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Relative Intelligence · Specialty Retail

How Ross Stores (ROST) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on ROST alone. It places ROST (Ross Stores, Inc.) against 18 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 ROST stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

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

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

Rank the market against ROST →Chart ROST vs. 18 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ROST over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ROST over the same span and ROST's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 24 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ROST; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M$10M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M$10M19972004201120182025
  • AAPL$21M+205,249% total · +30.1% a year
  • AMZN$11M+114,749% total · +27.5% a year
  • LRCX$2M+24,786% total · +21.0% a year
  • ORLY$2M+22,426% total · +20.5% a year
  • GILD$2M+15,614% total · +19.1% a year
  • ROST$1M+14,044% total · +18.6% a year
  • URBN$356,937+3,469% total · +13.1% a year
  • WMT$272,033+2,620% total · +12.1% a year
  • ANF$154,447+1,444% total · +9.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. 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. 628 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ROST; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$2,000$5,000$10,000$20,000202120222023202420252026$1,000$2,000$5,000$10,000$20,000202120222023202420252026
  • ANF$35,792+258% total · +29.0% a year
  • XLK$27,207+172% total · +22.2% a year
  • URBN$25,727+157% total · +20.8% a year
  • PGR$25,636+156% total · +20.7% a year
  • WMT$23,813+138% total · +18.9% a year
  • ROST$22,648+126% total · +17.8% a year
  • TJX$21,559+116% total · +16.6% a year
  • COST$21,378+114% total · +16.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • BVS$9,626−3.7% total · −0.8% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

ROST at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$76B
Industry
Apparel - Retail
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+51.9%total return
Past 3 years
+111%+28.3% a year
Past 5 years
+129%+18.1% a year
Past 10 years
+312%+15.2% a year
Best calendar year
+91.0%2001
Worst calendar year
−12.0%2007
Losing years
4 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
29.5%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.71return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−82.2%Oct 1989 to Nov 1990
From its all-time high
−6.9%below the peak

ROST against the whole market

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

How does ROST rank among all stocks?

This section ranks ROST 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 ROST stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureROSTRankStanding
1-year return+51.9%529 of 3,287top 16%
3-year return+111%839 of 3,017top 28%
5-year return+129%531 of 2,893top 18%
10-year return+312%554 of 2,202top 25%
Volatility, 5 years29.5%682 of 2,893top 24%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.71432 of 2,893top 15%
Worst decline, past 10 years−51.4%511 of 2,187top 23%

What has beaten ROST 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). ROST sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ROST with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to ROST; faint dots are 48 more of the 62 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.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ROSTABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%IHG: +21.4% a year, volatility 26.6%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%EPU: +29.5% a year, volatility 24.9%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%SHEL: +21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%WMB: +24.6% a year, volatility 24.0%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%XLE: +22.6% a year, volatility 25.5%ACGL: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.5%KOF: +22.3% a year, volatility 24.7%PAA: +27.0% a year, volatility 25.6%WES: +23.5% a year, volatility 27.6%RGA: +19.7% a year, volatility 27.3%RNR: +20.1% a year, volatility 27.8%ENSG: +19.8% a year, volatility 26.8%AM: +20.0% a year, volatility 25.9%PAGP: +26.8% a year, volatility 26.1%BLX: +31.4% a year, volatility 25.9%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%RSPG: +21.6% a year, volatility 27.4%ROST: +18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%URBN: +23.5% a year, volatility 47.1%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%XLK: +19.4% a year, volatility 26.0%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%ROSTSPY (S&P 500)WMTCOSTTJXURBNORLYAZOPGRXLKTRVCAHRSDXJNHCRY10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ROSTABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%IHG: +21.4% a year, volatility 26.6%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%EPU: +29.5% a year, volatility 24.9%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%SHEL: +21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%WMB: +24.6% a year, volatility 24.0%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%XLE: +22.6% a year, volatility 25.5%ACGL: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.5%KOF: +22.3% a year, volatility 24.7%PAA: +27.0% a year, volatility 25.6%WES: +23.5% a year, volatility 27.6%RGA: +19.7% a year, volatility 27.3%RNR: +20.1% a year, volatility 27.8%ENSG: +19.8% a year, volatility 26.8%AM: +20.0% a year, volatility 25.9%PAGP: +26.8% a year, volatility 26.1%BLX: +31.4% a year, volatility 25.9%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%RSPG: +21.6% a year, volatility 27.4%ROST: +18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%URBN: +23.5% a year, volatility 47.1%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%XLK: +19.4% a year, volatility 26.0%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%ROSTSPY (S&P 500)WMTCOSTTJXURBNORLYPGRXLKTRVCAHRSDXJNHCRY
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 1 with more than 1.6× ROST's volatility is in the table only

Is there a better investment than ROST?

Investments that beat ROST over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat ROST 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 ROST'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 ROST 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 ROST'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× ROST's volatility counts as better.

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

Screen the whole market against ROST for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 16 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with ROST?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. · this page
+18.1%29.5%0.71−51.4%+312%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.460.09%
Popular alternativesbest 5 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ROST. 5 of 18 passed at least one test.
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.57—
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.43—
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.71—
ANFAbercrombie & Fitch Co. · Specialty Retail
Higher return in most periods+33.7%62.9%0.77−72.4%+1,117%0.37—
URBNUrban Outfitters, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return in most periods+23.5%47.1%0.68−73.8%+160%0.36—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 2 shownEverything else in Specialty Retail and the categories next to it (Discount Retail, Apparel & Footwear, Automobiles), plus ROST's specific themes. 2 of 47 passed at least one test.
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Smaller losses in recent crashes+15.9%23.4%0.75−42.0%+393%0.21—
AZOAutoZone, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Smaller losses in recent crashes+12.3%25.3%0.59−42.1%+323%0.09—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 322 of 3,570 passed at least one test.
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%-0.01—
XLKState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF · Technology Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+19.4%26.0%0.82−33.6%+767%0.280.08%
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.24—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.26—
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+24.8%28.1%0.93−40.8%+626%0.39—
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.290.48%
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.30—
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
On the frontierSimilar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.31—
What these numbers mean for ROST
Annual return
ROST returned 18.1% 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 $22,900. 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
ROST's volatility over the past 5 years was 29.5%, 1.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ROST's return lands within 29.5% 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
ROST's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.71, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ROST 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
ROST's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 51.4%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 51.4% fall takes a 106% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, ROST's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.46 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ROST instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ROST holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 62 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ROST with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 56 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with ROSTExpense
1
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%-0.01—
2
XLKState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+19.4%26.0%0.82−33.6%+767%0.280.08%
3
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.24—
4
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.26—
5
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Whole market+24.8%28.1%0.93−40.8%+626%0.39—
6
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%-0.04—
7
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.290.48%
8
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.14—
9
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.19—
10
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.20—
11
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.26—
12
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.210.59%
13
FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology
Whole market+21.8%24.3%0.94−38.0%—0.210.19%
14
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.27—
15
ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+19.2%22.4%0.90−42.0%+311%0.19—
16
CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+21.5%25.1%0.91−43.2%+463%0.39—
17
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.290.45%
18
EEni S.p.A. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+23.0%25.6%0.94−61.4%+278%0.33—
19
MFCManulife Financial Corporation · Life Insurance
Whole market+22.6%24.0%0.97−57.5%+373%0.40—
20
HLTHilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−50.8%+694%0.56—
21
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+25.6%26.2%1.00−64.1%+264%0.42—
22
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.27—
23
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.16—
24
IHGInterContinental Hotels Group PLC · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+21.4%26.6%0.86−59.3%+383%0.41—
25
TTTrane Technologies plc · Building Products
Whole market+22.7%27.7%0.88−40.5%+955%0.42—
26
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.40—
27
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.180.80%
28
DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.5%25.2%1.00−23.6%—0.26—
29
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Popular alternative+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.57—
30
NEUNewMarket Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−40.7%+165%0.25—
31
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Popular alternative+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.71—
32
ACTEnact Holdings Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+20.5%24.3%0.89−20.2%—0.34—
33
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.360.61%
34
EPUiShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF · International
Whole market+29.5%24.9%1.17−51.0%+275%0.190.59%
35
EWPiShares MSCI Spain ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+19.2%20.3%0.97−46.4%+196%0.290.50%
36
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.11—
37
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+33.1%25.9%1.24−62.3%+319%0.05—
38
CVXChevron Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+19.5%25.2%0.84−55.8%+238%0.18—
39
SHELShell plc · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+21.0%24.8%0.90−67.2%+233%0.08—
40
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
Whole market+26.0%23.8%1.09−63.3%+379%0.27—
41
BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks
Whole market+22.7%24.4%0.97−50.5%+341%0.32—
42
WMBThe Williams Companies, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.6%24.0%1.04−68.1%+288%0.17—
43
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.35—
44
XLEState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+22.6%25.5%0.93−66.8%+189%0.160.08%
45
ACGLArch Capital Group Ltd. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+20.1%24.5%0.87−53.8%+309%0.18—
46
KOFCoca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+22.3%24.7%0.94−55.1%+119%0.19—
47
PAAPlains All American Pipeline, L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+27.0%25.6%1.06−87.9%+64.0%0.23—
48
WESWestern Midstream Partners, LP · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%27.6%0.91−91.9%+128%0.24—
49
RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated · Insurance
Whole market+19.7%27.3%0.80−65.8%+199%0.21—
50
RNRRenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. · Insurance
Whole market+20.1%27.8%0.80−40.7%+215%0.11—
51
ENSGThe Ensign Group, Inc. · Health Care Facilities
Whole market+19.8%26.8%0.81−55.5%+896%0.41—
52
AMAntero Midstream Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+20.0%25.9%0.84−92.9%—0.30—
53
PAGPPlains GP Holdings LP · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+26.8%26.1%1.05−88.0%+56.3%0.25—
54
BLXBladex, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+31.4%25.9%1.19−68.5%+290%0.37—
55
ATMPBarclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN · Broad Market
Whole market+21.2%21.5%1.01−70.3%+172%0.340.95%
56
RSPGInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF · Energy
Whole market+21.6%27.4%0.85−73.2%+158%0.180.40%

ROST against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityROST: 18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%WMT: 20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TJX: 19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%BVS: −0.6% a year, volatility 81.5%BKE: 13.1% a year, volatility 34.6%GAP: 4.5% a year, volatility 55.7%M: 1.5% a year, volatility 52.4%BOOT: 3.8% a year, volatility 50.5%TGT: −6.5% a year, volatility 36.1%DG: −7.4% a year, volatility 37.0%KSS: −8.8% a year, volatility 70.0%DLTR: 4.3% a year, volatility 40.1%AEO: −3.9% a year, volatility 54.4%DBI: −11.7% a year, volatility 73.0%BURL: −1.3% a year, volatility 44.4%ZUMZ: −18.9% a year, volatility 52.1%ANF: 33.7% a year, volatility 62.9%URBN: 23.5% a year, volatility 47.1%COST: 17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%ROSTSPY (S&P 500)WMTTJXBVSBKEGAPMBOOTTGTDGKSSDLTRAEODBIBURLZUMZANFURBNCOST0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityROST: 18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%WMT: 20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TJX: 19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%BVS: −0.6% a year, volatility 81.5%BKE: 13.1% a year, volatility 34.6%GAP: 4.5% a year, volatility 55.7%M: 1.5% a year, volatility 52.4%BOOT: 3.8% a year, volatility 50.5%TGT: −6.5% a year, volatility 36.1%DG: −7.4% a year, volatility 37.0%KSS: −8.8% a year, volatility 70.0%DLTR: 4.3% a year, volatility 40.1%AEO: −3.9% a year, volatility 54.4%DBI: −11.7% a year, volatility 73.0%BURL: −1.3% a year, volatility 44.4%ZUMZ: −18.9% a year, volatility 52.1%ANF: 33.7% a year, volatility 62.9%URBN: 23.5% a year, volatility 47.1%COST: 17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%ROSTSPY (S&P 500)WMTTJXBVSGAPMBOOTTGTDGKSSDLTRAEODBIBURLZUMZANFURBN
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Co.+33.7%62.9%
URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc.+23.5%47.1%
WMT Walmart Inc.+20.8%22.6%
TJX The TJX Companies, Inc.+19.9%22.3%
ROST This pageRoss Stores, Inc.+18.1%29.5%
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation+17.4%22.9%
BKE The Buckle, Inc.+13.1%34.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
GAP The Gap, Inc.+4.5%55.7%
DLTR Dollar Tree, Inc.+4.3%40.1%
BOOT Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.+3.8%50.5%
M Macy's, Inc.+1.5%52.4%
BVS Bioventus Inc.−0.6%81.5%
BURL Burlington Stores, Inc.−1.3%44.4%
AEO American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.−3.9%54.4%
TGT Target Corporation−6.5%36.1%
DG Dollar General Corporation−7.4%37.0%
KSS Kohl's Corporation−8.8%70.0%
DBI Designer Brands Inc.−11.7%73.0%
ZUMZ Zumiez Inc.−18.9%52.1%
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Has ROST consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than ROST over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
ROST Ross Stores, Inc. (this page)—+2.6%+0.8%+4.3%+30.6%+51.9%+111%+129%+312%29.5%0.71−51.4%—$76B—
ANF QualifiedAbercrombie & Fitch Co.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+18.3%+71.3%+66.3%+30.7%+143%+166%+328%+1,117%62.9%0.77−72.4%—$6.9B—
URBN QualifiedUrban Outfitters, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long+17.7%+16.7%+14.7%+15.9%+30.6%+162%+187%+160%47.1%0.68−73.8%—$7.5B—
WMT Discount StoresWalmart Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+9.7%+5.3%−7.5%+5.2%+11.0%+130%+158%+508%22.6%0.96−25.7%—$938B—
TJX Apparel - RetailThe TJX Companies, Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+12.3%−5.3%−7.3%−3.8%+3.8%+71.6%+147%+361%22.3%0.93−42.5%—$162B—
BVS Medical - DevicesBioventus Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+4.8%+20.5%+35.7%+93.5%+99.3%+360%−3.0%—81.5%0.42−95.2%—$953M—
COST Discount StoresCostco Wholesale Corporation2/5 short1/3 long+10.7%+6.5%0.0%+16.9%+6.9%+87.2%+123%+685%22.9%0.82−31.4%—$441B—
BKE Apparel - RetailThe Buckle, Inc.2/5 short1/3 long+15.1%+9.2%−15.4%−5.8%−8.4%+71.8%+84.7%+493%34.6%0.53−53.2%—$2.4B—
GAP Apparel - RetailThe Gap, Inc.2/5 short1/3 long+11.3%+19.0%−12.5%−4.0%+10.0%+117%+24.6%+25.2%55.7%0.36−83.1%—$8.2B—
M Department StoresMacy's, Inc.2/5 short1/3 long+5.5%+1.3%+19.3%+5.7%+34.8%+131%+7.7%+0.7%52.4%0.29−87.8%—$6.1B—
BOOT Apparel - RetailBoot Barn Holdings, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−7.2%−23.1%−31.4%−38.2%−39.1%+50.9%+20.8%+910%50.5%0.33−77.9%—$3.5B—
TGT Discount StoresTarget Corporation4/5 short0/3 long−2.4%+11.2%+20.3%+57.4%+75.1%+58.0%−28.5%+207%36.1%0.00−64.4%—$70B—
DG Discount StoresDollar General Corporation3/5 short0/3 long+10.6%+8.1%+7.2%0.0%+28.5%+24.2%−32.0%+127%37.0%-0.01−72.6%—$30B—
KSS Department StoresKohl's Corporation3/5 short0/3 long+24.7%+24.6%+51.0%+4.4%+38.6%+23.2%−36.7%−20.0%70.0%0.21−89.2%—$2.5B—
DLTR Discount StoresDollar Tree, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+11.2%−1.1%+16.5%−2.1%+26.2%+13.1%+23.3%+64.7%40.1%0.31−64.8%—$23B—
AEO Apparel - RetailAmerican Eagle Outfitters, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+16.0%+2.2%−9.1%−30.7%+18.0%+11.6%−17.9%+33.9%54.4%0.19−75.6%—$3.0B—
DBI Apparel - Footwear & AccessoriesDesigner Brands Inc.2/5 short0/3 long−1.1%+8.3%−21.7%−12.4%+77.8%−39.1%−46.2%−61.1%73.0%0.19−92.3%—$312M—
BURL Apparel - RetailBurlington Stores, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+2.8%−26.5%−25.6%−13.2%−3.1%+112%−6.2%+240%44.4%0.19−68.9%—$16B—
ZUMZ Apparel - RetailZumiez Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+2.2%−25.3%−43.9%−45.3%−30.5%−16.8%−64.9%−36.5%52.1%-0.14−78.8%—$217M—
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How did ROST do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where ROST ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with ROST and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

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

InvestmentYears ahead of ROST20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
ROST This pageRoss Stores, Inc.—+20.4%+10.4%+20.6%+2.9%−6.0%+5.8%+41.3%+4.8%+23.5%+23.0%+15.3%+27.0%+39.9%+14.9%+52.0%+49.7%+45.3%+17.8%−12.0%+2.4%+0.9%+9.4%+25.5%+32.9%+91.0%−5.7%−8.3%+9.7%+47.9%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 10 of 2911 of 1911 of 199 of 194 of 1917 of 1813 of 187 of 1810 of 189 of 184 of 182 of 183 of 172 of 1611 of 161 of 166 of 1610 of 153 of 159 of 1513 of 157 of 1310 of 136 of 131 of 132 of 134 of 1310 of 1310 of 1310 of 13
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF12 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Co.14 of 29−15.8%+69.4%+285%−34.2%+71.1%+19.5%−9.8%+19.3%+54.1%−53.7%−2.3%−11.1%−30.0%−0.1%−14.2%+68.5%+54.7%−70.6%+15.9%+8.0%+40.3%+92.8%+20.7%−22.9%+32.7%−25.1%−24.5%+126%+89.6%
URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc.13 of 29+37.1%+53.8%+49.6%−18.8%+14.7%−7.8%−16.4%−5.3%+23.1%+25.2%−35.2%−5.3%−5.7%+42.8%−23.0%+2.4%+134%−45.1%+18.4%−9.0%+14.0%+140%+214%−2.3%+204%−72.7%+72.5%−7.5%+39.9%
WMT Walmart Inc.11 of 29+24.5%+74.0%+12.9%−0.5%+1.9%+23.4%+30.1%−3.4%+46.6%+16.1%−26.6%+11.8%+18.2%+17.1%+13.8%+3.1%−2.5%+20.0%+4.9%+0.2%−10.2%+0.6%+5.6%−11.8%+8.9%−22.7%+70.5%+107%+74.6%
TJX The TJX Companies, Inc.14 of 29+28.7%+30.6%+19.7%+6.7%+12.8%+12.3%+38.8%+18.9%+3.5%+7.4%+4.6%+8.8%+51.7%+33.0%+47.6%+22.9%+81.0%−27.4%+1.8%+24.0%−6.8%+15.0%+13.8%−1.6%+44.3%+37.1%−29.5%+70.3%+44.9%
BVS Bioventus Inc.2 of 4−29.1%+99.2%+102%−82.0%—————————————————————————
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation16 of 29−5.4%+39.6%+49.0%−19.1%+51.8%+32.7%+45.7%+10.6%+22.4%+0.3%+18.9%+20.5%+21.9%+28.4%+16.7%+23.7%+14.3%−24.0%+33.2%+7.9%+3.2%+31.1%+32.5%−36.8%+11.1%−12.5%+26.4%+61.8%+77.7%
BKE The Buckle, Inc.12 of 29+14.0%+17.5%+15.0%+10.9%+69.9%+25.0%+55.2%−8.8%+12.6%−20.2%−37.3%+6.9%+19.1%+22.8%+16.0%+41.4%+45.0%+8.6%−0.9%+71.0%+10.7%+35.8%+23.1%−19.3%+26.7%+18.0%−38.0%+5.3%+173%
GAP The Gap, Inc.12 of 29+11.7%+16.1%+96.6%−32.6%−11.1%+15.7%−28.1%−22.0%+56.0%−4.6%−39.9%+10.0%+27.5%+70.1%−13.8%+7.7%+59.8%−35.9%+10.6%+12.4%−15.6%−8.6%+50.3%+12.1%−45.0%−44.4%+23.2%+138%+77.5%
M Macy's, Inc.11 of 29+36.4%−12.4%+1.6%−18.7%+136%−31.1%−38.2%+23.6%−25.3%+6.5%−45.4%+25.6%+39.6%+23.8%+28.8%+52.4%+64.5%−58.7%−31.1%+16.6%+16.1%+23.9%+65.3%−29.7%+16.8%−30.8%+16.1%+1.2%+26.2%
BOOT Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.5 of 11+16.2%+97.8%+22.8%−49.2%+184%−2.6%+161%+2.5%+32.7%+1.9%−32.5%——————————————————
TGT Target Corporation11 of 29−24.5%−2.3%−1.4%−34.2%+32.9%+40.5%+100%+4.7%−5.8%+2.7%−1.6%+23.8%+9.5%+18.2%−13.0%+26.3%+42.4%−30.0%−11.6%+4.7%+6.6%+36.1%+29.0%−26.5%+28.0%−11.5%+36.2%+62.2%+74.2%
DG Dollar General Corporation7 of 16+79.6%−43.1%−44.1%+5.6%+13.0%+35.9%+45.7%+17.6%+26.9%+4.3%+2.9%+17.2%+36.8%+7.1%+34.2%+36.7%—————————————
KSS Kohl's Corporation10 of 29+51.5%−45.8%+23.7%−46.0%+23.6%−17.2%−19.2%+26.7%+12.6%+8.3%−19.5%+10.6%+35.7%−10.5%−7.4%+0.8%+49.0%−21.0%−33.1%+40.8%−1.2%+9.4%−19.7%−20.5%+15.5%+69.0%+17.5%+80.4%+73.4%
DLTR Dollar Tree, Inc.10 of 29+64.1%−47.2%+0.4%+0.7%+30.1%+14.9%+4.1%−15.8%+39.0%−0.1%+9.7%+24.7%+39.1%−2.4%+48.2%+74.2%+15.8%+60.9%−13.9%+25.7%−16.8%−4.3%+22.3%−20.5%+26.1%−24.1%+10.8%+58.4%+62.2%
AEO American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.13 of 29+64.6%−19.3%+54.9%−43.5%+29.8%+38.8%−22.1%+5.5%+28.5%+0.9%+15.1%+0.3%−28.1%+59.5%+8.4%−8.0%+86.7%−53.4%−32.3%+106%−1.2%+188%+19.3%−47.5%−7.1%−6.0%+35.0%+331%+342%
DBI Designer Brands Inc.6 of 20+46.6%−37.9%−7.9%−30.1%+85.7%−50.6%−32.7%+20.1%−1.5%−1.8%−34.4%−10.7%+31.3%+55.2%+18.9%+51.1%+107%−33.5%−51.4%+47.0%—————————
BURL Burlington Stores, Inc.7 of 12+1.3%+46.6%−4.1%−30.4%+11.5%+14.7%+40.2%+32.2%+45.2%+97.5%−9.2%+47.7%—————————————————
ZUMZ Zumiez Inc.9 of 20+35.9%−5.8%−6.4%−54.7%+30.5%+6.5%+80.2%−8.0%−4.7%+44.5%−60.9%+48.6%+34.0%−30.1%+3.3%+111%+70.7%−69.4%−17.5%+36.7%—————————
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Risk and diversification

How ROST 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 ROST's worst declines?

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

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

DuringROST fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−82.2%—Oct 1989Nov 199013 monthsFeb 19965.3 years
No named crash−66.7%—Jul 1987Oct 19873 monthsSep 198811 months
No named crash−52.7%+7.2%Jul 1999Jan 20006 monthsAug 200119 months
Covid crash−51.4%−28.8%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthFeb 202111 months
No named crash−50.6%−18.2%Jul 1998Oct 19983 monthsMay 19997 months

How did ROST do in stock market crashes?

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

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

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
ROST This pageRoss Stores, Inc.—−4.9%−37.5%−51.4%−26.0%−5.1%−20.5%−12.4%−2.6%−46.5%−45.8%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF6 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Co.2 of 10−7.4%−64.9%−52.1%−25.4%−6.6%−19.4%−27.0%−3.3%−83.1%−65.4%
URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc.1 of 10−4.9%−40.0%−53.2%−23.8%−4.7%−37.3%−34.8%−2.9%−65.5%−53.6%
WMT Walmart Inc.8 of 10−0.8%−25.7%−13.1%−18.3%−4.9%−22.3%−10.5%−1.5%−26.2%−31.8%
TJX The TJX Companies, Inc.5 of 10−4.7%−27.7%−42.5%−25.6%−5.3%−16.1%−9.7%−2.1%−49.9%−32.6%
BVS Bioventus Inc.0 of 2−29.0%−57.7%————————
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation6 of 10−3.1%−31.4%−13.7%−20.8%−6.5%−15.2%−13.5%−1.2%−48.0%−50.1%
BKE The Buckle, Inc.5 of 10−4.6%−34.5%−44.2%−22.1%−1.2%−34.8%−25.5%−3.4%−62.4%−36.7%
GAP The Gap, Inc.1 of 10−13.3%−55.4%−64.0%−14.0%−4.8%−35.6%−21.0%−2.8%−55.7%−82.5%
M Macy's, Inc.1 of 10−11.4%−44.6%−69.9%−24.6%−5.7%−48.1%−24.4%−2.2%−83.2%−46.4%
BOOT Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.0 of 6−7.6%−54.8%−68.9%−47.4%−7.6%−79.1%————
TGT Target Corporation7 of 10−3.4%−43.9%−21.7%−30.3%−3.0%−15.8%−10.4%−1.3%−60.6%−42.6%
DG Dollar General Corporation6 of 8−0.7%−27.6%−18.4%−15.9%−4.4%−25.2%−8.4%−2.6%——
KSS Kohl's Corporation2 of 10−15.6%−59.0%−69.7%−26.8%−4.9%−34.4%−24.9%−1.7%−59.1%−39.7%
DLTR Dollar Tree, Inc.6 of 10−1.5%−26.5%−30.2%−7.2%−6.7%−24.1%−11.3%−1.9%−49.1%−67.1%
AEO American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.3 of 10−9.1%−60.8%−47.6%−30.1%−2.6%−27.4%−27.4%−1.9%−70.7%−75.0%
DBI Designer Brands Inc.1 of 9−14.6%−23.9%−80.0%−32.2%−4.9%−34.3%−31.6%−4.8%−73.6%—
BURL Burlington Stores, Inc.2 of 6−4.8%−61.5%−51.4%−15.6%−3.7%−26.8%————
ZUMZ Zumiez Inc.1 of 9−11.3%−57.0%−47.3%−36.4%−5.8%−42.9%−41.1%−2.3%−88.1%—
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How closely does ROST 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 ROST with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than ROST's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
ROST This pageRoss Stores, Inc.93%89%1.050.93
WMT Walmart Inc.74%36%2.080.53
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation93%50%1.850.77
TJX The TJX Companies, Inc.81%65%1.250.78
ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Co.138%112%1.231.36
BKE The Buckle, Inc.95%80%1.191.12
DG Dollar General Corporation46%46%1.000.37
TGT Target Corporation83%87%0.951.00
BOOT Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.189%201%0.942.31
BURL Burlington Stores, Inc.103%121%0.851.22
URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc.97%136%0.711.40
DLTR Dollar Tree, Inc.52%79%0.660.75
GAP The Gap, Inc.127%217%0.581.86
AEO American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.94%164%0.571.37
M Macy's, Inc.93%183%0.511.75
KSS Kohl's Corporation109%234%0.471.76
ZUMZ Zumiez Inc.70%155%0.451.37
DBI Designer Brands Inc.93%238%0.391.85
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What diversifies ROST?

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 ROST's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing ROST with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which ROST lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% ROST and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202120072000199980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ROST Ross Stores, Inc. (this page)1.00+129%0.71−6.0%−12.0%−5.7%−8.3%27.9%+17.8%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.29+225%1.34+18.0%−7.4%——23.2%+20.2%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.34+101%1.04+23.1%———23.5%+18.0%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.33+83.3%1.00+19.6%———23.4%+17.3%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.23+323%0.97+42.1%+6.0%——24.9%+22.9%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.46+85.0%0.96+19.6%———23.4%+17.5%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.08+126%0.96−4.2%+30.4%——22.9%+18.8%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.30+136%0.93+22.7%———23.9%+19.3%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.16+177%0.93+53.3%+36.8%+24.4%+18.1%23.7%+19.9%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202120072000199980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ROST Ross Stores, Inc. (this page)1.00+129%0.71−6.0%−12.0%−5.7%−8.3%27.9%+17.8%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.26+479%1.55−0.4%−9.8%+108%−36.8%24.2%+22.6%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.20+3,143%1.47+37.9%−25.7%−2.3%+350%27.2%+35.7%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.38+1,636%1.46+89.0%+2.1%−71.1%−58.7%27.0%+31.2%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.19+413%1.44+44.2%+29.7%+61.2%−71.3%23.8%+22.0%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.26+690%1.41+61.0%———24.8%+24.6%
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Common questions

What was ROST's worst drawdown?

ROST's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 82.2%, from October 1989 to November 1990. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were ROST's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, ROST's best year was 2001, when it returned 91.0%. Its worst was 2007, with a return of -12.0%.

Is there a better investment than ROST?

Among ROST's popular alternatives, WMT and TJX earned more than ROST with less volatility over the past 5 years. WMT returned 20.8% a year at 22.6% volatility, against 18.1% a year at 29.5%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, ORLY (specialty retail) and AZO (specialty retail) fell less than ROST in each recent sell-off and kept up with it over the past decade.

Is ROST more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ROST's volatility over the past 5 years was 29.5%, 1.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ROST's return lands within 29.5% 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 ROST's Sharpe ratio?

ROST's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.71, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ROST 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 ROST with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, ROST's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.46 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ROST instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ROST holding.

What are the best alternatives to ROST?

Of the 18 popular alternatives we compared, two outperformed ROST in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: ANF and URBN.

Did ROST outperform the S&P 500?

ROST finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 17 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +20.4%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did ROST do in stock market crashes?

ROST fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in four of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in six. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when ROST fell 51.4% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.

What diversifies ROST?

These had a low correlation with ROST over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.29), EMLP (correlation 0.34) and HDV (correlation 0.33); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.26), CLS (correlation 0.20) and FIX (correlation 0.38). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to ROST

Other stocks and ETFs