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Relative Intelligence · Contract Research

How IQVIA (IQV) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on IQV alone. It places IQV (IQVIA Holdings Inc.) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where IQV stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: IQV's full trading record, from May 2013 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

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

Rank the market against IQV →Chart IQV vs. 20 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in IQV over the past 13 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of IQV over the same span and IQV'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.

Note: IQV began trading on May 9, 2013, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. It covers the most recent 13 years of IQV's record, starting at the end of September 2013.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2013 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. 391 of the 2,311 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IQV; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000$200,0002013201520172019202120232025$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000$200,00020132016201920222025
  • LLY$293,821+2,838% total · +29.7% a year
  • RGEN$173,328+1,633% total · +24.5% a year
  • TMO$76,438+664% total · +16.9% a year
  • CRL$63,770+538% total · +15.3% a year
  • UNH$63,640+536% total · +15.3% a year
  • IQV$59,903+499% total · +14.8% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$56,474+465% total · +14.2% a year
  • A$52,296+423% total · +13.6% a year
  • WAT$41,371+314% total · +11.5% a year
  • LH$38,153+282% total · +10.8% 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. 2,280 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IQV; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202120222023202420252026
  • LLY$52,411+424% total · +39.3% a year
  • MEDP$32,977+230% total · +27.0% a year
  • AMGN$23,160+132% total · +18.3% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% 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
  • IQV$11,224+12.2% total · +2.3% a year
  • VEEV$9,905−0.9% total · −0.2% a year
  • CRL$7,149−28.5% total · −6.5% a year
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IQV 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.

Note: IQV began trading on May 9, 2013, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

The company

Market value
$44B
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Price history from
May 2013

Returns

Past 1 year
+26.3%total return
Past 3 years
+45.3%+13.3% a year
Past 5 years
+6.5%+1.3% a year
Past 10 years
+260%+13.7% a year
Best calendar year
+57.5%2021
Worst calendar year
−27.4%2022
Losing years
2 of 12full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
34.7%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.21return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−51.5%Dec 2021 to May 2025
From its all-time high
−5.2%below the peak

IQV against the whole market

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

How does IQV rank among all stocks?

This section ranks IQV 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 IQV 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.

MeasureIQVRankStanding
1-year return+26.3%1,074 of 3,287top 33%
3-year return+45.3%1,624 of 3,017bottom 47%
5-year return+6.5%1,635 of 2,893bottom 44%
10-year return+260%688 of 2,202top 31%
Volatility, 5 years34.7%1,124 of 2,893top 39%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.211,827 of 2,893bottom 38%
Worst decline, past 10 years−51.5%517 of 2,187top 24%

What has beaten IQV 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). IQV sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than IQV 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 IQV; faint dots are 91 more of the 1,424 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%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%−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 IQVVIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%TMUS: +6.4% a year, volatility 26.1%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%AJG: +10.9% a year, volatility 24.2%IRM: +24.6% a year, volatility 30.3%CASY: +29.9% a year, volatility 29.3%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%NDAQ: +8.9% a year, volatility 24.7%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%FNV: +12.5% a year, volatility 31.3%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%SAFT: +10.6% a year, volatility 28.5%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%ESE: +24.2% a year, volatility 31.1%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%NIC: +19.0% a year, volatility 30.1%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%MGRC: +10.0% a year, volatility 26.2%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%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%ETN: +20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%TM: +5.0% a year, volatility 27.0%FSBC: +14.1% a year, volatility 31.3%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%CCBG: +15.9% a year, volatility 27.5%RIO: +12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%WINA: +10.2% a year, volatility 32.3%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%IQV: +1.3% a year, volatility 34.7%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%VEEV: −0.1% a year, volatility 39.6%MEDP: +27.0% a year, volatility 52.0%WAT: +4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%AZN: +8.7% a year, volatility 35.7%MTD: +2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%HALO: +26.6% a year, volatility 40.4%SNY: +0.6% a year, volatility 25.3%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%BUG: +7.1% a year, volatility 30.4%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%BSV: +1.7% a year, volatility 2.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%HWM: +47.3% a year, volatility 32.5%LH: +7.3% a year, volatility 23.8%XBI: +4.6% a year, volatility 32.5%IQVSPY (S&P 500)LLYTMOAVEEVMEDPWATAMGNABBVAZNHALOSNYRYBRK-BSGOVDEBUGMPCCAHHWMLH−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%−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 IQVVIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%TMUS: +6.4% a year, volatility 26.1%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%AJG: +10.9% a year, volatility 24.2%IRM: +24.6% a year, volatility 30.3%CASY: +29.9% a year, volatility 29.3%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%NDAQ: +8.9% a year, volatility 24.7%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%FNV: +12.5% a year, volatility 31.3%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%SAFT: +10.6% a year, volatility 28.5%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%ESE: +24.2% a year, volatility 31.1%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%NIC: +19.0% a year, volatility 30.1%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%MGRC: +10.0% a year, volatility 26.2%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%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%ETN: +20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%TM: +5.0% a year, volatility 27.0%FSBC: +14.1% a year, volatility 31.3%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%CCBG: +15.9% a year, volatility 27.5%RIO: +12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%WINA: +10.2% a year, volatility 32.3%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%IQV: +1.3% a year, volatility 34.7%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%VEEV: −0.1% a year, volatility 39.6%MEDP: +27.0% a year, volatility 52.0%WAT: +4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%AZN: +8.7% a year, volatility 35.7%MTD: +2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%HALO: +26.6% a year, volatility 40.4%SNY: +0.6% a year, volatility 25.3%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%BUG: +7.1% a year, volatility 30.4%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%BSV: +1.7% a year, volatility 2.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%HWM: +47.3% a year, volatility 32.5%LH: +7.3% a year, volatility 23.8%XBI: +4.6% a year, volatility 32.5%IQVSPY (S&P 500)LLYTMOAMEDPAMGNABBVAZNSNYRYBRK-BSGOVBUGMPCBSVCAHHWMLH
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than IQV?

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

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

Screen the whole market against IQV 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 IQV?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
IQVIQVIA Holdings Inc. · this page
+1.3%34.7%0.21−51.5%+260%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.540.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against IQV. 9 of 19 passed at least one test.
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.25—
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return, lower volatilitySmaller losses in recent crashes+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.77—
AAgilent Technologies, Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return, lower volatilitySmaller losses in recent crashes+2.6%30.6%0.24−43.2%+306%0.68—
VEEVVeeva Systems Inc. · Application Software
Higher return in most periods−0.1%39.6%0.19−55.7%+715%0.40—
MEDPMedpace Holdings, Inc. · Contract Research
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+27.0%52.0%0.70−42.9%+1,914%0.70—
WATWaters Corporation · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return, similar volatility+4.5%33.9%0.30−44.3%+182%0.57—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Contract Research and the categories next to it (Life Sciences Tools, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical Diagnostics), plus IQV's specific themes. 28 of 87 passed at least one test.
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.20—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.19—
AZNAstraZeneca PLC · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+8.7%35.7%0.41−28.7%+257%0.13—
MTDMettler-Toledo International Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return, lower volatilitySmaller losses in recent crashes+2.6%32.5%0.24−43.5%+298%0.59—
HALOHalozyme Therapeutics, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return in most periods+26.6%40.4%0.79−49.1%+1,196%0.48—
SNYSanofi · Pharmaceuticals
Similar return, lower volatility+0.6%25.3%0.15−33.5%+61.5%0.27—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,782 of 3,527 passed at least one test.
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.28—
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.27—
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.040.09%
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.22—
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.4%29.9%0.60−37.9%+755%0.09—
BUGGlobal X - Cybersecurity ETF · Technology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+7.1%30.4%0.38−41.7%—0.400.50%
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+51.2%33.4%1.41−79.7%+1,387%0.16—
BSVVanguard Short-Term Bond ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+1.7%2.8%0.63−8.5%+20.5%0.250.03%
What these numbers mean for IQV
Annual return
IQV returned 1.3% 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 $10,600. 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
IQV's volatility over the past 5 years was 34.7%, 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, IQV's return lands within 34.7% 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
IQV's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.21, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so IQV 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
IQV'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, IQV's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.54 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 IQV instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IQV holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,424 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than IQV 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 IQVExpense
1
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.28—
2
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.27—
3
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.040.09%
4
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.22—
5
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+14.4%29.9%0.60−37.9%+755%0.09—
6
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.550.04%
7
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.15—
8
TMUST-Mobile US, Inc. · Telecommunications
Whole market+6.4%26.1%0.37−44.0%+253%0.04—
9
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.11—
10
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.07—
11
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+15.9%23.4%0.75−42.0%+393%0.21—
12
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.180.20%
13
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.04—
14
ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+19.2%22.4%0.90−42.0%+311%0.03—
15
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.29—
16
AJGArthur J. Gallagher & Co. · Insurance
Whole market+10.9%24.2%0.55−44.4%+516%0.21—
17
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.22—
18
IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs
Whole market+24.6%30.3%0.88−39.0%+470%0.17—
19
CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores
Whole market+29.9%29.3%1.04−36.1%+537%0.06—
20
AZOAutoZone, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+12.3%25.3%0.59−42.1%+323%0.09—
21
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.46—
22
NDAQNasdaq, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+8.9%24.7%0.47−38.3%+407%0.47—
23
WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+18.9%22.9%0.87−45.3%+443%0.01—
24
FNVFranco-Nevada Corporation · Gold Mining
Whole market+12.5%31.3%0.53−37.1%+303%0.00—
25
BUGGlobal X - Cybersecurity ETF · Technology
Whole market+7.1%30.4%0.38−41.7%—0.400.50%
26
GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services
Whole market+19.0%32.0%0.71−44.6%+752%0.24—
27
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Popular alternative+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.25—
28
SAFTSafety Insurance Group, Inc. · Insurance - Property & Casualty
Whole market+10.6%28.5%0.49−32.8%+138%0.25—
29
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+6.1%20.0%0.40−31.6%+270%0.16—
30
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Whole market+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.38—
31
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+12.0%27.1%0.56−35.6%+349%0.51—
32
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Same or nearby category+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.20—
33
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.540.03%
34
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.540.03%
35
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.510.40%
36
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%-0.02—
37
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.1%18.4%0.57−33.3%+276%0.620.46%
38
ESEESCO Technologies Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Whole market+24.2%31.1%0.85−46.0%+473%0.17—
39
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+14.4%22.9%0.70−40.1%+291%0.09—
40
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Whole market+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.23—
41
PSXPhillips 66 · Oil & Gas
Whole market+33.2%32.9%1.04−64.2%+430%0.29—
42
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.40—
43
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.33—
44
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.260.48%
45
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.120.30%
46
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.330.40%
47
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.23—
48
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.440.69%
49
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+31.1%31.9%1.01−43.4%+936%0.33—
50
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.21—
51
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.380.05%
52
NICNicolet Bankshares, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.0%30.1%0.73−44.3%+344%0.23—
53
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.420.18%
54
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.44—
55
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.540.30%
56
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.10—
57
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.32—
58
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.06—
59
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Whole market+33.8%32.2%1.07−37.5%+965%0.32—
60
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.490.03%
61
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.310.60%
62
CHCOCity Holding Company · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.9%22.8%0.77−32.3%+286%0.40—
63
MGRCMcGrath RentCorp · Rental & Leasing Services
Whole market+10.0%26.2%0.50−44.0%+357%0.21—
64
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.400.03%
65
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.28—
66
BFCBank First Corporation · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.0%27.3%0.78−39.8%+496%0.20—
67
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.6%30.6%1.10−45.7%+345%0.16—
68
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.19—
69
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.000.40%
70
IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation · IT Services
Whole market+16.6%30.5%0.66−41.1%+151%0.28—
71
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%-0.02—
72
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.440.09%
73
BHPBHP Group Limited · Metals & Mining
Whole market+16.6%31.4%0.65−44.3%+398%0.11—
74
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology
Whole market+9.7%14.1%0.73−28.1%+305%0.430.65%
75
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%-0.06—
76
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.09—
77
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.500.19%
78
ETNEaton Corporation plc · Electrical Equipment
Whole market+20.4%32.1%0.74−44.5%+657%0.28—
79
VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.8%17.6%0.47−39.4%+198%0.530.03%
80
TTTrane Technologies plc · Building Products
Whole market+22.7%27.7%0.88−40.5%+955%0.20—
81
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.8%2.48−13.5%+35.9%0.110.15%
82
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.440.50%
83
TMToyota Motor Corporation · Automobiles
Whole market+5.0%27.0%0.32−36.8%+129%0.35—
84
FSBCFive Star Bancorp · Banks - Regional
Whole market+14.1%31.3%0.58−40.8%+297%0.34—
85
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.27—
86
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.470.06%
87
TAT&T Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+9.8%25.2%0.50−39.4%+60.7%0.09—
88
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.32—
89
CCBGCapital City Bank Group, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.9%27.5%0.68−45.2%+300%0.22—
90
RIORio Tinto Group · Metals & Mining
Whole market+12.2%29.0%0.54−37.5%+464%0.11—
91
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+2.7%2.9%0.94−6.3%+32.7%0.190.03%
92
UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+7.1%22.9%0.42−38.7%+295%0.33—
93
VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.2%20.6%0.40−42.0%+179%0.530.03%
94
BLKBlackRock, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+7.1%27.1%0.39−43.9%+313%0.57—
95
WINAWinmark Corporation · Specialty Retail
Whole market+10.2%32.3%0.46−45.5%+252%0.07—
96
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.23—
97
NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology
Whole market+16.2%19.1%0.89−33.6%+330%0.350.70%
98
LMTLockheed Martin Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+11.1%24.2%0.56−36.7%+204%0.14—
99
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.510.06%
100
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−38.4%+170%-0.01—

IQV against its popular alternatives

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

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

Green points earned more than IQV 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%−30.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIQV: 1.3% a year, volatility 34.7%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%A: 2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%CRL: −5.6% a year, volatility 43.9%VEEV: −0.1% a year, volatility 39.6%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%LH: 7.3% a year, volatility 23.8%WAT: 4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%XBI: 4.6% a year, volatility 32.5%RGEN: −7.8% a year, volatility 51.3%AVTR: −15.5% a year, volatility 41.0%MRVI: −29.3% a year, volatility 75.8%CERT: −23.9% a year, volatility 55.7%TECH: −10.2% a year, volatility 39.4%ICLR: −8.8% a year, volatility 46.1%BIO: −13.9% a year, volatility 37.9%MEDP: 27.1% a year, volatility 52.0%PFE: −1.7% a year, volatility 25.4%UNH: 1.1% a year, volatility 32.1%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%IQVSPY (S&P 500)ACRLVEEVLLYTMOLHWATRGENAVTRMRVICERTTECHICLRBIOMEDPPFEUNHDHR0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%−40.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIQV: 1.3% a year, volatility 34.7%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%A: 2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%CRL: −5.6% a year, volatility 43.9%VEEV: −0.1% a year, volatility 39.6%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%LH: 7.3% a year, volatility 23.8%WAT: 4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%XBI: 4.6% a year, volatility 32.5%RGEN: −7.8% a year, volatility 51.3%AVTR: −15.5% a year, volatility 41.0%MRVI: −29.3% a year, volatility 75.8%CERT: −23.9% a year, volatility 55.7%TECH: −10.2% a year, volatility 39.4%ICLR: −8.8% a year, volatility 46.1%BIO: −13.9% a year, volatility 37.9%MEDP: 27.1% a year, volatility 52.0%PFE: −1.7% a year, volatility 25.4%UNH: 1.1% a year, volatility 32.1%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%IQVSPY (S&P 500)ACRLLLYTMOLHRGENAVTRMRVICERTTECHBIOMEDPPFEDHR
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
LLY Eli Lilly and Company+40.7%32.8%
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.+27.1%52.0%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
LH Labcorp Holdings Inc.+7.3%23.8%
XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF+4.6%32.5%
WAT Waters Corporation+4.5%33.9%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
A Agilent Technologies, Inc.+2.6%30.6%
IQV This pageIQVIA Holdings Inc.+1.3%34.7%
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated+1.1%32.1%
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.−0.1%39.6%
PFE Pfizer Inc.−1.7%25.4%
DHR Danaher Corporation−3.8%29.1%
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.−5.6%43.9%
RGEN Repligen Corporation−7.8%51.3%
ICLR ICON Public Limited Company−8.8%46.1%
TECH Bio-Techne Corporation−10.2%39.4%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.−13.9%37.9%
AVTR Avantor, Inc.−15.5%41.0%
CERT Certara, Inc.−23.9%55.7%
MRVI Maravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc.−29.3%75.8%
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Has IQV consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than IQV 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
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc. (this page)—−0.8%+31.4%+51.5%+18.8%+26.3%+45.3%+6.5%+260%34.7%0.21−51.5%—$44B—
A QualifiedAgilent Technologies, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+7.1%+33.1%+43.6%+26.4%+22.0%+62.1%+13.8%+306%30.6%0.24−43.2%—$49B—
CRL QualifiedCharles River Laboratories International, Inc.5/5 short2/3 long+13.1%+43.6%+70.0%+55.8%+71.3%+70.1%−25.1%+280%43.9%0.09−78.2%—$15B—
VEEV QualifiedVeeva Systems Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+22.0%+61.4%+88.7%+45.2%+11.5%+59.0%−0.4%+715%39.6%0.19−55.7%—$52B—
LLY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralEli Lilly and Company2/5 short3/3 long+10.2%+12.1%+40.0%+19.4%+59.7%+124%+451%+1,807%32.8%1.21−34.5%—$1.2T—
TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
MEDP Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchMedpace Holdings, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−0.3%+17.9%+17.8%+9.0%+14.3%+172%+231%+1,914%52.0%0.70−42.9%—$17B—
LH Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchLabcorp Holdings Inc.2/5 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 Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchWaters Corporation2/5 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—
XBI HealthcareState Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF2/5 short2/3 long−3.2%+1.5%+11.3%+26.2%+39.7%+130%+25.1%+159%32.5%0.30−63.9%0.35%$10B—
RGEN Medical - Instruments & SuppliesRepligen Corporation0/5 short1/3 long−1.0%+22.9%+35.5%+8.8%+15.8%+22.5%−33.3%+514%51.3%0.10−68.3%—$11B—
AVTR Medical - Instruments & SuppliesAvantor, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+10.1%+55.9%+95.5%+45.0%+9.5%−19.1%−56.9%—41.0%-0.20−83.2%—$11B—
FTRE BiotechnologyFortrea Holdings Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+13.8%+28.5%+118%+35.5%+119%−20.0%————−89.9%—$2.2B—
MRVI BiotechnologyMaravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+0.4%+3.0%+99.4%+112%+105%+4.2%−82.4%—75.8%-0.09−97.2%—$2.0B—
PFE Drug Manufacturers - GeneralPfizer Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+8.5%+23.8%+13.2%+25.7%+30.5%+19.2%−8.3%+55.0%25.4%0.06−58.9%—$172B—
CERT Medical - Healthcare Information ServicesCertara, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+14.8%+41.0%+58.1%+12.0%−20.5%−27.6%−74.4%—55.7%-0.21−90.1%—$1.5B—
UNH Medical - Healthcare PlansUnitedHealth Group Incorporated2/5 short0/3 long+11.0%+0.1%+31.2%+27.1%+18.1%−15.3%+5.5%+241%32.1%0.20−61.4%—$376B—
TECH BiotechnologyBio-Techne Corporation2/5 short0/3 long+0.2%+1.4%+20.2%+22.2%+16.7%+15.1%−41.4%+191%39.4%-0.08−67.2%—$11B—
DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation1/5 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—
ICLR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchICON Public Limited Company1/5 short0/3 long+2.7%+4.8%+48.7%−7.7%−7.6%−23.2%−37.0%+106%46.1%0.04−76.9%—$13B—
BIO Medical - DevicesBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.0/5 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—
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How did IQV do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2014, along with where IQV ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with IQV and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Note: IQV began trading on May 9, 2013, so the table starts with 2014, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

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

InvestmentYears ahead of IQV202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014
IQV This pageIQVIA Holdings Inc.—+14.7%−15.1%+12.9%−27.4%+57.5%+16.0%+33.0%+18.7%+28.7%+10.8%+16.6%+27.0%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 2 of 124 of 2115 of 216 of 2011 of 205 of 2015 of 1811 of 176 of 1710 of 176 of 167 of 165 of 16
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF6 of 12+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%
A Agilent Technologies, Inc.4 of 12+1.9%−2.7%−6.4%−5.5%+35.5%+39.8%+27.5%+1.7%+48.3%+10.2%+3.5%+0.8%
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.4 of 12+8.1%−21.9%+8.5%−42.2%+50.8%+63.6%+35.0%+3.4%+43.6%−5.2%+26.3%+20.0%
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.7 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%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company9 of 12+40.3%+33.3%+60.9%+34.3%+66.1%+31.0%+16.2%+40.5%+17.8%−10.4%+25.4%+39.8%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.5 of 12+11.8%−1.7%−3.4%−17.3%+43.5%+43.7%+45.6%+18.2%+35.0%−0.1%+13.8%+13.1%
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.7 of 9+69.1%+8.4%+44.3%−2.4%+56.4%+65.6%+58.8%+46.0%+0.5%———
LH Labcorp Holdings Inc.4 of 12+10.6%+2.2%+13.8%−24.4%+54.4%+20.3%+33.9%−20.8%+24.3%+3.8%+14.6%+18.1%
WAT Waters Corporation4 of 12+2.4%+12.7%−3.9%−8.1%+50.6%+5.9%+23.9%−2.4%+43.8%−0.1%+19.4%+12.7%
XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF6 of 12+35.9%+1.0%+7.6%−25.9%−20.4%+48.3%+32.6%−15.3%+43.8%−15.4%+13.6%+45.0%
RGEN Repligen Corporation5 of 12+13.8%−20.0%+6.2%−36.1%+38.2%+107%+75.4%+45.4%+17.7%+8.9%+42.9%+45.2%
AVTR Avantor, Inc.2 of 6−45.6%−7.7%+8.3%−50.0%+49.7%+55.1%——————
FTRE Fortrea Holdings Inc.0 of 2−7.5%−46.6%——————————
MRVI Maravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc.0 of 5−40.4%−16.8%−54.2%−65.8%+49.4%———————
PFE Pfizer Inc.4 of 12+0.6%−2.2%−41.3%−10.4%+66.7%+3.4%−6.7%+25.1%+16.1%+4.4%+7.3%+5.4%
CERT Certara, Inc.0 of 5−17.3%−39.5%+9.5%−43.5%−15.7%———————
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated7 of 12−33.1%−2.4%+0.8%+6.9%+45.2%+21.3%+20.0%+14.5%+39.8%+38.4%+18.3%+36.5%
TECH Bio-Techne Corporation5 of 12−17.9%−6.3%−6.5%−35.7%+63.4%+45.4%+52.7%+12.6%+27.5%+15.8%−1.3%−1.1%
DHR Danaher Corporation5 of 12+0.4%−0.4%−1.2%−19.0%+48.6%+45.4%+49.5%+11.8%+20.0%+73.2%+9.3%+11.6%
ICLR ICON Public Limited Company3 of 12−13.1%−25.9%+45.7%−37.3%+58.8%+13.2%+33.3%+15.2%+49.1%−3.2%+52.4%+26.2%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.5 of 12−7.8%+1.7%−23.2%−44.4%+29.6%+57.5%+59.4%−2.7%+30.9%+31.5%+15.0%−2.5%
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Risk and diversification

How IQV 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 IQV's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents IQV's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2013, 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.

Note: IQV began trading on May 9, 2013, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.

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

DuringIQV fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2022 bear market−51.5%+27.5%Dec 2021May 20253.4 yearsNot yet—
Covid crash−49.4%−33.5%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthSep 20206 months
2015 China and oil sell-off−29.3%−11.0%Jul 2015Feb 20167 monthsSep 20167 months
Late-2018 sell-off−19.2%−18.9%Sep 2018Dec 20183 monthsFeb 20192 months
No named crash−14.9%+2.5%Feb 2014May 20143 monthsJul 20142 months

How did IQV do in stock market crashes?

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

Note: IQV began trading on May 9, 2013, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

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

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
IQV This pageIQVIA Holdings Inc.—−6.8%−35.9%−48.9%−19.2%−5.3%−28.7%Not yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF4 of 6−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
A Agilent Technologies, Inc.5 of 6−3.7%−25.3%−25.8%−16.1%−8.7%−17.6%−37.3%−4.2%−67.6%−92.4%
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.3 of 6−7.7%−49.3%−44.5%−23.4%−4.6%−19.1%−33.3%−1.8%−69.8%—
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.2 of 6−4.6%−40.0%−26.7%−26.5%−9.5%−28.9%————
LLY Eli Lilly and Company5 of 6−0.6%−11.7%−16.9%−10.2%−8.6%−19.6%−10.9%0.0%−50.0%−54.3%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.5 of 6−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.2 of 5−11.9%−36.4%−39.5%−26.1%−2.1%—————
LH Labcorp Holdings Inc.5 of 6−4.7%−29.6%−45.5%−30.6%−3.8%−19.5%−18.4%−1.4%−33.5%−63.1%
WAT Waters Corporation5 of 6−1.6%−26.3%−25.3%−14.7%−9.7%−16.6%−26.4%−3.4%−60.7%−80.1%
XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF1 of 6−6.9%−43.6%−32.9%−32.5%−5.5%−42.6%−26.7%−4.1%−37.5%—
RGEN Repligen Corporation2 of 6−4.9%−38.7%−22.2%−29.9%−8.6%−44.4%−17.1%−3.7%−51.9%−90.7%
AVTR Avantor, Inc.1 of 3−6.2%−50.5%−53.9%———————
MRVI Maravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc.1 of 2−5.8%−56.1%————————
PFE Pfizer Inc.5 of 6−1.8%−24.6%−21.8%−12.3%−8.1%−18.2%−16.1%−1.8%−49.8%−46.0%
CERT Certara, Inc.0 of 2−8.2%−56.9%————————
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated5 of 6−1.8%−16.9%−35.9%−18.6%−6.7%−12.4%−20.7%−0.8%−72.4%−19.8%
TECH Bio-Techne Corporation4 of 6−3.6%−39.6%−23.5%−34.8%−4.5%−24.9%−18.8%−0.4%−43.8%−69.6%
DHR Danaher Corporation5 of 6−3.2%−22.8%−25.9%−13.4%−9.8%−14.0%−21.8%−0.6%−45.7%−33.7%
ICLR ICON Public Limited Company3 of 6−7.4%−39.2%−34.6%−22.4%−2.9%−23.3%−30.4%−4.3%−63.7%−60.6%
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.3 of 6−1.9%−45.3%−21.8%−29.7%−8.0%−18.1%−25.4%−0.5%−50.9%−29.1%
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How closely does IQV 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 IQV 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 IQV's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
IQV This pageIQVIA Holdings Inc.128%167%0.771.31
LLY Eli Lilly and Company101%6%15.730.37
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.168%118%1.421.24
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.113%89%1.260.87
RGEN Repligen Corporation119%108%1.110.99
DHR Danaher Corporation84%84%1.010.75
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated81%82%0.980.70
LH Labcorp Holdings Inc.81%91%0.890.97
A Agilent Technologies, Inc.120%141%0.851.13
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.135%175%0.771.30
WAT Waters Corporation107%139%0.771.01
XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF93%122%0.761.01
TECH Bio-Techne Corporation120%162%0.741.23
ICLR ICON Public Limited Company97%135%0.711.04
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.104%146%0.710.99
PFE Pfizer Inc.52%81%0.650.54
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What diversifies IQV?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2024202280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc. (this page)1.00+6.5%0.21−15.1%−27.4%34.3%+2.3%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.33+119%1.48+15.9%+3.8%28.1%+6.0%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.26+225%1.34+29.8%+6.0%28.2%+7.8%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.23+101%1.04+33.4%+10.4%28.3%+5.8%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.39+83.3%1.00+14.1%+7.1%28.7%+5.1%
FTLS Broad MarketFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF0.48+62.9%0.99+18.8%−5.6%28.3%+4.8%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.32+323%0.97+39.1%−33.5%30.4%+9.9%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.44+85.0%0.96+13.4%−5.1%28.5%+5.3%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.00+126%0.96+26.7%−0.8%27.7%+6.6%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2024202280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc. (this page)1.00+6.5%0.21−15.1%−27.4%34.3%+2.3%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.22+479%1.55+19.0%+54.1%29.1%+9.9%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.18+3,143%1.47+215%+1.3%31.7%+21.8%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.22+1,636%1.46+107%+17.0%30.7%+18.1%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.06+413%1.44+23.7%+51.8%28.2%+9.6%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.16+690%1.41−4.0%+86.6%29.2%+11.9%
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Common questions

What was IQV's worst drawdown?

IQV's deepest decline since it began trading in 2013 was 51.5%, from December 2021 to May 2025. It has not yet climbed back to that peak. Because IQV launched in May 2013, that record does not include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

What were IQV's best and worst years?

Over 12 full calendar years, IQV's best year was 2021, when it returned 57.5%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -27.4%.

Is there a better investment than IQV?

Among IQV's popular alternatives, LLY, TMO and A earned more than IQV with less volatility over the past 5 years. LLY returned 40.7% a year at 32.8% volatility, against 1.3% a year at 34.7%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, AMGN (biotechnology) and ABBV (pharmaceuticals) earned more than IQV with less volatility over the past 5 years. AMGN returned 19.6% a year at 24.9% volatility, against 1.3% a year at 34.7%.

Is IQV more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. IQV's volatility over the past 5 years was 34.7%, 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, IQV's return lands within 34.7% 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 IQV's Sharpe ratio?

IQV's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.21, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so IQV 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 IQV with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, IQV's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.54 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 IQV instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IQV holding.

What are the best alternatives to IQV?

Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, three outperformed IQV in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: A, CRL and VEEV.

Did IQV outperform the S&P 500?

IQV finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in six of 12 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +14.7%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did IQV do in stock market crashes?

IQV fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the six major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when IQV fell 28.7% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.

What diversifies IQV?

These had a low correlation with IQV over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.33), DXJ (correlation 0.26) and EMLP (correlation 0.23); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.22), CLS (correlation 0.18) and FIX (correlation 0.22). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to IQV

Other stocks and ETFs