EasyCompare

Relative Intelligence · Specialty Retail

How Lowe's Companies (LOW) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on LOW alone. It places LOW (Lowe's Companies, Inc.) against 8 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 LOW stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: LOW's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

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

Rank the market against LOW →Chart LOW vs. 8 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in LOW over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of LOW over the same span and LOW'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. 90 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of LOW; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • ORLY$2M+22,426% total · +20.5% a year
  • TSCO$2M+15,690% total · +19.1% a year
  • TJX$958,745+9,487% total · +17.0% a year
  • AZO$947,149+9,371% total · +17.0% a year
  • COST$727,732+7,177% total · +15.9% a year
  • LOW$546,874+5,369% total · +14.8% a year
  • HD$287,658+2,777% total · +12.3% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • MAS$62,462+525% total · +6.5% a year
  • SWK$44,114+341% total · +5.3% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,525 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of LOW; 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$50,000202120222023202420252026$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000202120222023202420252026
  • WMT$23,813+138% total · +18.9% a year
  • TJX$21,559+116% total · +16.6% a year
  • COST$21,378+114% total · +16.4% a year
  • ORLY$20,965+110% total · +16.0% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • MAS$13,320+33.2% total · +5.9% a year
  • BLDR$11,018+10.2% total · +2.0% a year
  • LOW$10,008+0.1% total · 0.0% a year
  • HD$9,837−1.6% total · −0.3% a year
  • SWK$6,074−39.3% total · −9.5% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

LOW 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
$111B
Industry
Home Improvement
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
−16.4%total return
Past 3 years
+10.7%+3.4% a year
Past 5 years
−3.2%−0.6% a year
Past 10 years
+236%+12.9% a year
Best calendar year
+117%1998
Worst calendar year
−26.7%2007
Losing years
8 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
26.4%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.11return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−62.5%Jul 1990 to Nov 1990
From its all-time high
−30.2%below the peak

LOW against the whole market

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

How does LOW rank among all stocks?

This section ranks LOW 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 LOW 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.

MeasureLOWRankStanding
1-year return−16.4%2,545 of 3,287bottom 24%
3-year return+10.7%2,149 of 3,017bottom 30%
5-year return−3.2%1,763 of 2,893bottom 40%
10-year return+236%753 of 2,202top 34%
Volatility, 5 years26.4%435 of 2,893top 15%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.112,092 of 2,893bottom 29%
Worst decline, past 10 years−48.6%404 of 2,187top 18%

What has beaten LOW 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). LOW sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than LOW 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 LOW; faint dots are 91 more of the 1,032 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%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than LOWLIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%MRSH: +4.4% a year, volatility 20.9%NDAQ: +8.9% a year, volatility 24.7%IUSG: +12.9% a year, volatility 21.2%XLI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.6%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%KDP: +2.5% a year, volatility 22.1%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%MTUM: +10.9% a year, volatility 22.1%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%GGG: +3.5% a year, volatility 22.9%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%SUSA: +10.4% a year, volatility 17.4%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%FEX: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.5%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%IEMG: +6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%VZ: +2.7% a year, volatility 22.9%RSPN: +9.9% a year, volatility 18.3%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%GSK: +9.5% a year, volatility 24.5%NGG: +11.8% a year, volatility 22.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%BSV: +1.7% a year, volatility 2.8%CSX: +8.3% a year, volatility 23.3%VCSH: +2.3% a year, volatility 2.9%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%TRP: +10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%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%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XLF: +8.6% a year, volatility 18.3%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CP: +4.0% a year, volatility 24.1%LOW: −0.6% a year, volatility 26.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MAS: +6.2% a year, volatility 31.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%TM: +5.0% a year, volatility 27.0%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%BND: −0.4% a year, volatility 6.1%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%LOWSPY (S&P 500)MASCOSTORLYWMTTJXAZOTMVTIVVTVSGOVMSFTBNDCAH−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than LOWLIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%MRSH: +4.4% a year, volatility 20.9%NDAQ: +8.9% a year, volatility 24.7%IUSG: +12.9% a year, volatility 21.2%XLI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.6%WCN: +6.1% a year, volatility 20.0%KDP: +2.5% a year, volatility 22.1%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%MTUM: +10.9% a year, volatility 22.1%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%GGG: +3.5% a year, volatility 22.9%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%SUSA: +10.4% a year, volatility 17.4%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%FEX: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.5%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%IEMG: +6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%VZ: +2.7% a year, volatility 22.9%RSPN: +9.9% a year, volatility 18.3%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%GSK: +9.5% a year, volatility 24.5%NGG: +11.8% a year, volatility 22.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%BSV: +1.7% a year, volatility 2.8%CSX: +8.3% a year, volatility 23.3%VCSH: +2.3% a year, volatility 2.9%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%TRP: +10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%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%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XLF: +8.6% a year, volatility 18.3%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CP: +4.0% a year, volatility 24.1%LOW: −0.6% a year, volatility 26.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MAS: +6.2% a year, volatility 31.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%TM: +5.0% a year, volatility 27.0%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%BND: −0.4% a year, volatility 6.1%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%LOWSPY (S&P 500)MASCOSTORLYWMTTJXTMVTIVTVSGOVBNDCAH
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than LOW?

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

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

Screen the whole market against LOW for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 16 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 LOW?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
LOWLowe's Companies, Inc. · this page
−0.6%26.4%0.11−48.6%+236%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.560.09%
Popular alternativesbest 1 shownThe investments people most often weigh against LOW. 1 of 8 passed at least one test.
MASMasco Corporation · Building Products
Higher return in most periods+6.2%31.1%0.35−44.7%+162%0.80—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Specialty Retail and the categories next to it (Discount Retail, Apparel & Footwear, Automobiles), plus LOW's specific themes. 19 of 59 passed at least one test.
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%0.44—
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%0.47—
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.40—
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.53—
AZOAutoZone, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.3%25.3%0.59−42.1%+323%0.48—
TMToyota Motor Corporation · Automobiles
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+5.0%27.0%0.32−36.8%+129%0.31—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,896 of 3,566 passed at least one test.
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.590.03%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.560.03%
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.42—
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.30—
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.670.03%
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.100.09%
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.12—
BNDVanguard Total Bond Market ETF · Investment Grade Bonds
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods−0.4%6.1%-0.03−18.6%+13.2%0.490.03%
What these numbers mean for LOW
Annual return
LOW lost 0.6% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $9,680. 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
LOW's volatility over the past 5 years was 26.4%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, LOW's return lands within 26.4% 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
LOW's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.11, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so LOW 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
LOW's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 48.6%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 48.6% fall takes a 94.7% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, LOW's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.56 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 LOW instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a LOW holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,032 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than LOW 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 LOWExpense
1
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.590.03%
2
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.560.03%
3
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.42—
4
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.30—
5
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.670.03%
6
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.100.09%
7
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.61—
8
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.30—
9
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.670.04%
10
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.650.06%
11
IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+11.7%21.8%0.62−32.7%+416%0.440.18%
12
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.44—
13
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.49—
14
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Whole market+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.42—
15
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.48—
16
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.44—
17
ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+19.2%22.4%0.90−42.0%+311%0.30—
18
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.310.20%
19
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.57—
20
MRSHMarsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+4.4%20.9%0.31−35.8%+245%0.47—
21
NDAQNasdaq, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+8.9%24.7%0.47−38.3%+407%0.37—
22
IUSGiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF · US Growth Equity
Whole market+12.9%21.2%0.68−32.4%+405%0.460.04%
23
XLIState Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF · US Industrials
Whole market+11.5%17.6%0.71−42.3%+246%0.690.08%
24
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+6.1%20.0%0.40−31.6%+270%0.49—
25
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Same or nearby category+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.44—
26
KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+2.5%22.1%0.23−36.9%+281%0.18—
27
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+12.0%16.7%0.76−31.6%+300%0.610.20%
28
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.650.39%
29
MTUMiShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+10.9%22.1%0.58−34.1%+336%0.410.15%
30
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.450.40%
31
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.1%18.4%0.57−33.3%+276%0.630.46%
32
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Same or nearby category+15.9%23.4%0.75−42.0%+393%0.47—
33
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+14.4%22.9%0.70−40.1%+291%0.07—
34
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.49—
35
GGGGraco Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+3.5%22.9%0.26−30.6%+263%0.65—
36
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.370.50%
37
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.36—
38
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.270.48%
39
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.510.40%
40
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.30—
41
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.460.69%
42
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.570.05%
43
SUSAiShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.4%17.4%0.66−32.9%+302%0.600.25%
44
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.230.30%
45
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.46—
46
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.630.30%
47
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.28—
48
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.10—
49
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.19—
50
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.36—
51
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.13—
52
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.23—
53
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.370.60%
54
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.570.03%
55
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.46—
56
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.220.40%
57
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.37—
58
FEXFirst Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund · Broad Market
Whole market+10.1%16.5%0.67−39.5%+237%0.690.57%
59
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology
Whole market+9.7%14.1%0.73−28.1%+305%0.330.65%
60
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.680.19%
61
VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.8%17.6%0.47−39.4%+198%0.690.03%
62
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.34—
63
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.8%2.48−13.5%+35.9%0.280.15%
64
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.57—
65
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+2.7%2.9%0.94−6.3%+32.7%0.400.03%
66
UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+7.1%22.9%0.42−38.7%+295%0.53—
67
VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.2%20.6%0.40−42.0%+179%0.710.03%
68
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.36—
69
LMTLockheed Martin Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+11.1%24.2%0.56−36.7%+204%0.22—
70
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−38.4%+170%0.21—
71
IEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+6.8%19.4%0.44−38.7%+122%0.430.09%
72
VWOVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+5.2%17.5%0.38−36.4%+102%0.470.06%
73
EP-PCEl Paso Energy Capital Trust I PFD CV TR SECS · Preferred Stocks
Whole market+5.2%8.9%0.61−25.4%+37.8%0.37—
74
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.15—
75
VZVerizon Communications Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+2.7%22.9%0.23−41.2%+55.8%0.12—
76
RSPNInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF · Industrials
Whole market+9.9%18.3%0.61−42.0%+264%0.750.40%
77
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.51—
78
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.540.79%
79
GSKGSK plc · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+9.5%24.5%0.49−37.6%+95.1%0.24—
80
NGGNational Grid plc · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.8%22.6%0.61−39.2%+118%0.51—
81
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.490.85%
82
DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.5%18.0%0.50−37.4%+132%0.34—
83
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%0.41—
84
BSVVanguard Short-Term Bond ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+1.7%2.8%0.63−8.5%+20.5%0.380.03%
85
CSXCSX Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+8.3%23.3%0.46−40.5%+446%0.51—
86
VCSHVanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF · Investment Grade Bonds
Whole market+2.3%2.9%0.80−12.9%+28.6%0.470.03%
87
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Whole market+14.4%22.1%0.72−42.7%+481%0.63—
88
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.560.26%
89
TRPTC Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+10.8%21.9%0.58−41.6%+160%0.38—
90
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.2%19.2%0.46−29.0%+68.8%0.32—
91
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+5.4%21.8%0.35−34.3%+240%0.51—
92
VXFVanguard Extended Market ETF · US Extended Market
Whole market+4.9%22.4%0.33−41.7%+194%0.650.05%
93
ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+6.7%21.4%0.41−37.9%+208%0.72—
94
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Same or nearby category+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.40—
95
JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+7.5%11.0%0.71−13.7%—0.650.35%
96
EFViShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.9%0.88−43.2%+157%0.520.31%
97
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.0%18.8%0.70−30.9%+114%0.27—
98
XLFState Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF · Financial Sector Equity
Whole market+8.6%18.3%0.54−42.9%+241%0.600.08%
99
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+202%0.480.08%
100
CPCanadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. · Railroads
Whole market+4.0%24.1%0.28−33.7%+227%0.52—

LOW against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%−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 volatilityLOW: −0.6% a year, volatility 26.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%HD: 0.0% a year, volatility 24.7%SWK: −9.6% a year, volatility 38.3%BLDR: −1.6% a year, volatility 46.7%TSCO: −2.3% a year, volatility 29.3%FBIN: −12.0% a year, volatility 38.1%FND: −18.8% a year, volatility 47.0%WHR: −29.8% a year, volatility 41.4%MAS: 6.2% a year, volatility 31.1%LOWSPY (S&P 500)HDSWKBLDRTSCOFBINFNDWHRMAS10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−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 volatilityLOW: −0.6% a year, volatility 26.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%HD: 0.0% a year, volatility 24.7%SWK: −9.6% a year, volatility 38.3%BLDR: −1.6% a year, volatility 46.7%TSCO: −2.3% a year, volatility 29.3%FBIN: −12.0% a year, volatility 38.1%FND: −18.8% a year, volatility 47.0%WHR: −29.8% a year, volatility 41.4%MAS: 6.2% a year, volatility 31.1%LOWSPY (S&P 500)HDSWKBLDRFBINFNDWHRMAS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
MAS Masco Corporation+6.2%31.1%
HD The Home Depot, Inc.0.0%24.7%
LOW This pageLowe's Companies, Inc.−0.6%26.4%
BLDR Builders FirstSource, Inc.−1.6%46.7%
TSCO Tractor Supply Company−2.3%29.3%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.−9.6%38.3%
FBIN Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.−12.0%38.1%
FND Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.−18.8%47.0%
WHR Whirlpool Corporation−29.8%41.4%
Open these 10 in EasyCompare

Has LOW consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than LOW 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
LOW Lowe's Companies, Inc. (this page)—+4.0%−2.4%−20.8%−18.3%−16.4%+10.7%−3.2%+236%26.4%0.11−48.6%—$111B—
MAS QualifiedMasco Corporation4/5 short2/3 long+10.2%−3.2%+13.0%+17.4%+10.7%+57.7%+35.3%+162%31.1%0.35−44.7%—$15B—
HD QualifiedThe Home Depot, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long+6.0%−4.7%−8.9%−6.9%−16.7%+18.8%−0.2%+217%24.7%0.12−38.0%—$314B—
SWK Manufacturing - Tools & AccessoriesStanley Black & Decker, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+6.1%+8.5%+27.7%+26.8%+42.0%+36.2%−39.7%+2.0%38.3%-0.07−71.3%—$14B—
BLDR Construction MaterialsBuilders FirstSource, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−7.9%−25.8%−41.0%−48.5%−56.0%−50.7%−7.5%+417%46.7%0.20−76.1%—$5.8B—
TSCO Specialty RetailTractor Supply Company1/5 short0/3 long+1.8%+9.4%−25.5%−34.0%−39.0%−10.7%−10.8%+198%29.3%0.07−52.7%—$17B—
FBIN Construction MaterialsFortune Brands Innovations, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+3.0%−18.3%−0.1%−18.5%−17.9%−25.1%−47.3%+2.4%38.1%-0.15−62.4%—$4.9B—
FND Home ImprovementFloor & Decor Holdings, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long−4.3%−16.1%−17.2%−28.2%−37.3%−45.1%−64.8%—47.0%-0.21−69.7%—$4.8B—
WHR Furnishings, Fixtures & AppliancesWhirlpool Corporation0/5 short0/3 long−14.1%−24.0%−51.0%−61.9%−60.4%−74.6%−82.9%−75.0%41.4%-0.65−86.5%—$1.8B—
Open these 9 in EasyCompare

How did LOW do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of LOW20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
LOW This pageLowe's Companies, Inc.—−0.3%+13.0%+14.0%−21.5%+63.4%+36.4%+32.2%+1.2%+31.3%−4.9%+12.2%+41.3%+41.7%+42.9%+3.4%+9.2%+10.7%−3.4%−26.7%−6.1%+16.1%+4.2%+48.1%−19.1%+109%−25.3%+17.0%+117%+34.5%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 9 of 291 of 93 of 96 of 92 of 93 of 94 of 97 of 92 of 95 of 87 of 86 of 81 of 84 of 86 of 85 of 75 of 77 of 72 of 75 of 75 of 73 of 64 of 63 of 63 of 62 of 64 of 63 of 61 of 64 of 6
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF12 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%
MAS Masco Corporation13 of 29−10.9%+10.1%+46.6%−32.1%+29.6%+16.1%+66.3%−32.7%+40.6%+13.1%+29.6%+12.3%+38.7%+62.9%−14.9%−6.1%+29.5%−45.8%−25.1%+1.8%−15.4%+36.2%+33.7%−12.0%−2.4%+3.8%−10.3%+14.9%+43.3%
HD The Home Depot, Inc.12 of 29−9.3%+15.0%+12.8%−22.0%+59.5%+24.5%+30.6%−7.3%+43.8%+3.5%+28.5%+30.3%+35.9%+50.3%+23.5%+25.1%+30.5%−11.4%−31.1%+1.0%−4.3%+21.4%+49.1%−52.6%+12.1%−33.3%+69.1%+109%+76.9%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.12 of 29−3.2%−15.2%+35.5%−58.9%+7.3%+9.7%+41.2%−28.1%+49.2%+9.6%+13.4%+21.9%+11.8%+12.4%+3.6%+32.9%+56.6%−27.5%−1.5%+7.2%+0.5%+32.7%+13.5%−23.8%+53.0%+7.3%+11.8%−39.9%+77.9%
BLDR Builders FirstSource, Inc.9 of 20−28.0%−14.4%+157%−24.3%+110%+60.6%+133%−49.9%+98.6%−1.0%+61.3%−3.6%+27.8%+174%+3.5%−48.7%+151%−78.8%−59.5%−16.6%—————————
TSCO Tractor Supply Company15 of 29−4.2%+25.4%−2.5%−4.0%+71.5%+52.4%+13.6%+13.4%+0.4%−10.4%+9.5%+2.4%+77.0%+27.2%+45.3%+84.5%+46.9%+0.7%−20.0%−15.5%+43.0%−5.1%+108%+121%+301%−46.9%−33.3%+62.7%−28.5%
FBIN Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.6 of 14−25.4%−9.1%+35.2%−36.5%+26.0%+32.9%+74.9%−43.7%+29.5%−2.6%+24.0%+0.2%+57.6%+71.6%———————————————
FND Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.3 of 8−38.9%−10.6%+60.2%−46.4%+40.0%+82.7%+96.2%−46.8%—————————————————————
WHR Whirlpool Corporation10 of 29−33.0%+0.6%−9.1%−37.1%+33.3%+26.5%+42.8%−34.5%−4.9%+26.7%−22.7%+25.8%+57.1%+120%−45.0%+12.4%+103%−48.0%+0.2%+1.1%+24.0%−2.2%+42.4%−27.2%+57.3%−24.6%+20.2%+3.0%+21.0%
Open these 10 in EasyCompare

Risk and diversification

How LOW 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 LOW's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents LOW's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

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

DuringLOW fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−62.5%—Jul 1990Nov 19904 monthsAug 199221 months
2008 financial crisis−60.6%−50.5%Feb 2007Mar 20092.1 yearsMay 20123.2 years
No named crash−52.7%—Mar 1987Dec 19879 monthsAug 198920 months
Covid crash−48.6%−28.8%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthMay 20202 months
No named crash−44.5%−16.9%Jul 1998Oct 19983 monthsDec 19982 months

How did LOW do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far LOW, 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 LOW.

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
LOW This pageLowe's Companies, Inc.—−2.2%−33.5%−48.6%−26.1%−6.4%−18.0%−20.7%−0.8%−52.8%−40.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF5 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
MAS Masco Corporation3 of 10−2.4%−34.0%−39.2%−28.5%−5.1%−22.8%−39.7%−6.7%−83.8%−39.0%
HD The Home Depot, Inc.4 of 10−1.8%−34.2%−38.0%−25.1%−6.6%−16.9%−22.2%−1.6%−44.3%−64.9%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.0 of 10−4.5%−60.7%−55.3%−29.7%−6.7%−18.2%−31.3%−4.0%−58.9%−41.3%
BLDR Builders FirstSource, Inc.1 of 9−7.4%−41.4%−62.2%−34.8%−5.2%−59.9%−59.5%−5.0%−92.2%—
TSCO Tractor Supply Company7 of 10−0.7%−27.8%−32.5%−18.7%−3.3%−15.0%−21.2%−1.6%−42.9%−67.4%
FBIN Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.1 of 6−6.3%−49.4%−52.1%−34.6%−4.9%−19.8%————
FND Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.1 of 5−3.4%−51.9%−52.9%−30.0%−3.7%—————
WHR Whirlpool Corporation1 of 10−3.9%−42.0%−56.5%−19.6%−7.4%−30.3%−33.2%−4.6%−78.5%−48.5%
Open these 10 in EasyCompare

How closely does LOW 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 LOW 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 LOW's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
LOW This pageLowe's Companies, Inc.107%134%0.801.10
TSCO Tractor Supply Company83%95%0.870.74
HD The Home Depot, Inc.96%117%0.811.00
BLDR Builders FirstSource, Inc.163%203%0.801.90
MAS Masco Corporation111%158%0.701.30
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.101%198%0.511.30
FBIN Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.96%193%0.501.47
WHR Whirlpool Corporation76%230%0.331.52
Open these 8 in EasyCompare

What diversifies LOW?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202220162008200720062002200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
LOW Lowe's Companies, Inc. (this page)1.00−3.2%0.11−0.3%−21.5%−4.9%−3.4%−26.7%−6.1%−19.1%−25.3%24.4%0.0%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.27+225%1.34+32.8%+6.0%+1.1%−20.8%−7.4%———20.4%+5.4%
MLPX EnergyGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF0.42+135%0.97+4.9%+21.5%+36.3%—————21.4%+4.2%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.34+323%0.97+49.2%−33.5%+35.6%−44.7%+6.0%−6.7%−47.0%—22.9%+7.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.22+126%0.96+63.7%−0.8%+8.0%+4.9%+30.4%+22.6%——20.6%+4.0%
IOO InternationaliShares Global 100 ETF0.45+107%0.94+27.0%−16.3%+8.3%−36.1%+11.1%+19.9%−24.0%—21.1%+3.6%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.40+136%0.93+26.6%−10.4%+7.4%—————21.5%+4.5%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.27+177%0.93+7.9%+64.4%+28.0%−39.0%+36.8%+18.0%−14.8%+24.4%21.6%+5.0%
VLUE Broad MarketiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF0.49+109%0.90+32.7%−14.2%+15.3%—————21.8%+3.7%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202220162008200720062002200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
LOW Lowe's Companies, Inc. (this page)1.00−3.2%0.11−0.3%−21.5%−4.9%−3.4%−26.7%−6.1%−19.1%−25.3%24.4%0.0%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.21+479%1.55+76.3%+54.1%−17.5%−39.6%−9.8%−5.8%−8.3%+108%21.3%+7.5%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.15+3,143%1.47+220%+1.3%+7.4%−20.5%−25.7%−26.0%−65.1%−2.3%24.2%+19.3%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.49+1,636%1.46+121%+17.0%+18.3%−15.2%+2.1%+38.9%−9.4%−71.1%25.2%+15.0%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.10+413%1.44+44.5%+51.8%−28.3%−40.4%+29.7%−1.2%−27.2%+61.2%20.7%+7.1%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.13+690%1.41+19.2%+86.6%+0.7%—————21.4%+9.5%
Open these 14 in EasyCompare

Common questions

What was LOW's worst drawdown?

LOW's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 62.5%, from July to November 1990. It took 21 months from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were LOW's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, LOW's best year was 1998, when it returned 117%. Its worst was 2007, with a return of -26.7%.

Is there a better investment than LOW?

Among LOW's popular alternatives, MAS was ahead of LOW in most short and long periods. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, COST (discount retail) and ORLY (specialty retail) earned more than LOW with less volatility over the past 5 years. COST returned 17.4% a year at 22.9% volatility, against a loss of 0.6% a year at 26.4%.

Is LOW more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. LOW's volatility over the past 5 years was 26.4%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, LOW's return lands within 26.4% 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 LOW's Sharpe ratio?

LOW's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.11, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so LOW 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 LOW with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, LOW's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.56 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 LOW instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a LOW holding.

What are the best alternatives to LOW?

Of the eight popular alternatives we compared, two outperformed LOW in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: MAS and HD.

Did LOW outperform the S&P 500?

LOW finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 17 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -0.3%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did LOW do in stock market crashes?

LOW fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in four of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in five. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when LOW fell 48.6% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.

What diversifies LOW?

These had a low correlation with LOW over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.27), MLPX (correlation 0.42) and SMH (correlation 0.34); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.21), CLS (correlation 0.15) and FIX (correlation 0.49). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to LOW

Other stocks and ETFs