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Relative Intelligence · Data Center REITs

How Equinix (EQIX) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on EQIX alone. It places EQIX (Equinix, Inc.) against 10 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 EQIX stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: EQIX's full trading record, from August 2000 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

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

Rank the market against EQIX →Chart EQIX vs. 10 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in EQIX over the past 26 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of EQIX over the same span and EQIX's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2000 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. 908 of the 1,261 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of EQIX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M2000200420082012201620202024$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M2000200720142021
  • AMZN$1M+12,876% total · +20.6% a year
  • ETN$752,515+7,425% total · +18.1% a year
  • MSFT$278,783+2,688% total · +13.7% a year
  • IRM$250,457+2,405% total · +13.2% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$84,332+743% total · +8.5% a year
  • AMT$61,189+512% total · +7.2% a year
  • EQIX$48,662+387% total · +6.3% a year
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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. 1,720 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of EQIX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • VRT$100,677+907% total · +58.7% a year
  • ETN$31,102+211% total · +25.5% a year
  • IRM$30,845+208% total · +25.3% a year
  • CIBR$21,643+116% total · +16.7% 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
  • SAP$16,715+67.2% total · +10.8% a year
  • AMZN$15,169+51.7% total · +8.7% a year
  • DLR$14,403+44.0% total · +7.6% a year
  • EQIX$14,143+41.4% total · +7.2% a year
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EQIX at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$97B
Industry
REIT - Specialty
Price history from
August 2000

Returns

Past 1 year
+22.2%total return
Past 3 years
+49.1%+14.2% a year
Past 5 years
+37.4%+6.6% a year
Past 10 years
+226%+12.5% a year
Best calendar year
+395%2003
Worst calendar year
−93.9%2002
Losing years
9 of 25full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
27.8%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.37return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−99.4%Aug 2000 to Apr 2003
From its all-time high
−11.1%below the peak

EQIX against the whole market

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

How does EQIX rank among all stocks?

This section ranks EQIX 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 EQIX stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureEQIXRankStanding
1-year return+22.2%1,177 of 3,287top 36%
3-year return+49.1%1,558 of 3,017bottom 49%
5-year return+37.4%1,246 of 2,893top 43%
10-year return+226%782 of 2,202top 36%
Volatility, 5 years27.8%539 of 2,893top 19%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.371,333 of 2,893top 46%
Worst decline, past 10 years−41.8%198 of 2,187top 9%

What has beaten EQIX 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). EQIX sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than EQIX with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to EQIX; faint dots are 93 more of the 658 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than EQIXV: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%DFAT: +9.6% a year, volatility 21.0%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%AVEM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.5%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%MGV: +12.6% a year, volatility 13.4%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%SDY: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.0%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%BBEU: +8.9% a year, volatility 17.5%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%RSPT: +16.9% a year, volatility 25.1%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%FTGC: +12.9% a year, volatility 15.6%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%OMFL: +9.0% a year, volatility 16.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%HDEF: +12.8% a year, volatility 14.2%AOA: +8.6% a year, volatility 13.1%ACIO: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.1%FTHI: +10.3% a year, volatility 13.3%FLQL: +13.8% a year, volatility 16.3%JMOM: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.1%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%NULG: +11.4% a year, volatility 21.9%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%DSTL: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.1%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%DDWM: +12.3% a year, volatility 13.4%IPAC: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.9%RODM: +10.6% a year, volatility 13.5%RLY: +9.9% a year, volatility 13.3%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%INFL: +11.8% a year, volatility 17.8%FDLO: +9.8% a year, volatility 13.0%QGRO: +9.9% a year, volatility 21.2%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%TDVG: +9.6% a year, volatility 13.8%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%DUSA: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.4%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%AVES: +8.0% a year, volatility 17.4%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%ROUS: +12.3% a year, volatility 14.4%NTSX: +8.2% a year, volatility 17.2%IDHQ: +10.0% a year, volatility 17.9%QQQE: +8.1% a year, volatility 20.7%FDRR: +12.6% a year, volatility 15.0%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%HEGD: +7.9% a year, volatility 9.5%EQIX: +6.6% a year, volatility 27.8%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%AMZN: +9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%IRM: +24.6% a year, volatility 30.3%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%IYW: +19.0% a year, volatility 26.6%SNX: +20.3% a year, volatility 30.4%LAMR: +10.7% a year, volatility 26.5%CDNS: +14.8% a year, volatility 37.2%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%EWL: +7.2% a year, volatility 16.3%OBT: +18.9% a year, volatility 40.9%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%KT: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.6%EQIXSPY (S&P 500)MSFTAMZNIRMCIBRSAPIYWSNXLAMRCDNSVTIWMTBRK-BEXPDEWLOBTCAHKT0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than EQIXV: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%DFAT: +9.6% a year, volatility 21.0%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%AVEM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.5%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%MGV: +12.6% a year, volatility 13.4%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%SDY: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.0%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%BBEU: +8.9% a year, volatility 17.5%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%RSPT: +16.9% a year, volatility 25.1%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%FTGC: +12.9% a year, volatility 15.6%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%OMFL: +9.0% a year, volatility 16.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%HDEF: +12.8% a year, volatility 14.2%AOA: +8.6% a year, volatility 13.1%ACIO: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.1%FTHI: +10.3% a year, volatility 13.3%FLQL: +13.8% a year, volatility 16.3%JMOM: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.1%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%NULG: +11.4% a year, volatility 21.9%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%DSTL: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.1%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%DDWM: +12.3% a year, volatility 13.4%IPAC: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.9%RODM: +10.6% a year, volatility 13.5%RLY: +9.9% a year, volatility 13.3%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%INFL: +11.8% a year, volatility 17.8%FDLO: +9.8% a year, volatility 13.0%QGRO: +9.9% a year, volatility 21.2%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%TDVG: +9.6% a year, volatility 13.8%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%DUSA: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.4%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%AVES: +8.0% a year, volatility 17.4%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%ROUS: +12.3% a year, volatility 14.4%NTSX: +8.2% a year, volatility 17.2%IDHQ: +10.0% a year, volatility 17.9%QQQE: +8.1% a year, volatility 20.7%FDRR: +12.6% a year, volatility 15.0%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%HEGD: +7.9% a year, volatility 9.5%EQIX: +6.6% a year, volatility 27.8%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%AMZN: +9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%IRM: +24.6% a year, volatility 30.3%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%IYW: +19.0% a year, volatility 26.6%SNX: +20.3% a year, volatility 30.4%LAMR: +10.7% a year, volatility 26.5%CDNS: +14.8% a year, volatility 37.2%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%EWL: +7.2% a year, volatility 16.3%OBT: +18.9% a year, volatility 40.9%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%KT: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.6%EQIXSPY (S&P 500)AMZNIRMIYWSNXCDNSVTIWMTEWLOBTCAH
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than EQIX?

Investments that beat EQIX over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat EQIX 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 EQIX'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 EQIX 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 EQIX'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× EQIX's volatility counts as better.

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

Screen the whole market against EQIX for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 18 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with EQIX?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
EQIXEquinix, Inc. · this page
+6.6%27.8%0.37−41.8%+226%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.600.09%
Popular alternativesbest 3 shownThe investments people most often weigh against EQIX. 3 of 9 passed at least one test.
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.37—
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. · E-Commerce
Higher return in most periods+9.0%36.6%0.42−56.1%+548%0.39—
IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs
Higher return, similar volatility+24.6%30.3%0.88−39.0%+470%0.61—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Data Center REITs and the categories next to it (Specialty REITs, Electrical Equipment, Software, E-Commerce), plus EQIX's specific themes. 19 of 106 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%0.270.58%
SAPSAP SE · Enterprise Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+11.5%30.0%0.52−52.5%+205%0.43—
IYWiShares U.S. Technology ETF · Technology Equity · Cloud Computing theme
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+19.0%26.6%0.79−39.4%+805%0.540.37%
SNXTD Synnex Corp · Technology Distribution · Cloud Computing theme
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+20.3%30.4%0.76−55.8%+430%0.38—
LAMRLamar Advertising Company · Specialty REITs
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+10.7%26.5%0.52−65.8%+278%0.48—
CDNSCadence Design Systems, Inc. · Software
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+14.8%37.2%0.56−34.2%+1,139%0.51—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,222 of 3,518 passed at least one test.
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.610.03%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.600.03%
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.45—
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.34—
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.21—
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.0%27.1%0.56−35.6%+349%0.36—
EWLiShares MSCI Switzerland ETF · Broad Market
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+7.2%16.3%0.51−29.0%+160%0.570.50%
OBTOrange County Bancorp, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+18.9%40.9%0.63−57.6%+319%0.10—
What these numbers mean for EQIX
Annual return
EQIX returned 6.6% 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 $13,700. 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
EQIX's volatility over the past 5 years was 27.8%, 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, EQIX's return lands within 27.8% 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
EQIX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.37, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so EQIX 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
EQIX's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 41.8%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 41.8% fall takes a 71.7% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, EQIX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.60 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 EQIX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a EQIX holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 658 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than EQIX with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with EQIXExpense
1
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.610.03%
2
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.600.03%
3
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.45—
4
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.34—
5
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.21—
6
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.43—
7
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.520.40%
8
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.61—
9
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.650.05%
10
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.580.18%
11
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.32—
12
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.13—
13
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.17—
14
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.650.03%
15
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.51—
16
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.550.09%
17
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.06—
18
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.600.04%
19
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.23—
20
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.490.06%
21
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.33—
22
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.650.06%
23
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.33—
24
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.56—
25
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.520.85%
26
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.44—
27
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%22.4%0.67−34.5%+451%0.570.04%
28
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.620.26%
29
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.420.13%
30
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.460.27%
31
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.540.15%
32
DFATDimensional - US Targeted Value ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.6%21.0%0.54−26.1%—0.450.33%
33
DGXQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical Diagnostics
Whole market+12.3%22.5%0.63−36.6%+243%0.28—
34
AVEMAvantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+9.3%19.5%0.56−36.0%—0.560.33%
35
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+12.0%16.7%0.76−31.6%+300%0.620.20%
36
MGVVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.6%13.4%0.95−35.4%+244%0.480.05%
37
EWJiShares MSCI Japan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.2%18.8%0.57−33.1%+132%0.690.49%
38
SDYState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+7.6%14.0%0.59−36.7%+157%0.520.35%
39
BUFRFT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF · Buffered Equity
Whole market+9.9%10.5%0.96−13.7%—0.590.10%
40
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.35—
41
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.540.39%
42
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.630.35%
43
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.570.40%
44
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.640.12%
45
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+11.1%11.9%0.95−30.0%—0.490.56%
46
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.1%18.4%0.57−33.3%+276%0.590.46%
47
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.23—
48
ACTEnact Holdings Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+20.5%24.3%0.89−20.2%—0.16—
49
QYLDGlobal X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+8.4%15.0%0.62−24.7%+156%0.600.60%
50
BBEUJPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.9%17.5%0.57−36.3%—0.570.09%
51
USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.1%16.4%0.89−30.0%—0.610.12%
52
RSPTInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.9%25.1%0.75−33.7%+572%0.560.40%
53
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.540.50%
54
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.20—
55
IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.7%13.8%0.94−35.8%+221%0.510.20%
56
IDMOInvesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.3%18.2%0.78−31.3%+229%0.570.25%
57
FTGCFirst Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+12.9%15.6%0.86−35.9%+139%0.090.98%
58
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.610.95%
59
OMFLInvesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+9.0%16.4%0.61−33.2%—0.570.29%
60
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.5%11.8%0.83−26.6%+188%0.400.60%
61
SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology
Whole market+15.0%19.5%0.82−30.8%—0.580.45%
62
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Same or nearby category+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.270.58%
63
DIVIFranklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF · International
Whole market+13.4%15.5%0.89−27.7%+184%0.640.09%
64
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.580.30%
65
HDEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF · International
Whole market+12.8%14.2%0.92−36.4%+134%0.490.09%
66
AOAiShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+8.6%13.1%0.69−28.4%+165%0.660.19%
67
ACIOAptus Collared Income Opportunity ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.3%11.1%0.86−14.2%—0.590.79%
68
FTHIFirst Trust BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+10.3%13.3%0.81−32.7%+126%0.560.75%
69
FLQLFranklin U.S. Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.8%16.3%0.88−33.6%—0.590.15%
70
JMOMJPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.9%19.1%0.73−34.3%—0.600.12%
71
HFXINYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF · International
Whole market+11.4%15.3%0.79−32.4%+180%0.650.19%
72
NULGNuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth · Broad Market
Whole market+11.4%21.9%0.60−36.2%—0.610.26%
73
FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Healthcare
Whole market+10.8%22.2%0.58−33.3%+203%0.330.55%
74
DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.3%16.1%0.75−33.1%—0.530.39%
75
CHCOCity Holding Company · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.9%22.8%0.77−32.3%+286%0.09—
76
DDWMWisdomTree Dynamic International Equity Fund · International
Whole market+12.3%13.4%0.94−35.0%+149%0.530.40%
77
IPACiShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF · International
Whole market+8.2%16.9%0.55−31.0%+126%0.700.09%
78
RODMHartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF · International
Whole market+10.6%13.5%0.82−36.0%+141%0.620.29%
79
RLYState Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+9.9%13.3%0.78−34.2%+128%0.410.50%
80
RAAXVanEck Real Assets ETF · Commodities
Whole market+11.7%15.6%0.79−33.9%—0.480.55%
81
INFLHorizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.8%17.8%0.72−21.3%—0.550.85%
82
FDLOFidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.8%13.0%0.79−34.4%+249%0.570.15%
83
QGROAmerican Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.9%21.2%0.55−32.6%—0.620.29%
84
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.30—
85
TDVGT. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.6%13.8%0.73−19.2%—0.610.50%
86
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.06—
87
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+153%0.330.36%
88
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology
Whole market+9.7%14.1%0.73−28.1%+305%0.420.65%
89
DUSADavis Select U.S. Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.3%18.4%0.68−36.7%—0.520.59%
90
HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.0%18.0%0.82−33.6%—0.560.50%
91
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.600.19%
92
AVESAvantis Emerging Markets Value ETF · International
Whole market+8.0%17.4%0.53−27.4%—0.560.36%
93
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+33.1%25.9%1.24−62.3%+319%0.26—
94
ROUSHartford Multifactor US Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.3%14.4%0.88−35.5%+238%0.610.19%
95
NTSXWisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+8.2%17.2%0.55−31.4%—0.630.20%
96
IDHQInvesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF · International
Whole market+10.0%17.9%0.63−33.6%+183%0.660.29%
97
QQQEDirexion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+8.1%20.7%0.48−32.1%+294%0.630.35%
98
FDRRFidelity Dividend ETF for Rising Rates · Dividend & Income
Whole market+12.6%15.0%0.87−36.5%+265%0.530.15%
99
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.590.50%
100
HEGDSwan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+7.9%9.5%0.85−14.5%—0.570.88%

EQIX against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%100.0%−40.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityEQIX: 6.6% a year, volatility 27.8%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%DLR: 6.3% a year, volatility 29.4%GDS: −18.2% a year, volatility 85.3%VNET: −26.6% a year, volatility 96.2%MSFT: 12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%AMZN: 9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%IRM: 24.6% a year, volatility 30.3%ETN: 20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%VRT: 54.2% a year, volatility 64.2%AMT: −4.8% a year, volatility 27.3%EQIXSPY (S&P 500)DLRGDSVNETAMZNIRMETNVRTAMT0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%−40.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityEQIX: 6.6% a year, volatility 27.8%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%DLR: 6.3% a year, volatility 29.4%GDS: −18.2% a year, volatility 85.3%VNET: −26.6% a year, volatility 96.2%MSFT: 12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%AMZN: 9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%IRM: 24.6% a year, volatility 30.3%ETN: 20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%VRT: 54.2% a year, volatility 64.2%AMT: −4.8% a year, volatility 27.3%EQIXSPY (S&P 500)DLRGDSVNETIRMETNVRTAMT
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
VRT Vertiv Holdings Co+54.2%64.2%
IRM Iron Mountain Incorporated+24.6%30.3%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc+20.4%32.1%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation+12.5%28.2%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.+9.0%36.6%
EQIX This pageEquinix, Inc.+6.6%27.8%
DLR Digital Realty Trust, Inc.+6.3%29.4%
AMT American Tower Corporation−4.8%27.3%
GDS GDS Holdings Limited−18.2%85.3%
VNET VNET Group, Inc.−26.6%96.2%
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Has EQIX consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than EQIX over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
EQIX Equinix, Inc. (this page)—−6.6%−2.5%−9.7%+31.2%+22.2%+49.1%+37.4%+226%27.8%0.37−41.8%—$97B—
MSFT QualifiedMicrosoft Corporation3/5 short3/3 long+6.0%+32.5%+27.7%+13.2%+3.8%+66.6%+80.3%+946%28.2%0.56−37.1%—$3.9T—
AMZN QualifiedAmazon.com, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+1.6%+5.1%+5.8%+16.0%+21.3%+110%+53.8%+548%36.6%0.42−56.1%—$2.8T—
IRM QualifiedIron Mountain Incorporated3/5 short3/3 long−3.3%−8.3%−4.8%+38.9%+10.4%+110%+200%+470%30.3%0.88−39.0%—$34B—
ETN Electrical Equipment & PartsEaton Corporation plc1/5 short3/3 long−12.3%−4.6%−5.8%+17.7%+2.3%+104%+153%+657%32.1%0.74−44.5%—$148B—
VRT Electrical Equipment & PartsVertiv Holdings Co0/5 short2/3 long−18.9%−30.2%−35.2%+16.0%+16.0%+456%+772%—64.2%1.01−71.3%—$78B—
DLR REIT - SpecialtyDigital Realty Trust, Inc.2/5 short1/3 long−5.9%+0.1%−12.9%+15.4%+4.3%+65.7%+35.7%+154%29.4%0.35−48.5%—$65B—
APLD Information Technology ServicesApplied Digital Corp.0/5 short1/3 long−31.4%−30.6%−40.0%−31.2%−46.2%+312%————−81.9%—$5.8B—
GDS Information Technology ServicesGDS Holdings Limited0/5 short1/3 long−31.9%−27.6%−48.1%−39.1%−32.2%+136%−63.5%—85.3%0.18−95.6%—$4.5B—
AMT REIT - SpecialtyAmerican Tower Corporation3/5 short0/3 long+6.3%+11.1%+3.1%+8.2%−1.1%+27.5%−21.8%+107%27.3%-0.04−45.4%—$86B—
VNET Information Technology ServicesVNET Group, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−43.4%−46.6%−55.4%−55.0%−56.2%+47.5%−78.7%−43.4%96.2%0.13−96.7%—$1.1B—
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How did EQIX do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2001, along with where EQIX ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with EQIX and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of EQIX; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places EQIX among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of EQIX2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001
EQIX This pageEquinix, Inc.—−16.9%+19.4%+25.4%−21.1%+20.3%+24.2%+68.9%−20.4%+29.2%+20.7%+42.3%+32.8%−13.9%+103%+24.8%−23.4%+99.6%−47.4%+33.7%+85.5%−4.6%+51.5%+395%−93.9%−33.7%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 8 of 2510 of 118 of 118 of 113 of 107 of 107 of 102 of 109 of 95 of 94 of 82 of 83 of 87 of 81 of 83 of 77 of 72 of 77 of 73 of 71 of 76 of 72 of 61 of 66 of 65 of 6
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF12 of 25+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%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation12 of 25+15.6%+12.9%+58.2%−28.0%+52.5%+42.5%+57.6%+20.8%+40.8%+15.1%+22.7%+27.5%+44.3%+5.8%−4.5%−6.5%+60.5%−44.4%+20.8%+15.8%−1.0%+9.2%+6.2%−22.0%+52.8%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.15 of 25+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%
IRM Iron Mountain Incorporated14 of 25−18.3%+54.5%+46.5%−0.1%+87.8%+1.0%+5.9%−8.0%+23.6%+27.4%−25.7%+33.9%+1.1%+15.6%+26.5%+11.4%−8.0%−33.2%+34.4%−2.1%+38.4%+15.8%+19.7%+13.1%+18.0%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc12 of 25−2.8%+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%
VRT Vertiv Holdings Co5 of 7+42.8%+137%+252%−45.3%+33.8%+69.4%+12.5%——————————————————
DLR Digital Realty Trust, Inc.11 of 21−10.1%+35.9%+39.9%−41.0%+30.7%+20.4%+16.5%−3.0%+18.7%+34.9%+20.2%+42.6%−23.5%+6.1%+35.4%+6.1%+58.8%−11.4%+15.7%+57.2%+77.9%————
APLD Applied Digital Corp.2 of 3+221%+13.4%+266%——————————————————————
GDS GDS Holdings Limited6 of 9+46.9%+161%−55.8%−56.3%−49.6%+81.5%+123%+2.5%+162%————————————————
AMT American Tower Corporation10 of 25−0.9%−12.2%+5.4%−25.7%+32.9%−0.5%+47.9%+13.3%+37.7%+11.2%0.0%+25.8%+4.8%+30.4%+16.9%+19.5%+47.3%−31.2%+14.3%+37.5%+47.2%+70.0%+207%−62.8%−75.0%
VNET VNET Group, Inc.5 of 14+78.5%+65.1%−49.4%−37.2%−74.0%+378%−16.1%+8.3%+13.8%−66.8%+36.6%−34.2%+145%+5.0%———————————
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Risk and diversification

How EQIX 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 EQIX's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents EQIX's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2000, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means EQIX fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringEQIX fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−99.4%−40.3%Aug 2000Apr 20032.7 yearsAug 201714.3 years
2022 bear market−41.8%−19.6%Sep 2021Oct 202213 monthsFeb 202416 months
Late-2018 sell-off−29.3%−7.4%Nov 2017Dec 201813 monthsMay 20195 months
No named crash−28.2%+8.8%Oct 2020Mar 20215 monthsJul 20214 months
Covid crash−25.1%−32.8%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthApr 20201 month

How did EQIX do in stock market crashes?

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

Note: EQIX began trading on August 11, 2000, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

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

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
EQIX This pageEquinix, Inc.—−4.1%−36.3%−25.1%−22.8%−6.3%−15.8%−22.5%−1.1%−69.9%Not yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF6 of 9−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation6 of 9−2.0%−31.0%−27.7%−18.2%−7.4%−14.4%−14.1%−2.6%−57.9%−62.9%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.4 of 9−3.4%−39.6%−22.7%−33.2%−7.1%−30.6%−20.7%−2.9%−65.3%−91.8%
IRM Iron Mountain Incorporated6 of 9−4.7%−22.6%−33.4%−15.1%−4.7%−22.6%−19.5%0.0%−55.7%−34.9%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc2 of 9−4.5%−26.3%−44.5%−26.0%−6.7%−22.3%−34.6%−1.4%−68.5%−31.6%
VRT Vertiv Holdings Co1 of 4−12.2%−65.7%−58.6%−3.4%——————
DLR Digital Realty Trust, Inc.6 of 9−3.1%−45.7%−24.1%−14.6%−8.1%−8.4%−20.2%−1.7%−56.8%—
APLD Applied Digital Corp.0 of 1−16.9%—————————
GDS GDS Holdings Limited1 of 5−8.2%−69.3%−23.7%−37.9%−19.9%—————
AMT American Tower Corporation5 of 9−2.3%−34.2%−28.8%−8.4%−8.0%−19.2%−13.6%−2.9%−56.5%−98.7%
VNET VNET Group, Inc.0 of 7−21.6%−63.5%−38.6%−26.1%−11.2%−26.9%−27.5%———
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How closely does EQIX 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 EQIX with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than EQIX's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
EQIX This pageEquinix, Inc.76%66%1.140.67
ETN Eaton Corporation plc114%80%1.431.16
MSFT Microsoft Corporation127%91%1.390.96
IRM Iron Mountain Incorporated98%83%1.180.99
DLR Digital Realty Trust, Inc.64%64%1.000.60
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.134%139%0.961.31
AMT American Tower Corporation61%79%0.780.60
VNET VNET Group, Inc.23%71%0.330.25
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What diversifies EQIX?

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 EQIX's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing EQIX with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which EQIX lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% EQIX and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252022201820132010200820052002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
EQIX Equinix, Inc. (this page)1.00+37.4%0.37−16.9%−21.1%−20.4%−13.9%−23.4%−47.4%−4.6%−93.9%−33.7%25.4%+7.2%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.44+225%1.34+32.8%+6.0%−19.8%+41.3%−1.8%−20.8%———21.6%+11.3%
PVAL Broad MarketPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF0.49+111%1.07+24.1%−2.6%———————21.9%+9.5%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.46+101%1.04+9.7%+10.4%−8.7%+16.6%—————21.8%+9.2%
EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF0.38+140%0.97+78.0%−5.2%−15.3%+31.9%−18.8%−36.8%+4.6%−13.6%−9.2%22.0%+10.3%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.27+126%0.96+63.7%−0.8%−1.9%−28.3%+29.3%+4.9%+17.8%——21.5%+9.9%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.42+136%0.93+26.6%−10.4%−0.9%——————22.4%+10.4%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.06+177%0.93+7.9%+64.4%−18.2%+26.3%+21.9%−39.0%+40.1%−14.8%−18.2%21.3%+11.3%
VLUE Broad MarketiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF0.46+109%0.90+32.7%−14.2%−11.1%——————22.4%+9.7%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252022201820132010200820052002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
EQIX Equinix, Inc. (this page)1.00+37.4%0.37−16.9%−21.1%−20.4%−13.9%−23.4%−47.4%−4.6%−93.9%−33.7%25.4%+7.2%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.23+479%1.55+76.3%+54.1%−24.5%+66.0%+21.4%−39.6%+18.7%−8.3%−2.5%22.1%+13.6%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.26+3,143%1.47+220%+1.3%−16.3%+27.6%+2.8%−20.5%−25.2%−65.1%−25.6%25.9%+25.7%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.46+1,636%1.46+121%+17.0%+0.8%+61.7%+8.7%−15.2%+20.1%−9.4%+73.7%25.7%+21.6%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.16+413%1.44+44.5%+51.8%−28.4%+67.7%+13.8%−40.4%+64.9%−27.2%+4.9%21.7%+13.1%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.14+690%1.41+19.2%+86.6%−8.2%+48.6%—————22.2%+15.7%
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Common questions

What was EQIX's worst drawdown?

EQIX's deepest decline since it began trading in 2000 was 99.4%, from August 2000 to April 2003. It took about 14 years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were EQIX's best and worst years?

Over 25 full calendar years, EQIX's best year was 2003, when it returned 395%. Its worst was 2002, with a return of -93.9%.

Is there a better investment than EQIX?

Among EQIX's popular alternatives, MSFT and IRM earned more than EQIX over the past 5 years with similar volatility: MSFT returned 12.5% a year at 28.2% volatility, against 6.6% a year at 27.8%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, CIBR (cybersecurity) earned more than EQIX with less volatility over the past 5 years: 14.1% a year at 26.1% volatility, against 6.6% a year at 27.8%.

Is EQIX more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. EQIX's volatility over the past 5 years was 27.8%, 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, EQIX's return lands within 27.8% 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 EQIX's Sharpe ratio?

EQIX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.37, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so EQIX 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 EQIX with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, EQIX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.60 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 EQIX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a EQIX holding.

What are the best alternatives to EQIX?

Of the ten popular alternatives we compared, three outperformed EQIX in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: MSFT, AMZN and IRM.

Did EQIX outperform the S&P 500?

EQIX finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 13 of 25 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -16.9%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did EQIX do in stock market crashes?

EQIX fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in six. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when EQIX fell 69.9% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies EQIX?

These had a low correlation with EQIX over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.44), PVAL (correlation 0.49) and EMLP (correlation 0.46); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.23), CLS (correlation 0.26) and FIX (correlation 0.46). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to EQIX

Other stocks and ETFs