# ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VOO (S&P 500)

> Source: EasyCompare research, https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-voo
> Data as of October 20, 2026. Total returns include reinvested dividends. Past performance does not predict future results; nothing here is investment advice.

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) screened against the entire market of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs over 8 periods from 1 month to 10 years, with dividends reinvested. To make the list, an investment had to outperform VOO 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. Returns in the tables are total returns over each period; volatility and Sharpe ratio cover 5 years.

## Key findings

- How hard it was to top VOO: Across a screen of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs, 41 of 954 eligible ETFs (4.3%) and 224 of 1,502 eligible stocks (15%) outperformed in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. A smaller group held up across nearly every period: 14 ETFs and 80 stocks were all-weather.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
  - Popular alternatives: QQQ qualified with outperformance in 3 of 5 short-term periods and 3 of 3 long-term periods. VUG fell short with 0 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term periods, while SCHD outperformed in all 5 short-term periods but none of the 3 long-term periods. IVV and SPY, which track the same index as VOO, tied it in every period.
  - Top ETFs: Technology funds led the displayed group, with 7 of the top ETFs in that category. DXJ, BNO, CRAK, and IYW each outperformed in all 3 long-term periods and all but one or none of the short-term periods; 41 ETFs qualified overall.
  - Top stocks: 224 stocks qualified, more than the number of qualifying ETFs. The leaders shown include healthcare stocks NTRA and LLY, energy stocks CVI and MPC, and consumer-staples stock COKE.
- The risk trade-off: The displayed winners took a bumpier ride than VOO. Over 5 years, none of the top 15 ETFs or top 10 stocks was less volatile than the benchmark. About half of each group had a higher Sharpe ratio, a measure of return relative to risk, so higher volatility did not always come with better risk-adjusted performance.

## How popular alternatives compare

| Investment | Status | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| VOO: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (benchmark) |  |  | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.7% | +82.3% | +324% | 16.9% | 0.80 |
| [QQQ](https://easycompare.io/research/qqq): Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | Made the list | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −3.2% | +3.2% | +11.2% | +17.4% | +17.9% | +106% | +97.2% | +553% | 23.0% | 0.71 |
| [VUG](https://easycompare.io/research/vug): Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 2/3 long | −2.5% | +4.0% | +8.2% | +9.8% | +10.2% | +100% | +78.6% | +419% | 22.5% | 0.63 |
| [SCHD](https://easycompare.io/research/schd): Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | Fell short | 5/5 short, 0/3 long | +3.7% | +6.8% | +13.6% | +28.2% | +33.0% | +67.5% | +59.1% | +252% | 14.3% | 0.72 |
| [DIA](https://easycompare.io/research/dia): State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | Fell short | 1/5 short, 0/3 long | +0.9% | +1.6% | +6.8% | +9.6% | +13.9% | +66.1% | +60.6% | +250% | 14.8% | 0.72 |
| [RSP](https://easycompare.io/research/rsp): Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | Fell short | 1/5 short, 0/3 long | +1.5% | +2.0% | +6.7% | +13.3% | +15.5% | +65.4% | +48.6% | +211% | 16.1% | 0.57 |
| [VEA](https://easycompare.io/research/vea): Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | Fell short | 1/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.5% | +1.0% | +1.4% | +11.5% | +17.0% | +81.0% | +55.9% | +153% | 16.9% | 0.61 |
| [IVV](https://easycompare.io/research/ivv): iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | Same index | about the same returns | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.7% | +82.3% | +324% | 17.0% | 0.80 |
| [SPY](https://easycompare.io/research/spy): State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | Same index | about the same returns | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.3% | +81.7% | +321% | 17.1% | 0.79 |
| [VTI](https://easycompare.io/research/vti): Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −0.8% | +3.2% | +8.3% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +87.9% | +72.6% | +302% | 17.5% | 0.71 |
| [ITOT](https://easycompare.io/research/itot): iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −0.8% | +3.2% | +8.2% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +88.0% | +72.7% | +301% | 17.4% | 0.72 |
| IWV: iShares Russell 3000 ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −0.7% | +3.3% | +8.2% | +12.9% | +15.0% | +86.9% | +72.0% | +297% | 17.3% | 0.72 |
| ACWI: iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.9% | +2.8% | +6.2% | +12.1% | +15.1% | +84.5% | +65.1% | +227% | 16.2% | 0.70 |
| [VB](https://easycompare.io/research/vb): Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −0.8% | −1.8% | +1.3% | +11.2% | +13.7% | +66.8% | +35.2% | +179% | 20.6% | 0.40 |
| [IWM](https://easycompare.io/research/iwm): iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.4% | −5.4% | −0.1% | +11.6% | +12.3% | +71.3% | +29.0% | +158% | 22.4% | 0.34 |
| [VXUS](https://easycompare.io/research/vxus): Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.9% | +1.0% | +0.9% | +10.2% | +14.6% | +77.2% | +48.6% | +140% | 16.4% | 0.57 |

## ETFs that consistently outperformed VOO

| Investment | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe | Expense | Assets |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| VOO: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (benchmark) |  | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.7% | +82.3% | +324% | 16.9% | 0.80 |  |  |
| DXJ: WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | 0.0% | +4.7% | +9.9% | +25.0% | +36.4% | +127% | +225% | +428% | 19.1% | 1.34 | 0.48% | $8.1B |
| BNO: United States Brent Oil Fund LP | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +13.6% | +35.6% | +40.9% | +137% | +141% | +108% | +196% | +348% | 37.1% | 0.77 | 1.15% | $768M |
| CRAK: VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +1.6% | +20.3% | +41.5% | +73.9% | +81.5% | +121% | +146% | +336% | 20.9% | 0.97 | 0.61% | $810M |
| IYW: iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −4.2% | +5.6% | +20.4% | +26.8% | +27.0% | +143% | +138% | +805% | 26.6% | 0.79 | 0.37% | $24B |
| [VGT](https://easycompare.io/research/vgt): Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −4.2% | +6.3% | +19.1% | +27.6% | +26.7% | +138% | +133% | +779% | 26.0% | 0.78 | 0.09% | $178B |
| [XLK](https://easycompare.io/research/xlk): State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −4.8% | +5.7% | +20.3% | +29.0% | +29.3% | +131% | +143% | +767% | 26.0% | 0.82 | 0.08% | $125B |
| FTEC: Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −4.2% | +6.3% | +19.1% | +27.6% | +27.0% | +139% | +135% | +763% | 26.1% | 0.79 | 0.08% | $22B |
| IXN: iShares Global Tech ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −6.2% | +4.4% | +19.3% | +31.2% | +32.0% | +145% | +141% | +720% | 26.2% | 0.81 | 0.37% | $9.1B |
| IGM: iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −5.1% | +4.5% | +16.2% | +24.4% | +24.3% | +156% | +130% | +720% | 26.5% | 0.76 | 0.37% | $11B |
| RSPT: Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −2.8% | +8.4% | +24.4% | +41.0% | +42.9% | +141% | +119% | +572% | 25.1% | 0.75 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| EWT: iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −7.2% | +11.9% | +28.4% | +65.7% | +69.7% | +195% | +153% | +468% | 24.2% | 0.89 | 0.59% | $12B |
| CIBR: First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −2.6% | +9.4% | +49.9% | +42.4% | +31.9% | +127% | +93.2% | +454% | 26.1% | 0.64 | 0.58% | $17B |
| UGA: United States Gasoline Fund, LP | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −0.9% | +16.9% | +40.5% | +130% | +130% | +111% | +221% | +399% | 35.1% | 0.84 | 1.08% | $167M |
| GREK: Global X - MSCI Greece ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −5.6% | +8.8% | +14.9% | +21.4% | +32.7% | +175% | +234% | +380% | 24.6% | 1.11 | 0.56% | $327M |
| [SMH](https://easycompare.io/research/smh): VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −8.3% | −2.2% | +17.8% | +46.4% | +57.8% | +290% | +323% | +1,665% | 36.9% | 0.97 | 0.35% | $66B |

## Stocks that consistently outperformed VOO

| Investment | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe | Market cap |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| VOO: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (benchmark) |  | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.7% | +82.3% | +324% | 16.9% | 0.80 |  |
| [NTRA](https://easycompare.io/research/ntra): Natera, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +9.5% | +54.6% | +95.4% | +77.4% | +115% | +896% | +261% | +3,841% | 57.6% | 0.74 | $59B |
| [LLY](https://easycompare.io/research/lly): Eli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +10.2% | +12.1% | +40.0% | +19.4% | +59.7% | +124% | +451% | +1,807% | 32.8% | 1.21 | $1.2T |
| CORT: Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +2.4% | +27.2% | +151% | +205% | +48.2% | +317% | +498% | +1,593% | 75.9% | 0.81 | $13B |
| COKE: Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.3% | +17.3% | +14.9% | +42.9% | +61.7% | +255% | +461% | +1,569% | 38.0% | 1.10 | $14B |
| CVI: CVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +16.4% | +79.1% | +106% | +147% | +78.5% | +115% | +304% | +1,424% | 52.3% | 0.80 | $6.2B |
| [MPC](https://easycompare.io/research/mpc): Marathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +18.1% | +51.1% | +123% | +191% | +159% | +234% | +690% | +1,387% | 33.4% | 1.41 | $133B |
| WSM: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.2% | +14.1% | +26.5% | +37.0% | +35.6% | +238% | +199% | +1,268% | 44.4% | 0.71 | $30B |
| HALO: Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +11.6% | +61.3% | +78.8% | +76.9% | +87.1% | +254% | +226% | +1,196% | 40.4% | 0.79 | $14B |
| FRO: Frontline Plc | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +1.0% | +43.2% | +49.3% | +177% | +144% | +215% | +726% | +1,194% | 49.7% | 1.10 | $11B |
| ANF: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +18.3% | +71.3% | +66.3% | +30.7% | +143% | +166% | +328% | +1,117% | 62.9% | 0.77 | $6.9B |

## What stands out

Technology was the largest category among the displayed top ETFs, while healthcare and energy feature prominently among the leading stocks. The results also show that the lead was not limited to recent periods: several highlighted ETFs and stocks outperformed in all 3 long-term periods as well as most or all short-term periods. Still, the market-wide screen found far more qualifying stocks than ETFs, and the top stocks shown span several sectors rather than one narrow theme.

The return advantage came with larger price swings. Over 5 years, median volatility was 26.1% for the top ETFs and 47.0% for the top stocks, compared with 16.9% for VOO. Median Sharpe ratios were 0.81 for ETFs and 0.80 for stocks, close to VOO's 0.80. In other words, the higher returns did not translate into a clear risk-adjusted edge for every winner.

## More research

- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed SPY (S&P 500)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-spy)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VTI (Total US Stock Market)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-vti)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed QQQ (Nasdaq-100)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-qqq)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed DIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-dia)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed IWM (Russell 2000 Small Caps)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-iwm)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VXUS (International Stocks)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-vxus)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed NVDA (Nvidia)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-nvda)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed AAPL (Apple)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-aapl)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed MSFT (Microsoft)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-msft)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed AMZN (Amazon)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-amzn)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed GOOG (Alphabet)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-goog)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed META (Meta Platforms)](https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-meta)

## Explore further

- Full page: https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-voo
- All research pages: https://easycompare.io/llms.txt