Relative Intelligence · Pharmaceuticals
How Pfizer (PFE) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on PFE alone. It places PFE (Pfizer Inc.) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where PFE stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: PFE'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 nowPFE is 36.5% below its high, bear-market territory, while the S&P 500 sits 1.3% below a record. That said, over the past 3 months, PFE rose 23.8% against 3.9% for the S&P 500 and 3.2% for the Nasdaq 100. At a glance ↓
- Stock or market?More than an industry move: PFE rose 23.8% over the past 3 months, against 5.0% for the pharmaceuticals ETF IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF). The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. PFE rose 8.5% last month as the S&P 500 fell 0.6% and the Nasdaq 100 fell 3.2%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsPFE has outpaced the market, rising 30.5% over the past year against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. Even so, the last two calendar years both went the same way: PFE rose 0.6% in 2025, against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. By year ↓
- Long termPFE turned $10,000 into $15,500 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. PFE finished ahead of the S&P 500 in ten of its 29 calendar years. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashPFE fell less than the S&P 500 in five of seven sell-offs, but the 2015 China and oil sell-off broke the pattern: it fell 18.2%, more than the S&P 500's 12.8%. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationAgainst the S&P 500, PFE has a correlation of 0.21 over 5 years, less closely than 84% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Next to an index fund it is a real diversifier. PFE moves far less with the S&P 500 than it used to, with a correlation of 0.21 over the past 5 years against 0.53 in the 5 years before. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- TAK (Takeda Pharmaceutical), ABBV (AbbVie) and JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) earned more than PFE with less volatility over the past 5 years. TAK returned 11.9% a year at 19.4% volatility, against a loss of 1.7% a year at 25.4%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- RPRX (Royalty Pharma, pharmaceuticals) and BDX (Becton, Dickinson and Company, medical devices) earned more than PFE with less volatility over the past 5 years. RPRX returned 13.3% a year at 23.8% volatility, against a loss of 1.7% a year at 25.4%.
- Whole market
- 1,054 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than PFE with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF), VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway).
How much would $10,000 in PFE have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in PFE over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of PFE over the same span and PFE'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 PFE at the end of September 1997 would have grown to $42,379 by September 2026, less than the $132,907 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Seven of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of PFE, and GILD finished highest, at $1,571,438.
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. 786 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of PFE; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- GILD$2M+15,614% total · +19.1% a year
- AMGN$526,909+5,169% total · +14.6% a year
- LLY$396,376+3,864% total · +13.5% a year
- TMO$235,386+2,254% total · +11.5% a year
- MCK$208,304+1,983% total · +11.0% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
- MRK$82,561+726% total · +7.6% a year
- TEVA$76,156+662% total · +7.3% a year
- PFE$42,379+324% total · +5.1% a year
- VTRS$23,883+139% total · +3.0% 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. 2,813 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of PFE; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- LLY$52,411+424% total · +39.3% a year
- TEVA$40,657+307% total · +32.4% a year
- ABBV$29,134+191% total · +23.8% a year
- AMGN$23,160+132% total · +18.3% a year
- MRK$22,538+125% total · +17.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- VTRS$16,124+61.2% total · +10.0% a year
- TAK$13,697+37.0% total · +6.5% a year
- TMO$11,986+19.9% total · +3.7% a year
- PFE$8,642−13.6% total · −2.9% a year
PFE 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.
- PFE is still 36.5% below its all-time high.
- PFE's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 69.3%, from April 1999 to March 2009. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 29 full calendar years, PFE's best was 1997, when it returned 82.0%, and its worst was 2023, when it lost 41.3%. It lost money in 11 of those years.
The company
- Market value
- $172B
- Industry
- Drug Manufacturers - General
- Price history from
- October 1986
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +30.5%total return
- Past 3 years
- +19.2%+6.0% a year
- Past 5 years
- −8.3%−1.7% a year
- Past 10 years
- +55.0%+4.5% a year
- Best calendar year
- +82.0%1997
- Worst calendar year
- −41.3%2023
- Losing years
- 11 of 29full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 25.4%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.06return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −69.3%Apr 1999 to Mar 2009
- From its all-time high
- −36.5%below the peak
PFE against the whole market
Where PFE ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does PFE rank among all stocks?
This section ranks PFE 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 PFE stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- PFE is among the steadier stocks: its price swings rank in the top 12% of the 2,893 stocks worth at least $300 million, where the top is the calmest.
- On return for the risk taken (the Sharpe ratio), PFE ranks in the bottom 23% of the 2,893 stocks worth at least $300 million.
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 | PFE | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +30.5% | 961 of 3,287 | top 29% |
| 3-year return | +19.2% | 2,036 of 3,017 | bottom 34% |
| 5-year return | −8.3% | 1,842 of 2,893 | bottom 37% |
| 10-year return | +55.0% | 1,559 of 2,202 | bottom 30% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 25.4% | 361 of 2,893 | top 12% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.06 | 2,222 of 2,893 | bottom 24% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −58.9% | 838 of 2,187 | top 38% |
What has beaten PFE 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). PFE sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than PFE 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.
- 203 stocks and 851 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than PFE over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 29% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half PFE's swings, DXJ has the best return for its risk: 26.6% a year at 19.1% volatility, 25% less than PFE's 25.4%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.34 against 0.06 for PFE.
- Among PFE's popular alternatives, ABBV, NVS and JNJ are in the region. ABBV earned 26.1% a year against a loss of 1.7% a year for PFE, at 23.4% volatility, 8% less than PFE's 25.4%.
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 PFE; faint dots are 90 more of the 1,054 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 PFE?
Investments that beat PFE over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among PFE's popular alternatives, TAK, ABBV and JNJ earned more than PFE with less volatility over the past 5 years. TAK returned 11.9% a year at 19.4% volatility, against a loss of 1.7% a year at 25.4%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, RPRX (pharmaceuticals) and BDX (medical devices) earned more than PFE with less volatility over the past 5 years. RPRX returned 13.3% a year at 23.8% volatility, against a loss of 1.7% a year at 25.4%.
- Across the whole market, 1,054 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than PFE with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them VTI, VOO and BRK-B.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat PFE 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 PFE'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 PFE 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 PFE'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× PFE's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than PFE'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 PFE?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| PFEPfizer Inc. · this page | −1.7% | 25.4% | 0.06 | −58.9% | +55.0% | 1.00 | — | ||
 SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500 | +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.21 | 0.09% | ||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against PFE. 17 of 24 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +19.6% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | +266% | 0.40 | — | |
 MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +16.3% | 24.8% | 0.74 | −43.4% | +241% | 0.12 | — | |
 TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +2.9% | 27.8% | 0.24 | −40.9% | +366% | 0.36 | — | |
 TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +11.9% | 19.4% | 0.68 | −54.4% | +30.4% | 0.22 | — | |
 ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.29 | — | |
 JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +12.7% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | +196% | 0.39 | — | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Pharmaceuticals and the categories next to it (Biotechnology, Health Care Distribution, Life Sciences Tools, Medical Devices), plus PFE's specific themes. 21 of 102 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution | On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | -0.11 | — | |
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +13.3% | 23.8% | 0.65 | −49.7% | — | 0.25 | — | |
 BDXBecton, Dickinson and Company · Medical Devices | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +2.3% | 24.1% | 0.22 | −39.9% | +71.4% | 0.30 | — | |
IBBiShares Biotechnology ETF · Biotechnology | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +6.2% | 22.4% | 0.38 | −39.8% | +140% | 0.34 | 0.44% | |
 CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.11 | — | |
 SYKStryker Corporation · Medical Devices | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +3.2% | 25.7% | 0.25 | −43.8% | +197% | -0.02 | — | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,617 of 3,507 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.18 | — | |
 TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +310% | 0.01 | — | |
 TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.03 | — | |
 BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.9% | 19.9% | 0.71 | −46.9% | +187% | 0.17 | — | |
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +20.6% | 18.4% | 1.12 | −45.7% | — | 0.16 | 0.80% | |
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +6.0% | 2.3% | 2.55 | −21.0% | +58.0% | -0.15 | 0.60% | |
 CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +16.8% | 26.1% | 0.73 | −42.0% | +374% | 0.11 | — | |
 TBBAT&T Inc. 5.35% GLB NTS 66 · Corporate Bonds | Similar return, lower volatility | −1.7% | 11.3% | -0.10 | −19.4% | — | -0.06 | — | |
What these numbers mean for PFE
- Annual return
- PFE lost 1.7% 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 $9,170. 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
- PFE's volatility over the past 5 years was 25.4%, 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, PFE's return lands within 25.4% 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
- PFE's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.06, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so PFE 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
- PFE's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 58.9%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 58.9% fall takes a 143% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, PFE's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.21 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 PFE instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a PFE holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,054 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than PFE 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 PFE | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.18 | — |
| 2 | TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +310% | 0.01 | — |
| 3 | TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.03 | — |
| 4 | BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks | Whole market | +12.9% | 19.9% | 0.71 | −46.9% | +187% | 0.17 | — |
| 5 | SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds | Whole market | +20.6% | 18.4% | 1.12 | −45.7% | — | 0.16 | 0.80% |
| 6 |  SLFSun Life Financial Inc. · Life Insurance | Whole market | +11.7% | 19.4% | 0.67 | −50.8% | +255% | -0.01 | — |
| 7 | VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +15.9% | 18.4% | 0.90 | −39.5% | +286% | 0.22 | 0.15% |
| 8 | SEICSEI Investments Company · Asset Management | Whole market | +12.7% | 22.3% | 0.65 | −51.8% | +168% | 0.20 | — |
| 9 | FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials | Whole market | +6.0% | 2.3% | 2.55 | −21.0% | +58.0% | -0.15 | 0.60% |
| 10 |  GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold | Whole market | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +213% | 0.26 | 0.40% |
| 11 | THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +14.4% | 22.9% | 0.70 | −40.1% | +291% | 0.03 | — |
| 12 | IEXIDEX Corporation · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +2.7% | 24.0% | 0.23 | −35.5% | +205% | 0.19 | — |
| 13 |  SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds | Whole market | +3.8% | 0.3% | 13.25 | −0.3% | — | -0.17 | 0.09% |
| 14 | PDBCInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF · Broad Commodities | Whole market | +11.7% | 19.3% | 0.67 | −40.7% | +153% | 0.14 | 0.74% |
| 15 | RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals | Same or nearby category | +13.3% | 23.8% | 0.65 | −49.7% | — | 0.25 | — |
| 16 | BDXBecton, Dickinson and Company · Medical Devices | Same or nearby category | +2.3% | 24.1% | 0.22 | −39.9% | +71.4% | 0.30 | — |
| 17 | DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +13.9% | 15.4% | 0.93 | −36.9% | — | 0.30 | 0.05% |
| 18 |  RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.06 | — |
| 19 | FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Healthcare | Whole market | +10.8% | 22.2% | 0.58 | −33.3% | +203% | 0.28 | 0.55% |
| 20 | CALFPacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +7.2% | 23.0% | 0.42 | −47.5% | — | 0.19 | 0.59% |
| 21 | JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds | Whole market | +5.1% | 1.7% | 2.98 | −2.6% | — | -0.19 | 0.20% |
| 22 | IBBiShares Biotechnology ETF · Biotechnology | Same or nearby category | +6.2% | 22.4% | 0.38 | −39.8% | +140% | 0.34 | 0.44% |
| 23 | IHEiShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.6% | 16.8% | 0.80 | −29.6% | +151% | 0.40 | 0.37% |
| 24 | COMTiShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF · Commodities | Whole market | +13.1% | 21.1% | 0.69 | −39.2% | +160% | 0.13 | 0.49% |
| 25 | CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications | Whole market | +7.7% | 13.3% | 0.63 | −23.8% | +101% | 0.16 | — |
| 26 | NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology | Whole market | +16.2% | 19.1% | 0.89 | −33.6% | +330% | 0.24 | 0.70% |
| 27 | QVALAlpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.7% | 21.4% | 0.71 | −51.5% | +230% | 0.25 | 0.28% |
| 28 |  VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market | Whole market | +11.5% | 17.5% | 0.71 | −35.0% | +302% | 0.19 | 0.03% |
| 29 | PJPInvesco Pharmaceuticals ETF · Healthcare | Whole market | +11.2% | 16.6% | 0.72 | −34.0% | +135% | 0.38 | 0.58% |
| 30 |  VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +324% | 0.21 | 0.03% |
| 31 | EBFEnnis, Inc. · Specialty Business Services | Whole market | +11.2% | 21.4% | 0.60 | −35.4% | +163% | 0.32 | — |
| 32 | BCALCalifornia BanCorp · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +7.5% | 22.2% | 0.44 | −52.3% | +148% | 0.01 | — |
| 33 |  WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs | Whole market | +26.0% | 23.8% | 1.09 | −63.3% | +379% | 0.16 | — |
| 34 |  WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail | Whole market | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | 0.01 | — |
| 35 |  BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.16 | — |
| 36 | SHYGiShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF · High Yield Bonds | Whole market | +4.5% | 5.8% | 0.79 | −19.3% | +56.4% | 0.17 | 0.30% |
| 37 |  VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing | Whole market | +12.8% | 22.9% | 0.64 | −36.4% | +429% | -0.03 | — |
| 38 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.02 | 0.48% |
| 39 |  MFCManulife Financial Corporation · Life Insurance | Whole market | +22.6% | 24.0% | 0.97 | −57.5% | +373% | -0.02 | — |
| 40 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.25 | 0.40% |
| 41 | BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto | Whole market | +6.3% | 3.3% | 1.85 | −4.9% | — | 0.19 | 0.69% |
| 42 |  COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail | Whole market | +17.4% | 22.9% | 0.82 | −31.4% | +685% | 0.16 | — |
| 43 |  VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +8.2% | 16.4% | 0.57 | −36.0% | +140% | 0.21 | 0.05% |
| 44 |  QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth | Whole market | +14.5% | 23.0% | 0.71 | −35.1% | +553% | 0.12 | 0.18% |
| 45 | VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds | Whole market | +4.7% | 1.3% | 3.51 | −13.1% | +40.5% | -0.22 | 0.30% |
| 46 |  MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing | Whole market | +12.4% | 23.8% | 0.61 | −41.0% | +541% | 0.08 | — |
| 47 |  PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco | Whole market | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +242% | 0.13 | — |
| 48 |  VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +12.1% | 13.7% | 0.90 | −36.8% | +235% | 0.27 | 0.03% |
| 49 |  VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity | Whole market | +9.3% | 16.9% | 0.61 | −35.8% | +153% | 0.23 | 0.03% |
| 50 |  TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail | Whole market | +19.9% | 22.3% | 0.93 | −42.5% | +361% | 0.23 | — |
| 51 | DBAInvesco DB Agriculture Fund · Alternatives | Whole market | +10.7% | 13.8% | 0.81 | −35.3% | +62.2% | 0.14 | 0.90% |
| 52 | AOMiShares Core 40/60 Moderate Allocation ETF · Multi-Asset | Whole market | +4.4% | 8.3% | 0.56 | −20.0% | +77.8% | 0.23 | 0.20% |
| 53 |  PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products | Whole market | +5.1% | 18.3% | 0.37 | −23.8% | +145% | 0.15 | — |
| 54 |  LINLinde plc · Chemicals | Whole market | +11.5% | 20.9% | 0.63 | −32.6% | +394% | 0.30 | — |
| 55 |  CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +15.7% | 20.4% | 0.82 | −42.6% | +248% | 0.11 | — |
| 56 |  MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco | Whole market | +17.8% | 21.4% | 0.88 | −53.7% | +140% | 0.09 | — |
| 57 | PBAPembina Pipeline Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +13.8% | 21.5% | 0.71 | −70.9% | +172% | 0.14 | — |
| 58 |  CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks | Whole market | +19.2% | 21.6% | 0.93 | −47.3% | +395% | -0.03 | — |
| 59 |  VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity | Whole market | +6.8% | 17.6% | 0.47 | −39.4% | +198% | 0.16 | 0.03% |
| 60 |  VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +10.4% | 14.1% | 0.78 | −31.7% | +258% | 0.29 | 0.04% |
| 61 |  SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +9.7% | 14.3% | 0.72 | −33.4% | +252% | 0.41 | 0.06% |
| 62 |  BMOBank of Montreal · Banks | Whole market | +13.6% | 21.4% | 0.71 | −51.0% | +295% | 0.04 | — |
| 63 |  VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Treasury Bonds | Whole market | +2.7% | 2.9% | 0.94 | −6.3% | +32.7% | 0.13 | 0.03% |
| 64 |  UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads | Whole market | +7.1% | 22.9% | 0.42 | −38.7% | +295% | 0.20 | — |
| 65 |  VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF · US Small-Cap Equity | Whole market | +6.2% | 20.6% | 0.40 | −42.0% | +179% | 0.12 | 0.03% |
| 66 | FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds | Whole market | +4.5% | 1.8% | 2.48 | −13.5% | +35.9% | -0.22 | 0.15% |
| 67 |  VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +10.3% | 16.2% | 0.69 | −34.2% | +223% | 0.21 | 0.06% |
| 68 |  SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +11.3% | 18.8% | 0.67 | −38.4% | +170% | 0.29 | — |
| 69 |  CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services | Whole market | +16.5% | 23.1% | 0.78 | −48.4% | +808% | 0.23 | — |
| 70 |  IEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity | Whole market | +6.8% | 19.4% | 0.44 | −38.7% | +122% | 0.12 | 0.09% |
| 71 |  VWOVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity | Whole market | +5.2% | 17.5% | 0.38 | −36.4% | +102% | 0.13 | 0.06% |
| 72 |  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% | 0.17 | — |
| 73 |  CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +11.2% | 20.8% | 0.62 | −37.4% | +319% | 0.08 | — |
| 74 |  GDGeneral Dynamics Corporation · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +12.9% | 20.8% | 0.69 | −51.6% | +184% | 0.02 | — |
| 75 |  VZVerizon Communications Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications | Whole market | +2.7% | 22.9% | 0.23 | −41.2% | +55.8% | 0.21 | — |
| 76 |  ENBEnbridge Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +9.1% | 18.9% | 0.56 | −44.1% | +103% | 0.11 | — |
| 77 |  RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.07 | — |
| 78 |  MCDMcDonald's Corporation · Restaurants | Whole market | +2.9% | 17.9% | 0.25 | −36.9% | +181% | 0.18 | — |
| 79 |  ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services | Whole market | +9.0% | 22.9% | 0.49 | −40.8% | +320% | 0.30 | — |
| 80 |  ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products | Whole market | +5.5% | 21.5% | 0.36 | −30.1% | +89.8% | 0.16 | — |
| 81 | PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +10.5% | 8.6% | 1.20 | −18.2% | — | 0.15 | 0.79% |
| 82 |  RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +8.2% | 16.1% | 0.57 | −39.0% | +211% | 0.22 | 0.20% |
| 83 |  ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail | Whole market | +15.9% | 23.4% | 0.75 | −42.0% | +393% | 0.23 | — |
| 84 |  MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment | Whole market | +14.8% | 23.6% | 0.71 | −32.8% | +625% | 0.33 | — |
| 85 |  WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +9.3% | 19.2% | 0.56 | −30.1% | +344% | 0.05 | — |
| 86 |  NGGNational Grid plc · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +11.8% | 22.6% | 0.61 | −39.2% | +118% | 0.19 | — |
| 87 | FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset | Whole market | +11.1% | 10.5% | 1.05 | −13.6% | — | 0.15 | 0.85% |
| 88 |  ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +19.2% | 22.4% | 0.90 | −42.0% | +311% | 0.28 | — |
| 89 |  CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +19.7% | 23.2% | 0.90 | −48.8% | +292% | 0.14 | — |
| 90 |  DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +7.5% | 18.0% | 0.50 | −37.4% | +132% | 0.29 | — |
| 91 |  AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +12.4% | 20.2% | 0.68 | −32.9% | +185% | 0.20 | — |
| 92 |  BSVVanguard Short-Term Bond ETF · Short-Term Bonds | Whole market | +1.7% | 2.8% | 0.63 | −8.5% | +20.5% | 0.18 | 0.03% |
| 93 |  CSXCSX Corporation · Railroads | Whole market | +8.3% | 23.3% | 0.46 | −40.5% | +446% | 0.15 | — |
| 94 |  SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth | Whole market | +13.1% | 22.4% | 0.67 | −34.5% | +451% | 0.12 | 0.04% |
| 95 |  VCSHVanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF · Investment Grade Bonds | Whole market | +2.3% | 2.9% | 0.80 | −12.9% | +28.6% | 0.18 | 0.03% |
| 96 |  AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments | Whole market | +14.4% | 22.1% | 0.72 | −42.7% | +481% | 0.18 | — |
| 97 |  DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity | Whole market | +14.7% | 17.5% | 0.87 | −34.7% | — | 0.16 | 0.26% |
| 98 |  TRPTC Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +10.8% | 21.9% | 0.58 | −41.6% | +160% | 0.04 | — |
| 99 |  CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products | Whole market | +7.2% | 19.2% | 0.46 | −29.0% | +68.8% | 0.19 | — |
| 100 |  ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +5.4% | 21.8% | 0.35 | −34.3% | +240% | 0.21 | — |
PFE against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against PFE, compared period by period and year by year.
How do PFE'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 PFE, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- 11 of the 24 popular alternatives, led by MCK, ABBV and GILD, were both more rewarding and calmer than PFE over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, PFE returned -1.7% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (25.4% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than PFE 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 |
|---|---|---|
| LLY Eli Lilly and Company | +40.7% | 32.8% |
| MCK McKesson Corporation | +38.7% | 25.0% |
| TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited | +32.2% | 42.8% |
| ABBV AbbVie Inc. | +26.1% | 23.4% |
| GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc. | +22.8% | 24.9% |
| VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | +22.6% | 29.1% |
| AMGN Amgen Inc. | +19.6% | 24.9% |
| NVS Novartis AG | +17.2% | 20.7% |
| MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | +16.3% | 24.8% |
| JNJ Johnson & Johnson | +12.7% | 17.9% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited | +11.8% | 19.4% |
| VTRS Viatris Inc. | +10.4% | 33.6% |
| GSK GSK plc | +9.5% | 24.5% |
| AZN AstraZeneca PLC | +8.7% | 35.7% |
| REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | +7.7% | 31.1% |
| BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | +5.5% | 24.9% |
| TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | +2.9% | 27.8% |
| IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc. | +1.3% | 34.7% |
| SNY Sanofi | +0.6% | 25.3% |
| PFE This pagePfizer Inc. | −1.7% | 25.4% |
| BIIB Biogen Inc. | −1.8% | 34.7% |
| DHR Danaher Corporation | −3.8% | 29.1% |
| NVO Novo Nordisk A/S | −4.0% | 39.1% |
| OGN Organon & Co. | −14.1% | 47.3% |
| BNTX BioNTech SE | −19.3% | 52.6% |
Has PFE consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares PFE 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 PFE helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Seven of the 24 popular alternatives, led by AMGN, LLY and ABBV, outperformed PFE in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- AMGN outperformed PFE in every long-term period and in all but one short-term period, the most consistent record in the group.
- MCK, LLY and ABBV earned more for the risk they took than PFE (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 PFE 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 | ||
| PFE Pfizer Inc. (this page) | — | +8.5% | +23.8% | +13.2% | +25.7% | +30.5% | +19.2% | −8.3% | +55.0% | 25.4% | 0.06 | −58.9% | — | $172B | — |
| AMGN QualifiedAmgen Inc. | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +11.6% | +21.2% | +27.0% | +36.7% | +48.7% | +72.2% | +145% | +266% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | — | $237B | — |
| LLY QualifiedEli Lilly and Company | 3/5 short3/3 long | +10.2% | +12.1% | +40.0% | +19.4% | +59.7% | +124% | +451% | +1,807% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | — | $1.2T | — |
| ABBV QualifiedAbbVie Inc. | 3/5 short3/3 long | +9.9% | +14.8% | +43.8% | +29.8% | +28.3% | +118% | +218% | +603% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | — | $511B | — |
| MRK QualifiedMerck & Co., Inc. | 3/5 short3/3 long | −0.8% | +19.9% | +28.3% | +42.2% | +76.8% | +58.3% | +113% | +241% | 24.8% | 0.74 | −43.4% | — | $366B | — |
| TEVA QualifiedTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited | 4/5 short2/3 long | +2.0% | +31.8% | +27.6% | +32.0% | +110% | +403% | +303% | −3.6% | 42.8% | 0.86 | −85.5% | — | $48B | — |
| VTRS QualifiedViatris Inc. | 4/5 short2/3 long | +9.1% | +10.6% | +27.3% | +53.1% | +87.1% | +127% | +64.3% | −38.0% | 33.6% | 0.47 | −82.0% | — | $21B | — |
| TAK QualifiedTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited | 3/5 short2/3 long | +8.6% | +20.3% | +16.9% | +33.6% | +48.2% | +56.1% | +75.1% | +30.4% | 19.4% | 0.68 | −54.4% | — | $64B | — |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 2/5 short3/3 long | +16.2% | +24.0% | +20.2% | +25.5% | +31.3% | +131% | +413% | +586% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | — | $120B | — |
| TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 2/5 short3/3 long | +4.3% | +30.7% | +30.9% | +16.3% | +26.8% | +49.5% | +15.1% | +366% | 27.8% | 0.24 | −40.9% | — | $254B | — |
| IQV Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchIQVIA Holdings Inc. | 2/5 short3/3 long | −0.8% | +31.4% | +51.5% | +18.8% | +26.3% | +45.3% | +6.5% | +260% | 34.7% | 0.21 | −51.5% | — | $44B | — |
| GILD Drug Manufacturers - GeneralGilead Sciences, Inc. | 2/5 short3/3 long | +4.0% | +18.2% | +16.6% | +31.0% | +30.3% | +121% | +180% | +200% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | — | $194B | — |
| JNJ Drug Manufacturers - GeneralJohnson & Johnson | 2/5 short3/3 long | −3.8% | +4.8% | +13.6% | +27.1% | +36.9% | +84.6% | +82.1% | +196% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | — | $625B | — |
| VRTX BiotechnologyVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 1/5 short3/3 long | +0.8% | +7.1% | +17.2% | +13.8% | +22.8% | +42.2% | +177% | +521% | 29.1% | 0.85 | −41.6% | — | $130B | — |
| BMY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralBristol-Myers Squibb Company | 1/5 short3/3 long | −0.5% | +3.6% | +6.6% | +19.1% | +47.8% | +25.8% | +30.6% | +74.8% | 24.9% | 0.34 | −47.7% | — | $126B | — |
| AZN Drug Manufacturers - GeneralAstraZeneca PLC | 0/5 short3/3 long | +0.4% | +3.3% | −15.3% | −7.0% | +1.8% | +38.8% | +52.1% | +257% | 35.7% | 0.41 | −28.7% | — | $262B | — |
| NVS Drug Manufacturers - GeneralNovartis AG | 0/5 short3/3 long | +9.0% | +2.7% | +1.8% | +13.1% | +18.8% | +75.9% | +121% | +226% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | — | $292B | — |
| GSK Drug Manufacturers - GeneralGSK plc | 0/5 short3/3 long | −0.9% | +2.1% | −10.1% | +4.7% | +18.9% | +60.0% | +57.2% | +95.1% | 24.5% | 0.49 | −37.6% | — | $102B | — |
| REGN BiotechnologyRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 1/5 short2/3 long | +1.2% | +20.3% | +8.0% | +4.4% | +40.7% | +0.8% | +44.9% | +120% | 31.1% | 0.40 | −59.7% | — | $83B | — |
| SNY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralSanofi | 0/5 short2/3 long | −2.6% | −5.9% | −10.3% | −10.7% | −13.4% | −10.0% | +3.0% | +61.5% | 25.3% | 0.15 | −33.5% | — | $99B | — |
| DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation | 1/5 short1/3 long | +4.0% | +11.6% | +15.0% | −2.2% | +8.3% | +10.8% | −17.6% | +232% | 29.1% | 0.01 | −43.8% | — | $157B | — |
| NVO Drug Manufacturers - GeneralNovo Nordisk A/S | 0/5 short1/3 long | −1.1% | −20.0% | −1.5% | −23.9% | −28.5% | −57.0% | −18.5% | +134% | 39.1% | 0.09 | −75.2% | — | $174B | — |
| BIIB Drug Manufacturers - GeneralBiogen Inc. | 4/5 short0/3 long | +11.0% | +21.6% | +32.6% | +36.7% | +65.8% | −5.6% | −8.8% | −18.9% | 34.7% | 0.11 | −72.7% | — | $36B | — |
| OGN Drug Manufacturers - GeneralOrganon & Co. | 3/5 short0/3 long | +0.6% | +2.2% | +49.1% | +91.1% | +50.1% | −2.8% | −53.1% | — | 47.3% | -0.09 | −82.7% | — | $3.6B | — |
| BNTX BiotechnologyBioNTech SE | 0/5 short0/3 long | −7.0% | −1.1% | −13.3% | −5.7% | −15.5% | +0.3% | −65.7% | — | 52.6% | -0.15 | −82.3% | — | $23B | — |
How did PFE do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where PFE ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with PFE and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- PFE finished ahead of the S&P 500 in ten of its 29 full calendar years, and behind it in each of the last three.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, PFE finished in the top quarter in six of 29 years and in the bottom quarter in nine. In 2025, it ranked 20 of 25.
- Among its popular alternatives, ABBV came out ahead of PFE most often, in ten of the 13 years both traded.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of PFE; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places PFE among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of PFE | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFE This pagePfizer Inc. | — | +0.6% | −2.2% | −41.3% | −10.4% | +66.7% | +3.4% | −6.7% | +25.1% | +16.1% | +4.4% | +7.3% | +5.4% | +26.5% | +20.6% | +28.8% | +0.6% | +8.1% | −16.9% | −8.2% | +15.3% | −10.6% | −22.3% | +17.7% | −22.2% | −12.5% | +43.0% | −21.5% | +68.8% | +82.0% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 6 of 29 | 20 of 25 | 16 of 25 | 24 of 25 | 19 of 25 | 2 of 24 | 12 of 24 | 21 of 23 | 3 of 23 | 13 of 23 | 6 of 23 | 11 of 23 | 20 of 23 | 17 of 22 | 12 of 21 | 4 of 21 | 14 of 21 | 17 of 21 | 10 of 20 | 16 of 20 | 9 of 20 | 19 of 20 | 17 of 20 | 14 of 20 | 12 of 19 | 12 of 19 | 8 of 19 | 16 of 19 | 3 of 19 | 3 of 19 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 18 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% |
| AMGN Amgen Inc. | 16 of 29 | +29.7% | −6.8% | +13.5% | +20.4% | +0.9% | −2.0% | +27.6% | +15.2% | +22.3% | −7.6% | +4.0% | +42.3% | +34.8% | +36.8% | +18.2% | −3.0% | −2.0% | +24.3% | −32.0% | −13.4% | +22.9% | +3.8% | +27.8% | −14.4% | −11.7% | +6.5% | +130% | +93.3% | −0.4% |
| LLY Eli Lilly and Company | 17 of 29 | +40.3% | +33.3% | +60.9% | +34.3% | +66.1% | +31.0% | +16.2% | +40.5% | +17.8% | −10.4% | +25.4% | +39.8% | +7.3% | +24.2% | +25.2% | +3.6% | −6.2% | −21.3% | +5.7% | −5.2% | +2.6% | −17.6% | +13.1% | −17.6% | −14.4% | +41.9% | −24.3% | +29.1% | +93.6% |
| ABBV AbbVie Inc. | 10 of 13 | +33.1% | +18.9% | −0.2% | +24.0% | +32.4% | +27.7% | +1.5% | −1.0% | +60.1% | +9.8% | −6.5% | +27.9% | +60.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 14 of 29 | +9.8% | −6.3% | +1.0% | +49.4% | +1.8% | −7.2% | +22.3% | +40.0% | −1.5% | +15.0% | −3.9% | +16.9% | +26.9% | +13.1% | +9.6% | +2.9% | +26.7% | −45.3% | +37.3% | +42.8% | +4.0% | −27.7% | −11.2% | −1.2% | −36.0% | +41.8% | −7.7% | +41.6% | +35.7% |
| TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited | 15 of 29 | +41.6% | +111% | +14.5% | +13.9% | −17.0% | −1.5% | −36.4% | −18.6% | −46.0% | −43.2% | +16.7% | +47.4% | +10.9% | −5.1% | −21.0% | −5.9% | +33.6% | −7.4% | +50.9% | −27.1% | +45.2% | +6.1% | +47.8% | +26.1% | −15.5% | +105% | +77.0% | −13.4% | −5.3% |
| VTRS Viatris Inc. | 13 of 29 | +5.0% | +19.7% | +2.0% | −14.3% | −26.2% | −6.8% | −26.6% | −35.2% | +10.9% | −29.4% | −4.1% | +29.9% | +58.1% | +27.9% | +1.6% | +14.6% | +86.4% | −29.7% | −29.1% | +1.1% | +14.2% | −29.6% | +63.5% | −6.4% | +49.9% | +0.7% | −19.5% | +51.3% | +27.1% |
| TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited | 7 of 17 | +22.7% | −3.2% | −4.8% | +20.1% | −21.6% | −3.0% | +22.1% | −38.8% | +41.3% | −14.0% | +24.4% | −6.5% | +7.4% | +5.8% | −5.0% | +21.2% | −16.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MCK McKesson Corporation | 18 of 29 | +44.5% | +23.7% | +24.1% | +51.8% | +44.2% | +27.1% | +26.7% | −28.4% | +12.0% | −28.3% | −4.5% | +29.3% | +67.7% | +25.6% | +11.8% | +13.8% | +62.9% | −40.4% | +29.7% | −1.2% | +64.9% | −1.4% | +19.9% | −27.2% | +4.9% | +61.2% | −71.3% | +46.9% | +96.3% |
| TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 20 of 29 | +11.8% | −1.7% | −3.4% | −17.3% | +43.5% | +43.7% | +45.6% | +18.2% | +35.0% | −0.1% | +13.8% | +13.1% | +75.8% | +43.2% | −18.8% | +16.1% | +40.0% | −40.9% | +27.4% | +50.3% | −0.2% | +19.8% | +25.3% | −15.7% | +5.6% | +98.2% | −11.4% | −61.5% | +6.7% |
| IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc. | 8 of 12 | +14.7% | −15.1% | +12.9% | −27.4% | +57.5% | +16.0% | +33.0% | +18.7% | +28.7% | +10.8% | +16.6% | +27.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 19 of 29 | +36.6% | +18.7% | −2.0% | +23.6% | +29.9% | −6.7% | +7.9% | −9.9% | +3.0% | −27.6% | +8.6% | +25.5% | +105% | +79.5% | +12.9% | −16.3% | −15.4% | +11.2% | +41.7% | +23.4% | +50.2% | +20.1% | +71.4% | +3.6% | +58.2% | +53.9% | +31.7% | +6.7% | +53.6% |
| JNJ Johnson & Johnson | 17 of 29 | +47.5% | −4.8% | −8.6% | +6.0% | +11.4% | +10.8% | +16.2% | −5.1% | +24.4% | +15.3% | +1.2% | +17.3% | +34.6% | +10.8% | +9.9% | −0.6% | +11.3% | −7.7% | +3.6% | +12.4% | −3.4% | +25.2% | −2.0% | −7.9% | +14.0% | +14.2% | +12.5% | +29.0% | +34.3% |
| VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 17 of 29 | +12.6% | −1.0% | +40.9% | +31.5% | −7.1% | +7.9% | +32.1% | +10.6% | +103% | −41.4% | +5.9% | +59.9% | +77.3% | +26.2% | −5.2% | −18.3% | +41.0% | +30.8% | −37.9% | +35.2% | +162% | +2.1% | −34.7% | −35.5% | −65.6% | +309% | +17.6% | −9.8% | −18.0% |
| BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 17 of 29 | +0.1% | +15.8% | −26.1% | +19.0% | +2.9% | +0.4% | +27.7% | −12.9% | +7.7% | −13.5% | +19.3% | +14.2% | +70.0% | −3.8% | +39.4% | +8.8% | +14.8% | −6.1% | +4.8% | +19.9% | −6.2% | −7.2% | +29.1% | −52.4% | −26.2% | +17.1% | −2.8% | +42.9% | +77.1% |
| AZN AstraZeneca PLC | 15 of 29 | +38.0% | −1.2% | +0.8% | +20.4% | +17.9% | +2.9% | +37.4% | +13.9% | +35.3% | −16.7% | +0.1% | +24.6% | +32.0% | +8.6% | +6.0% | +3.5% | +20.4% | +0.3% | −17.1% | +12.7% | +36.9% | −22.0% | +38.2% | −23.2% | −7.9% | +28.7% | −5.3% | +27.0% | +31.8% |
| NVS Novartis AG | 16 of 29 | +46.0% | −0.5% | +21.1% | +6.6% | −5.0% | +2.2% | +29.1% | +6.2% | +19.8% | −11.8% | −4.3% | +19.4% | +32.2% | +16.1% | +1.5% | +12.6% | +14.6% | −5.4% | −3.4% | +11.3% | +6.0% | +12.3% | +27.5% | +2.1% | −17.2% | +30.6% | −24.1% | +21.9% | +52.9% |
| GSK GSK plc | 11 of 29 | +51.3% | −5.2% | +9.8% | −16.8% | +27.1% | −17.7% | +29.2% | +13.8% | −3.0% | +2.1% | −0.3% | −15.7% | +28.9% | +0.6% | +22.7% | −2.1% | +19.2% | −22.2% | −0.8% | +7.9% | +9.9% | +5.6% | +28.8% | −21.6% | −9.7% | +4.1% | −17.9% | +48.2% | +55.8% |
| REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 17 of 29 | +9.0% | −18.9% | +21.7% | +14.2% | +30.7% | +28.7% | +0.5% | −0.7% | +2.4% | −32.4% | +32.3% | +49.0% | +60.9% | +209% | +68.8% | +35.8% | +31.7% | −24.0% | +20.3% | +26.2% | +72.7% | −37.4% | −20.6% | −34.3% | −20.2% | +177% | +72.8% | −13.8% | −46.9% |
| SNY Sanofi | 11 of 23 | +4.9% | +1.1% | +6.5% | +0.5% | +7.0% | +0.4% | +20.5% | +6.0% | +9.9% | −1.2% | −3.4% | −11.9% | +17.1% | +36.0% | +18.8% | −13.4% | +28.7% | −26.5% | +1.0% | +7.2% | +11.6% | +8.2% | +26.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DHR Danaher Corporation | 20 of 29 | +0.4% | −0.4% | −1.2% | −19.0% | +48.6% | +45.4% | +49.5% | +11.8% | +20.0% | +73.2% | +9.3% | +11.6% | +38.3% | +19.1% | −0.1% | +25.7% | +33.0% | −35.4% | +21.3% | +30.1% | −2.7% | +25.3% | +39.7% | +9.1% | −11.7% | +41.5% | −11.0% | +72.4% | +35.2% |
| NVO Novo Nordisk A/S | 17 of 29 | −39.2% | −15.9% | +54.8% | +22.6% | +63.5% | +23.3% | +28.7% | −11.8% | +54.3% | −36.6% | +39.3% | +16.7% | +15.3% | +44.0% | +4.1% | +79.3% | +27.2% | −19.8% | +57.4% | +51.3% | +5.6% | +34.6% | +43.5% | −27.0% | +14.4% | +39.0% | −1.9% | −7.3% | +54.9% |
| BIIB Biogen Inc. | 16 of 29 | +15.1% | −40.9% | −6.6% | +15.4% | −2.0% | −17.5% | −1.4% | −5.5% | +12.3% | −7.4% | −9.8% | +21.4% | +91.0% | +33.0% | +64.1% | +25.3% | +12.3% | −16.3% | +15.7% | +8.6% | −32.0% | +81.5% | +10.6% | −51.9% | +9.1% | +93.0% | +318% | +36.6% | +44.7% |
| OGN Organon & Co. | 2 of 4 | −50.7% | +10.0% | −45.1% | −4.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BNTX BioNTech SE | 4 of 6 | −16.4% | +8.0% | −29.7% | −41.0% | +216% | +141% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How PFE 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 PFE's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents PFE'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 three of PFE's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: PFE fell 58.9% from December 2021 to April 2025, while the S&P 500 rose 18.3%.
- The slowest recovery came after PFE fell 69.3% from April 1999 to March 2009; it did not regain that peak until November 2013, five years later.
Green means PFE fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | PFE fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dot-com bust | −69.3% | −39.2% | Apr 1999 | Mar 2009 | 9.9 years | Nov 2013 | 4.7 years |
| 2022 bear market | −58.9% | +18.3% | Dec 2021 | Apr 2025 | 3.3 years | Not yet | — |
| No named crash | −44.9% | — | Aug 1987 | Dec 1987 | 4 months | Nov 1989 | 23 months |
| No named crash | −35.2% | — | Jan 1992 | Feb 1993 | 13 months | Jan 1995 | 23 months |
| Late-2018 sell-off | −35.2% | −16.6% | Nov 2018 | Mar 2020 | 16 months | Dec 2020 | 9 months |
How did PFE do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far PFE, 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.
- Among its popular alternatives, AMGN held up best, falling less than PFE in seven of the ten crashes they both traded through.
- PFE fell less than the S&P 500 in six of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when PFE fell 21.8% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than PFE.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFE This pagePfizer Inc. | — | −1.8% | −24.6% | −21.8% | −12.3% | −8.1% | −18.2% | −16.1% | −1.8% | −49.8% | −46.0% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 2 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| AMGN Amgen Inc. | 7 of 10 | −1.2% | −11.9% | −18.3% | −14.3% | −7.4% | −22.1% | −12.6% | −0.5% | −31.3% | −60.2% |
| LLY Eli Lilly and Company | 6 of 10 | −0.6% | −11.7% | −16.9% | −10.2% | −8.6% | −19.6% | −10.9% | 0.0% | −50.0% | −54.3% |
| ABBV AbbVie Inc. | 2 of 6 | −1.5% | −21.9% | −32.1% | −18.1% | −5.8% | −29.8% | — | — | — | — |
| MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 4 of 10 | −2.4% | −10.8% | −19.3% | −9.7% | −6.6% | −18.2% | −17.4% | −2.3% | −63.3% | −57.5% |
| TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited | 2 of 10 | −7.4% | −34.0% | −50.3% | −40.1% | −10.7% | −21.8% | −25.8% | −2.4% | −23.5% | −34.7% |
| VTRS Viatris Inc. | 2 of 10 | −6.9% | −43.3% | −37.3% | −32.8% | −6.8% | −31.9% | −32.4% | −0.1% | −64.4% | −47.3% |
| TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited | 5 of 8 | −0.6% | −14.8% | −31.5% | −27.9% | −6.5% | −17.0% | −5.6% | −3.7% | — | — |
| MCK McKesson Corporation | 5 of 10 | −0.9% | −10.5% | −32.1% | −20.7% | −6.5% | −30.8% | −14.2% | −3.5% | −57.7% | −39.4% |
| TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 3 of 10 | −2.4% | −19.8% | −24.8% | −17.2% | −8.7% | −14.7% | −24.4% | −3.6% | −53.9% | −41.8% |
| IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc. | 1 of 6 | −6.8% | −35.9% | −48.9% | −19.2% | −5.3% | −28.7% | — | — | — | — |
| GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −1.6% | −20.0% | −13.7% | −22.7% | −5.5% | −28.7% | −18.2% | −2.1% | −34.3% | −53.6% |
| JNJ Johnson & Johnson | 7 of 10 | −1.1% | −12.7% | −25.4% | −16.9% | −8.2% | −9.0% | −9.8% | −0.1% | −34.4% | −35.9% |
| VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 3 of 10 | 0.0% | −19.2% | −19.4% | −21.2% | −8.8% | −43.7% | −23.9% | −2.7% | −59.9% | −86.7% |
| BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 6 of 10 | −2.3% | −16.0% | −29.4% | −22.9% | −4.1% | −16.3% | −10.5% | 0.0% | −39.2% | −69.5% |
| AZN AstraZeneca PLC | 6 of 10 | −0.5% | −25.7% | −22.6% | −11.4% | −6.4% | −18.0% | −16.4% | −1.1% | −37.4% | −43.5% |
| NVS Novartis AG | 7 of 10 | −1.1% | −20.4% | −25.5% | −9.9% | −6.6% | −30.1% | −14.5% | −2.6% | −41.7% | −25.7% |
| GSK GSK plc | 7 of 10 | −0.3% | −37.6% | −26.5% | −11.5% | −4.3% | −15.7% | −12.4% | −2.0% | −46.6% | −45.1% |
| REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 3 of 10 | −0.2% | −25.8% | −12.7% | −17.3% | −7.3% | −37.7% | −23.2% | −7.2% | −49.9% | −71.6% |
| SNY Sanofi | 3 of 9 | −0.5% | −33.5% | −25.2% | −9.0% | −9.8% | −30.2% | −20.7% | −2.8% | −46.6% | — |
| DHR Danaher Corporation | 5 of 10 | −3.2% | −22.8% | −25.9% | −13.4% | −9.8% | −14.0% | −21.8% | −0.6% | −45.7% | −33.7% |
| NVO Novo Nordisk A/S | 4 of 10 | −1.1% | −21.4% | −23.7% | −13.8% | −3.9% | −20.8% | −23.1% | −1.7% | −40.9% | −51.0% |
| BIIB Biogen Inc. | 3 of 10 | −2.5% | −22.4% | −21.2% | −21.7% | −9.3% | −24.6% | −19.4% | −0.6% | −52.7% | −59.8% |
| OGN Organon & Co. | 0 of 2 | −6.0% | −39.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BNTX BioNTech SE | 1 of 3 | −1.2% | −45.7% | −49.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does PFE 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 PFE with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- 18 of the 22 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than PFE's 0.65, led by LLY, MCK and VRTX.
- LLY took just 6% of the S&P 500's losses, against 81% for PFE, while still keeping 101% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, PFE captured 52% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 81% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 0.54. 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 PFE's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFE This pagePfizer Inc. | 52% | 81% | 0.65 | 0.54 |
| LLY Eli Lilly and Company | 101% | 6% | 15.73 | 0.37 |
| MCK McKesson Corporation | 72% | 27% | 2.71 | 0.56 |
| VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 87% | 50% | 1.75 | 0.46 |
| ABBV AbbVie Inc. | 92% | 57% | 1.62 | 0.54 |
| AZN AstraZeneca PLC | 60% | 39% | 1.52 | 0.39 |
| GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 52% | 36% | 1.44 | 0.35 |
| MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 64% | 46% | 1.39 | 0.30 |
| JNJ Johnson & Johnson | 64% | 53% | 1.20 | 0.46 |
| AMGN Amgen Inc. | 74% | 64% | 1.16 | 0.54 |
| NVS Novartis AG | 69% | 64% | 1.08 | 0.49 |
| DHR Danaher Corporation | 84% | 84% | 1.01 | 0.75 |
| TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 104% | 104% | 1.00 | 0.81 |
| REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 55% | 66% | 0.84 | 0.19 |
| GSK GSK plc | 51% | 61% | 0.82 | 0.52 |
| NVO Novo Nordisk A/S | 75% | 94% | 0.80 | 0.60 |
| IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc. | 128% | 167% | 0.77 | 1.31 |
| BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 55% | 75% | 0.73 | 0.41 |
| SNY Sanofi | 53% | 74% | 0.72 | 0.46 |
| TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited | 34% | 58% | 0.58 | 0.44 |
| TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited | 55% | 116% | 0.48 | 1.11 |
| VTRS Viatris Inc. | 74% | 179% | 0.41 | 1.14 |
| BIIB Biogen Inc. | 35% | 91% | 0.38 | 0.28 |
What diversifies PFE?
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 PFE's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing PFE with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in PFE into CAH would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 19% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (-2.9% for PFE alone, +5.3% for the mix).
- FIX made money in eight of the 11 calendar years in which PFE lost money.
- Among large ETFs, LVHI, DXJ and EMLP have moved largely independently of PFE over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.25 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 PFE lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% PFE and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2019 | 2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFE Pfizer Inc. (this page) | 1.00 | −8.3% | 0.06 | −2.2% | −41.3% | −10.4% | −6.7% | −16.9% | −8.2% | −10.6% | −22.3% | −22.2% | −12.5% | −21.5% | 23.8% | −2.9% |
| LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF | 0.25 | +119% | 1.48 | +15.9% | +17.4% | +3.8% | +17.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19.6% | +1.2% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.02 | +225% | 1.34 | +29.8% | +42.0% | +6.0% | +18.9% | −20.8% | −7.4% | — | — | — | — | — | 19.3% | +3.1% |
| EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 0.17 | +101% | 1.04 | +33.4% | +8.0% | +10.4% | +23.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19.8% | +1.1% |
| HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF | 0.36 | +83.3% | 1.00 | +14.1% | +1.8% | +7.1% | +20.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20.3% | +0.4% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.15 | +323% | 0.97 | +39.1% | +73.4% | −33.5% | +64.5% | −44.7% | +6.0% | +10.8% | −19.3% | −47.0% | −14.6% | — | 21.3% | +5.4% |
| DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 0.16 | +85.0% | 0.96 | +13.4% | +20.1% | −5.1% | +24.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19.6% | +0.7% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.26 | +126% | 0.96 | +26.7% | +12.7% | −0.8% | +17.9% | +4.9% | +30.4% | +17.8% | — | — | — | — | 20.3% | +1.6% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 0.07 | +136% | 0.93 | +45.8% | +17.6% | −10.4% | +25.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19.8% | +2.3% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2019 | 2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFE Pfizer Inc. (this page) | 1.00 | −8.3% | 0.06 | −2.2% | −41.3% | −10.4% | −6.7% | −16.9% | −8.2% | −10.6% | −22.3% | −22.2% | −12.5% | −21.5% | 23.8% | −2.9% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | -0.11 | +479% | 1.55 | +19.0% | +34.1% | +54.1% | +18.0% | −39.6% | −9.8% | +18.7% | −4.7% | −8.3% | −2.5% | −36.8% | 19.2% | +5.3% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | -0.02 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +215% | +160% | +1.3% | −5.7% | −20.5% | −25.7% | −25.2% | −6.4% | −65.1% | −25.6% | +350% | 22.2% | +17.0% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | -0.01 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +107% | +79.6% | +17.0% | +15.1% | −15.2% | +2.1% | +20.1% | +40.0% | −9.4% | +73.7% | −58.7% | 21.0% | +13.3% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.18 | +413% | 1.44 | +23.7% | +24.1% | +51.8% | +26.7% | −40.4% | +29.7% | +64.9% | −1.4% | −27.2% | +4.9% | −71.3% | 20.6% | +4.5% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.14 | +690% | 1.41 | −4.0% | +30.4% | +86.6% | +6.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21.0% | +7.0% |
Common questions
What was PFE's worst drawdown?
PFE's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 69.3%, from April 1999 to March 2009. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were PFE's best and worst years?
Over 29 full calendar years, PFE's best year was 1997, when it returned 82.0%. Its worst was 2023, with a return of -41.3%.
Is there a better investment than PFE?
Among PFE's popular alternatives, TAK, ABBV and JNJ earned more than PFE with less volatility over the past 5 years. TAK returned 11.9% a year at 19.4% volatility, against a loss of 1.7% a year at 25.4%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, RPRX (pharmaceuticals) and BDX (medical devices) earned more than PFE with less volatility over the past 5 years. RPRX returned 13.3% a year at 23.8% volatility, against a loss of 1.7% a year at 25.4%.
Is PFE more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. PFE's volatility over the past 5 years was 25.4%, 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, PFE's return lands within 25.4% 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 PFE's Sharpe ratio?
PFE's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.06, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so PFE 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 PFE with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, PFE's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.21 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 PFE instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a PFE holding.
What are the best alternatives to PFE?
Of the 24 popular alternatives we compared, seven outperformed PFE in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: AMGN, LLY and ABBV.
Did PFE outperform the S&P 500?
PFE finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in ten of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +0.6%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did PFE do in stock market crashes?
PFE fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in six of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in two. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when PFE fell 21.8% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.
What diversifies PFE?
These had a low correlation with PFE over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.25), DXJ (correlation 0.02) and EMLP (correlation 0.17); among large stocks, CAH (correlation -0.11), CLS (correlation -0.02) and FIX (correlation -0.01). 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 PFE's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of PFE'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.
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