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Relative Intelligence · Electronic Components

How Corning (GLW) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on GLW alone. It places GLW (Corning Inc) against 19 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 GLW stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: GLW'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.

Rank the market against GLW →Chart GLW vs. 19 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in GLW over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of GLW over the same span and GLW'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 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. 375 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of GLW; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M$10M199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M$10M19972004201120182025
  • AAPL$21M+205,249% total · +30.1% a year
  • APH$3M+29,926% total · +21.7% a year
  • COHR$922,472+9,125% total · +16.9% a year
  • MSFT$508,386+4,984% total · +14.5% a year
  • JBL$226,060+2,161% total · +11.4% a year
  • FLEX$184,862+1,749% total · +10.6% a year
  • GLW$155,950+1,460% total · +9.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • SANM$33,104+231% total · +4.2% a year
  • CIEN$20,293+103% total · +2.5% 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. 139 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of GLW; 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$100,000$200,000202120222023202420252026$10,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • CLS$407,013+3,970% total · +110% a year
  • BELFB$203,703+1,937% total · +82.7% a year
  • LITE$116,261+1,063% total · +63.3% a year
  • CIEN$68,511+585% total · +46.9% a year
  • JBL$49,890+399% total · +37.9% a year
  • SMH$48,982+390% total · +37.4% a year
  • APH$48,728+387% total · +37.3% a year
  • COHR$48,485+385% total · +37.1% a year
  • GLW$47,782+378% total · +36.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
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GLW 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
$114B
Industry
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+56.6%total return
Past 3 years
+419%+73.1% a year
Past 5 years
+292%+31.4% a year
Past 10 years
+616%+21.8% a year
Best calendar year
+215%2003
Worst calendar year
−83.0%2001
Losing years
12 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
42.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.86return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−99.0%Sep 2000 to Oct 2002
From its all-time high
−48.1%below the peak

GLW against the whole market

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

How does GLW rank among all stocks?

This section ranks GLW 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 GLW 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.

MeasureGLWRankStanding
1-year return+56.6%460 of 3,287top 14%
3-year return+419%137 of 3,017top 5%
5-year return+292%182 of 2,893top 6%
10-year return+616%230 of 2,202top 10%
Volatility, 5 years42.1%1,557 of 2,893bottom 47%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.86215 of 2,893top 7%
Worst decline, past 10 years−51.5%516 of 2,187top 24%

What has beaten GLW 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). GLW sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than GLW 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 GLW; faint dots are 33 more of the 42 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.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than GLWDHT: +38.7% a year, volatility 39.0%PBR: +50.3% a year, volatility 37.5%VLO: +44.2% a year, volatility 36.9%IBKR: +35.4% a year, volatility 35.4%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%EME: +43.0% a year, volatility 35.3%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%COKE: +41.2% a year, volatility 38.0%MLI: +38.9% a year, volatility 33.4%HWM: +47.3% a year, volatility 32.5%NWPX: +32.5% a year, volatility 36.2%USLM: +35.6% a year, volatility 36.1%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%GE: +36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%BBVA: +38.7% a year, volatility 33.3%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%SMFG: +33.7% a year, volatility 29.4%SU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%IMO: +34.3% a year, volatility 32.0%SBS: +39.1% a year, volatility 37.1%CIB: +32.9% a year, volatility 32.9%NVT: +35.4% a year, volatility 38.0%MOG-A: +36.6% a year, volatility 32.0%IDCC: +39.0% a year, volatility 36.9%LAUR: +37.5% a year, volatility 32.8%SNEX: +33.0% a year, volatility 37.3%AROC: +33.1% a year, volatility 36.4%CAAP: +35.1% a year, volatility 35.9%EZPW: +33.2% a year, volatility 35.4%NRP: +37.4% a year, volatility 33.9%ODC: +35.9% a year, volatility 36.9%GLW: +31.4% a year, volatility 42.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%JBL: +35.8% a year, volatility 39.6%LITE: +57.3% a year, volatility 64.5%CIEN: +45.2% a year, volatility 52.6%SMH: +33.4% a year, volatility 36.9%AVGO: +48.3% a year, volatility 44.5%ASX: +48.8% a year, volatility 43.0%NVDA: +58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%MU: +68.1% a year, volatility 57.1%AMD: +35.7% a year, volatility 57.6%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%PWR: +39.3% a year, volatility 37.2%ESLT: +39.8% a year, volatility 34.6%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%ATI: +61.8% a year, volatility 42.9%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%PBR-A: +51.8% a year, volatility 37.5%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%GLWSPY (S&P 500)APHJBLLITECIENSMHAVGOASXNVDAMUAMDLLYPWRMPCATICATPBR-ACAH0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than GLWDHT: +38.7% a year, volatility 39.0%PBR: +50.3% a year, volatility 37.5%VLO: +44.2% a year, volatility 36.9%IBKR: +35.4% a year, volatility 35.4%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%EME: +43.0% a year, volatility 35.3%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%COKE: +41.2% a year, volatility 38.0%MLI: +38.9% a year, volatility 33.4%HWM: +47.3% a year, volatility 32.5%NWPX: +32.5% a year, volatility 36.2%USLM: +35.6% a year, volatility 36.1%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%GE: +36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%BBVA: +38.7% a year, volatility 33.3%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%SMFG: +33.7% a year, volatility 29.4%SU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%IMO: +34.3% a year, volatility 32.0%SBS: +39.1% a year, volatility 37.1%CIB: +32.9% a year, volatility 32.9%NVT: +35.4% a year, volatility 38.0%MOG-A: +36.6% a year, volatility 32.0%IDCC: +39.0% a year, volatility 36.9%LAUR: +37.5% a year, volatility 32.8%SNEX: +33.0% a year, volatility 37.3%AROC: +33.1% a year, volatility 36.4%CAAP: +35.1% a year, volatility 35.9%EZPW: +33.2% a year, volatility 35.4%NRP: +37.4% a year, volatility 33.9%ODC: +35.9% a year, volatility 36.9%GLW: +31.4% a year, volatility 42.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%JBL: +35.8% a year, volatility 39.6%LITE: +57.3% a year, volatility 64.5%CIEN: +45.2% a year, volatility 52.6%SMH: +33.4% a year, volatility 36.9%AVGO: +48.3% a year, volatility 44.5%ASX: +48.8% a year, volatility 43.0%NVDA: +58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%MU: +68.1% a year, volatility 57.1%AMD: +35.7% a year, volatility 57.6%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%PWR: +39.3% a year, volatility 37.2%ESLT: +39.8% a year, volatility 34.6%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%ATI: +61.8% a year, volatility 42.9%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%PBR-A: +51.8% a year, volatility 37.5%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%GLWSPY (S&P 500)APHJBLLITECIENAVGOASXNVDAMUAMDLLYESLTMPCATICATCAH
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than GLW?

Investments that beat GLW 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 GLW 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 GLW'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 GLW 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 GLW'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× GLW's volatility counts as better.

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

Screen the whole market against GLW for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 17 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 GLW?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
GLWCorning Inc · this page
+31.4%42.1%0.86−51.5%+616%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.390.09%
Popular alternativesbest 4 shownThe investments people most often weigh against GLW. 4 of 19 passed at least one test.
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+33.8%32.2%1.07−37.5%+965%0.59—
JBLJabil Inc. · Electronics Manufacturing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+35.8%39.6%0.97−57.3%+1,264%0.44—
LITELumentum Holdings Inc. · Communications Equipment
Higher return in most periods+57.3%64.5%1.03−66.9%+1,904%0.53—
CIENCiena Corporation · Communications Equipment
Higher return in most periods+45.2%52.6%0.97−49.5%+1,600%0.49—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Electronic Components and the categories next to it (Electronics Manufacturing, Semiconductors, Communications Equipment), plus GLW's specific themes. 9 of 58 passed at least one test.
SMHVanEck Semiconductor ETF · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+33.4%36.9%0.97−45.3%+1,665%0.550.35%
AVGOBroadcom Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+48.3%44.5%1.11−48.3%+2,380%0.08—
ASXASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. · Semiconductors
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+48.8%43.0%1.15−52.5%+967%0.62—
NVDANVIDIA Corporation · Semiconductors
Higher return in most periods+58.0%51.9%1.14−66.3%+13,019%0.21—
MUMicron Technology, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return in most periods+68.1%57.1%1.20−57.6%+5,243%0.47—
AMDAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return in most periods+35.7%57.6%0.82−65.5%+7,583%0.35—
The whole marketbest 6 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 92 of 3,556 passed at least one test.
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.00—
PWRQuanta Services, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+39.3%37.2%1.08−45.5%+2,045%0.38—
ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+39.8%34.6%1.15−35.4%+765%-0.08—
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+51.2%33.4%1.41−79.7%+1,387%0.06—
ATIATI Inc. · Metals & Mining
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+61.8%42.9%1.34−82.4%+929%0.40—
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+31.1%31.9%1.01−43.4%+936%0.67—
What these numbers mean for GLW
Annual return
GLW returned 31.4% 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 $39,200. 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
GLW's volatility over the past 5 years was 42.1%, 2.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, GLW's return lands within 42.1% 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
GLW's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.86, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so GLW earned more 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
GLW's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 51.5%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 51.5% fall takes a 106% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, GLW's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.39 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against GLW instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a GLW holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 42 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than GLW with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. Best first; funds that hold the same thing are listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with GLWExpense
1
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.00—
2
PWRQuanta Services, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Whole market+39.3%37.2%1.08−45.5%+2,045%0.38—
3
ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+39.8%34.6%1.15−35.4%+765%-0.08—
4
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil & Gas
Whole market+51.2%33.4%1.41−79.7%+1,387%0.06—
5
PBR-APetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+51.8%37.5%1.31−71.7%+768%0.02—
6
SMHVanEck Semiconductor ETF · Semiconductors
Same or nearby category+33.4%36.9%0.97−45.3%+1,665%0.550.35%
7
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Popular alternative+33.8%32.2%1.07−37.5%+965%0.59—
8
DHTDHT Holdings, Inc. · Marine Shipping
Whole market+38.7%39.0%1.04−39.7%+1,050%0.21—
9
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.27—
10
PBRPetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+50.3%37.5%1.28−75.3%+674%0.00—
11
VLOValero Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas
Whole market+44.2%36.9%1.18−71.9%+1,061%0.13—
12
IBKRInteractive Brokers Group, Inc. · Investment Banking & Brokerage
Whole market+35.4%35.4%1.04−55.1%+935%0.31—
13
TRGPTarga Resources Corp. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+41.8%31.7%1.27−90.8%+829%0.28—
14
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.04—
15
EMEEMCOR Group, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Whole market+43.0%35.3%1.20−48.0%+1,202%0.29—
16
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.6%30.6%1.10−45.7%+345%0.23—
17
COKECoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+41.2%38.0%1.10−51.7%+1,569%0.24—
18
MLIMueller Industries, Inc. · Metal Fabrication
Whole market+38.9%33.4%1.16−53.0%+800%0.11—
19
JBLJabil Inc. · Electronics Manufacturing
Popular alternative+35.8%39.6%0.97−57.3%+1,264%0.44—
20
HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+47.3%32.5%1.36−68.9%+1,028%0.40—
21
NWPXNWPX Infrastructure, Inc. · Construction Materials
Whole market+32.5%36.2%0.96−46.5%+682%0.53—
22
USLMUnited States Lime & Minerals, Inc. · Construction Materials
Whole market+35.6%36.1%1.03−45.9%+803%-0.03—
23
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+33.1%25.9%1.24−62.3%+319%0.19—
24
GEGE Aerospace · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+36.0%31.0%1.15−80.9%+139%0.49—
25
MUFGMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.2%29.4%1.13−54.9%+483%0.17—
26
BBVABanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. · Banks
Whole market+38.7%33.3%1.16−69.6%+542%0.11—
27
PSXPhillips 66 · Oil & Gas
Whole market+33.2%32.9%1.04−64.2%+430%0.04—
28
SMFGSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.7%29.4%1.14−47.6%+474%0.22—
29
SUSuncor Energy Inc. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+33.1%32.5%1.05−73.5%+295%-0.12—
30
IMOImperial Oil Limited · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+34.3%32.0%1.09−77.1%+430%0.13—
31
SBSCompanhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP · Water Utilities
Whole market+39.1%37.1%1.08−62.0%+293%0.19—
32
CIBGrupo Cibest S.A. · Banks
Whole market+32.9%32.9%1.03−70.4%+345%0.05—
33
NVTnVent Electric plc · Electrical Equipment
Whole market+35.4%38.0%0.99−56.2%—0.47—
34
MOG-AMoog Inc. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+36.6%32.0%1.14−63.7%+595%0.44—
35
IDCCInterDigital, Inc. · Intellectual Property Licensing
Whole market+39.0%36.9%1.08−64.9%+395%0.35—
36
LAURLaureate Education, Inc. · Education Services
Whole market+37.5%32.8%1.14−64.5%—0.04—
37
SNEXStoneX Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+33.0%37.3%0.96−48.7%+670%0.32—
38
AROCArchrock, Inc. · Oilfield Services
Whole market+33.1%36.4%0.97−84.9%+288%0.49—
39
CAAPCorporacion America Airports S.A. · Infrastructure
Whole market+35.1%35.9%1.02−89.9%—0.03—
40
EZPWEZCORP, Inc. · Financial - Credit Services
Whole market+33.2%35.4%0.99−76.6%+202%0.39—
41
NRPNatural Resource Partners L.P. · Coal
Whole market+37.4%33.9%1.11−78.8%+632%0.02—
42
ODCOil-Dri Corporation of America · Chemicals - Specialty
Whole market+35.9%36.9%1.02−48.9%+460%0.38—

GLW against its popular alternatives

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

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

Green points earned more than GLW 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%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%120%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityGLW: 31.4% a year, volatility 42.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%JBL: 35.8% a year, volatility 39.6%APH: 33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%FN: 29.2% a year, volatility 57.1%VIAV: 17.9% a year, volatility 47.9%VSH: 10.3% a year, volatility 47.2%IPGP: −15.1% a year, volatility 48.5%LITE: 57.3% a year, volatility 64.5%CIEN: 45.2% a year, volatility 52.6%CLS: 101% a year, volatility 59.7%BELFB: 78.0% a year, volatility 52.1%COHR: 31.6% a year, volatility 66.3%AAPL: 18.4% a year, volatility 28.0%MSFT: 12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%FLEX: 36.0% a year, volatility 48.2%SANM: 34.7% a year, volatility 47.8%CSCO: 16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%TEL: 9.5% a year, volatility 28.7%LFUS: 6.7% a year, volatility 35.6%GLWSPY (S&P 500)JBLAPHFNVIAVVSHIPGPLITECIENCLSBELFBCOHRAAPLMSFTFLEXTMOTELLFUS10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%120%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityGLW: 31.4% a year, volatility 42.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%JBL: 35.8% a year, volatility 39.6%APH: 33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%FN: 29.2% a year, volatility 57.1%VIAV: 17.9% a year, volatility 47.9%VSH: 10.3% a year, volatility 47.2%IPGP: −15.1% a year, volatility 48.5%LITE: 57.3% a year, volatility 64.5%CIEN: 45.2% a year, volatility 52.6%CLS: 101% a year, volatility 59.7%BELFB: 78.0% a year, volatility 52.1%COHR: 31.6% a year, volatility 66.3%AAPL: 18.4% a year, volatility 28.0%MSFT: 12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%FLEX: 36.0% a year, volatility 48.2%SANM: 34.7% a year, volatility 47.8%CSCO: 16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%TEL: 9.5% a year, volatility 28.7%LFUS: 6.7% a year, volatility 35.6%GLWSPY (S&P 500)JBLAPHFNVIAVVSHIPGPLITECIENCLSBELFBFLEXTMOLFUS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
CLS Celestica Inc.+101%59.7%
BELFB Bel Fuse Inc.+78.0%52.1%
LITE Lumentum Holdings Inc.+57.3%64.5%
CIEN Ciena Corporation+45.2%52.6%
FLEX Flex Ltd.+36.0%48.2%
JBL Jabil Inc.+35.8%39.6%
SANM Sanmina Corporation+34.7%47.8%
APH Amphenol Corporation+33.8%32.2%
COHR Coherent, Inc.+31.6%66.3%
GLW This pageCorning Inc+31.4%42.1%
FN Fabrinet+29.2%57.1%
AAPL Apple Inc.+18.4%28.0%
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.+17.9%47.9%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.+16.8%26.1%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation+12.5%28.2%
VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.+10.3%47.2%
TEL TE Connectivity plc+9.5%28.7%
LFUS Littelfuse, Inc.+6.7%35.6%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
IPGP IPG Photonics Corporation−15.1%48.5%
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Has GLW consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than GLW 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
GLW Corning Inc (this page)—−16.7%−13.3%−19.7%+46.8%+56.6%+419%+292%+616%42.1%0.86−51.5%—$114B—
LITE QualifiedLumentum Holdings Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−13.8%+7.4%−8.1%+113%+411%+2,029%+863%+1,904%64.5%1.03−66.9%—$75B—
CIEN QualifiedCiena Corporation3/5 short3/3 long−6.6%−9.7%−32.1%+39.0%+97.5%+721%+546%+1,600%52.6%0.97−49.5%—$48B—
JBL QualifiedJabil Inc.3/5 short2/3 long−8.8%−9.4%−16.1%+15.3%+35.9%+123%+361%+1,264%39.6%0.97−57.3%—$29B—
APH QualifiedAmphenol Corporation3/5 short2/3 long−1.6%+5.5%+4.1%+14.3%+25.6%+311%+329%+965%32.2%1.07−37.5%—$196B—
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−13.0%−2.5%−25.3%−0.9%+9.6%+1,061%+3,143%+2,771%59.7%1.47−80.6%—$38B—
BELFB Hardware, Equipment & PartsBel Fuse Inc.2/5 short2/3 long−12.7%−20.2%−16.5%+23.1%+43.7%+425%+1,688%+872%52.1%1.37−79.8%—$2.6B—
COHR Hardware, Equipment & PartsCoherent, Inc.1/5 short2/3 long−27.9%−18.8%−33.3%+19.3%+92.8%+648%+295%+795%66.3%0.75−72.2%—$46B—
AAPL Consumer ElectronicsApple Inc.3/5 short1/3 long+0.2%+4.0%+24.6%+25.6%+29.9%+99.0%+133%+1,168%28.0%0.75−38.5%—$5.0T—
MSFT Software - InfrastructureMicrosoft Corporation3/5 short1/3 long+6.0%+32.5%+27.7%+13.2%+3.8%+66.6%+80.3%+946%28.2%0.56−37.1%—$3.9T—
FN Hardware, Equipment & PartsFabrinet1/5 short1/3 long−11.5%−28.1%−49.2%−25.9%−12.8%+121%+260%+732%57.1%0.74−52.4%—$13B—
FLEX Hardware, Equipment & PartsFlex Ltd.1/5 short1/3 long−21.6%−27.0%+3.8%+37.4%+39.4%+263%+365%+534%48.2%0.88−70.0%—$32B—
SANM Hardware, Equipment & PartsSanmina Corporation1/5 short1/3 long−19.0%−15.9%−3.2%+6.6%+28.0%+236%+343%+499%47.8%0.86−55.9%—$9.1B—
VIAV Communication EquipmentViavi Solutions Inc.4/5 short0/3 long−4.1%−11.9%−22.2%+91.3%+164%+359%+127%+376%47.9%0.58−62.9%—$8.5B—
VSH SemiconductorsVishay Intertechnology, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long−12.4%−23.3%+9.0%+88.8%+66.1%+32.0%+62.9%+146%47.2%0.44−63.5%—$4.0B—
CSCO Communication EquipmentCisco Systems, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−3.9%−3.2%+22.6%+42.2%+53.8%+118%+118%+374%26.1%0.73−42.0%—$421B—
TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
TEL SemiconductorsTE Connectivity plc3/5 short0/3 long+1.7%+5.6%−13.1%−7.4%−4.1%+90.6%+57.4%+311%28.7%0.46−47.7%—$62B—
LFUS Hardware, Equipment & PartsLittelfuse, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−6.3%−4.3%−2.4%+47.0%+43.2%+74.1%+38.3%+235%35.6%0.36−54.2%—$9.7B—
IPGP SemiconductorsIPG Photonics Corporation1/5 short0/3 long−6.8%−26.0%−42.4%−3.1%−16.9%−21.8%−55.8%−12.8%48.5%-0.10−81.1%—$3.1B—
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How did GLW do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where GLW ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with GLW 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 GLW; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places GLW among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of GLW20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
GLW This pageCorning Inc—+87.8%+60.7%−1.2%−11.6%+5.9%+27.6%−1.0%−3.3%+34.6%+36.3%−18.4%+31.2%+45.1%−0.2%−31.9%+1.1%+106%−59.8%+28.7%−4.8%+67.2%+12.7%+215%−62.8%−83.0%+23.3%+190%+23.6%−3.0%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 6 of 299 of 205 of 2016 of 208 of 2016 of 209 of 2019 of 207 of 207 of 208 of 2017 of 194 of 197 of 1917 of 1916 of 1916 of 187 of 1813 of 183 of 1712 of 162 of 166 of 161 of 1611 of 1616 of 167 of 164 of 168 of 1411 of 13
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF13 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%
LITE Lumentum Holdings Inc.5 of 10+339%+60.2%+0.5%−50.7%+11.6%+19.6%+88.8%−14.1%+26.5%+75.5%———————————————————
CIEN Ciena Corporation12 of 28+176%+88.4%−11.7%−33.8%+45.6%+23.8%+25.9%+62.0%−14.3%+18.0%+6.6%−18.9%+52.4%+29.8%−42.5%+94.2%+61.8%−80.4%+23.1%+33.3%−11.1%−49.1%+27.6%−64.1%−82.4%+183%+293%−76.1%—
JBL Jabil Inc.13 of 29+58.7%+13.3%+87.4%−2.5%+66.4%+3.9%+68.5%−4.4%+12.2%+3.4%+8.2%+27.3%−8.2%−0.4%−0.7%+18.2%+166%−54.6%−37.1%−33.3%+45.0%−9.6%+57.9%−21.1%−10.5%−30.4%+95.8%+87.5%+99.0%
APH Amphenol Corporation15 of 29+97.6%+41.6%+31.5%−11.9%+35.0%+22.1%+34.9%−6.9%+32.1%+31.0%−1.0%+21.7%+38.7%+43.6%−13.6%+13.9%+92.9%−48.2%+50.3%+40.5%+21.1%+15.0%+68.1%−20.7%+22.9%+17.3%+120%−45.8%+150%
CLS Celestica Inc.12 of 27+220%+215%+160%+1.3%+37.9%−2.4%−5.7%−16.3%−11.6%+7.4%−6.0%+12.9%+27.6%+11.2%−24.4%+2.8%+105%−20.5%−25.7%−26.0%−25.2%−6.4%+6.9%−65.1%−25.6%−2.3%+350%——
BELFB Bel Fuse Inc.13 of 27+106%+24.0%+104%+159%−12.3%−24.9%+13.1%−25.9%−17.7%+81.6%−35.9%+29.9%+10.9%+5.9%−20.4%+12.8%+3.0%−26.7%−15.3%+10.0%−5.3%+4.2%+64.0%−19.2%−25.7%+43.2%+41.0%——
COHR Coherent, Inc.17 of 29+94.8%+118%+24.0%−48.6%−10.1%+126%+3.7%−30.9%+58.4%+59.8%+36.0%−22.4%−3.6%+5.4%−20.8%+45.8%+66.5%−37.5%+9.3%+56.3%−15.8%+64.8%+60.6%−6.9%+13.4%+51.0%+156%−67.2%−8.4%
AAPL Apple Inc.19 of 29+9.0%+30.7%+49.0%−26.4%+34.6%+82.3%+89.0%−5.4%+48.5%+12.5%−3.0%+40.6%+8.0%+32.6%+25.5%+53.2%+147%−56.9%+133%+18.1%+123%+201%+49.1%−34.6%+47.2%−71.1%+151%+212%−37.1%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation15 of 29+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%−62.9%+68.4%+115%+56.5%
FN Fabrinet9 of 15+107%+15.5%+48.4%+8.2%+52.7%+19.7%+26.4%+78.8%−28.8%+69.2%+34.3%−13.7%+56.5%−4.0%−36.4%——————————————
FLEX Flex Ltd.16 of 29+57.4%+73.2%+3.3%+17.1%+1.9%+42.5%+65.8%−57.7%+25.2%+28.2%+0.3%+43.9%+25.1%+9.7%−27.9%+7.4%+186%−78.8%+5.1%+10.0%−24.5%−6.6%+80.7%−65.9%−15.8%+24.1%+115%+148%+24.2%
SANM Sanmina Corporation16 of 29+98.3%+47.3%−10.3%+38.2%+30.0%−6.9%+42.3%−27.1%−10.0%+78.1%−12.5%+40.9%+50.9%+18.9%−18.9%+4.1%+291%−74.2%−47.3%−19.0%−49.7%−32.8%+181%−77.4%−48.1%+53.4%+59.8%+84.5%+19.9%
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.11 of 29+76.4%+0.3%−4.2%−40.4%+17.6%−0.1%+49.3%+15.0%+6.9%+34.3%−21.9%+5.5%−3.8%+29.3%−27.9%+75.7%+125%−72.5%−20.2%−11.7%−25.6%−12.9%+47.3%−71.5%−79.2%−48.3%+830%+67.6%+57.7%
VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.12 of 29−12.2%−27.9%+13.0%+0.7%+7.4%−0.5%+20.6%−11.9%+30.0%+37.1%−13.1%+8.5%+24.7%+18.2%−38.8%+124%+144%−70.0%−15.7%−1.6%−8.3%−34.5%+105%−42.6%+28.9%−28.3%+173%−35.4%+6.5%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.13 of 29+33.5%+21.0%+9.3%−22.5%+45.8%−3.5%+13.8%+16.6%+31.3%+15.1%+0.6%+28.0%+16.7%+11.6%−9.6%−15.5%+46.9%−39.8%−1.0%+59.7%−11.4%−20.3%+85.0%−27.7%−52.6%−28.6%+131%+150%+31.2%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.16 of 29+11.8%−1.7%−3.4%−17.3%+43.5%+43.7%+45.6%+18.2%+35.0%−0.1%+13.8%+13.1%+75.8%+43.2%−18.8%+16.1%+40.0%−40.9%+27.4%+50.3%−0.2%+19.8%+25.3%−15.7%+5.6%+98.2%−11.4%−61.5%+6.7%
TEL TE Connectivity plc11 of 18+61.6%+3.5%+24.6%−27.7%+35.1%+28.9%+29.4%−18.9%+39.9%+9.8%+4.2%+16.9%+51.6%+23.4%−11.1%+47.5%+57.0%−55.5%———————————
LFUS Littelfuse, Inc.16 of 29+8.6%−11.0%+22.7%−29.4%+24.4%+34.5%+12.7%−12.6%+31.4%+43.3%+11.9%+5.1%+52.3%+45.6%−7.4%+46.9%+93.7%−49.6%+3.4%+17.0%−20.3%+18.5%+71.0%−35.8%−8.4%+18.0%+26.1%−22.6%+2.6%
IPGP IPG Photonics Corporation9 of 19−1.5%−33.0%+14.6%−45.0%−23.1%+54.4%+27.9%−47.1%+117%+10.7%+19.0%−3.5%+16.4%+98.8%+7.1%+89.0%+26.9%−34.1%−16.7%——————————
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Risk and diversification

How GLW 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 GLW's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents GLW'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.

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

DuringGLW fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−99.0%−45.7%Sep 2000Oct 20022.1 yearsSep 202522.9 years
No named crash−63.0%+4.9%Aug 1997Sep 199813 monthsApr 19997 months
No named crash−51.5%−1.6%Jun 2026Jul 20261 monthNot yet—
No named crash−44.4%—Aug 1987Oct 19872 monthsMay 198919 months
No named crash−40.5%—Dec 1991Oct 199322 monthsMay 19962.6 years

How did GLW do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far GLW, 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.

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

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
GLW This pageCorning Inc—−3.8%−30.9%−36.7%−21.7%−9.0%−13.5%−31.1%0.0%−71.6%−99.0%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF8 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
LITE Lumentum Holdings Inc.2 of 6−6.5%−36.3%−28.7%−40.1%−5.0%−34.1%————
CIEN Ciena Corporation5 of 10−2.9%−48.4%−22.4%−11.8%−4.7%−31.7%−41.8%−5.1%−89.5%−98.4%
JBL Jabil Inc.4 of 10−4.1%−28.9%−51.4%−28.1%−3.5%−28.3%−30.5%−3.8%−85.0%−82.5%
APH Amphenol Corporation7 of 10−3.8%−27.8%−33.8%−20.4%−7.5%−19.0%−21.9%−1.7%−63.6%−60.7%
CLS Celestica Inc.3 of 10−5.9%−35.6%−63.9%−22.4%−1.5%−38.0%−25.8%−0.4%−73.4%−88.1%
BELFB Bel Fuse Inc.2 of 10−13.5%−24.7%−55.1%−34.7%−9.3%−39.1%−34.6%−5.1%−73.6%−57.0%
COHR Coherent, Inc.2 of 10−10.7%−56.3%−43.0%−39.5%−9.8%−15.0%−40.4%−2.1%−68.2%−61.4%
AAPL Apple Inc.7 of 10−2.9%−27.4%−30.7%−36.5%−4.8%−23.4%−12.5%−4.3%−60.9%−81.2%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation7 of 10−2.0%−31.0%−27.7%−18.2%−7.4%−14.4%−14.1%−2.6%−57.9%−62.9%
FN Fabrinet4 of 7−4.7%−38.7%−25.0%−12.0%−3.8%−10.5%−30.8%———
FLEX Flex Ltd.4 of 10−8.0%−24.2%−57.5%−48.0%−6.1%−22.8%−27.3%−1.8%−87.9%−86.7%
SANM Sanmina Corporation3 of 10−5.2%−15.7%−38.2%−22.7%−4.8%−32.4%−46.4%−4.9%−92.4%−96.0%
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.3 of 10−3.0%−27.2%−37.5%−26.5%−3.0%−27.6%−41.5%−4.5%−86.0%−98.8%
VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.3 of 10−2.4%−22.2%−42.4%−21.6%−20.8%−16.4%−46.6%−2.0%−84.8%−88.5%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.7 of 10−1.4%−35.4%−29.1%−17.5%−5.3%−22.8%−16.6%−3.1%−60.0%−89.3%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.7 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
TEL TE Connectivity plc2 of 9−4.3%−33.3%−42.9%−23.2%−6.8%−22.7%−24.7%−3.5%−81.1%—
LFUS Littelfuse, Inc.1 of 10−3.7%−38.8%−43.8%−25.5%−9.5%−17.2%−31.3%−3.0%−77.4%−71.5%
IPGP IPG Photonics Corporation3 of 9−4.7%−52.4%−26.8%−37.6%−8.0%−23.9%−38.1%−2.1%−69.1%—
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How closely does GLW 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 GLW 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 GLW's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
GLW This pageCorning Inc107%67%1.611.14
CIEN Ciena Corporation129%64%2.021.07
LITE Lumentum Holdings Inc.162%101%1.611.24
FN Fabrinet115%72%1.601.12
APH Amphenol Corporation125%79%1.591.24
CLS Celestica Inc.183%115%1.592.17
JBL Jabil Inc.138%91%1.531.32
AAPL Apple Inc.137%94%1.461.15
MSFT Microsoft Corporation127%91%1.390.96
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.98%76%1.300.97
SANM Sanmina Corporation127%111%1.151.37
COHR Coherent, Inc.162%146%1.111.80
FLEX Flex Ltd.136%124%1.101.57
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.101%96%1.060.97
BELFB Bel Fuse Inc.168%160%1.051.61
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
TEL TE Connectivity plc109%120%0.911.26
LFUS Littelfuse, Inc.124%154%0.811.34
VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.118%160%0.741.61
IPGP IPG Photonics Corporation65%130%0.501.15
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What diversifies GLW?

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 GLW's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing GLW 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 GLW lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% GLW and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20232022201920182015201220112008200620022001199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
GLW Corning Inc (this page)1.00+292%0.86−1.2%−11.6%−1.0%−3.3%−18.4%−0.2%−31.9%−59.8%−4.8%−62.8%−83.0%−3.0%44.9%+36.7%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.34+119%1.48+17.4%+3.8%+17.8%−5.2%————————36.6%+34.7%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.45+225%1.34+42.0%+6.0%+18.9%−19.8%+7.7%+19.6%−16.1%−20.8%————37.1%+36.7%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.37+101%1.04+8.0%+10.4%+23.4%−8.7%−25.3%———————37.0%+34.2%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.29+83.3%1.00+1.8%+7.1%+20.1%−3.0%−0.3%+9.6%——————36.8%+33.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.08+126%0.96+12.7%−0.8%+17.9%−1.9%−10.7%+6.6%+9.6%+4.9%+22.6%———36.3%+35.3%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.11+177%0.93−0.6%+64.4%+11.7%−18.2%−21.5%+5.2%+2.8%−39.0%+18.0%−14.8%−18.2%—36.8%+36.7%
DFIV InternationalDimensional - International Value ETF0.30+99.4%0.93+17.7%−3.7%——————————37.0%+34.4%
VTV Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Value ETF0.44+76.6%0.90+9.3%−2.1%+25.7%−5.5%−1.0%+15.2%+1.1%−35.9%+22.4%———37.2%+33.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20232022201920182015201220112008200620022001199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
GLW Corning Inc (this page)1.00+292%0.86−1.2%−11.6%−1.0%−3.3%−18.4%−0.2%−31.9%−59.8%−4.8%−62.8%−83.0%−3.0%44.9%+36.7%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.27+479%1.55+34.1%+54.1%+18.0%−24.5%+12.6%+3.8%+8.1%−39.6%−5.8%−8.3%−2.5%+29.1%37.7%+39.3%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.32+3,143%1.47+160%+1.3%−5.7%−16.3%−6.0%+11.2%−24.4%−20.5%−26.0%−65.1%−25.6%—41.1%+53.1%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.49+1,636%1.46+79.6%+17.0%+15.1%+0.8%+67.7%+15.7%−17.0%−15.2%+38.9%−9.4%+73.7%—41.0%+48.2%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.04+413%1.44+24.1%+51.8%+26.7%−28.4%−4.5%+25.6%+11.8%−40.4%−1.2%−27.2%+4.9%+96.3%36.4%+39.4%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.06+690%1.41+30.4%+86.6%+6.0%−8.2%+17.4%+94.3%——————36.9%+42.5%
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Common questions

What was GLW's worst drawdown?

GLW's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 99.0%, from September 2000 to October 2002. It took about 23 years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were GLW's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, GLW's best year was 2003, when it returned 215%. Its worst was 2001, with a return of -83.0%.

Is there a better investment than GLW?

Among GLW's popular alternatives, APH and JBL earned more than GLW with less volatility over the past 5 years. APH returned 33.8% a year at 32.2% volatility, against 31.4% a year at 42.1%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, SMH (semiconductors) earned more than GLW with less volatility over the past 5 years: 33.4% a year at 36.9% volatility, against 31.4% a year at 42.1%.

Is GLW more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. GLW's volatility over the past 5 years was 42.1%, 2.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, GLW's return lands within 42.1% 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 GLW's Sharpe ratio?

GLW's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.86, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so GLW earned more 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 GLW with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, GLW's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.39 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against GLW instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a GLW holding.

What are the best alternatives to GLW?

Of the 19 popular alternatives we compared, four outperformed GLW in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: LITE, CIEN and JBL.

Did GLW outperform the S&P 500?

GLW finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 16 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +87.8%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did GLW do in stock market crashes?

GLW fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in eight. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when GLW fell 99.0% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies GLW?

These had a low correlation with GLW over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.34), DXJ (correlation 0.45) and EMLP (correlation 0.37); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.27), CLS (correlation 0.32) and FIX (correlation 0.49). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

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Popular alternatives to GLW

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