among large ETFs, LVHI, DXJ and SMH have moved largely independently of EMR over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.45 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
- Among large stocks, CAH, CLS and MCK have moved largely independently of EMR over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.47 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 EMR lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% EMR and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2018 | 2015 | 2014 | 2011 | 2008 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMR Emerson Electric Co. (this page) | 1.00 | +82.1% | 0.57 | −11.9% | −19.7% | −9.6% | −16.3% | −33.6% | −8.3% | −25.7% | −3.0% | 28.4% | +12.7% |
| LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF | 0.45 | +119% | 1.48 | −5.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23.6% | +14.1% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.43 | +225% | 1.34 | −19.8% | +7.7% | +8.1% | −16.1% | −20.8% | — | — | — | 23.9% | +16.0% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.43 | +323% | 0.97 | −9.1% | −0.3% | +30.2% | +6.8% | −44.7% | −47.0% | −14.6% | — | 26.5% | +18.3% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.09 | +126% | 0.96 | −1.9% | −10.7% | −2.2% | +9.6% | +4.9% | — | — | — | 23.3% | +14.6% |
| XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.45 | +177% | 0.93 | −18.2% | −21.5% | −8.7% | +2.8% | −39.0% | −14.8% | −18.2% | +18.1% | 25.4% | +15.4% |
| EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 0.36 | +153% | 0.89 | −9.9% | −12.9% | +7.0% | −21.8% | −45.3% | −24.4% | +2.1% | — | 25.0% | +15.2% |
| EUFN InternationaliShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF | 0.37 | +133% | 0.89 | −23.1% | −4.7% | −9.7% | −26.6% | — | — | — | — | 24.5% | +14.9% |
| AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF | 0.48 | +111% | 0.89 | −12.6% | −25.7% | +4.8% | +10.2% | — | — | — | — | 24.7% | +14.4% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2018 | 2015 | 2014 | 2011 | 2008 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMR Emerson Electric Co. (this page) | 1.00 | +82.1% | 0.57 | −11.9% | −19.7% | −9.6% | −16.3% | −33.6% | −8.3% | −25.7% | −3.0% | 28.4% | +12.7% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.27 | +479% | 1.55 | −24.5% | +12.6% | +23.0% | +8.1% | −39.6% | −8.3% | −2.5% | −36.8% | 24.6% | +18.3% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.47 | +3,143% | 1.47 | −16.3% | −6.0% | +12.9% | −24.4% | −20.5% | −65.1% | −25.6% | +350% | 30.1% | +30.2% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.35 | +413% | 1.44 | −28.4% | −4.5% | +29.3% | +11.8% | −40.4% | −27.2% | +4.9% | −71.3% | 24.9% | +17.6% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.34 | +690% | 1.41 | −8.2% | +17.4% | +0.4% | — | — | — | — | — | 25.6% | +20.2% |
| ATI Manufacturing - Metal FabricationATI Inc. | 0.44 | +1,008% | 1.34 | −9.8% | −66.7% | −0.5% | −12.2% | −70.0% | −60.8% | +10.3% | — | 28.2% | +23.0% |
Common questions
What was EMR's worst drawdown?
EMR's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 56.1%, from June 2008 to March 2009. It took 19 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were EMR's best and worst years?
Over 29 full calendar years, EMR's best year was 2000, when it returned 40.8%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -33.6%.
Is there a better investment than EMR?
Among EMR's popular alternatives, AME earned more than EMR with less volatility over the past 5 years: 14.4% a year at 22.1% volatility, against 12.7% a year at 27.7%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, GWW (industrial distribution) and PPA (aerospace & defense) earned more than EMR with less volatility over the past 5 years. GWW returned 26.3% a year at 24.9% volatility, against 12.7% a year at 27.7%.
Is EMR more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. EMR's volatility over the past 5 years was 27.7%, 1.6 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, EMR's return lands within 27.7% 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 EMR's Sharpe ratio?
EMR's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.57, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so EMR 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 EMR with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, EMR's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.67 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 EMR instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a EMR holding.
What are the best alternatives to EMR?
Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, one outperformed EMR in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: LNG.
Did EMR outperform the S&P 500?
EMR finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 14 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +8.9%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did EMR do in stock market crashes?
EMR fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in three of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when EMR fell 47.2% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.
What diversifies EMR?
These had a low correlation with EMR over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.45), DXJ (correlation 0.43) and SMH (correlation 0.43); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.27), CLS (correlation 0.47) and MCK (correlation 0.35). 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 EMR's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of EMR'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 EMR
LNGCheniere Energy
TERTeradyne
KEYSKeysight Technologies
PHParker-Hannifin
ETNEaton
AMEAMETEK
XOMExxonmobil
LINLinde
ROKRockwell Automation
ITWIllinois Tool Works
HONHoneywell International