Relative Intelligence · Exploration & Production

How Occidental Petroleum (OXY) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on OXY alone. It places OXY (Occidental Petroleum Corporation) 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 OXY stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: OXY'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.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowOXY has outpaced the market, rising 14.5% over the past 3 months against 3.9% for the S&P 500 and 3.2% for the Nasdaq 100. Its exploration & production peers were far apart over the past 3 months, from COP (ConocoPhillips, up 27.0%) to FANG (Diamondback Energy, up 4.2%). Consistency ↓
- Stock or market?OXY's 14.5% gain over the past 3 months is part of a broader exploration & production rally: the exploration & production ETF XOP (State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) rose 18.1%, with COP (ConocoPhillips, up 27.0%) and CNQ (Canadian Natural Resources, up 24.4%). OXY rose 9.9% last month as the S&P 500 fell 0.6% and the Nasdaq 100 fell 3.2%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsOver the past year, OXY rose 56.4% against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. On the flip side, OXY finished behind the S&P 500 in both 2024 and 2025. By year ↓
- Long termOXY turned $10,000 into $11,200 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. On the flip side, the past 5 years have been the better stretch: OXY rose 103% against 81.7% for the S&P 500, after trailing over the decade. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashAcross seven sell-offs, OXY has typically fallen 1.4 times as far as the S&P 500. In the Covid crash, OXY fell 76.8%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. That was more than COP (ConocoPhillips, 61.8%) but less than FANG (Diamondback Energy, 80.2%). Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationOXY is a real diversifier: a correlation of 0.10 with the S&P 500 over 5 years and 0.09 with the total US market, less closely than 95% of stocks worth at least $300 million. OXY moves far less with the S&P 500 than it used to, with a correlation of 0.10 over the past 5 years against 0.56 in the 5 years before. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- XOM (Exxonmobil), CVX (Chevron) and CNQ (Canadian Natural Resources) earned more than OXY with less volatility over the past 5 years. XOM returned 27.1% a year at 26.5% volatility, against 15.2% a year at 37.9%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- MPC (Marathon Petroleum, oil & gas) and SHEL (Shell, integrated oil & gas) earned more than OXY with less volatility over the past 5 years. MPC returned 51.2% a year at 33.4% volatility, against 15.2% a year at 37.9%.
- Whole market
- 277 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than OXY with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them AAPL (Apple), GOOG (Alphabet) and LLY (Eli Lilly and Company).
How much would $10,000 in OXY have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in OXY over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of OXY over the same span and OXY'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.
- $10,000 invested in OXY at the end of September 1997 would have grown to $102,456 by September 2026, less than the $132,907 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Five of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of OXY, and EOG finished highest, at $380,118.
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. 529 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of OXY; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- EOG$380,118+3,701% total · +13.4% a year
- SU$282,795+2,728% total · +12.2% a year
- COP$156,444+1,464% total · +9.9% a year
- CVX$142,109+1,321% total · +9.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
- XOM$124,235+1,142% total · +9.1% a year
- OXY$102,456+925% total · +8.4% a year
- MUR$67,431+574% total · +6.8% a year
- DVN$35,882+259% total · +4.5% a year
- APA$33,799+238% total · +4.3% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 776 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of OXY; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- PR$36,604+266% total · +29.6% a year
- CNQ$33,008+230% total · +27.0% a year
- XOM$32,965+230% total · +26.9% a year
- CVX$24,595+146% total · +19.7% a year
- APA$22,551+126% total · +17.7% a year
- COP$22,182+122% total · +17.3% a year
- EOG$21,734+117% total · +16.8% a year
- OXY$20,110+101% total · +15.0% a year
- OVV$19,897+99.0% total · +14.8% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
OXY 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.
- OXY's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 88.4%, from May 2011 to October 2020. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.
- Over 29 full calendar years, OXY's best was 2022, when it returned 119%, and its worst was 2020, when it lost 56.6%. It lost money in 12 of those years.
- OXY is 11.6% below its all-time high.
The company
- Market value
- $63B
- Industry
- Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
- Price history from
- October 1986
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +56.4%total return
- Past 3 years
- +2.0%+0.7% a year
- Past 5 years
- +103%+15.2% a year
- Past 10 years
- +11.6%+1.1% a year
- Best calendar year
- +119%2022
- Worst calendar year
- −56.6%2020
- Losing years
- 12 of 29full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 37.9%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.56return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −88.4%May 2011 to Oct 2020
- From its all-time high
- −11.6%below the peak
OXY against the whole market
Where OXY ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does OXY rank among all stocks?
This section ranks OXY 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 OXY stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- OXY's worst decline of the past 10 years ranks in the bottom 13% of the 2,187 stocks worth at least $300 million, where the top fell the least.
- OXY's 1-year return ranks in the top 14% of the 3,287 stocks worth at least $300 million with 1 year of history.
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.
| Measure | OXY | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +56.4% | 466 of 3,287 | top 14% |
| 3-year return | +2.0% | 2,298 of 3,017 | bottom 25% |
| 5-year return | +103% | 667 of 2,893 | top 23% |
| 10-year return | +11.6% | 1,761 of 2,202 | bottom 21% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 37.9% | 1,320 of 2,893 | top 46% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.56 | 771 of 2,893 | top 27% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −88.4% | 1,893 of 2,187 | bottom 14% |
What has beaten OXY 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). OXY sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than OXY 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.
- 222 stocks and 55 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than OXY over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 8% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half OXY's swings, CAH has the best return for its risk: 42.1% a year at 24.7% volatility, 35% less than OXY's 37.9%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.55 against 0.56 for OXY. MPC earned the most, 51.2% a year, while still swinging less than OXY (33.4% against 37.9%).
- Among OXY's popular alternatives, XOM, WES and CNQ are in the region. XOM earned 27.1% a year against 15.2% a year for OXY, at 26.5% volatility, 30% less than OXY's 37.9%.
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 OXY; faint dots are 86 more of the 277 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.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
Is there a better investment than OXY?
Investments that beat OXY over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among OXY's popular alternatives, XOM, CVX and CNQ earned more than OXY with less volatility over the past 5 years. XOM returned 27.1% a year at 26.5% volatility, against 15.2% a year at 37.9%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, MPC (oil & gas) and SHEL (integrated oil & gas) earned more than OXY with less volatility over the past 5 years. MPC returned 51.2% a year at 33.4% volatility, against 15.2% a year at 37.9%.
- Across the whole market, 277 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than OXY with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them AAPL, GOOG and LLY.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat OXY 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 OXY'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 OXY 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 OXY'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× OXY's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than OXY's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with OXY?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| +15.2% | 37.9% | 0.56 | −88.4% | +11.6% | 1.00 | — | |||
| +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.10 | 0.09% | |||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against OXY. 12 of 20 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +27.1% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | +214% | 0.77 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +19.5% | 25.2% | 0.84 | −55.8% | +238% | 0.79 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +26.5% | 32.5% | 0.89 | −77.5% | +433% | 0.77 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +18.2% | 32.6% | 0.68 | −70.7% | +379% | 0.85 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatility | +16.6% | 32.3% | 0.64 | −77.1% | +131% | 0.80 | — | ||
WESWestern Midstream Partners, LP · Oil & Gas Midstream | Higher return, lower volatility | +23.5% | 27.6% | 0.91 | −91.9% | +128% | 0.50 | — | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Exploration & Production and Oil & Gas and the categories next to it (Oilfield Services, Oil & Gas Midstream, Integrated Oil & Gas), plus OXY's specific themes. 45 of 65 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +51.2% | 33.4% | 1.41 | −79.7% | +1,387% | 0.66 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +21.0% | 24.8% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +233% | 0.71 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +33.2% | 32.9% | 1.04 | −64.2% | +430% | 0.67 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +33.1% | 32.5% | 1.05 | −73.5% | +295% | 0.69 | — | ||
| On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +51.8% | 37.5% | 1.31 | −71.7% | +768% | 0.55 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +16.0% | 28.7% | 0.66 | −63.9% | +141% | 0.68 | — | ||
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 960 of 3,548 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | -0.03 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | -0.13 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +16.3% | 24.8% | 0.74 | −43.4% | +241% | 0.27 | — | ||
KOFCoca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. · Food & Beverages | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +22.3% | 24.7% | 0.94 | −55.1% | +119% | 0.12 | — | |
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +22.6% | 25.5% | 0.93 | −66.8% | +189% | 0.85 | 0.08% | ||
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +20.4% | 24.2% | 0.89 | −38.9% | +468% | -0.09 | 0.59% | |
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +21.7% | 37.4% | 0.72 | −57.2% | +569% | 0.22 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.17 | — | ||
What these numbers mean for OXY
- Annual return
- OXY returned 15.2% 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 $20,300. 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
- OXY's volatility over the past 5 years was 37.9%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, OXY's return lands within 37.9% 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
- OXY's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.56, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so OXY 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
- OXY's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 88.4%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 88.4% fall takes a 762% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, OXY's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.10 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against OXY instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a OXY holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 277 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than OXY 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.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with OXY | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole market | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | -0.03 | — | |
| 2 | Whole market | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | -0.13 | — | |
| 3 | Whole market | +16.3% | 24.8% | 0.74 | −43.4% | +241% | 0.27 | — | |
| 4 | KOFCoca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +22.3% | 24.7% | 0.94 | −55.1% | +119% | 0.12 | — |
| 5 | Popular alternative | +27.1% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | +214% | 0.77 | — | |
| 6 | NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities | Whole market | +32.0% | 28.5% | 1.12 | −35.3% | +394% | 0.04 | — |
| 7 | Same or nearby category | +51.2% | 33.4% | 1.41 | −79.7% | +1,387% | 0.66 | — | |
| 8 | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | 0.29 | — | |
| 9 | Whole market | +19.6% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | +266% | 0.27 | — | |
| 10 | BWFGBankwell Financial Group, Inc. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +20.1% | 28.5% | 0.79 | −64.7% | +240% | 0.07 | — |
| 11 | Whole market | +22.6% | 25.5% | 0.93 | −66.8% | +189% | 0.85 | 0.08% | |
| 12 | BAPCredicorp Ltd. · Banks | Whole market | +30.8% | 30.3% | 1.04 | −59.2% | +298% | 0.37 | — |
| 13 | Whole market | +20.9% | 35.3% | 0.71 | −58.1% | +691% | 0.05 | — | |
| 14 | CIBGrupo Cibest S.A. · Banks | Whole market | +32.9% | 32.9% | 1.03 | −70.4% | +345% | 0.36 | — |
| 15 | Same or nearby category | +21.0% | 24.8% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +233% | 0.71 | — | |
| 16 | Same or nearby category | +33.2% | 32.9% | 1.04 | −64.2% | +430% | 0.67 | — | |
| 17 | EXELExelixis, Inc. · Biotechnology | Whole market | +24.4% | 35.8% | 0.79 | −57.2% | +448% | -0.01 | — |
| 18 | Same or nearby category | +33.1% | 32.5% | 1.05 | −73.5% | +295% | 0.69 | — | |
| 19 | EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +20.4% | 24.2% | 0.89 | −38.9% | +468% | -0.09 | 0.59% |
| 20 | Same or nearby category | +23.0% | 25.6% | 0.94 | −61.4% | +278% | 0.62 | — | |
| 21 | Whole market | +18.6% | 24.3% | 0.83 | −52.0% | +317% | 0.15 | — | |
| 22 | MSGSMadison Square Garden Sports Corp. · Entertainment | Whole market | +18.4% | 25.6% | 0.79 | −41.6% | +432% | 0.18 | — |
| 23 | Popular alternative | +19.5% | 25.2% | 0.84 | −55.8% | +238% | 0.79 | — | |
| 24 | Same or nearby category | +19.2% | 34.4% | 0.69 | −66.8% | +416% | 0.67 | — | |
| 25 | AMGAffiliated Managers Group, Inc. · Asset Management | Whole market | +18.8% | 31.9% | 0.70 | −78.5% | +185% | 0.04 | — |
| 26 | VCTRVictory Capital Holdings, Inc. · Asset Management | Whole market | +28.1% | 35.0% | 0.89 | −45.2% | — | 0.13 | — |
| 27 | AVTAvnet, Inc. · Technology Distribution | Whole market | +22.1% | 30.7% | 0.81 | −58.4% | +173% | 0.15 | — |
| 28 | Whole market | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +213% | 0.01 | 0.40% | |
| 29 | Popular alternative | +26.5% | 32.5% | 0.89 | −77.5% | +433% | 0.77 | — | |
| 30 | FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology | Whole market | +21.8% | 24.3% | 0.94 | −38.0% | — | -0.10 | 0.19% |
| 31 | Whole market | +21.3% | 25.6% | 0.89 | −30.3% | +816% | 0.15 | — | |
| 32 | Popular alternative | +18.2% | 32.6% | 0.68 | −70.7% | +379% | 0.85 | — | |
| 33 | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.29 | — | |
| 34 | IXCiShares Global Energy ETF · International | Whole market | +20.7% | 23.2% | 0.93 | −64.2% | +183% | 0.85 | 0.37% |
| 35 | AAMIAcadian Asset Management · Asset Management | Whole market | +29.0% | 35.6% | 0.90 | −78.1% | +652% | 0.17 | — |
| 36 | Whole market | +16.5% | 23.1% | 0.78 | −48.4% | +808% | 0.14 | — | |
| 37 | DCODucommun Incorporated · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +27.5% | 34.5% | 0.88 | −70.8% | +706% | 0.09 | — |
| 38 | Whole market | +19.0% | 20.8% | 0.95 | −54.9% | +335% | 0.27 | — | |
| 39 | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.03 | — | |
| 40 | Whole market | +19.2% | 22.4% | 0.90 | −42.0% | +311% | 0.20 | — | |
| 41 | Whole market | +17.0% | 26.2% | 0.73 | −41.4% | +356% | 0.19 | — | |
| 42 | Whole market | +47.3% | 32.5% | 1.36 | −68.9% | +1,028% | 0.06 | — | |
| 43 | CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +21.5% | 25.1% | 0.91 | −43.2% | +463% | 0.14 | — |
| 44 | ACGLArch Capital Group Ltd. · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +20.1% | 24.5% | 0.87 | −53.8% | +309% | 0.21 | — |
| 45 | CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +29.9% | 29.3% | 1.04 | −36.1% | +537% | 0.32 | — |
| 46 | Whole market | +17.3% | 27.8% | 0.71 | −57.7% | +809% | 0.11 | — | |
| 47 | Whole market | +18.5% | 28.0% | 0.75 | −38.5% | +1,168% | 0.10 | — | |
| 48 | WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +18.9% | 22.9% | 0.87 | −45.3% | +443% | 0.20 | — |
| 49 | CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy | Whole market | +19.8% | 20.9% | 0.97 | −58.8% | +336% | 0.62 | 0.61% |
| 50 | FTXNFirst Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF · Energy | Whole market | +17.9% | 29.0% | 0.72 | −73.5% | +164% | 0.87 | 0.60% |
| 51 | Whole market | +19.0% | 32.0% | 0.71 | −44.6% | +752% | -0.02 | — | |
| 52 | IEOiShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +21.5% | 29.9% | 0.80 | −75.0% | +217% | 0.87 | 0.37% |
| 53 | HRBH&R Block, Inc. · Tax Preparation | Whole market | +18.3% | 34.9% | 0.65 | −57.7% | +206% | 0.16 | — |
| 54 | RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated · Insurance | Whole market | +19.7% | 27.3% | 0.80 | −65.8% | +199% | 0.30 | — |
| 55 | BSVNBank7 Corp. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +21.1% | 33.5% | 0.74 | −69.6% | — | 0.15 | — |
| 56 | MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +26.1% | 31.2% | 0.90 | −35.5% | +706% | 0.22 | — |
| 57 | ORIOld Republic International Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +17.0% | 22.2% | 0.82 | −47.8% | +349% | 0.28 | — |
| 58 | Whole market | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | 0.01 | — | |
| 59 | PPAInvesco Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +16.3% | 18.9% | 0.90 | −43.9% | +344% | 0.14 | 0.58% |
| 60 | AXSAXIS Capital Holdings Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +16.7% | 25.2% | 0.74 | −49.3% | +137% | 0.15 | — |
| 61 | Whole market | +17.3% | 24.3% | 0.78 | −43.6% | +537% | 0.14 | — | |
| 62 | Whole market | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.11 | — | |
| 63 | Whole market | +33.1% | 25.9% | 1.24 | −62.3% | +319% | 0.25 | — | |
| 64 | Whole market | +36.0% | 31.0% | 1.15 | −80.9% | +139% | 0.10 | — | |
| 65 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.15 | 0.48% |
| 66 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.34 | 0.40% |
| 67 | Whole market | +31.1% | 31.9% | 1.01 | −43.4% | +936% | 0.12 | — | |
| 68 | Whole market | +17.4% | 22.9% | 0.82 | −31.4% | +685% | 0.07 | — | |
| 69 | Whole market | +33.2% | 29.4% | 1.13 | −54.9% | +483% | 0.13 | — | |
| 70 | Same or nearby category | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +350% | 0.44 | — | |
| 71 | Whole market | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +242% | 0.11 | — | |
| 72 | Whole market | +16.8% | 26.1% | 0.73 | −42.0% | +374% | -0.06 | — | |
| 73 | Whole market | +17.1% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | +226% | 0.18 | — | |
| 74 | Whole market | +33.8% | 32.2% | 1.07 | −37.5% | +965% | -0.20 | — | |
| 75 | Whole market | +26.0% | 23.8% | 1.09 | −63.3% | +379% | 0.08 | — | |
| 76 | Whole market | +31.7% | 33.9% | 0.99 | −73.8% | +332% | 0.12 | — | |
| 77 | Whole market | +38.7% | 33.3% | 1.16 | −69.6% | +542% | 0.11 | — | |
| 78 | Whole market | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +200% | 0.09 | — | |
| 79 | Whole market | +19.6% | 28.6% | 0.77 | −48.8% | +521% | 0.15 | — | |
| 80 | BFCBank First Corporation · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +19.0% | 27.3% | 0.78 | −39.8% | +496% | 0.01 | — |
| 81 | Whole market | +35.4% | 35.4% | 1.04 | −55.1% | +935% | -0.01 | — | |
| 82 | Whole market | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +345% | 0.01 | — | |
| 83 | Whole market | +19.9% | 22.3% | 0.93 | −42.5% | +361% | 0.03 | — | |
| 84 | Whole market | +16.6% | 30.5% | 0.66 | −41.1% | +151% | -0.14 | — | |
| 85 | Whole market | +18.4% | 26.0% | 0.78 | −35.1% | +779% | -0.06 | 0.09% | |
| 86 | Whole market | +25.4% | 30.4% | 0.90 | −59.8% | +374% | 0.13 | — | |
| 87 | Whole market | +33.7% | 29.4% | 1.14 | −47.6% | +474% | -0.02 | — | |
| 88 | Whole market | +27.4% | 28.8% | 0.99 | −54.7% | +789% | 0.02 | — | |
| 89 | Whole market | +19.5% | 34.1% | 0.69 | −33.6% | +652% | 0.08 | — | |
| 90 | Whole market | +18.7% | 22.0% | 0.90 | −56.1% | +98.2% | 0.17 | — | |
| 91 | Whole market | +22.6% | 29.1% | 0.85 | −41.6% | +521% | -0.01 | — | |
| 92 | Whole market | +17.8% | 21.4% | 0.88 | −53.7% | +140% | 0.30 | — | |
| 93 | Whole market | +20.4% | 32.1% | 0.74 | −44.5% | +657% | -0.08 | — | |
| 94 | Whole market | +22.7% | 24.4% | 0.97 | −50.5% | +341% | 0.13 | — | |
| 95 | Whole market | +19.2% | 21.6% | 0.93 | −47.3% | +395% | 0.05 | — | |
| 96 | Whole market | +26.3% | 33.8% | 0.86 | −62.1% | +190% | 0.33 | — | |
| 97 | Whole market | +22.7% | 27.7% | 0.88 | −40.5% | +955% | -0.17 | — | |
| 98 | Whole market | +22.0% | 28.6% | 0.84 | −61.3% | +544% | 0.21 | — | |
| 99 | Whole market | +24.7% | 31.1% | 0.87 | −74.4% | +339% | 0.08 | — | |
| 100 | Whole market | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.19 | — |
OXY against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against OXY, compared period by period and year by year.
How do OXY'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 OXY, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Seven of the 20 popular alternatives, led by XOM, CNQ and WES, were both more rewarding and calmer than OXY over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, OXY returned 15.2% a year, more than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (37.9% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than OXY with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| PR Permian Resources Corporation | +33.1% | 47.1% |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | +27.1% | 26.5% |
| CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Limited | +26.5% | 32.5% |
| WES Western Midstream Partners, LP | +23.5% | 27.6% |
| CVX Chevron Corporation | +19.5% | 25.2% |
| COP ConocoPhillips | +18.2% | 32.6% |
| FANG Diamondback Energy, Inc. | +17.6% | 36.6% |
| CHRD Chord Energy Corporation | +16.7% | 39.1% |
| EOG EOG Resources, Inc. | +16.6% | 32.3% |
| APA APA Corporation | +16.2% | 47.6% |
| OXY This pageOccidental Petroleum Corporation | +15.2% | 37.9% |
| OVV Ovintiv Inc. | +14.8% | 44.8% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| MUR Murphy Oil Corporation | +11.8% | 45.0% |
| SLB Slb N.V. | +10.0% | 37.5% |
| DVN Devon Energy Corporation | +9.3% | 39.9% |
| NOG Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. | +7.1% | 48.2% |
| HAL Halliburton Company | +6.9% | 39.4% |
| MTDR Matador Resources Company | +6.9% | 46.3% |
| SM SM Energy Company | +6.9% | 52.8% |
| CRC California Resources Corp | +6.8% | 39.1% |
| MGY Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation | +6.3% | 38.9% |
Has OXY consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares OXY 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 OXY helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Nine of the 20 popular alternatives, led by CNQ, COP and PR, outperformed OXY in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- CNQ, COP and PR outperformed OXY in every long-term period and in all but one short-term period, the most consistent record in the group.
- XOM, CNQ and CVX earned more for the risk they took than OXY (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than OXY 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.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| OXY Occidental Petroleum Corporation (this page) | — | +9.9% | +14.5% | +16.6% | +50.6% | +56.4% | +2.0% | +103% | +11.6% | 37.9% | 0.56 | −88.4% | — | $63B | — |
| CNQ QualifiedCanadian Natural Resources Limited | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.2% | +24.4% | +27.6% | +62.5% | +87.7% | +90.4% | +224% | +433% | 32.5% | 0.89 | −77.5% | — | $112B | — |
| COP QualifiedConocoPhillips | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +14.4% | +27.0% | +27.1% | +54.3% | +72.9% | +28.5% | +131% | +379% | 32.6% | 0.68 | −70.7% | — | $175B | — |
| PR QualifiedPermian Resources Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +13.1% | +23.3% | +28.6% | +76.5% | +108% | +86.6% | +317% | +99.2% | 47.1% | 0.85 | −98.9% | — | $21B | — |
| XOM QualifiedExxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.4% | +20.7% | +22.0% | +47.9% | +62.4% | +76.7% | +232% | +214% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | — | $731B | — |
| CVX QualifiedChevron Corporation | 3/5 short3/3 long | +10.8% | +20.0% | +25.4% | +48.8% | +51.9% | +53.4% | +144% | +238% | 25.2% | 0.84 | −55.8% | — | $446B | — |
| OVV QualifiedOvintiv Inc. | 5/5 short2/3 long | +16.8% | +22.2% | +32.8% | +76.3% | +98.3% | +52.5% | +99.6% | +56.0% | 44.8% | 0.54 | −96.8% | — | $19B | — |
| APA QualifiedAPA Corporation | 5/5 short2/3 long | +13.9% | +44.2% | +40.6% | +101% | +130% | +31.9% | +111% | +0.9% | 47.6% | 0.56 | −93.5% | — | $17B | — |
| MUR QualifiedMurphy Oil Corporation | 4/5 short2/3 long | +19.1% | +18.2% | +18.3% | +36.6% | +62.7% | +2.9% | +74.9% | +109% | 45.0% | 0.48 | −86.1% | — | $6.2B | — |
| CHRD QualifiedChord Energy Corporation | 4/5 short2/3 long | +9.2% | +19.2% | +21.9% | +65.3% | +77.0% | +4.9% | +117% | — | 39.1% | 0.59 | −53.9% | — | $8.3B | — |
| EOG Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionEOG Resources, Inc. | 2/5 short3/3 long | +12.4% | +12.7% | +24.0% | +51.9% | +53.1% | +31.9% | +115% | +131% | 32.3% | 0.64 | −77.1% | — | $83B | — |
| FANG Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionDiamondback Energy, Inc. | 0/5 short3/3 long | +6.9% | +4.2% | +11.6% | +35.1% | +46.8% | +35.7% | +125% | +160% | 36.6% | 0.63 | −88.7% | — | $57B | — |
| WES Oil & Gas MidstreamWestern Midstream Partners, LP | 0/5 short3/3 long | −4.4% | −2.6% | +14.1% | +19.4% | +27.6% | +110% | +187% | +128% | 27.6% | 0.91 | −91.9% | — | $18B | — |
| DVN Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionDevon Energy Corporation | 2/5 short2/3 long | +5.9% | +15.8% | +13.6% | +35.6% | +61.8% | +15.0% | +56.0% | +69.6% | 39.9% | 0.42 | −88.5% | — | $55B | — |
| CRC Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionCalifornia Resources Corp | 0/5 short2/3 long | +2.9% | +4.6% | −11.5% | +19.5% | +18.9% | +9.2% | +38.7% | +397% | 39.1% | 0.36 | −98.1% | — | $4.8B | — |
| SM Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionSM Energy Company | 5/5 short1/3 long | +11.8% | +24.9% | +46.1% | +108% | +88.7% | −1.4% | +39.5% | +123% | 52.8% | 0.39 | −94.7% | — | $9.2B | — |
| NOG Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionNorthern Oil and Gas, Inc. | 2/5 short1/3 long | +18.1% | +32.3% | +16.3% | +32.6% | +39.8% | −16.6% | +40.8% | +41.7% | 48.2% | 0.38 | −92.2% | — | $2.9B | — |
| MTDR Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionMatador Resources Company | 0/5 short1/3 long | +6.2% | +8.3% | +3.2% | +35.4% | +36.6% | −5.3% | +39.7% | +168% | 46.3% | 0.38 | −96.5% | — | $7.1B | — |
| MGY Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionMagnolia Oil & Gas Corporation | 0/5 short1/3 long | +4.9% | +0.4% | −7.8% | +15.5% | +14.0% | +18.4% | +35.9% | — | 38.9% | 0.35 | −77.8% | — | $6.0B | — |
| HAL Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesHalliburton Company | 0/5 short0/3 long | +0.6% | −3.9% | −7.6% | +15.0% | +51.5% | −14.7% | +39.8% | −17.1% | 39.4% | 0.37 | −91.5% | — | $28B | — |
| SLB Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesSlb N.V. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −3.4% | +8.3% | −3.3% | +26.4% | +53.2% | −7.2% | +60.7% | −21.3% | 37.5% | 0.44 | −84.5% | — | $74B | — |
How did OXY do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where OXY ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with OXY and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- OXY finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 14 of its 29 full calendar years, and behind it in each of the last three.
- Among its popular alternatives, FANG came out ahead of OXY most often, in 11 of the 13 years both traded.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, OXY finished in the top quarter in six of 29 years and in the bottom quarter in five. In 2025, it ranked 17 of 21.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of OXY; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places OXY among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of OXY | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXY This pageOccidental Petroleum Corporation | — | −14.9% | −15.9% | −4.1% | +119% | +67.7% | −56.6% | −28.3% | −13.1% | +8.5% | +9.8% | −12.7% | −8.9% | +27.8% | −16.1% | −2.6% | +22.7% | +38.4% | −20.7% | +60.2% | +24.2% | +39.2% | +41.3% | +53.1% | +11.0% | +13.4% | +17.7% | +35.7% | −39.8% | +30.3% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 6 of 29 | 17 of 21 | 15 of 21 | 14 of 21 | 1 of 21 | 17 of 21 | 17 of 19 | 18 of 20 | 6 of 20 | 7 of 19 | 16 of 18 | 4 of 18 | 11 of 17 | 9 of 17 | 11 of 14 | 6 of 14 | 9 of 14 | 9 of 14 | 3 of 14 | 3 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 8 of 13 | 6 of 13 | 3 of 13 | 7 of 13 | 2 of 12 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 8 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 15 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% |
| CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 15 of 25 | +15.5% | −1.3% | +23.7% | +39.9% | +83.3% | −19.1% | +39.6% | −28.9% | +15.0% | +51.6% | −27.4% | −6.8% | +19.1% | −21.7% | −15.2% | +24.4% | +81.4% | −44.9% | +38.1% | +7.6% | +133% | +71.3% | +72.2% | +24.3% | −10.9% | — | — | — | — |
| COP ConocoPhillips | 15 of 29 | −2.3% | −12.2% | +2.0% | +72.2% | +87.1% | −36.0% | +6.6% | +15.6% | +11.9% | +10.1% | −29.0% | +1.5% | +27.1% | +8.0% | +11.0% | +38.6% | +2.8% | −39.9% | +25.4% | +26.5% | +36.9% | +35.6% | +39.8% | −17.5% | +8.6% | +24.2% | +13.6% | −9.8% | +13.1% |
| PR Permian Resources Corporation | 4 of 9 | +1.9% | +10.8% | +49.5% | +57.7% | +299% | −67.6% | −58.0% | −44.4% | +0.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 11 of 29 | +16.0% | +11.3% | −6.3% | +87.4% | +57.6% | −36.2% | +7.2% | −15.1% | −3.8% | +19.9% | −12.8% | −6.0% | +20.1% | +4.7% | +18.7% | +10.1% | −12.6% | −13.1% | +24.3% | +39.1% | +11.8% | +28.1% | +20.7% | −8.9% | −7.5% | +10.2% | +12.7% | +22.5% | +28.3% |
| CVX Chevron Corporation | 13 of 29 | +10.1% | +1.3% | −13.6% | +58.5% | +46.2% | −25.9% | +15.3% | −9.7% | +10.6% | +36.7% | −16.2% | −7.0% | +19.3% | +5.1% | +20.3% | +22.9% | +8.1% | −18.3% | +30.5% | +33.7% | +11.5% | +25.6% | +35.4% | −23.2% | +9.4% | +0.6% | +7.2% | +11.1% | +22.1% |
| OVV Ovintiv Inc. | 12 of 24 | −0.3% | −5.2% | −10.9% | +53.3% | +138% | −34.8% | −17.6% | −56.4% | +14.2% | +132% | −62.1% | −22.0% | −5.2% | +10.8% | −34.3% | −7.8% | +697% | −28.6% | +51.8% | +3.3% | +60.1% | +47.1% | +29.4% | +22.0% | — | — | — | — | — |
| APA APA Corporation | 11 of 29 | +11.5% | −33.5% | −21.2% | +76.4% | +90.7% | −43.7% | +1.1% | −36.4% | −32.2% | +45.7% | −27.7% | −26.3% | +10.5% | −12.7% | −23.6% | +16.3% | +39.5% | −30.2% | +62.9% | −2.3% | +36.2% | +25.4% | +50.3% | +15.2% | −21.2% | +90.5% | +47.1% | −27.2% | +0.7% |
| MUR Murphy Oil Corporation | 14 of 29 | +8.7% | −26.8% | +2.0% | +68.6% | +121% | −52.8% | +19.5% | −22.1% | +3.4% | +46.0% | −53.9% | −20.3% | +29.1% | +14.1% | −23.8% | +40.2% | +24.4% | −47.0% | +68.7% | −4.8% | +35.4% | +24.7% | +55.0% | +3.9% | +42.1% | +7.9% | +43.7% | −21.5% | +12.9% |
| CHRD Chord Energy Corporation | 2 of 5 | −16.4% | −25.0% | +31.8% | +34.1% | +261% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| EOG EOG Resources, Inc. | 16 of 29 | −11.4% | +4.3% | −2.0% | +56.9% | +88.6% | −38.6% | −2.8% | −18.7% | +7.5% | +44.0% | −22.5% | +10.3% | +39.7% | +23.4% | +8.5% | −5.5% | +47.4% | −25.0% | +43.6% | −14.6% | +106% | +55.3% | +16.1% | +2.5% | −28.1% | +212% | +2.5% | −18.0% | −15.5% |
| FANG Diamondback Energy, Inc. | 11 of 13 | −5.6% | +10.3% | +19.7% | +35.4% | +127% | −46.0% | +0.9% | −26.4% | +24.9% | +51.1% | +11.9% | +13.0% | +177% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| WES Western Midstream Partners, LP | 9 of 13 | +12.8% | +43.6% | +19.5% | +29.2% | +72.2% | −19.2% | −22.7% | −20.3% | −8.0% | +22.3% | −38.1% | +55.5% | +34.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DVN Devon Energy Corporation | 11 of 29 | +15.0% | −25.2% | −21.8% | +50.9% | +196% | −35.2% | +16.7% | −45.1% | −8.8% | +45.0% | −46.6% | +0.4% | +20.7% | −15.0% | −20.3% | +7.8% | +13.1% | −25.6% | +33.5% | +8.1% | +61.6% | +36.7% | +25.4% | +19.3% | −36.4% | +86.3% | +7.8% | −19.8% | +11.3% |
| CRC California Resources Corp | 5 of 10 | −10.8% | −2.6% | +28.9% | +3.7% | +81.8% | — | −47.0% | −12.3% | −8.7% | −8.6% | −57.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SM SM Energy Company | 15 of 29 | −49.7% | +1.8% | +13.1% | +18.6% | +382% | +10.2% | −26.1% | −29.3% | −35.3% | +76.5% | −48.8% | −53.5% | +59.6% | −28.3% | +24.3% | +73.0% | +70.1% | −47.1% | +5.4% | +0.5% | +77.6% | +47.3% | +15.0% | +19.1% | −35.8% | +171% | +35.4% | −45.9% | +43.0% |
| NOG Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. | 7 of 18 | −38.2% | +4.9% | +25.6% | +54.5% | +137% | −62.6% | +3.6% | +10.2% | −25.5% | −28.8% | −31.7% | −62.5% | −10.4% | −29.9% | −11.9% | +130% | +355% | −62.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MTDR Matador Resources Company | 10 of 13 | −22.3% | +0.4% | +0.5% | +55.8% | +207% | −32.9% | +15.7% | −50.1% | +20.9% | +30.3% | −2.3% | +8.5% | +127% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MGY Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation | 6 of 8 | −3.8% | +12.2% | −7.3% | +26.5% | +169% | −43.9% | +12.3% | +15.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| HAL Halliburton Company | 14 of 29 | +7.0% | −23.2% | −6.5% | +74.5% | +22.0% | −21.2% | −4.9% | −44.6% | −8.9% | +61.7% | −11.9% | −21.6% | +47.9% | +1.6% | −14.8% | +37.3% | +68.3% | −51.5% | +23.3% | +1.1% | +59.4% | +53.4% | +42.1% | +47.2% | −63.3% | −8.9% | +37.7% | −42.1% | +74.5% |
| SLB Slb N.V. | 14 of 29 | +3.3% | −24.5% | −0.8% | +81.1% | +39.6% | −43.8% | +17.8% | −44.7% | −18.5% | +23.5% | −16.3% | −3.6% | +32.1% | +3.0% | −17.2% | +30.0% | +56.2% | −56.5% | +57.1% | +31.1% | +46.6% | +23.8% | +32.0% | −22.2% | −30.3% | +43.9% | +34.9% | −41.6% | +63.2% |
Risk and diversification
How OXY 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 OXY's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents OXY'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.
- In all four of OXY's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: OXY fell 88.4% from May 2011 to October 2020, while the S&P 500 rose 190%.
- The slowest recovery came after OXY fell 41.1% from July 1987 to January 1991; it did not regain that peak until April 1995, four years later.
Green means OXY fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | OXY fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 China and oil sell-off | −88.4% | +190% | May 2011 | Oct 2020 | 9.4 years | Not yet | — |
| 2008 financial crisis | −58.1% | −46.3% | May 2008 | Nov 2008 | 6 months | Dec 2010 | 2.1 years |
| No named crash | −49.1% | +10.2% | May 1998 | Mar 1999 | 10 months | Mar 2001 | 2 years |
| No named crash | −41.1% | — | Jul 1987 | Jan 1991 | 3.5 years | Apr 1995 | 4.3 years |
| Dot-com bust | −28.4% | −21.1% | May 2001 | Sep 2001 | 4 months | May 2002 | 8 months |
How did OXY do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far OXY, 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.
- OXY fell further than the S&P 500 in seven of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when OXY fell 76.8% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.
- Among its popular alternatives, XOM held up best, falling less than OXY in seven of the ten crashes they both traded through.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than OXY.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXY This pageOccidental Petroleum Corporation | — | −4.6% | −22.9% | −76.8% | −30.5% | −7.3% | −21.4% | −36.1% | 0.0% | −58.1% | −28.4% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 7 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 1 of 9 | −5.8% | −32.2% | −74.4% | −32.1% | −11.7% | −38.1% | −36.9% | −0.2% | −74.8% | — |
| COP ConocoPhillips | 3 of 10 | −6.1% | −33.0% | −61.8% | −28.3% | −9.4% | −43.4% | −19.0% | −0.8% | −62.4% | −31.7% |
| PR Permian Resources Corporation | 0 of 5 | −8.2% | −44.3% | −90.1% | −55.9% | −7.9% | — | — | — | — | — |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 7 of 10 | −3.1% | −20.5% | −47.9% | −23.6% | −10.0% | −15.0% | −19.6% | −0.3% | −33.7% | −33.6% |
| CVX Chevron Corporation | 7 of 10 | −2.6% | −24.9% | −51.0% | −19.6% | −5.3% | −18.5% | −17.2% | −0.1% | −43.8% | −29.5% |
| OVV Ovintiv Inc. | 0 of 9 | −9.6% | −36.5% | −86.4% | −62.0% | −11.9% | −63.3% | −38.5% | −0.1% | −63.9% | — |
| APA APA Corporation | 0 of 10 | −10.3% | −40.1% | −84.9% | −48.2% | −13.1% | −36.1% | −40.5% | −2.5% | −64.8% | −47.1% |
| MUR Murphy Oil Corporation | 0 of 10 | −7.9% | −40.4% | −79.1% | −37.6% | −10.7% | −52.4% | −39.3% | −2.5% | −63.0% | −34.3% |
| CHRD Chord Energy Corporation | 0 of 2 | −5.9% | −35.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| EOG EOG Resources, Inc. | 1 of 10 | −7.4% | −33.4% | −61.5% | −37.3% | −11.3% | −31.7% | −35.8% | −1.5% | −68.0% | −52.7% |
| FANG Diamondback Energy, Inc. | 0 of 6 | −7.7% | −33.5% | −80.3% | −38.7% | −9.8% | −29.3% | — | — | — | — |
| WES Western Midstream Partners, LP | 3 of 6 | −2.5% | −23.5% | −77.4% | −17.6% | −6.5% | −63.0% | — | — | — | — |
| DVN Devon Energy Corporation | 1 of 10 | −8.3% | −33.6% | −75.9% | −49.4% | −13.4% | −55.2% | −36.6% | −2.3% | −68.6% | −52.9% |
| CRC California Resources Corp | 1 of 6 | −8.3% | −28.5% | −66.3% | −72.2% | −14.1% | −87.6% | — | — | — | — |
| SM SM Energy Company | 2 of 10 | −3.6% | −44.1% | −77.1% | −59.5% | −11.8% | −76.4% | −31.1% | −3.4% | −82.0% | −57.0% |
| NOG Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. | 1 of 9 | −8.3% | −39.0% | −65.5% | −55.0% | −26.7% | −57.7% | −45.7% | −4.8% | −86.7% | — |
| MTDR Matador Resources Company | 0 of 6 | −9.5% | −34.6% | −90.8% | −58.7% | −10.3% | −54.8% | — | — | — | — |
| MGY Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation | 2 of 5 | −6.6% | −38.1% | −63.6% | −33.6% | −0.6% | — | — | — | — | — |
| HAL Halliburton Company | 0 of 10 | −10.2% | −45.5% | −79.1% | −40.0% | −10.5% | −32.7% | −49.8% | −4.3% | −75.0% | −82.8% |
| SLB Slb N.V. | 1 of 10 | −8.8% | −36.8% | −64.9% | −43.6% | −10.9% | −27.1% | −38.9% | −3.8% | −68.0% | −59.8% |
How closely does OXY 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 OXY with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- 14 of the 17 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than OXY's 0.51, led by COP, CNQ and XOM.
- XOM took just 83% of the S&P 500's losses, against 155% for OXY, while still keeping 78% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, OXY captured 80% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 155% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.24. Its share of the market's losses was larger than its share of the gains.
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 OXY's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXY This pageOccidental Petroleum Corporation | 80% | 155% | 0.51 | 1.24 |
| COP ConocoPhillips | 94% | 92% | 1.02 | 0.91 |
| CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 110% | 109% | 1.01 | 1.13 |
| XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation | 78% | 83% | 0.94 | 0.76 |
| CVX Chevron Corporation | 86% | 94% | 0.91 | 0.89 |
| FANG Diamondback Energy, Inc. | 108% | 148% | 0.73 | 1.54 |
| EOG EOG Resources, Inc. | 92% | 135% | 0.69 | 1.17 |
| WES Western Midstream Partners, LP | 121% | 175% | 0.69 | 2.23 |
| MTDR Matador Resources Company | 156% | 239% | 0.65 | 2.70 |
| SM SM Energy Company | 154% | 244% | 0.63 | 3.21 |
| MUR Murphy Oil Corporation | 138% | 225% | 0.61 | 1.79 |
| PR Permian Resources Corporation | 139% | 234% | 0.59 | 3.38 |
| DVN Devon Energy Corporation | 118% | 199% | 0.59 | 1.80 |
| OVV Ovintiv Inc. | 131% | 228% | 0.58 | 2.14 |
| NOG Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. | 123% | 228% | 0.54 | 1.68 |
| APA APA Corporation | 124% | 246% | 0.50 | 2.54 |
| HAL Halliburton Company | 113% | 225% | 0.50 | 1.75 |
| SLB Slb N.V. | 104% | 212% | 0.49 | 1.54 |
What diversifies OXY?
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 OXY's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing OXY with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in OXY into SMH would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 20% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+15.0% for OXY alone, +21.7% for the mix).
- CAH made money in ten of the 12 calendar years in which OXY lost money.
- Among large ETFs, LVHI, DXJ and SMH have moved largely independently of OXY over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.34 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
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 OXY lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% OXY and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2015 | 2014 | 2012 | 2011 | 2008 | 1998 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXY Occidental Petroleum Corporation (this page) | 1.00 | +103% | 0.56 | −14.9% | −15.9% | −4.1% | −56.6% | −28.3% | −13.1% | −12.7% | −8.9% | −16.1% | −2.6% | −20.7% | −39.8% | 37.3% | +15.0% |
| LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF | 0.34 | +119% | 1.48 | +27.1% | +15.9% | +17.4% | −9.0% | +17.8% | −5.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30.5% | +16.4% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.15 | +225% | 1.34 | +32.8% | +29.8% | +42.0% | +3.9% | +18.9% | −19.8% | +7.7% | +8.1% | +19.6% | −16.1% | −20.8% | — | 30.3% | +18.5% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | -0.12 | +323% | 0.97 | +49.2% | +39.1% | +73.4% | +55.5% | +64.5% | −9.1% | −0.3% | +30.2% | +8.6% | +6.8% | −44.7% | — | 29.8% | +21.7% |
| DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 0.11 | +85.0% | 0.96 | +23.1% | +13.4% | +20.1% | +2.1% | +24.9% | −9.5% | +4.1% | +3.4% | +20.9% | — | — | — | 30.2% | +15.9% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.01 | +126% | 0.96 | +63.7% | +26.7% | +12.7% | +24.8% | +17.9% | −1.9% | −10.7% | −2.2% | +6.6% | +9.6% | +4.9% | — | 30.1% | +17.0% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | -0.04 | +136% | 0.93 | +26.6% | +45.8% | +17.6% | +28.2% | +25.9% | −0.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30.0% | +17.9% |
| DFIV InternationalDimensional - International Value ETF | 0.32 | +99.4% | 0.93 | +45.4% | +7.2% | +17.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31.0% | +16.2% |
| VTV Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Value ETF | 0.29 | +76.6% | 0.90 | +15.3% | +16.0% | +9.3% | +2.3% | +25.7% | −5.5% | −1.0% | +13.2% | +15.2% | +1.1% | −35.9% | — | 30.8% | +15.5% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2015 | 2014 | 2012 | 2011 | 2008 | 1998 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXY Occidental Petroleum Corporation (this page) | 1.00 | +103% | 0.56 | −14.9% | −15.9% | −4.1% | −56.6% | −28.3% | −13.1% | −12.7% | −8.9% | −16.1% | −2.6% | −20.7% | −39.8% | 37.3% | +15.0% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | -0.03 | +479% | 1.55 | +76.3% | +19.0% | +34.1% | +10.1% | +18.0% | −24.5% | +12.6% | +23.0% | +3.8% | +8.1% | −39.6% | +51.7% | 30.1% | +21.1% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | -0.03 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +220% | +215% | +160% | −2.4% | −5.7% | −16.3% | −6.0% | +12.9% | +11.2% | −24.4% | −20.5% | — | 31.7% | +34.5% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | -0.02 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +121% | +107% | +79.6% | +6.7% | +15.1% | +0.8% | +67.7% | −10.4% | +15.7% | −17.0% | −15.2% | −9.5% | 31.0% | +30.3% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.29 | +413% | 1.44 | +44.5% | +23.7% | +24.1% | +27.1% | +26.7% | −28.4% | −4.5% | +29.3% | +25.6% | +11.8% | −40.4% | +46.9% | 31.6% | +20.0% |
| HWM Aerospace & DefenseHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 0.06 | +594% | 1.36 | +87.9% | +103% | +37.8% | −7.2% | +83.6% | −37.5% | −36.3% | +50.9% | +2.9% | −42.9% | −67.4% | +7.0% | 31.0% | +23.3% |
Common questions
What was OXY's worst drawdown?
OXY's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 88.4%, from May 2011 to October 2020. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.
What were OXY's best and worst years?
Over 29 full calendar years, OXY's best year was 2022, when it returned 119%. Its worst was 2020, with a return of -56.6%.
Is there a better investment than OXY?
Among OXY's popular alternatives, XOM, CVX and CNQ earned more than OXY with less volatility over the past 5 years. XOM returned 27.1% a year at 26.5% volatility, against 15.2% a year at 37.9%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, MPC (oil & gas) and SHEL (integrated oil & gas) earned more than OXY with less volatility over the past 5 years. MPC returned 51.2% a year at 33.4% volatility, against 15.2% a year at 37.9%.
Is OXY more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. OXY's volatility over the past 5 years was 37.9%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, OXY's return lands within 37.9% 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 OXY's Sharpe ratio?
OXY's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.56, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so OXY 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 OXY with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, OXY's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.10 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against OXY instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a OXY holding.
What are the best alternatives to OXY?
Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, nine outperformed OXY in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: CNQ, COP and PR.
Did OXY outperform the S&P 500?
OXY finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 14 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -14.9%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did OXY do in stock market crashes?
OXY fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in three of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when OXY fell 76.8% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.
What diversifies OXY?
These had a low correlation with OXY over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.34), DXJ (correlation 0.15) and SMH (correlation -0.12); among large stocks, CAH (correlation -0.03), CLS (correlation -0.03) and FIX (correlation -0.02). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than OXY's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of OXY's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.
More research
Popular alternatives to OXY
CNQCanadian Natural Resources
COPConocoPhillips
XOMExxonmobil
CVXChevron
EOGEOG Resources
FANGDiamondback Energy
DVNDevon Energy
SLBSlb