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Relative Intelligence · Animal Health

How IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on IDXX alone. It places IDXX (IDEXX Laboratories, 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 IDXX stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: IDXX's full trading record, from June 1991 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 IDXX →Chart IDXX vs. 19 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in IDXX over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of IDXX over the same span and IDXX'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. 27 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IDXX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M$10M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M$10M19972004201120182025
  • MNST$46M+456,538% total · +33.7% a year
  • AAPL$21M+205,249% total · +30.1% a year
  • APH$3M+29,926% total · +21.7% a year
  • ORLY$2M+22,426% total · +20.5% a year
  • GILD$2M+15,614% total · +19.1% a year
  • IDXX$1M+12,363% total · +18.1% a year
  • DGX$784,474+7,745% total · +16.2% a year
  • LH$575,914+5,659% total · +15.0% a year
  • TMO$235,386+2,254% total · +11.5% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,851 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IDXX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000202120222023202420252026$0$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000202120222023202420252026
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • DGX$17,761+77.6% total · +12.2% a year
  • LH$13,440+34.4% total · +6.1% a year
  • WAT$12,298+23.0% total · +4.2% a year
  • TMO$11,986+19.9% total · +3.7% a year
  • A$11,334+13.3% total · +2.5% a year
  • BDX$10,410+4.1% total · +0.8% a year
  • VEEV$9,905−0.9% total · −0.2% a year
  • IDXX$8,397−16.0% total · −3.4% a year
  • FRPT$4,034−59.7% total · −16.6% a year
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IDXX 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
$44B
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Price history from
June 1991

Returns

Past 1 year
−13.3%total return
Past 3 years
+30.7%+9.3% a year
Past 5 years
−13.1%−2.8% a year
Past 10 years
+398%+17.4% a year
Best calendar year
+91.4%2020
Worst calendar year
−40.1%1999
Losing years
6 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
35.7%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.10return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−73.1%Oct 2006 to Jun 2007
From its all-time high
−27.2%below the peak

IDXX against the whole market

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

How does IDXX rank among all stocks?

This section ranks IDXX 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 IDXX 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.

MeasureIDXXRankStanding
1-year return−13.3%2,451 of 3,287bottom 26%
3-year return+30.7%1,836 of 3,017bottom 40%
5-year return−13.1%1,922 of 2,893bottom 35%
10-year return+398%421 of 2,202top 19%
Volatility, 5 years35.7%1,185 of 2,893top 41%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.102,125 of 2,893bottom 28%
Worst decline, past 10 years−54.0%618 of 2,187top 28%

What has beaten IDXX 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). IDXX sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than IDXX 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 IDXX; faint dots are 91 more of the 1,777 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%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than IDXXPGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%MUSA: +26.1% a year, volatility 31.2%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%PWB: +14.8% a year, volatility 22.2%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%ILCG: +11.2% a year, volatility 22.4%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%BFC: +19.0% a year, volatility 27.3%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%SMFG: +33.7% a year, volatility 29.4%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%TXN: +9.9% a year, volatility 33.7%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%T: +9.8% a year, volatility 25.2%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%RIO: +12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%IEMG: +6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%JCI: +17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%VZ: +2.7% a year, volatility 22.9%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%RSP: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.1%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%NGG: +11.8% a year, volatility 22.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%CSX: +8.3% a year, volatility 23.3%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%RACE: +13.3% a year, volatility 30.0%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%TRP: +10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%AJG: +10.9% a year, volatility 24.2%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%VXF: +4.9% a year, volatility 22.4%ITW: +6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%ECL: +6.7% a year, volatility 24.1%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%MCO: +5.9% a year, volatility 26.9%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%IDXX: −2.8% a year, volatility 35.7%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%LH: +7.3% a year, volatility 23.8%WAT: +4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%BDX: +2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%AZN: +8.7% a year, volatility 35.7%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%IDXXSPY (S&P 500)TMODGXLHWATABDXORLYLLYABBVJNJNVSAZNGOOGMSFTVGTADIMDTCAHMPC0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than IDXXPGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%MUSA: +26.1% a year, volatility 31.2%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%PWB: +14.8% a year, volatility 22.2%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%ILCG: +11.2% a year, volatility 22.4%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%BFC: +19.0% a year, volatility 27.3%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%SMFG: +33.7% a year, volatility 29.4%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%TXN: +9.9% a year, volatility 33.7%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%T: +9.8% a year, volatility 25.2%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%RIO: +12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%IEMG: +6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%JCI: +17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%VZ: +2.7% a year, volatility 22.9%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%RSP: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.1%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%NGG: +11.8% a year, volatility 22.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%CSX: +8.3% a year, volatility 23.3%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%RACE: +13.3% a year, volatility 30.0%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%TRP: +10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%AJG: +10.9% a year, volatility 24.2%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%VXF: +4.9% a year, volatility 22.4%ITW: +6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%ECL: +6.7% a year, volatility 24.1%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%MCO: +5.9% a year, volatility 26.9%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%IDXX: −2.8% a year, volatility 35.7%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%LH: +7.3% a year, volatility 23.8%WAT: +4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%BDX: +2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%AZN: +8.7% a year, volatility 35.7%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%IDXXSPY (S&P 500)TMOLHWATBDXORLYLLYABBVJNJNVSAZNGOOGMDTCAHMPC
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than IDXX?

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

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

Screen the whole market against IDXX for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 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 IDXX?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
IDXXIDEXX Laboratories, Inc. · this page
−2.8%35.7%0.10−54.0%+398%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.680.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against IDXX. 9 of 19 passed at least one test.
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.49—
DGXQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical Diagnostics
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.3%22.5%0.63−36.6%+243%0.42—
LHLabcorp Holdings Inc. · Medical Diagnostics
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+7.3%23.8%0.42−46.6%+184%0.63—
WATWaters Corporation · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+4.5%33.9%0.30−44.3%+182%0.54—
AAgilent Technologies, Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+2.6%30.6%0.24−43.2%+306%0.59—
BDXBecton, Dickinson and Company · Medical Devices
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+2.3%24.1%0.22−39.9%+71.4%0.22—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Animal Health and the categories next to it (Life Sciences Tools, Specialty Retail, Medical Diagnostics, Pharmaceuticals), plus IDXX's specific themes. 34 of 62 passed at least one test.
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+15.9%23.4%0.75−42.0%+393%0.32—
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%0.18—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.28—
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.28—
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.42—
AZNAstraZeneca PLC · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+8.7%35.7%0.41−28.7%+257%0.33—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 2,256 of 3,552 passed at least one test.
GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+19.0%32.0%0.71−44.6%+752%0.42—
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.45—
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.55—
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.580.18%
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.46—
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.510.09%
ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+19.5%34.1%0.69−33.6%+652%0.55—
MDTMedtronic Plc · Medical Devices
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods−1.8%22.5%0.03−45.1%+46.7%0.42—
What these numbers mean for IDXX
Annual return
IDXX lost 2.8% 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 $8,690. 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
IDXX's volatility over the past 5 years was 35.7%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IDXX's return lands within 35.7% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
IDXX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.10, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so IDXX 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
IDXX's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 54.0%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 54.0% fall takes a 117% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, IDXX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.68 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 IDXX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IDXX holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,777 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than IDXX 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 IDXXExpense
1
GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services
Whole market+19.0%32.0%0.71−44.6%+752%0.42—
2
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Whole market+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.45—
3
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.55—
4
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.580.18%
5
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.46—
6
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.510.09%
7
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.11—
8
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.33—
9
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.52—
10
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.37—
11
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.36—
12
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%22.4%0.67−34.5%+451%0.620.04%
13
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.24—
14
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.46—
15
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.690.03%
16
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.680.03%
17
MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores
Whole market+26.1%31.2%0.90−35.5%+706%-0.05—
18
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.33—
19
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.47—
20
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Same or nearby category+15.9%23.4%0.75−42.0%+393%0.32—
21
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Whole market+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.38—
22
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.46—
23
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.550.50%
24
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.42—
25
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.360.48%
26
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.540.40%
27
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.39—
28
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.700.05%
29
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.46—
30
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.23—
31
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.41—
32
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.11—
33
PWBInvesco Large Cap Growth ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.8%22.2%0.74−32.4%+409%0.540.55%
34
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Whole market+33.8%32.2%1.07−37.5%+965%0.48—
35
ILCGiShares Morningstar Growth ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.2%22.4%0.59−35.4%+403%0.610.04%
36
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.620.03%
37
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.23—
38
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.16—
39
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.720.03%
40
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.44—
41
BFCBank First Corporation · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.0%27.3%0.78−39.8%+496%0.27—
42
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.6%30.6%1.10−45.7%+345%0.32—
43
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.290.40%
44
IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation · IT Services
Whole market+16.6%30.5%0.66−41.1%+151%0.17—
45
SMFGSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.7%29.4%1.14−47.6%+474%0.31—
46
BHPBHP Group Limited · Metals & Mining
Whole market+16.6%31.4%0.65−44.3%+398%0.43—
47
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.28—
48
TXNTexas Instruments Incorporated · Semiconductors
Whole market+9.9%33.7%0.45−33.4%+424%0.42—
49
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.6%29.1%0.85−41.6%+521%-0.02—
50
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.710.19%
51
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.53—
52
VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.8%17.6%0.47−39.4%+198%0.710.03%
53
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+14.4%29.9%0.60−37.9%+755%0.27—
54
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.710.04%
55
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.29—
56
TTTrane Technologies plc · Building Products
Whole market+22.7%27.7%0.88−40.5%+955%0.47—
57
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.35—
58
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.580.06%
59
TAT&T Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+9.8%25.2%0.50−39.4%+60.7%0.17—
60
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.33—
61
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+12.9%19.9%0.71−46.9%+187%0.63—
62
RIORio Tinto Group · Metals & Mining
Whole market+12.2%29.0%0.54−37.5%+464%0.40—
63
UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+7.1%22.9%0.42−38.7%+295%0.55—
64
VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.2%20.6%0.40−42.0%+179%0.690.03%
65
BLKBlackRock, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+7.1%27.1%0.39−43.9%+313%0.59—
66
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.46—
67
LMTLockheed Martin Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+11.1%24.2%0.56−36.7%+204%0.09—
68
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.730.06%
69
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−38.4%+170%0.11—
70
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.49—
71
IEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+6.8%19.4%0.44−38.7%+122%0.510.09%
72
VWOVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+5.2%17.5%0.38−36.4%+102%0.540.06%
73
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.34—
74
JCIJohnson Controls International plc · Building Products
Whole market+17.4%29.1%0.70−46.4%+426%0.58—
75
VZVerizon Communications Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+2.7%22.9%0.23−41.2%+55.8%0.21—
76
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.18—
77
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.45—
78
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.690.79%
79
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.1%0.57−39.0%+211%0.720.20%
80
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.33—
81
NGGNational Grid plc · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.8%22.6%0.61−39.2%+118%0.47—
82
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.630.85%
83
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.31—
84
DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.5%18.0%0.50−37.4%+132%0.28—
85
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%0.31—
86
ALLThe Allstate Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.0%26.2%0.73−41.4%+356%0.14—
87
CSXCSX Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+8.3%23.3%0.46−40.5%+446%0.49—
88
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Whole market+14.4%22.1%0.72−42.7%+481%0.49—
89
RACEFerrari N.V. · Automobiles
Whole market+13.3%30.0%0.57−39.2%+711%0.47—
90
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.680.26%
91
TRPTC Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+10.8%21.9%0.58−41.6%+160%0.31—
92
AJGArthur J. Gallagher & Co. · Insurance
Whole market+10.9%24.2%0.55−44.4%+516%0.29—
93
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.2%19.2%0.46−29.0%+68.8%0.25—
94
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+5.4%21.8%0.35−34.3%+240%0.60—
95
VXFVanguard Extended Market ETF · US Extended Market
Whole market+4.9%22.4%0.33−41.7%+194%0.670.05%
96
ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+6.7%21.4%0.41−37.9%+208%0.58—
97
ECLEcolab Inc. · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+6.7%24.1%0.39−43.7%+176%0.62—
98
JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+7.5%11.0%0.71−13.7%—0.670.35%
99
MCOMoody's Corporation · Financial Data
Whole market+5.9%26.9%0.35−42.0%+383%0.64—
100
CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+21.5%25.1%0.91−43.2%+463%0.28—

IDXX against its popular alternatives

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

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

Green points earned more than IDXX 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%−40.0%−30.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIDXX: −2.8% a year, volatility 35.7%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%A: 2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%DGX: 12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%LH: 7.3% a year, volatility 23.8%WAT: 4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%FRPT: −15.3% a year, volatility 50.9%BDX: 2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%HSIC: 1.5% a year, volatility 25.4%ELAN: −7.6% a year, volatility 45.8%BIO: −13.9% a year, volatility 37.9%NEOG: −22.2% a year, volatility 50.8%TRUP: −22.8% a year, volatility 71.4%QDEL: −35.9% a year, volatility 63.7%CHWY: −20.1% a year, volatility 61.0%WOOF: −36.9% a year, volatility 73.8%VEEV: −0.1% a year, volatility 39.6%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%ZTS: −16.3% a year, volatility 29.6%IDXXSPY (S&P 500)TMOALHWATFRPTBDXABTHSICELANBIONEOGTRUPQDELCHWYWOOFVEEVDHRZTS0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%−40.0%−30.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIDXX: −2.8% a year, volatility 35.7%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%A: 2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%DGX: 12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%LH: 7.3% a year, volatility 23.8%WAT: 4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%FRPT: −15.3% a year, volatility 50.9%BDX: 2.3% a year, volatility 24.1%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%HSIC: 1.5% a year, volatility 25.4%ELAN: −7.6% a year, volatility 45.8%BIO: −13.9% a year, volatility 37.9%NEOG: −22.2% a year, volatility 50.8%TRUP: −22.8% a year, volatility 71.4%QDEL: −35.9% a year, volatility 63.7%CHWY: −20.1% a year, volatility 61.0%WOOF: −36.9% a year, volatility 73.8%VEEV: −0.1% a year, volatility 39.6%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%ZTS: −16.3% a year, volatility 29.6%IDXXSPY (S&P 500)TMOALHWATFRPTBDXABTELANBIONEOGTRUPQDELCHWYVEEVDHRZTS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
DGX Quest Diagnostics Incorporated+12.3%22.5%
LH Labcorp Holdings Inc.+7.3%23.8%
WAT Waters Corporation+4.5%33.9%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
A Agilent Technologies, Inc.+2.6%30.6%
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company+2.3%24.1%
HSIC Henry Schein, Inc.+1.5%25.4%
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.−0.1%39.6%
ABT Abbott Laboratories−1.7%23.1%
IDXX This pageIDEXX Laboratories, Inc.−2.8%35.7%
DHR Danaher Corporation−3.8%29.1%
ELAN Elanco Animal Health Incorporated−7.6%45.8%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.−13.9%37.9%
FRPT Freshpet, Inc.−15.3%50.9%
ZTS Zoetis Inc.−16.3%29.6%
CHWY Chewy, Inc.−20.1%61.0%
NEOG Neogen Corporation−22.2%50.8%
TRUP Trupanion, Inc.−22.8%71.4%
QDEL QuidelOrtho Corporation−35.9%63.7%
WOOF Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.−36.9%73.8%
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Has IDXX consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than IDXX 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
IDXX IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (this page)—+8.3%−1.0%−4.3%−16.7%−13.3%+30.7%−13.1%+398%35.7%0.10−54.0%—$44B—
VEEV QualifiedVeeva Systems Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+22.0%+61.4%+88.7%+45.2%+11.5%+59.0%−0.4%+715%39.6%0.19−55.7%—$52B—
TMO QualifiedThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
A QualifiedAgilent Technologies, Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+7.1%+33.1%+43.6%+26.4%+22.0%+62.1%+13.8%+306%30.6%0.24−43.2%—$49B—
DGX QualifiedQuest Diagnostics Incorporated4/5 short2/3 long−2.9%+14.5%+21.6%+38.6%+26.5%+103%+78.5%+243%22.5%0.63−36.6%—$26B—
LH QualifiedLabcorp Holdings Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+0.7%+15.0%+20.6%+29.3%+12.2%+67.4%+42.4%+184%23.8%0.42−46.6%—$26B—
WAT QualifiedWaters Corporation4/5 short2/3 long+4.5%+23.9%+31.9%+15.9%+29.0%+74.6%+24.4%+182%33.9%0.30−44.3%—$43B—
FRPT Packaged FoodsFreshpet, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long+7.6%+16.0%−3.0%+9.8%+27.7%+19.5%−56.3%+630%50.9%-0.07−79.0%—$3.2B—
BDX Medical - Instruments & SuppliesBecton, Dickinson and Company4/5 short1/3 long+7.2%+26.2%+23.7%+28.9%+32.3%+1.6%+12.2%+71.4%24.1%0.22−39.9%—$53B—
ABT Medical - DevicesAbbott Laboratories3/5 short1/3 long+0.3%+1.6%+8.4%−15.3%−18.7%+13.0%−8.0%+204%23.1%0.04−39.6%—$178B—
HSIC Medical - DistributionHenry Schein, Inc.3/5 short1/3 long−0.6%−1.8%+7.0%+10.2%+32.5%+24.0%+7.9%+41.3%25.4%0.19−41.4%—$9.4B—
ELAN Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & GenericElanco Animal Health Incorporated2/5 short1/3 long+1.2%−9.7%−4.1%+0.8%+4.5%+148%−32.6%—45.8%0.05−78.0%—$11B—
DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation4/5 short0/3 long+4.0%+11.6%+15.0%−2.2%+8.3%+10.8%−17.6%+232%29.1%0.01−43.8%—$157B—
BIO Medical - DevicesBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long−6.0%+17.4%+16.9%+16.1%+10.1%+14.1%−52.5%+115%37.9%-0.21−73.8%—$9.5B—
NEOG Medical - DevicesNeogen Corporation4/5 short0/3 long−13.9%+17.1%+21.7%+67.4%+99.0%−22.1%−71.5%−41.0%50.8%-0.24−90.9%—$2.6B—
TRUP Insurance - Property & CasualtyTrupanion, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+15.0%+7.6%−0.4%−22.7%−34.7%+26.6%−72.6%+77.3%71.4%0.00−87.3%—$1.3B—
ZTS Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & GenericZoetis Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+12.2%+5.0%−34.3%−35.4%−43.8%−50.1%−59.0%+70.3%29.6%-0.45−70.5%—$33B—
QDEL Medical - SpecialtiesQuidelOrtho Corporation2/5 short0/3 long+30.8%−14.3%+10.2%−50.6%−51.0%−78.8%−89.2%−33.1%63.7%-0.38−96.7%—$974M—
CHWY Specialty RetailChewy, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+5.0%−2.1%−25.4%−35.7%−42.5%+28.2%−67.3%—61.0%-0.07−87.4%—$8.7B—
WOOF Specialty RetailPetco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−1.7%−14.0%−23.1%−18.2%−36.7%−32.3%−90.0%—73.8%-0.27−94.9%—$667M—
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How did IDXX do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of IDXX20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
IDXX This pageIDEXX Laboratories, Inc.—+63.6%−25.5%+36.0%−38.0%+31.7%+91.4%+40.4%+18.9%+33.4%+60.8%−1.6%+39.4%+14.6%+20.6%+11.2%+29.5%+48.2%−38.5%+47.9%+10.2%+31.9%+18.0%+40.9%+15.2%+29.6%+36.5%−40.1%+69.1%−11.6%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 12 of 292 of 2018 of 202 of 2013 of 208 of 196 of 199 of 185 of 1710 of 172 of 1715 of 171 of 1511 of 135 of 132 of 133 of 133 of 139 of 133 of 1311 of 133 of 137 of 138 of 133 of 134 of 128 of 1210 of 113 of 118 of 11
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF8 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%
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.6 of 12+6.2%+9.2%+19.3%−36.8%−6.2%+93.5%+57.5%+61.6%+35.8%+41.1%+9.2%−17.7%—————————————————
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.13 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%
A Agilent Technologies, Inc.11 of 26+1.9%−2.7%−6.4%−5.5%+35.5%+39.8%+27.5%+1.7%+48.3%+10.2%+3.5%+0.8%+41.1%+18.4%−15.7%+33.4%+98.7%−57.4%+5.4%+11.1%+38.1%−17.6%+62.8%−37.0%−47.9%−29.2%———
DGX Quest Diagnostics Incorporated9 of 29+17.2%+11.8%−10.1%−7.4%+47.9%+14.1%+31.1%−13.8%+9.1%+31.9%+8.4%+28.0%−6.2%+1.5%+8.4%−10.0%+17.2%−1.1%+0.6%+3.7%+8.5%+31.6%+28.5%−20.7%+1.0%+364%+72.0%+5.4%+11.3%
LH Labcorp Holdings Inc.10 of 29+10.6%+2.2%+13.8%−24.4%+54.4%+20.3%+33.9%−20.8%+24.3%+3.8%+14.6%+18.1%+5.5%+0.8%−2.2%+17.5%+16.2%−14.7%+2.8%+36.5%+8.1%+34.8%+59.0%−42.5%−8.1%+377%+168%−21.6%−39.0%
WAT Waters Corporation14 of 29+2.4%+12.7%−3.9%−8.1%+50.6%+5.9%+23.9%−2.4%+43.8%−0.1%+19.4%+12.7%+14.8%+17.6%−4.7%+25.4%+69.1%−53.6%+61.5%+29.5%−19.2%+41.1%+52.3%−43.8%−53.6%+215%+21.5%+129%+25.6%
FRPT Freshpet, Inc.6 of 11−58.9%+70.7%+64.4%−44.6%−32.9%+140%+83.7%+69.7%+86.7%+19.6%−50.2%——————————————————
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company7 of 24−12.5%−5.3%−2.7%+5.1%+1.9%−6.8%+22.2%+6.6%+31.2%+9.2%+12.6%+28.3%+44.3%+7.3%−9.7%+9.4%+17.6%−16.9%+20.7%+18.3%+7.2%+39.8%+35.6%−6.4%—————
ABT Abbott Laboratories11 of 29+12.9%+4.8%+2.3%−20.7%+30.5%+28.1%+22.1%+29.1%+52.0%−12.3%+1.9%+20.1%+24.3%+20.3%+21.8%−8.3%+4.6%−2.5%+18.1%+26.9%−13.5%+9.2%+19.3%−26.8%+17.0%+35.8%−24.7%+51.9%+31.4%
HSIC Henry Schein, Inc.10 of 29+9.2%−8.6%−5.2%+3.0%+16.0%+0.2%+8.3%+12.3%−7.9%−4.1%+16.2%+19.1%+42.1%+24.8%+5.0%+16.7%+43.4%−40.2%+25.4%+12.3%+25.4%+3.0%+50.2%+21.5%+6.9%+160%−70.2%+27.8%+1.8%
ELAN Elanco Animal Health Incorporated2 of 7+86.9%−18.7%+21.9%−56.9%−7.5%+4.1%−6.6%——————————————————————
DHR Danaher Corporation14 of 29+0.4%−0.4%−1.2%−19.0%+48.6%+45.4%+49.5%+11.8%+20.0%+73.2%+9.3%+11.6%+38.3%+19.1%−0.1%+25.7%+33.0%−35.4%+21.3%+30.1%−2.7%+25.3%+39.7%+9.1%−11.7%+41.5%−11.0%+72.4%+35.2%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.10 of 29−7.8%+1.7%−23.2%−44.4%+29.6%+57.5%+59.4%−2.7%+30.9%+31.5%+15.0%−2.5%+17.7%+9.4%−7.5%+7.7%+28.1%−27.3%+25.6%+26.1%+14.1%−0.5%+49.0%+22.3%+99.1%+36.0%+11.3%−19.6%−12.9%
NEOG Neogen Corporation11 of 29−42.4%−39.6%+32.0%−66.5%+14.5%+21.5%+14.5%−7.6%+24.6%+16.8%+14.0%+8.5%+51.3%+47.9%−25.3%+73.9%+41.8%−6.1%+79.3%+6.0%−7.5%+14.5%+65.4%−17.4%+123%+54.8%−25.7%−37.8%+58.1%
TRUP Trupanion, Inc.5 of 11−22.5%+58.0%−35.8%−64.0%+10.3%+220%+47.1%−13.0%+88.6%+59.0%+40.8%——————————————————
ZTS Zoetis Inc.5 of 12−21.8%−16.6%+35.9%−39.5%+48.3%+25.8%+55.7%+19.5%+35.6%+12.7%+12.1%+32.8%—————————————————
QDEL QuidelOrtho Corporation12 of 29−35.9%−39.6%−14.0%−36.5%−24.9%+139%+53.7%+12.6%+102%+1.0%−26.7%−6.4%+65.5%+23.4%+4.7%+4.9%+5.4%−32.9%+43.0%+26.6%+112%−52.8%+211%−55.0%+52.9%−26.9%+182%−32.8%−19.3%
CHWY Chewy, Inc.2 of 6−1.3%+41.7%−36.3%−37.1%−34.4%+210%———————————————————————
WOOF Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.1 of 4−26.3%+20.6%−66.7%−52.1%—————————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How IDXX 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 IDXX's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents IDXX's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1991, 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 IDXX fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringIDXX fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−73.1%+12.1%Oct 2006Jun 20078 monthsJun 2007Under a month
No named crash−62.9%+22.2%Feb 1996Apr 199714 monthsNov 199819 months
2008 financial crisis−57.3%−47.1%Nov 2007Nov 200812 monthsApr 201017 months
2022 bear market−54.0%−17.6%Aug 2021Oct 202214 monthsNov 20253.1 years
No named crash−47.5%+5.5%Jun 1999Jan 20007 monthsFeb 20001 month

How did IDXX do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far IDXX, 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 IDXX.

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
IDXX This pageIDEXX Laboratories, Inc.—−5.7%−46.4%−37.1%−29.4%−9.2%−17.8%−24.0%−3.6%−57.3%−32.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF9 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.4 of 6−4.6%−40.0%−26.7%−26.5%−9.5%−28.9%————
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.6 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
A Agilent Technologies, Inc.4 of 10−3.7%−25.3%−25.8%−16.1%−8.7%−17.6%−37.3%−4.2%−67.6%−92.4%
DGX Quest Diagnostics Incorporated8 of 10−2.7%−22.3%−35.0%−26.1%−6.5%−17.8%−19.3%−1.0%−29.2%−46.6%
LH Labcorp Holdings Inc.6 of 10−4.7%−29.6%−45.5%−30.6%−3.8%−19.5%−18.4%−1.4%−33.5%−63.1%
WAT Waters Corporation5 of 10−1.6%−26.3%−25.3%−14.7%−9.7%−16.6%−26.4%−3.4%−60.7%−80.1%
FRPT Freshpet, Inc.2 of 6−10.1%−65.9%−42.7%−27.4%−3.7%−63.1%————
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company8 of 9−2.0%−19.7%−21.8%−20.4%−10.8%−15.1%−18.3%−1.6%−34.1%—
ABT Abbott Laboratories7 of 10−2.5%−27.9%−29.7%−11.7%−8.8%−27.4%−11.5%−0.5%−22.3%−45.7%
HSIC Henry Schein, Inc.9 of 10−1.0%−28.5%−41.4%−17.7%−4.7%−12.8%−18.3%−3.0%−47.8%−25.6%
ELAN Elanco Animal Health Incorporated1 of 4−12.7%−59.5%−46.5%−18.1%——————
DHR Danaher Corporation8 of 10−3.2%−22.8%−25.9%−13.4%−9.8%−14.0%−21.8%−0.6%−45.7%−33.7%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.7 of 10−1.9%−45.3%−21.8%−29.7%−8.0%−18.1%−25.4%−0.5%−50.9%−29.1%
NEOG Neogen Corporation4 of 10−6.4%−73.4%−25.8%−41.0%−7.5%−23.5%−31.4%−2.1%−41.7%−54.5%
TRUP Trupanion, Inc.2 of 6−13.0%−57.8%−29.4%−37.4%−7.0%−25.3%————
ZTS Zoetis Inc.5 of 6−4.2%−34.9%−35.7%−16.7%−6.9%−18.9%————
QDEL QuidelOrtho Corporation6 of 10−3.9%−48.2%−17.3%−34.9%−7.4%−30.6%−19.1%−0.5%−56.6%−80.2%
CHWY Chewy, Inc.2 of 3−3.7%−57.1%−26.2%———————
WOOF Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.0 of 2−8.7%−52.7%————————
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How closely does IDXX 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 IDXX 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 IDXX's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
IDXX This pageIDEXX Laboratories, Inc.128%145%0.881.27
DGX Quest Diagnostics Incorporated69%54%1.280.80
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.113%89%1.260.87
DHR Danaher Corporation84%84%1.010.75
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
ABT Abbott Laboratories76%79%0.960.64
FRPT Freshpet, Inc.147%157%0.941.24
LH Labcorp Holdings Inc.81%91%0.890.97
A Agilent Technologies, Inc.120%141%0.851.13
WAT Waters Corporation107%139%0.771.01
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.104%146%0.710.99
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company53%77%0.690.48
ZTS Zoetis Inc.64%101%0.640.72
HSIC Henry Schein, Inc.72%124%0.590.85
TRUP Trupanion, Inc.129%223%0.581.67
NEOG Neogen Corporation104%231%0.451.17
QDEL QuidelOrtho Corporation22%95%0.240.38
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What diversifies IDXX?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242022201520081999199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IDXX IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (this page)1.00−13.1%0.10−25.5%−38.0%−1.6%−38.5%−40.1%−11.6%35.6%−3.4%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.36+225%1.34+29.8%+6.0%+7.7%−20.8%——29.5%+3.0%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.41+101%1.04+33.4%+10.4%−25.3%———29.8%+0.9%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.48+83.3%1.00+14.1%+7.1%−0.3%———29.9%+0.3%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.44+323%0.97+39.1%−33.5%−0.3%−44.7%——32.1%+4.8%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.29+126%0.96+26.7%−0.8%−10.7%+4.9%——29.6%+1.6%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.46+136%0.93+45.8%−10.4%————30.6%+2.0%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.13+177%0.93+5.6%+64.4%−21.5%−39.0%+18.1%—29.6%+2.8%
EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF0.37+153%0.89+16.1%−28.9%−12.9%−45.3%——30.7%+2.2%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242022201520081999199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IDXX IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (this page)1.00−13.1%0.10−25.5%−38.0%−1.6%−38.5%−40.1%−11.6%35.6%−3.4%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.24+479%1.55+19.0%+54.1%+12.6%−39.6%−36.8%+29.1%30.1%+5.0%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.22+3,143%1.47+215%+1.3%−6.0%−20.5%+350%—33.0%+16.4%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.34+1,636%1.46+107%+17.0%+67.7%−15.2%−58.7%—32.6%+12.4%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.11+413%1.44+23.7%+51.8%−4.5%−40.4%−71.3%+96.3%29.4%+4.6%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.20+690%1.41−4.0%+86.6%+17.4%———30.4%+6.9%
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Common questions

What was IDXX's worst drawdown?

IDXX's deepest decline since it began trading in 1991 was 73.1%, from October 2006 to June 2007. It was back at its old high within a month of the low.

What were IDXX's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, IDXX's best year was 2020, when it returned 91.4%. Its worst was 1999, with a return of -40.1%.

Is there a better investment than IDXX?

Among IDXX's popular alternatives, TMO, DGX and LH earned more than IDXX with less volatility over the past 5 years. TMO returned 2.9% a year at 27.8% volatility, against a loss of 2.8% a year at 35.7%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, ORLY (specialty retail) and LLY (pharmaceuticals) earned more than IDXX with less volatility over the past 5 years. ORLY returned 15.9% a year at 23.4% volatility, against a loss of 2.8% a year at 35.7%.

Is IDXX more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. IDXX's volatility over the past 5 years was 35.7%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IDXX's return lands within 35.7% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is IDXX's Sharpe ratio?

IDXX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.10, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so IDXX 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 IDXX with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, IDXX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.68 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 IDXX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IDXX holding.

What are the best alternatives to IDXX?

Of the 19 popular alternatives we compared, six outperformed IDXX in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: VEEV, TMO and A.

Did IDXX outperform the S&P 500?

IDXX finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 21 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +63.6%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did IDXX do in stock market crashes?

IDXX fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in nine. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when IDXX fell 46.4% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.

What diversifies IDXX?

These had a low correlation with IDXX over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.36), EMLP (correlation 0.41) and HDV (correlation 0.48); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.24), CLS (correlation 0.22) and FIX (correlation 0.34). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to IDXX

Other stocks and ETFs