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Relative Intelligence · Oilfield Services

How SLB compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on SLB alone. It places SLB (Slb N.V.) 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 SLB stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: SLB'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 SLB →Chart SLB vs. 21 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in SLB over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of SLB over the same span and SLB'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. 915 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SLB; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$2,000$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000$200,000199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,00019972004201120182025
  • EOG$380,118+3,701% total · +13.4% a year
  • COP$156,444+1,464% total · +9.9% a year
  • CVX$142,109+1,321% total · +9.6% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • XOM$124,235+1,142% total · +9.1% a year
  • HP$84,217+742% total · +7.6% a year
  • OII$82,944+729% total · +7.6% a year
  • BKR$57,190+472% total · +6.2% a year
  • SLB$21,770+118% total · +2.7% a year
  • PTEN$12,257+22.6% total · +0.7% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,000 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SLB; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000$100,000$120,000202120222023202420252026$0$50,000$100,000$150,000202120222023202420252026
  • FTI$92,034+820% total · +55.9% a year
  • XOM$32,965+230% total · +26.9% a year
  • OII$32,754+228% total · +26.8% a year
  • BKR$24,898+149% total · +20.0% a year
  • CVX$24,595+146% total · +19.7% a year
  • COP$22,182+122% total · +17.3% a year
  • EOG$21,734+117% total · +16.8% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • SLB$18,357+83.6% total · +12.9% a year
  • HP$16,471+64.7% total · +10.5% a year
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SLB 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
$74B
Industry
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+53.2%total return
Past 3 years
−7.2%−2.5% a year
Past 5 years
+60.7%+9.9% a year
Past 10 years
−21.3%−2.4% a year
Best calendar year
+81.1%2022
Worst calendar year
−56.5%2008
Losing years
12 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
37.5%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.44return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−87.8%Jun 2014 to Mar 2020
From its all-time high
−41.6%below the peak

SLB against the whole market

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

How does SLB rank among all stocks?

This section ranks SLB 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 SLB 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.

MeasureSLBRankStanding
1-year return+53.2%506 of 3,287top 15%
3-year return−7.2%2,437 of 3,017bottom 20%
5-year return+60.7%988 of 2,893top 34%
10-year return−21.3%1,919 of 2,202bottom 14%
Volatility, 5 years37.5%1,305 of 2,893top 45%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.441,109 of 2,893top 38%
Worst decline, past 10 years−84.5%1,776 of 2,187bottom 20%

What has beaten SLB 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). SLB sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than SLB 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 SLB; faint dots are 88 more of the 694 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than SLBV: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%EMR: +12.7% a year, volatility 27.7%TAK: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%KOF: +22.3% a year, volatility 24.7%IHG: +21.4% a year, volatility 26.6%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%SNX: +20.3% a year, volatility 30.4%RGA: +19.7% a year, volatility 27.3%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%RNR: +20.1% a year, volatility 27.8%CACI: +16.6% a year, volatility 29.9%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%AVT: +22.1% a year, volatility 30.7%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%HRB: +18.3% a year, volatility 34.9%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%IGPT: +14.3% a year, volatility 30.1%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%NPK: +16.3% a year, volatility 27.3%ITUB: +26.3% a year, volatility 33.8%DJP: +11.2% a year, volatility 18.9%TRST: +15.5% a year, volatility 26.8%FCBC: +14.0% a year, volatility 28.7%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%RCBC: +14.6% a year, volatility 27.2%QVAL: +13.7% a year, volatility 21.4%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%BWFG: +20.1% a year, volatility 28.5%HCA: +14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%XLE: +22.6% a year, volatility 25.5%BAP: +30.8% a year, volatility 30.3%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%MET: +12.0% a year, volatility 25.4%GRMN: +14.8% a year, volatility 31.6%KEYS: +13.9% a year, volatility 34.5%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%NTAP: +20.9% a year, volatility 35.3%CIB: +32.9% a year, volatility 32.9%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%FFIV: +17.1% a year, volatility 30.8%WF: +26.3% a year, volatility 31.6%MOG-A: +36.6% a year, volatility 32.0%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%DRI: +12.4% a year, volatility 27.2%COWZ: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.7%EWY: +16.2% a year, volatility 34.0%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%SU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%IMO: +34.3% a year, volatility 32.0%CNQ: +26.5% a year, volatility 32.5%HST: +13.8% a year, volatility 30.0%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%PAG: +18.3% a year, volatility 31.9%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%PSO: +18.5% a year, volatility 27.9%MSGS: +18.4% a year, volatility 25.6%EQNR: +19.2% a year, volatility 34.4%AMG: +18.8% a year, volatility 31.9%VCTR: +28.1% a year, volatility 35.0%TX: +13.7% a year, volatility 34.8%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%ACA: +23.1% a year, volatility 34.0%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%SLB: +9.9% a year, volatility 37.5%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%COP: +18.2% a year, volatility 32.6%EOG: +16.6% a year, volatility 32.3%BKR: +19.7% a year, volatility 34.6%FTI: +54.1% a year, volatility 41.3%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%TTE: +18.0% a year, volatility 25.8%BP: +16.0% a year, volatility 28.7%VLO: +44.2% a year, volatility 36.9%SHEL: +21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%TRP: +10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%PDBC: +11.7% a year, volatility 19.3%STLD: +32.2% a year, volatility 38.0%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%SLBSPY (S&P 500)XOMCVXCOPEOGBKRFTIPSXTTEBPVLOSHELTRPCAHMSFTLLYBRK-BVLUESTLDMPC10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than SLBV: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%EMR: +12.7% a year, volatility 27.7%TAK: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%KOF: +22.3% a year, volatility 24.7%IHG: +21.4% a year, volatility 26.6%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%SNX: +20.3% a year, volatility 30.4%RGA: +19.7% a year, volatility 27.3%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%RNR: +20.1% a year, volatility 27.8%CACI: +16.6% a year, volatility 29.9%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%AVT: +22.1% a year, volatility 30.7%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%HRB: +18.3% a year, volatility 34.9%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%IGPT: +14.3% a year, volatility 30.1%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%NPK: +16.3% a year, volatility 27.3%ITUB: +26.3% a year, volatility 33.8%DJP: +11.2% a year, volatility 18.9%TRST: +15.5% a year, volatility 26.8%FCBC: +14.0% a year, volatility 28.7%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%RCBC: +14.6% a year, volatility 27.2%QVAL: +13.7% a year, volatility 21.4%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%BWFG: +20.1% a year, volatility 28.5%HCA: +14.1% a year, volatility 30.1%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%XLE: +22.6% a year, volatility 25.5%BAP: +30.8% a year, volatility 30.3%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%MET: +12.0% a year, volatility 25.4%GRMN: +14.8% a year, volatility 31.6%KEYS: +13.9% a year, volatility 34.5%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%NTAP: +20.9% a year, volatility 35.3%CIB: +32.9% a year, volatility 32.9%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%FFIV: +17.1% a year, volatility 30.8%WF: +26.3% a year, volatility 31.6%MOG-A: +36.6% a year, volatility 32.0%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%DRI: +12.4% a year, volatility 27.2%COWZ: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.7%EWY: +16.2% a year, volatility 34.0%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%SU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%IMO: +34.3% a year, volatility 32.0%CNQ: +26.5% a year, volatility 32.5%HST: +13.8% a year, volatility 30.0%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%PAG: +18.3% a year, volatility 31.9%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%PSO: +18.5% a year, volatility 27.9%MSGS: +18.4% a year, volatility 25.6%EQNR: +19.2% a year, volatility 34.4%AMG: +18.8% a year, volatility 31.9%VCTR: +28.1% a year, volatility 35.0%TX: +13.7% a year, volatility 34.8%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%ACA: +23.1% a year, volatility 34.0%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%SLB: +9.9% a year, volatility 37.5%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%COP: +18.2% a year, volatility 32.6%EOG: +16.6% a year, volatility 32.3%BKR: +19.7% a year, volatility 34.6%FTI: +54.1% a year, volatility 41.3%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%TTE: +18.0% a year, volatility 25.8%BP: +16.0% a year, volatility 28.7%VLO: +44.2% a year, volatility 36.9%SHEL: +21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%TRP: +10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%PDBC: +11.7% a year, volatility 19.3%STLD: +32.2% a year, volatility 38.0%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%SLBSPY (S&P 500)XOMCVXCOPEOGFTIPSXTTEBPVLOSHELCAHLLYBRK-BSTLDADPMPC
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than SLB?

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

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

Screen the whole market against SLB for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with SLB?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
SLBSlb N.V. · this page
+9.9%37.5%0.44−84.5%−21.3%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.320.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against SLB. 9 of 21 passed at least one test.
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.75—
CVXChevron Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+19.5%25.2%0.84−55.8%+238%0.73—
COPConocoPhillips · Exploration & Production
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+18.2%32.6%0.68−70.7%+379%0.78—
EOGEOG Resources, Inc. · Exploration & Production
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+16.6%32.3%0.64−77.1%+131%0.74—
BKRBaker Hughes Company · Oilfield Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+19.7%34.6%0.70−73.5%+248%0.77—
FTITechnipFMC plc · Oilfield Services
Higher return in most periods+54.1%41.3%1.26−85.8%+178%0.71—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Oilfield Services and Oil & Gas and the categories next to it (Integrated Oil & Gas, Exploration & Production, Oil & Gas Midstream), plus SLB's specific themes. 64 of 71 passed at least one test.
PSXPhillips 66 · Oil & Gas
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+33.2%32.9%1.04−64.2%+430%0.73—
TTETotalEnergies SE · Integrated Oil & Gas
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+18.0%25.8%0.78−59.6%+234%0.65—
BPBP p.l.c. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+16.0%28.7%0.66−63.9%+141%0.61—
VLOValero Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+44.2%36.9%1.18−71.9%+1,061%0.58—
SHELShell plc · Integrated Oil & Gas
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+21.0%24.8%0.90−67.2%+233%0.61—
TRPTC Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.8%21.9%0.58−41.6%+160%0.35—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,876 of 3,542 passed at least one test.
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.14—
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%-0.01—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%-0.07—
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.33—
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+15.9%18.4%0.90−39.5%+286%0.490.15%
PDBCInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF · Broad Commodities
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.7%19.3%0.67−40.7%+153%0.570.74%
STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc. · Metals & Mining
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+32.2%38.0%0.93−68.5%+1,018%0.47—
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.17—
What these numbers mean for SLB
Annual return
SLB returned 9.9% 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 $16,100. 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
SLB's volatility over the past 5 years was 37.5%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SLB's return lands within 37.5% 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
SLB's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.44, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SLB 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
SLB's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 84.5%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 84.5% fall takes a 545% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, SLB's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.32 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 SLB instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SLB holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 694 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than SLB with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with SLBExpense
1
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.14—
2
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Whole market+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%-0.01—
3
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%-0.07—
4
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.33—
5
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.38—
6
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.30—
7
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.40—
8
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.33—
9
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.41—
10
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.39—
11
ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Whole market+19.5%34.1%0.69−33.6%+652%0.18—
12
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.37—
13
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.16—
14
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.23—
15
EMREmerson Electric Co. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+12.7%27.7%0.57−50.8%+309%0.44—
16
TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+11.9%19.4%0.68−54.4%+30.4%0.14—
17
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.14—
18
CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+21.5%25.1%0.91−43.2%+463%0.16—
19
KOFCoca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+22.3%24.7%0.94−55.1%+119%0.29—
20
IHGInterContinental Hotels Group PLC · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+21.4%26.6%0.86−59.3%+383%0.29—
21
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Whole market+24.8%28.1%0.93−40.8%+626%0.40—
22
DGXQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical Diagnostics
Whole market+12.3%22.5%0.63−36.6%+243%0.16—
23
SNXTD Synnex Corp · Technology Distribution
Whole market+20.3%30.4%0.76−55.8%+430%0.19—
24
RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated · Insurance
Whole market+19.7%27.3%0.80−65.8%+199%0.46—
25
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+12.0%27.1%0.56−35.6%+349%0.32—
26
PSXPhillips 66 · Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+33.2%32.9%1.04−64.2%+430%0.73—
27
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Popular alternative+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.75—
28
RNRRenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. · Insurance
Whole market+20.1%27.8%0.80−40.7%+215%0.09—
29
TTETotalEnergies SE · Integrated Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+18.0%25.8%0.78−59.6%+234%0.65—
30
CACICACI International Inc · Business Services
Whole market+16.6%29.9%0.66−42.9%+499%0.23—
31
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+15.9%18.4%0.90−39.5%+286%0.490.15%
32
CVXChevron Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Popular alternative+19.5%25.2%0.84−55.8%+238%0.73—
33
BPBP p.l.c. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+16.0%28.7%0.66−63.9%+141%0.61—
34
NEUNewMarket Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−40.7%+165%0.11—
35
AVTAvnet, Inc. · Technology Distribution
Whole market+22.1%30.7%0.81−58.4%+173%0.35—
36
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Whole market+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%-0.02—
37
PDBCInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF · Broad Commodities
Whole market+11.7%19.3%0.67−40.7%+153%0.570.74%
38
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.15—
39
HRBH&R Block, Inc. · Tax Preparation
Whole market+18.3%34.9%0.65−57.7%+206%0.14—
40
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.26—
41
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.27—
42
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.46—
43
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.12—
44
IGPTInvesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF · Technology
Whole market+14.3%30.1%0.60−50.1%+525%0.090.57%
45
GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services
Whole market+19.0%32.0%0.71−44.6%+752%0.03—
46
NPKNational Presto Industries, Inc. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+16.3%27.3%0.69−45.5%+181%0.32—
47
ITUBItaú Unibanco Holding S.A. · Banks
Whole market+26.3%33.8%0.86−62.1%+190%0.36—
48
DJPiPath Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return(SM) ETN · Commodities
Whole market+11.2%18.9%0.66−38.4%+120%0.580.70%
49
TRSTTrustCo Bank Corp NY · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.5%26.8%0.68−49.5%+126%0.44—
50
FCBCFirst Community Bankshares, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+14.0%28.7%0.60−49.5%+217%0.35—
51
HLTHilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−50.8%+694%0.31—
52
RCBCRiver City Bank · Banks - Regional
Whole market+14.6%27.2%0.64−45.5%+345%0.06—
53
QVALAlpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.7%21.4%0.71−51.5%+230%0.570.28%
54
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.320.03%
55
BWFGBankwell Financial Group, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+20.1%28.5%0.79−64.7%+240%0.25—
56
HCAHCA Healthcare, Inc. · Health Care Facilities
Whole market+14.1%30.1%0.59−54.7%+513%0.25—
57
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+25.6%26.2%1.00−64.1%+264%0.35—
58
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.320.03%
59
XLEState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+22.6%25.5%0.93−66.8%+189%0.850.08%
60
BAPCredicorp Ltd. · Banks
Whole market+30.8%30.3%1.04−59.2%+298%0.39—
61
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.10—
62
METMetLife, Inc. · Life Insurance
Whole market+12.0%25.4%0.58−55.2%+240%0.58—
63
GRMNGarmin Ltd. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+14.8%31.6%0.59−54.6%+670%0.16—
64
KEYSKeysight Technologies, Inc. · Electronic Equipment
Whole market+13.9%34.5%0.55−42.6%+923%0.10—
65
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.560.80%
66
NTAPNetApp, Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+20.9%35.3%0.71−58.1%+691%0.10—
67
CIBGrupo Cibest S.A. · Banks
Whole market+32.9%32.9%1.03−70.4%+345%0.46—
68
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.28—
69
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.3%23.8%0.65−49.7%—0.20—
70
FFIVF5, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Whole market+17.1%30.8%0.67−54.6%+287%-0.05—
71
WFWoori Financial Group Inc. · Banks
Whole market+26.3%31.6%0.90−67.2%+282%0.42—
72
SHELShell plc · Integrated Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+21.0%24.8%0.90−67.2%+233%0.61—
73
MOG-AMoog Inc. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+36.6%32.0%1.14−63.7%+595%0.22—
74
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+31.1%31.9%1.01−43.4%+936%0.43—
75
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.04—
76
DRIDarden Restaurants, Inc. · Restaurants
Whole market+12.4%27.2%0.57−72.8%+361%0.31—
77
COWZPacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.4%17.7%0.70−38.7%—0.700.49%
78
EWYiShares MSCI South Korea ETF · International Equity
Whole market+16.2%34.0%0.61−49.7%+230%0.300.59%
79
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.080.18%
80
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.33—
81
SUSuncor Energy Inc. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+33.1%32.5%1.05−73.5%+295%0.62—
82
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.17—
83
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Whole market+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%-0.020.58%
84
IMOImperial Oil Limited · Integrated Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+34.3%32.0%1.09−77.1%+430%0.65—
85
CNQCanadian Natural Resources Limited · Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+26.5%32.5%0.89−77.5%+433%0.70—
86
HSTHost Hotels & Resorts, Inc. · Hotel REITs
Whole market+13.8%30.0%0.58−55.0%+144%0.32—
87
EEni S.p.A. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+23.0%25.6%0.94−61.4%+278%0.62—
88
PAGPenske Automotive Group, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+18.3%31.9%0.69−60.0%+528%0.32—
89
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Whole market+33.8%32.2%1.07−37.5%+965%0.02—
90
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.580.03%
91
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%0.29—
92
PSOPearson plc · Education Services
Whole market+18.5%27.9%0.75−58.4%+155%0.31—
93
MSGSMadison Square Garden Sports Corp. · Entertainment
Whole market+18.4%25.6%0.79−41.6%+432%0.33—
94
EQNREquinor ASA · Integrated Oil & Gas
Same or nearby category+19.2%34.4%0.69−66.8%+416%0.42—
95
AMGAffiliated Managers Group, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+18.8%31.9%0.70−78.5%+185%0.22—
96
VCTRVictory Capital Holdings, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+28.1%35.0%0.89−45.2%—0.39—
97
TXTernium S.A. · Metals & Mining
Whole market+13.7%34.8%0.54−74.9%+393%0.40—
98
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.22—
99
ACAArcosa, Inc. · Construction Materials
Whole market+23.1%34.0%0.78−36.8%—0.25—
100
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.170.40%

SLB against its popular alternatives

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

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

Green points earned more than SLB 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%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilitySLB: 10.0% a year, volatility 37.5%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%COP: 18.2% a year, volatility 32.6%XOM: 27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%CVX: 19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%EOG: 16.6% a year, volatility 32.3%HP: 5.9% a year, volatility 48.7%BKR: 19.8% a year, volatility 34.6%PTEN: 7.6% a year, volatility 54.6%WHD: 7.9% a year, volatility 44.8%HAL: 6.9% a year, volatility 39.4%NOV: 6.2% a year, volatility 41.4%OIS: 3.6% a year, volatility 58.4%RIG: 7.3% a year, volatility 60.7%NBR: −8.7% a year, volatility 65.3%RES: 4.7% a year, volatility 51.1%CLB: −19.2% a year, volatility 53.5%LBRT: 2.8% a year, volatility 55.2%PUMP: −5.8% a year, volatility 61.8%FTI: 54.1% a year, volatility 41.3%OII: 23.2% a year, volatility 50.2%DNOW: 10.9% a year, volatility 42.7%WFRD: 24.2% a year, volatility 50.1%SLBSPY (S&P 500)COPXOMCVXEOGHPPTENWHDHALOISRIGNBRRESCLBLBRTPUMPFTIOIIDNOWWFRD10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilitySLB: 10.0% a year, volatility 37.5%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%COP: 18.2% a year, volatility 32.6%XOM: 27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%CVX: 19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%EOG: 16.6% a year, volatility 32.3%HP: 5.9% a year, volatility 48.7%BKR: 19.8% a year, volatility 34.6%PTEN: 7.6% a year, volatility 54.6%WHD: 7.9% a year, volatility 44.8%HAL: 6.9% a year, volatility 39.4%NOV: 6.2% a year, volatility 41.4%OIS: 3.6% a year, volatility 58.4%RIG: 7.3% a year, volatility 60.7%NBR: −8.7% a year, volatility 65.3%RES: 4.7% a year, volatility 51.1%CLB: −19.2% a year, volatility 53.5%LBRT: 2.8% a year, volatility 55.2%PUMP: −5.8% a year, volatility 61.8%FTI: 54.1% a year, volatility 41.3%OII: 23.2% a year, volatility 50.2%DNOW: 10.9% a year, volatility 42.7%WFRD: 24.2% a year, volatility 50.1%SLBSPY (S&P 500)COPXOMCVXHPPTENHALNOVOISRIGNBRCLBFTIOIIDNOWWFRD
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
FTI TechnipFMC plc+54.1%41.3%
XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation+27.1%26.5%
WFRD Weatherford International plc+24.2%50.1%
OII Oceaneering International, Inc.+23.2%50.2%
BKR Baker Hughes Company+19.8%34.6%
CVX Chevron Corporation+19.5%25.2%
COP ConocoPhillips+18.2%32.6%
EOG EOG Resources, Inc.+16.6%32.3%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
DNOW Dnow Inc.+10.9%42.7%
SLB This pageSlb N.V.+10.0%37.5%
WHD Cactus, Inc.+7.9%44.8%
PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.+7.6%54.6%
RIG Transocean Ltd.+7.3%60.7%
HAL Halliburton Company+6.9%39.4%
NOV NOV Inc.+6.2%41.4%
HP Helmerich & Payne, Inc.+5.9%48.7%
RES RPC, Inc.+4.7%51.1%
OIS Oil States International, Inc.+3.6%58.4%
LBRT Liberty Energy Inc.+2.8%55.2%
PUMP ProPetro Holding Corp.−5.8%61.8%
NBR Nabors Industries Ltd.−8.7%65.3%
CLB Core Laboratories N.V.−19.2%53.5%
Open these 23 in EasyCompare

Has SLB consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than SLB 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
SLB Slb N.V. (this page)—−3.4%+8.3%−3.3%+26.4%+53.2%−7.2%+60.7%−21.3%37.5%0.44−84.5%—$74B—
COP QualifiedConocoPhillips5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+14.4%+27.0%+27.1%+54.3%+72.9%+28.5%+131%+379%32.6%0.68−70.7%—$175B—
XOM QualifiedExxonmobil Holdings Corporation5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+12.4%+20.7%+22.0%+47.9%+62.4%+76.7%+232%+214%26.5%1.04−61.0%—$731B—
CVX QualifiedChevron Corporation4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+10.8%+20.0%+25.4%+48.8%+51.9%+53.4%+144%+238%25.2%0.84−55.8%—$446B—
EOG QualifiedEOG Resources, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+12.4%+12.7%+24.0%+51.9%+53.1%+31.9%+115%+131%32.3%0.64−77.1%—$83B—
FTI QualifiedTechnipFMC plc3/5 short3/3 long−3.3%−4.3%−1.7%+46.0%+89.4%+241%+769%+178%41.3%1.26−85.8%—$27B—
OII QualifiedOceaneering International, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−4.0%+2.9%+18.8%+77.3%+87.1%+76.8%+184%+66.9%50.2%0.67−93.3%—$4.4B—
HP QualifiedHelmerich & Payne, Inc.4/5 short2/3 long−5.2%+14.0%+14.8%+30.0%+66.7%+1.9%+33.1%−8.6%48.7%0.36−81.9%—$3.8B—
DNOW QualifiedDnow Inc.3/5 short2/3 long+1.3%+13.0%+31.4%+18.0%+10.3%+38.5%+67.4%−28.1%42.7%0.46−82.5%—$2.9B—
BKR Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesBaker Hughes Company0/5 short3/3 long−3.8%+1.3%−5.3%+19.3%+22.1%+70.1%+146%+248%34.6%0.70−73.5%—$55B—
PTEN Oil & Gas DrillingPatterson-UTI Energy, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+1.8%+16.1%+21.1%+84.9%+110%−4.2%+44.3%−40.4%54.6%0.41−94.0%—$4.4B—
WHD Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesCactus, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long−7.4%+16.7%+19.5%+33.7%+69.4%+28.0%+46.0%—44.8%0.39−79.1%—$4.4B—
HAL Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesHalliburton Company1/5 short1/3 long+0.6%−3.9%−7.6%+15.0%+51.5%−14.7%+39.8%−17.1%39.4%0.37−91.5%—$28B—
NOV Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesNOV Inc.1/5 short1/3 long−5.9%−2.6%+0.4%+17.6%+51.9%+1.8%+35.1%−42.2%41.4%0.35−83.3%—$6.8B—
OIS Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesOil States International, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long−0.2%+0.5%−16.1%+17.3%+39.6%+8.8%+19.6%−73.8%58.4%0.35−96.0%—$500M—
WFRD Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesWeatherford International plc0/5 short1/3 long−3.5%+1.8%−20.3%−1.1%+23.7%−12.0%+195%—50.1%0.69−95.5%—$5.7B—
RIG Oil & Gas DrillingTransocean Ltd.5/5 short0/3 long+6.8%+15.9%−1.2%+37.3%+76.9%−18.7%+42.0%−45.0%60.7%0.42−95.8%—$6.5B—
NBR Oil & Gas DrillingNabors Industries Ltd.3/5 short0/3 long−4.7%−3.1%+1.0%+44.4%+95.1%−32.7%−36.4%−86.6%65.3%0.19−98.8%—$1.2B—
RES Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesRPC, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+10.2%+7.7%−8.1%+15.7%+43.6%−23.8%+25.7%−60.8%51.1%0.34−92.3%—$1.4B—
CLB Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesCore Laboratories N.V.0/5 short0/3 long−8.0%−10.0%−38.3%−40.5%−14.8%−56.2%−65.6%−89.5%53.5%-0.14−93.5%—$462M—
LBRT Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesLiberty Energy Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−12.0%−30.8%−37.1%−11.2%+6.2%−15.7%+14.7%—55.2%0.33−90.0%—$2.7B—
PUMP Oil & Gas Equipment & ServicesProPetro Holding Corp.0/5 short0/3 long−24.9%−40.9%−45.1%−22.3%+31.8%−28.6%−25.6%—61.8%0.20−93.9%—$937M—
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How did SLB do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of SLB20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
SLB This pageSlb N.V.—+3.3%−24.5%−0.8%+81.1%+39.6%−43.8%+17.8%−44.7%−18.5%+23.5%−16.3%−3.6%+32.1%+3.0%−17.2%+30.0%+56.2%−56.5%+57.1%+31.1%+46.6%+23.8%+32.0%−22.2%−30.3%+43.9%+34.9%−41.6%+63.2%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 3 of 2910 of 2217 of 228 of 228 of 2210 of 2213 of 225 of 2115 of 1913 of 1811 of 188 of 184 of 1710 of 178 of 1715 of 1710 of 1710 of 1713 of 175 of 176 of 1711 of 1714 of 176 of 1714 of 1710 of 158 of 155 of 158 of 157 of 15
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF14 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%
COP ConocoPhillips16 of 29−2.3%−12.2%+2.0%+72.2%+87.1%−36.0%+6.6%+15.6%+11.9%+10.1%−29.0%+1.5%+27.1%+8.0%+11.0%+38.6%+2.8%−39.9%+25.4%+26.5%+36.9%+35.6%+39.8%−17.5%+8.6%+24.2%+13.6%−9.8%+13.1%
XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation16 of 29+16.0%+11.3%−6.3%+87.4%+57.6%−36.2%+7.2%−15.1%−3.8%+19.9%−12.8%−6.0%+20.1%+4.7%+18.7%+10.1%−12.6%−13.1%+24.3%+39.1%+11.8%+28.1%+20.7%−8.9%−7.5%+10.2%+12.7%+22.5%+28.3%
CVX Chevron Corporation15 of 29+10.1%+1.3%−13.6%+58.5%+46.2%−25.9%+15.3%−9.7%+10.6%+36.7%−16.2%−7.0%+19.3%+5.1%+20.3%+22.9%+8.1%−18.3%+30.5%+33.7%+11.5%+25.6%+35.4%−23.2%+9.4%+0.6%+7.2%+11.1%+22.1%
EOG EOG Resources, Inc.17 of 29−11.4%+4.3%−2.0%+56.9%+88.6%−38.6%−2.8%−18.7%+7.5%+44.0%−22.5%+10.3%+39.7%+23.4%+8.5%−5.5%+47.4%−25.0%+43.6%−14.6%+106%+55.3%+16.1%+2.5%−28.1%+212%+2.5%−18.0%−15.5%
FTI TechnipFMC plc13 of 24+54.9%+44.7%+66.0%+106%−23.2%−55.3%+11.9%−36.4%−11.5%+22.4%−38.0%−10.3%+21.9%−18.0%+17.5%+53.8%+143%−55.7%+84.0%+43.6%+33.1%+38.4%+13.9%+24.1%—————
OII Oceaneering International, Inc.15 of 29−7.9%+22.6%+21.7%+54.6%+42.3%−46.7%+23.2%−42.8%−23.7%−22.2%−34.7%−24.3%+48.3%+18.1%+26.5%+25.8%+101%−56.7%+69.6%+59.6%+33.3%+33.3%+13.2%+11.9%+13.7%+30.3%−0.3%−24.1%+24.2%
HP Helmerich & Payne, Inc.14 of 29−6.3%−7.8%−23.2%+115%+6.3%−44.3%+0.5%−22.6%−12.2%+51.7%−17.2%−17.5%+52.9%−3.5%+20.9%+22.2%+76.4%−42.9%+64.7%−20.5%+83.2%+23.7%+1.1%+82.6%−23.2%+104%+13.7%−41.6%+31.6%
DNOW Dnow Inc.4 of 11+1.8%+14.9%−10.9%+48.7%+18.9%−36.1%−3.4%+5.5%−46.1%+29.4%−38.5%——————————————————
BKR Baker Hughes Company16 of 29+13.4%+23.2%+18.6%+26.0%+19.0%−15.2%+23.0%−30.4%+25.1%+43.7%−16.3%+3.0%+37.8%−14.4%−13.9%+43.8%+29.0%−59.9%+9.6%+24.0%+44.3%+35.2%+2.0%−9.8%−10.7%+102%+22.7%−58.8%+28.7%
PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.15 of 29−21.9%−21.1%−34.2%+102%+62.4%−48.9%+3.1%−54.6%−14.2%+79.9%−6.9%−33.5%+37.1%−5.5%−6.6%+42.1%+35.4%−39.0%−14.3%−28.7%+70.3%+18.5%+9.2%+29.3%−37.4%+186%+221%−79.0%+200%
WHD Cactus, Inc.4 of 7−20.8%+29.7%−8.7%+33.0%+47.8%−22.8%+25.6%——————————————————————
HAL Halliburton Company17 of 29+7.0%−23.2%−6.5%+74.5%+22.0%−21.2%−4.9%−44.6%−8.9%+61.7%−11.9%−21.6%+47.9%+1.6%−14.8%+37.3%+68.3%−51.5%+23.3%+1.1%+59.4%+53.4%+42.1%+47.2%−63.3%−8.9%+37.7%−42.1%+74.5%
NOV NOV Inc.13 of 29+11.2%−26.8%−1.8%+55.7%−0.8%−44.9%−1.7%−28.3%−3.3%+13.9%−46.7%−9.3%+17.8%+1.2%+1.7%+53.9%+85.0%−66.7%+140%−2.4%+77.8%+57.7%+2.5%+6.0%−46.7%+147%+40.2%−67.3%+122%
OIS Oil States International, Inc.11 of 24+33.8%−25.5%−9.0%+50.1%−1.0%−69.2%+14.2%−49.5%−27.4%+43.1%−44.3%−15.9%+42.2%−6.3%+19.2%+63.1%+110%−45.2%+5.9%+1.8%+64.3%+38.3%+89.3%+41.8%—————
WFRD Weatherford International plc4 of 6+11.1%−26.4%+92.1%+83.7%+362%−78.5%———————————————————————
RIG Transocean Ltd.8 of 29+10.1%−40.9%+39.3%+65.2%+19.5%−66.4%−0.9%−35.0%−27.5%+19.1%−28.3%−60.0%+14.4%+18.2%−42.3%−16.1%+75.3%−67.0%+50.7%+16.1%+64.4%+76.5%+3.5%−31.3%−26.2%+36.9%+26.3%−44.2%+54.4%
NBR Nabors Industries Ltd.7 of 29−5.0%−30.0%−47.3%+91.0%+39.3%−58.6%+45.3%−69.3%−57.8%+96.9%−33.1%−22.8%+18.8%−16.7%−26.1%+7.2%+82.9%−56.3%−8.0%−21.4%+47.7%+23.6%+17.7%+2.7%−42.0%+91.2%+129%−57.3%+64.3%
RES RPC, Inc.18 of 29−5.7%−16.3%−16.4%+96.4%+44.2%−39.9%−46.1%−60.2%+29.9%+66.3%−7.3%−25.3%+49.6%+5.3%+2.5%+164%+9.2%−14.8%−29.5%−3.1%+137%+131%−4.4%−33.3%+117%+158%−20.0%−36.6%+65.9%
CLB Core Laboratories N.V.16 of 29−7.1%−1.8%−12.7%−9.0%−15.8%−29.1%−34.3%−44.5%−6.8%+12.6%−7.8%−36.2%+76.3%−3.1%+29.3%+52.5%+100%−51.5%+54.0%+117%+60.0%+39.9%+47.1%−19.1%−48.6%+36.6%+4.5%+5.9%+115%
LBRT Liberty Energy Inc.3 of 7−5.0%+11.3%+14.8%+65.7%−5.9%−6.5%−12.6%——————————————————————
PUMP ProPetro Holding Corp.3 of 8+1.9%+11.3%−19.2%+28.0%+9.6%−34.3%−8.7%−38.9%—————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How SLB 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 SLB's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents SLB'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 SLB fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringSLB fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2015 China and oil sell-off−87.8%+36.7%Jun 2014Mar 20205.8 yearsNot yet—
2008 financial crisis−68.0%−50.0%Oct 2007Feb 200916 monthsMay 20145.3 years
Dot-com bust−59.8%−47.0%Aug 2000Oct 20022.2 yearsJul 20052.8 years
No named crash−55.6%+27.2%Nov 1997Dec 199813 monthsMay 200017 months
No named crash−42.5%—Aug 1987Dec 19874 monthsDec 19892 years

How did SLB do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far SLB, 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 SLB.

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
SLB This pageSlb N.V.—−8.8%−36.8%−64.9%−43.6%−10.9%−27.1%−38.9%−3.8%−68.0%−59.8%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF10 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
COP ConocoPhillips9 of 10−6.1%−33.0%−61.8%−28.3%−9.4%−43.4%−19.0%−0.8%−62.4%−31.7%
XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation10 of 10−3.1%−20.5%−47.9%−23.6%−10.0%−15.0%−19.6%−0.3%−33.7%−33.6%
CVX Chevron Corporation10 of 10−2.6%−24.9%−51.0%−19.6%−5.3%−18.5%−17.2%−0.1%−43.8%−29.5%
EOG EOG Resources, Inc.7 of 10−7.4%−33.4%−61.5%−37.3%−11.3%−31.7%−35.8%−1.5%−68.0%−52.7%
FTI TechnipFMC plc2 of 9−9.6%−36.7%−70.9%−42.7%−10.9%−35.8%−22.2%−4.0%−73.5%—
OII Oceaneering International, Inc.3 of 10−15.1%−58.0%−84.7%−61.2%−12.5%−43.4%−24.9%−1.7%−76.8%−46.9%
HP Helmerich & Payne, Inc.4 of 10−12.9%−33.7%−71.9%−37.7%−8.3%−30.4%−48.4%−4.5%−76.4%−59.3%
DNOW Dnow Inc.3 of 6−10.4%−29.4%−55.1%−39.0%−14.2%−34.6%————
BKR Baker Hughes Company3 of 10−10.5%−46.5%−55.2%−39.0%−14.6%−33.1%−44.2%−3.4%−73.2%−47.8%
PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.1 of 10−12.3%−44.9%−72.3%−46.0%−21.7%−35.7%−53.0%−3.2%−78.3%−71.1%
WHD Cactus, Inc.1 of 4−13.8%−43.4%−71.0%−37.7%——————
HAL Halliburton Company1 of 10−10.2%−45.5%−79.1%−40.0%−10.5%−32.7%−49.8%−4.3%−75.0%−82.8%
NOV NOV Inc.3 of 10−14.8%−35.5%−64.0%−46.2%−8.5%−36.3%−39.6%−4.7%−80.5%−68.2%
OIS Oil States International, Inc.1 of 9−19.1%−58.4%−85.0%−60.1%−11.1%−31.7%−45.1%−3.0%−81.8%—
WFRD Weatherford International plc0 of 3−15.1%−55.2%−80.0%———————
RIG Transocean Ltd.2 of 10−11.3%−53.1%−75.9%−55.3%−11.1%−49.3%−28.3%−2.4%−73.8%−70.4%
NBR Nabors Industries Ltd.1 of 10−13.5%−52.8%−86.0%−70.5%−14.5%−54.4%−57.4%−2.2%−82.9%−70.2%
RES RPC, Inc.3 of 10−12.9%−53.5%−54.5%−43.0%−12.5%−31.5%−43.7%−6.1%−71.3%−49.7%
CLB Core Laboratories N.V.4 of 10−13.2%−61.9%−75.6%−52.5%−7.8%−27.6%−24.8%−1.6%−65.4%−74.2%
LBRT Liberty Energy Inc.0 of 5−14.5%−40.1%−71.1%−43.5%−11.2%—————
PUMP ProPetro Holding Corp.1 of 5−13.6%−54.7%−86.0%−40.4%−13.6%—————
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How closely does SLB 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 SLB 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 SLB's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
SLB This pageSlb N.V.104%212%0.491.54
COP ConocoPhillips94%92%1.020.91
XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation78%83%0.940.76
CVX Chevron Corporation86%94%0.910.89
FTI TechnipFMC plc109%137%0.801.45
BKR Baker Hughes Company127%160%0.791.37
EOG EOG Resources, Inc.92%135%0.691.17
OII Oceaneering International, Inc.162%272%0.602.29
HP Helmerich & Payne, Inc.108%214%0.501.43
HAL Halliburton Company113%225%0.501.75
PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.113%248%0.461.89
RIG Transocean Ltd.149%322%0.462.44
DNOW Dnow Inc.75%168%0.451.43
NOV NOV Inc.96%220%0.441.59
OIS Oil States International, Inc.134%338%0.402.46
NBR Nabors Industries Ltd.125%357%0.352.28
RES RPC, Inc.56%172%0.331.38
CLB Core Laboratories N.V.95%329%0.292.14
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What diversifies SLB?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242023202020182017201520142011200820022001199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SLB Slb N.V. (this page)1.00+60.7%0.44−24.5%−0.8%−43.8%−44.7%−18.5%−16.3%−3.6%−17.2%−56.5%−22.2%−30.3%−41.6%41.0%+12.9%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.49+119%1.48+15.9%+17.4%−9.0%−5.2%+10.0%———————33.7%+14.8%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.28+225%1.34+29.8%+42.0%+3.9%−19.8%+22.8%+7.7%+8.1%−16.1%−20.8%———33.6%+16.9%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.04+323%0.97+39.1%+73.4%+55.5%−9.1%+38.5%−0.3%+30.2%+6.8%−44.7%−47.0%−14.6%—33.8%+19.8%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.35+85.0%0.96+13.4%+20.1%+2.1%−9.5%+16.7%+4.1%+3.4%—————33.6%+14.3%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.17+126%0.96+26.7%+12.7%+24.8%−1.9%+12.8%−10.7%−2.2%+9.6%+4.9%———33.5%+15.4%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.22+136%0.93+45.8%+17.6%+28.2%−0.9%+27.8%———————33.9%+16.1%
VLUE Broad MarketiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF0.49+109%0.90+7.2%+14.2%−0.2%−11.1%+21.9%−4.1%+12.8%—————35.0%+14.8%
EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF0.10+153%0.89+16.1%+29.0%+31.5%−9.9%+26.9%−12.9%+7.0%−21.8%−45.3%−24.4%+2.1%—33.7%+16.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242023202020182017201520142011200820022001199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SLB Slb N.V. (this page)1.00+60.7%0.44−24.5%−0.8%−43.8%−44.7%−18.5%−16.3%−3.6%−17.2%−56.5%−22.2%−30.3%−41.6%41.0%+12.9%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.14+479%1.55+19.0%+34.1%+10.1%−24.5%−12.7%+12.6%+23.0%+8.1%−39.6%−8.3%−2.5%+51.7%33.9%+19.3%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.18+3,143%1.47+215%+160%−2.4%−16.3%−11.6%−6.0%+12.9%−24.4%−20.5%−65.1%−25.6%—36.7%+32.0%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.15+1,636%1.46+107%+79.6%+6.7%+0.8%+32.1%+67.7%−10.4%−17.0%−15.2%−9.4%+73.7%−9.5%35.3%+28.1%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.27+413%1.44+23.7%+24.1%+27.1%−28.4%+12.0%−4.5%+29.3%+11.8%−40.4%−27.2%+4.9%+46.9%34.5%+18.5%
HWM Aerospace & DefenseHowmet Aerospace Inc.0.19+594%1.36+103%+37.8%−7.2%−37.5%+48.4%−36.3%+50.9%−42.9%−67.4%−33.1%+9.8%+7.0%34.7%+21.4%
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Common questions

What was SLB's worst drawdown?

SLB's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 87.8%, from June 2014 to March 2020. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.

What were SLB's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, SLB's best year was 2022, when it returned 81.1%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -56.5%.

Is there a better investment than SLB?

Among SLB's popular alternatives, XOM, CVX and COP earned more than SLB with less volatility over the past 5 years. XOM returned 27.1% a year at 26.5% volatility, against 9.9% a year at 37.5%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, PSX (oil & gas) and TTE (integrated oil & gas) earned more than SLB with less volatility over the past 5 years. PSX returned 33.2% a year at 32.9% volatility, against 9.9% a year at 37.5%.

Is SLB more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. SLB's volatility over the past 5 years was 37.5%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SLB's return lands within 37.5% 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 SLB's Sharpe ratio?

SLB's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.44, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SLB 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 SLB with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, SLB's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.32 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 SLB instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SLB holding.

What are the best alternatives to SLB?

Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, eight outperformed SLB in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: COP, XOM and CVX.

Did SLB outperform the S&P 500?

SLB finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 13 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +3.3%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did SLB do in stock market crashes?

SLB fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in none of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in ten. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when SLB fell 64.9% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.

What diversifies SLB?

These had a low correlation with SLB over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.49), DXJ (correlation 0.28) and SMH (correlation 0.04); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.14), CLS (correlation 0.18) and FIX (correlation 0.15). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

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