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Relative Intelligence · Financial Data

How S&P Global (SPGI) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on SPGI alone. It places SPGI (S&P Global Inc.) against 17 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 SPGI stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: SPGI'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 SPGI →Chart SPGI vs. 17 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in SPGI over the past 24 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of SPGI over the same span and SPGI'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.

Note: The chart covers the past 24 years rather than SPGI's full 29 years, because most of its popular alternatives have not traded that long.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2002 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. 379 of the 1,370 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SPGI; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M2002200620102014201820222026$10,000$100,000$1M20022008201420202026
  • BLK$434,103+4,241% total · +17.0% a year
  • NDAQ$374,031+3,640% total · +16.3% a year
  • CDNS$324,675+3,147% total · +15.6% a year
  • FICO$280,661+2,707% total · +14.9% a year
  • MCO$239,916+2,299% total · +14.2% a year
  • FDS$196,174+1,862% total · +13.2% a year
  • SPGI$194,414+1,844% total · +13.2% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$144,215+1,342% total · +11.8% a year
  • EFX$78,559+686% total · +9.0% a year
  • TRI$70,274+603% total · +8.5% 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. 2,614 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SPGI; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000202120222023202420252026
  • IBKR$56,308+463% total · +41.3% a year
  • CBOE$23,731+137% total · +18.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • CME$16,716+67.2% total · +10.8% a year
  • NDAQ$15,317+53.2% total · +8.9% a year
  • BLK$14,247+42.5% total · +7.3% a year
  • ICE$14,141+41.4% total · +7.2% a year
  • MCO$13,345+33.5% total · +5.9% a year
  • SSNC$11,894+18.9% total · +3.5% a year
  • SPGI$9,686−3.1% total · −0.6% a year
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SPGI 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
$129B
Industry
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
−7.4%total return
Past 3 years
+28.2%+8.6% a year
Past 5 years
+3.7%+0.7% a year
Past 10 years
+293%+14.7% a year
Best calendar year
+64.4%1997
Worst calendar year
−45.5%2008
Losing years
4 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
25.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.16return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−74.7%Jun 2007 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−21.5%below the peak

SPGI against the whole market

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

How does SPGI rank among all stocks?

This section ranks SPGI 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 SPGI 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.

MeasureSPGIRankStanding
1-year return−7.4%2,260 of 3,287bottom 32%
3-year return+28.2%1,878 of 3,017bottom 39%
5-year return+3.7%1,681 of 2,893bottom 43%
10-year return+293%606 of 2,202top 28%
Volatility, 5 years25.6%378 of 2,893top 13%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.161,966 of 2,893bottom 33%
Worst decline, past 10 years−39.8%147 of 2,187top 7%

What has beaten SPGI 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). SPGI sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than SPGI 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 SPGI; faint dots are 93 more of the 912 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than SPGIWM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%QUAL: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%IUSG: +12.9% a year, volatility 21.2%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%MTUM: +10.9% a year, volatility 22.1%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.8% a year, volatility 18.9%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%SUSA: +10.4% a year, volatility 17.4%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%QQQE: +8.1% a year, volatility 20.7%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%DFAC: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.0%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%EFA: +8.6% a year, volatility 16.6%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%HYGH: +6.6% a year, volatility 7.1%DFAT: +9.6% a year, volatility 21.0%FTS: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.4%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%WTW: +6.9% a year, volatility 23.9%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%XLP: +7.2% a year, volatility 13.8%VPL: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.6%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%JAVA: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.5%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%DFAE: +8.3% a year, volatility 18.8%DBMF: +9.8% a year, volatility 12.4%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%FTCS: +6.2% a year, volatility 13.2%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%OMFL: +9.0% a year, volatility 16.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%AOR: +6.4% a year, volatility 10.7%XYLD: +7.4% a year, volatility 11.2%BCI: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.7%ACWV: +6.3% a year, volatility 10.3%ACIO: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.1%FTHI: +10.3% a year, volatility 13.3%SCHY: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.3%JMOM: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.1%FHLC: +7.3% a year, volatility 15.4%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%DSTL: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.1%IHDG: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.9%FFLC: +15.7% a year, volatility 16.8%RLY: +9.9% a year, volatility 13.3%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%INFL: +11.8% a year, volatility 17.8%QGRO: +9.9% a year, volatility 21.2%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%TDVG: +9.6% a year, volatility 13.8%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%HMN: +6.5% a year, volatility 24.1%SPGI: +0.7% a year, volatility 25.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%NDAQ: +8.9% a year, volatility 24.7%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%MCO: +5.9% a year, volatility 26.9%CDNS: +14.8% a year, volatility 37.2%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%AMP: +12.1% a year, volatility 27.8%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%BSV: +1.7% a year, volatility 2.8%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%SPGISPY (S&P 500)ICECMENDAQCBOEBLKMCOCDNSCIBRCTASADPMSFTAMPVOOCOSTMSIPGRBSVDXJ−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than SPGIWM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%QUAL: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%IUSG: +12.9% a year, volatility 21.2%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%MTUM: +10.9% a year, volatility 22.1%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.8% a year, volatility 18.9%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%SUSA: +10.4% a year, volatility 17.4%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%PTNQ: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.1%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%QQQE: +8.1% a year, volatility 20.7%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%DFAC: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.0%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%EFA: +8.6% a year, volatility 16.6%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%JEPI: +7.5% a year, volatility 11.0%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%HYGH: +6.6% a year, volatility 7.1%DFAT: +9.6% a year, volatility 21.0%FTS: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.4%USMV: +7.6% a year, volatility 12.3%EWJ: +9.2% a year, volatility 18.8%WTW: +6.9% a year, volatility 23.9%BUFR: +9.9% a year, volatility 10.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%XLP: +7.2% a year, volatility 13.8%VPL: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.6%MOAT: +9.1% a year, volatility 18.4%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%JAVA: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.5%QYLD: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.0%DFAE: +8.3% a year, volatility 18.8%DBMF: +9.8% a year, volatility 12.4%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%FTCS: +6.2% a year, volatility 13.2%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%OMFL: +9.0% a year, volatility 16.4%PTLC: +9.5% a year, volatility 11.8%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%AOR: +6.4% a year, volatility 10.7%XYLD: +7.4% a year, volatility 11.2%BCI: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.7%ACWV: +6.3% a year, volatility 10.3%ACIO: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.1%FTHI: +10.3% a year, volatility 13.3%SCHY: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.3%JMOM: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.1%FHLC: +7.3% a year, volatility 15.4%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%DSTL: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.1%IHDG: +7.6% a year, volatility 14.9%FFLC: +15.7% a year, volatility 16.8%RLY: +9.9% a year, volatility 13.3%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%INFL: +11.8% a year, volatility 17.8%QGRO: +9.9% a year, volatility 21.2%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%TDVG: +9.6% a year, volatility 13.8%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%HMN: +6.5% a year, volatility 24.1%SPGI: +0.7% a year, volatility 25.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%NDAQ: +8.9% a year, volatility 24.7%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%MCO: +5.9% a year, volatility 26.9%CDNS: +14.8% a year, volatility 37.2%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%AMP: +12.1% a year, volatility 27.8%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%BSV: +1.7% a year, volatility 2.8%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%SPGISPY (S&P 500)ICENDAQCBOEBLKCDNSCTASADPVOOCOSTMSIPGRBSVDXJ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than SPGI?

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

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

Screen the whole market against SPGI 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 SPGI?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
SPGIS&P Global Inc. · this page
+0.7%25.6%0.16−39.8%+293%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.700.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against SPGI. 8 of 17 passed at least one test.
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+5.4%21.8%0.35−34.3%+240%0.72—
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.29—
NDAQNasdaq, Inc. · Capital Markets
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+8.9%24.7%0.47−38.3%+407%0.73—
CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+21.5%25.1%0.91−43.2%+463%0.32—
BLKBlackRock, Inc. · Asset Management
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+7.1%27.1%0.39−43.9%+313%0.72—
MCOMoody's Corporation · Financial Data
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+5.9%26.9%0.35−42.0%+383%0.92—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Financial Data and the categories next to it (Capital Markets, Business Services, Asset Management, Software), plus SPGI's specific themes. 29 of 127 passed at least one test.
CDNSCadence Design Systems, Inc. · Software
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.8%37.2%0.56−34.2%+1,139%0.40—
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.420.58%
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.59—
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.63—
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.58—
AMPAmeriprise Financial, Inc. · Asset Management
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+12.1%27.8%0.55−53.9%+507%0.63—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,596 of 3,489 passed at least one test.
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.700.03%
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.56—
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.39—
IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.7%21.8%0.62−32.7%+416%0.630.18%
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.42—
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.47—
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.14—
BSVVanguard Short-Term Bond ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+1.7%2.8%0.63−8.5%+20.5%0.470.03%
What these numbers mean for SPGI
Annual return
SPGI returned 0.7% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $10,400. 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
SPGI's volatility over the past 5 years was 25.6%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SPGI's return lands within 25.6% 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
SPGI's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.16, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SPGI 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
SPGI's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 39.8%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 39.8% fall takes a 66.0% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, SPGI's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.70 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 SPGI instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SPGI holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 912 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than SPGI 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 SPGIExpense
1
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.700.03%
2
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.56—
3
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.39—
4
IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+11.7%21.8%0.62−32.7%+416%0.630.18%
5
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.42—
6
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.47—
7
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.35—
8
QUALiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+11.4%17.3%0.71−34.1%+293%0.680.15%
9
IUSGiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF · US Growth Equity
Whole market+12.9%21.2%0.68−32.4%+405%0.630.04%
10
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+12.0%16.7%0.76−31.6%+300%0.550.20%
11
MTUMiShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+10.9%22.1%0.58−34.1%+336%0.390.15%
12
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.660.40%
13
XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.8%18.9%0.78−30.5%+379%0.660.20%
14
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.34—
15
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.42—
16
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.540.50%
17
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.17—
18
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.420.40%
19
SUSAiShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.4%17.4%0.66−32.9%+302%0.710.25%
20
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.700.30%
21
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.28—
22
CHCOCity Holding Company · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.9%22.8%0.77−32.3%+286%0.38—
23
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.140.40%
24
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology
Whole market+9.7%14.1%0.73−28.1%+305%0.400.65%
25
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.690.19%
26
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.710.04%
27
QQQEDirexion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+8.1%20.7%0.48−32.1%+294%0.640.35%
28
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.53—
29
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.37—
30
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.570.06%
31
NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology
Whole market+16.2%19.1%0.89−33.6%+330%0.440.70%
32
EP-PCEl Paso Energy Capital Trust I PFD CV TR SECS · Preferred Stocks
Whole market+5.2%8.9%0.61−25.4%+37.8%0.23—
33
DFACDimensional - US Core Equity 2 ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.0%0.72−23.1%—0.670.21%
34
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.26—
35
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.710.79%
36
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.650.85%
37
EFAiShares MSCI EAFE ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+8.6%16.6%0.58−34.2%+139%0.600.32%
38
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.680.26%
39
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.2%19.2%0.46−29.0%+68.8%0.24—
40
JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+7.5%11.0%0.71−13.7%—0.680.35%
41
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.0%18.8%0.70−30.9%+114%0.28—
42
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+202%0.470.08%
43
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+7.7%13.3%0.63−23.8%+101%0.21—
44
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.510.27%
45
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.600.15%
46
HYGHiShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF · Bonds
Whole market+6.6%7.1%0.94−23.9%+74.5%0.581.12%
47
DFATDimensional - US Targeted Value ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.6%21.0%0.54−26.1%—0.550.33%
48
FTSFortis Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+8.4%16.4%0.58−34.3%+154%0.35—
49
USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+7.6%12.3%0.66−33.1%+176%0.710.15%
50
EWJiShares MSCI Japan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.2%18.8%0.57−33.1%+132%0.450.49%
51
WTWWillis Towers Watson Public Limited Company · Insurance
Whole market+6.9%23.9%0.40−32.9%+187%0.44—
52
BUFRFT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF · Buffered Equity
Whole market+9.9%10.5%0.96−13.7%—0.720.10%
53
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.43—
54
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.550.35%
55
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.690.12%
56
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+11.1%11.9%0.95−30.0%—0.640.56%
57
XLPState Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF · Consumer Staples
Whole market+7.2%13.8%0.57−24.5%+121%0.450.08%
58
VPLVanguard FTSE Pacific ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.5%18.6%0.58−33.9%+141%0.430.07%
59
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.1%18.4%0.57−33.3%+276%0.720.46%
60
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.210.09%
61
JAVAJPMorgan Active Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.5%14.5%0.82−16.5%——0.44%
62
QYLDGlobal X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+8.4%15.0%0.62−24.7%+156%0.600.60%
63
DFAEDimensional - Emerging Core Equity Market ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+8.3%18.8%0.52−32.2%—0.360.29%
64
DBMFiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+9.8%12.4%0.82−20.4%—-0.390.85%
65
USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.1%16.4%0.89−30.0%—0.650.12%
66
FTCSFirst Trust Capital Strength ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+6.2%13.2%0.52−31.9%+188%0.700.53%
67
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.34—
68
IDMOInvesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.3%18.2%0.78−31.3%+229%0.590.25%
69
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.610.95%
70
OMFLInvesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+9.0%16.4%0.61−33.2%—0.640.29%
71
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.5%11.8%0.83−26.6%+188%0.530.60%
72
SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology
Whole market+15.0%19.5%0.82−30.8%—0.630.45%
73
DIVIFranklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF · International
Whole market+13.4%15.5%0.89−27.7%+184%0.600.09%
74
AORiShares Core 60/40 Balanced Allocation ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+6.4%10.7%0.64−23.0%+118%0.680.20%
75
XYLDGlobal X - S&P 500 Covered Call ETF · International
Whole market+7.4%11.2%0.70−33.4%+128%0.650.60%
76
BCIabrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+10.1%16.7%0.66−32.7%—0.140.26%
77
ACWViShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF · International
Whole market+6.3%10.3%0.65−28.8%+116%0.690.20%
78
ACIOAptus Collared Income Opportunity ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.3%11.1%0.86−14.2%—0.670.79%
79
FTHIFirst Trust BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+10.3%13.3%0.81−32.7%+126%0.630.75%
80
SCHYSchwab International Dividend Equity ETF · International
Whole market+9.5%13.3%0.75−24.0%—0.520.08%
81
JMOMJPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.9%19.1%0.73−34.3%—0.570.12%
82
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Popular alternative+5.4%21.8%0.35−34.3%+240%0.72—
83
FHLCFidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+7.3%15.4%0.53−28.8%+199%0.500.08%
84
HFXINYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF · International
Whole market+11.4%15.3%0.79−32.4%+180%0.530.19%
85
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.410.20%
86
FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Healthcare
Whole market+10.8%22.2%0.58−33.3%+203%0.460.55%
87
DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.3%16.1%0.75−33.1%—0.680.39%
88
IHDGWisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Fund · International
Whole market+7.6%14.9%0.57−29.2%+163%0.610.58%
89
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+15.7%16.8%0.95−19.7%—0.580.38%
90
RLYState Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+9.9%13.3%0.78−34.2%+128%0.430.50%
91
RAAXVanEck Real Assets ETF · Commodities
Whole market+11.7%15.6%0.79−33.9%—0.410.55%
92
INFLHorizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.8%17.8%0.72−21.3%—0.470.85%
93
QGROAmerican Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+9.9%21.2%0.55−32.6%—0.670.29%
94
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.47—
95
TDVGT. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+9.6%13.8%0.73−19.2%—0.690.50%
96
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%-0.01—
97
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.280.45%
98
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+153%0.400.36%
99
HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.0%18.0%0.82−33.6%—0.610.50%
100
HMNHorace Mann Educators Corporation · Insurance - Property & Casualty
Whole market+6.5%24.1%0.39−33.5%+74.5%0.01—

SPGI against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%−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 volatilitySPGI: 0.7% a year, volatility 25.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%CBOE: 21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%NDAQ: 8.9% a year, volatility 24.7%CME: 11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%SSNC: 4.7% a year, volatility 25.2%ICE: 5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%MSCI: 0.1% a year, volatility 31.3%BR: 1.7% a year, volatility 24.6%TRU: −7.0% a year, volatility 40.1%FDS: −4.8% a year, volatility 30.4%TRI: 0.7% a year, volatility 29.3%MORN: −5.1% a year, volatility 32.4%VRSK: −1.4% a year, volatility 25.9%EFX: −7.4% a year, volatility 35.2%BLK: 7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%IBKR: 35.4% a year, volatility 35.4%MCO: 5.9% a year, volatility 26.9%FICO: 14.3% a year, volatility 45.5%SPGISPY (S&P 500)CBOENDAQSSNCICEMSCIBRTRUFDSTRIMORNVRSKEFXBLKIBKRFICO10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−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 volatilitySPGI: 0.7% a year, volatility 25.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%CBOE: 21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%NDAQ: 8.9% a year, volatility 24.7%CME: 11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%SSNC: 4.7% a year, volatility 25.2%ICE: 5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%MSCI: 0.1% a year, volatility 31.3%BR: 1.7% a year, volatility 24.6%TRU: −7.0% a year, volatility 40.1%FDS: −4.8% a year, volatility 30.4%TRI: 0.7% a year, volatility 29.3%MORN: −5.1% a year, volatility 32.4%VRSK: −1.4% a year, volatility 25.9%EFX: −7.4% a year, volatility 35.2%BLK: 7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%IBKR: 35.4% a year, volatility 35.4%MCO: 5.9% a year, volatility 26.9%FICO: 14.3% a year, volatility 45.5%SPGISPY (S&P 500)CBOENDAQSSNCICEMSCIBRTRUFDSMORNVRSKEFXIBKRFICO
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
IBKR Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.+35.4%35.4%
CBOE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.+21.5%25.1%
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation+14.3%45.5%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
CME CME Group Inc.+11.2%20.8%
NDAQ Nasdaq, Inc.+8.9%24.7%
BLK BlackRock, Inc.+7.1%27.1%
MCO Moody's Corporation+5.9%26.9%
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.+5.4%21.8%
SSNC SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.+4.7%25.2%
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.+1.7%24.6%
SPGI This pageS&P Global Inc.+0.7%25.6%
TRI Thomson Reuters Corporation+0.7%29.3%
MSCI MSCI Inc.+0.1%31.3%
VRSK Verisk Analytics, Inc.−1.4%25.9%
FDS FactSet Research Systems Inc.−4.8%30.4%
MORN Morningstar, Inc.−5.1%32.4%
TRU TransUnion−7.0%40.1%
EFX Equifax Inc.−7.4%35.2%
Open these 19 in EasyCompare

Has SPGI consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than SPGI 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
SPGI S&P Global Inc. (this page)—+8.3%−2.1%−0.6%−13.9%−7.4%+28.2%+3.7%+293%25.6%0.16−39.8%—$129B—
CBOE QualifiedCboe Global Markets, Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+16.1%+13.5%+4.0%+27.9%+34.2%+101%+165%+463%25.1%0.91−43.2%—$33B—
NDAQ QualifiedNasdaq, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+0.1%+3.5%+8.8%−0.9%+8.1%+95.1%+52.9%+407%24.7%0.47−38.3%—$53B—
CME QualifiedCME Group Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+7.2%+21.0%+3.8%+13.2%+14.6%+57.7%+70.1%+319%20.8%0.62−37.4%—$106B—
BLK QualifiedBlackRock, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+3.5%+7.6%+8.8%+5.7%−0.6%+96.3%+41.1%+313%27.1%0.39−43.9%—$175B—
IBKR QualifiedInteractive Brokers Group, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−11.1%−9.5%+2.2%+23.7%+24.4%+320%+355%+935%35.4%1.04−55.1%—$146B—
MCO QualifiedMoody's Corporation3/5 short3/3 long+1.7%−5.7%+3.8%−4.1%+1.1%+57.3%+33.4%+383%26.9%0.35−42.0%—$82B—
SSNC QualifiedSS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+8.1%+25.5%+22.8%+2.5%+8.3%+81.0%+26.0%+200%25.2%0.31−48.9%—$20B—
ICE QualifiedIntercontinental Exchange, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long+2.1%+12.4%−0.6%+0.1%+3.5%+52.4%+30.0%+240%21.8%0.35−34.3%—$89B—
FICO Software - ApplicationFair Isaac Corporation0/5 short2/3 long−13.5%−36.7%−24.8%−51.3%−50.6%−12.3%+94.8%+549%45.5%0.52−75.1%—$17B—
MSCI Financial - Data & Stock ExchangesMSCI Inc.3/5 short1/3 long+5.9%−5.0%+5.1%+5.8%+11.8%+25.5%+0.5%+702%31.3%0.16−43.7%—$43B—
BR Information Technology ServicesBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.3/5 short1/3 long+9.3%+20.7%+13.1%−16.8%−20.2%+9.7%+8.7%+234%24.6%0.19−48.2%—$20B—
TRU Financial - Data & Stock ExchangesTransUnion5/5 short0/3 long+9.6%−0.8%+0.9%−5.7%−1.7%+22.2%−30.6%+149%40.1%0.02−64.9%—$15B—
FDS Financial - Data & Stock ExchangesFactSet Research Systems Inc.5/5 short0/3 long+9.9%+22.5%+33.5%+11.1%+9.5%−24.7%−21.8%+127%30.4%-0.01−61.1%—$11B—
TRI Specialty Business ServicesThomson Reuters Corporation4/5 short0/3 long+18.2%+19.0%+22.4%−8.8%−28.1%−2.5%+3.6%+244%29.3%0.17−63.5%—$49B—
MORN Financial - Data & Stock ExchangesMorningstar, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+5.4%+23.6%+14.2%+1.5%−1.9%−3.7%−22.9%+203%32.4%0.00−60.0%—$7.9B—
VRSK Software - ServicesVerisk Analytics, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+11.0%−5.2%+6.8%−13.0%−18.1%−16.8%−6.7%+151%25.9%0.08−50.8%—$25B—
EFX Consulting ServicesEquifax Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+11.3%−1.7%−10.5%−16.8%−22.7%+2.6%−31.9%+49.9%35.2%-0.04−54.4%—$21B—
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How did SPGI do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of SPGI20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
SPGI This pageS&P Global Inc.—+5.7%+13.9%+32.8%−28.4%+44.7%+21.4%+62.3%+1.4%+59.3%+10.5%+12.3%+15.5%+45.9%+30.1%+26.6%+12.0%+49.3%−45.5%−34.7%+33.5%+14.2%+33.0%+17.8%+0.8%+5.7%−3.2%+22.8%+41.1%+64.4%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 7 of 299 of 1812 of 187 of 1814 of 186 of 1813 of 184 of 1813 of 185 of 1811 of 1812 of 1711 of 1711 of 173 of 173 of 177 of 156 of 148 of 1410 of 115 of 117 of 95 of 96 of 93 of 63 of 64 of 62 of 52 of 51 of 5
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF8 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%
CBOE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.7 of 15+30.0%+10.7%+44.4%−2.1%+42.2%−21.2%+24.1%−20.6%+70.5%+15.5%+3.8%+23.8%+80.7%+19.1%+15.0%——————————————
NDAQ Nasdaq, Inc.13 of 23+27.2%+34.9%−3.7%−11.2%+60.1%+26.0%+33.9%+8.2%+16.8%+17.4%+23.3%+22.4%+61.9%+3.7%+3.2%+19.7%−19.8%−50.1%+60.8%−12.5%+245%+8.0%−5.3%——————
CME CME Group Inc.13 of 23+19.8%+15.4%+31.3%−22.9%+29.5%−6.3%+9.7%+32.1%+32.4%+33.9%+4.4%+18.3%+64.0%+11.4%−22.7%−2.7%+64.3%−68.8%+35.3%+39.5%+61.8%+219%+67.5%——————
BLK BlackRock, Inc.14 of 26+6.6%+29.3%+17.9%−20.4%+29.4%+47.2%+31.9%−21.6%+38.2%+14.6%−2.4%+15.7%+57.0%+19.8%−3.6%−15.9%+76.6%−37.0%+45.1%+41.8%+42.4%+47.6%+35.9%−5.5%−0.7%+144%———
IBKR Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.8 of 18+46.3%+114%+15.2%−8.3%+31.2%+31.7%−14.0%−7.1%+62.8%−15.4%+51.0%+21.7%+82.8%+1.0%−14.5%+11.1%−0.9%−44.6%———————————
MCO Moody's Corporation16 of 29+8.7%+22.2%+41.5%−28.0%+35.6%+23.3%+71.3%−4.1%+58.5%−4.5%+6.1%+23.7%+58.3%+51.8%+28.9%+0.8%+35.5%−43.0%−48.0%+13.0%+41.9%+44.1%+47.2%+4.0%+56.0%+19.9%−0.5%+11.2%+42.4%
SSNC SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.6 of 15+16.8%+25.8%+19.2%−35.7%+13.7%+19.5%+37.2%+12.1%+42.5%−15.6%+17.7%+32.5%+91.6%+27.9%−11.9%——————————————
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.10 of 20+9.9%+17.5%+27.1%−23.9%+19.9%+26.2%+24.5%+8.1%+26.6%+11.5%+18.3%−1.3%+82.2%+2.7%+1.2%+6.1%+36.2%−57.2%+78.4%+197%—————————
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation14 of 29−15.1%+71.0%+94.5%+38.0%−15.1%+36.4%+100%+22.1%+28.5%+26.7%+30.4%+15.2%+49.8%+17.5%+53.8%+10.1%+27.0%−47.4%−20.7%−7.8%+20.7%+12.2%+15.3%+1.8%+85.6%−3.6%+15.0%+39.0%−14.7%
MSCI MSCI Inc.8 of 18−3.2%+7.3%+22.9%−23.3%+38.1%+74.4%+77.2%+18.0%+62.6%+10.6%+54.0%+9.0%+41.0%−5.9%−15.5%+22.5%+79.1%−53.8%———————————
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.10 of 18+0.3%+11.7%+56.3%−25.3%+21.1%+26.3%+30.6%+7.9%+39.1%+25.9%+18.9%+19.6%+77.4%+4.5%+5.8%−0.1%+83.6%−43.2%———————————
TRU TransUnion4 of 10−7.0%+35.6%+21.8%−51.9%+19.9%+16.3%+51.3%+3.7%+77.7%+12.2%———————————————————
FDS FactSet Research Systems Inc.15 of 29−38.9%+1.6%+20.0%−16.8%+47.5%+25.1%+35.5%+5.0%+19.4%+1.8%+16.7%+31.3%+24.9%+2.2%−5.9%+44.1%+51.1%−19.5%−0.7%+37.9%+6.3%+54.2%+36.0%−18.6%−5.3%−6.7%+94.2%+101%+46.5%
TRI Thomson Reuters Corporation8 of 23−16.6%+11.1%+29.8%−3.1%+48.3%+16.6%+51.4%+13.3%+2.2%+19.1%−3.4%+10.1%+34.5%+13.3%−26.2%+18.7%+14.5%−26.3%+0.4%+22.1%−0.1%−0.6%+40.4%——————
MORN Morningstar, Inc.6 of 20−35.0%+18.3%+33.1%−36.3%+48.2%+54.5%+38.9%+14.3%+33.4%−7.5%+25.6%−16.4%+24.9%+6.6%+12.3%+9.9%+36.2%−54.4%+72.6%+30.0%—————————
VRSK Verisk Analytics, Inc.7 of 16−18.2%+16.0%+36.2%−22.3%+10.8%+39.9%+37.9%+13.6%+18.3%+5.6%+20.0%−2.5%+28.9%+27.0%+17.8%+12.5%—————————————
EFX Equifax Inc.10 of 29−14.2%+3.7%+28.2%−33.1%+52.8%+39.0%+52.3%−20.0%+0.9%+7.3%+39.3%+18.6%+29.5%+41.9%+10.9%+16.2%+17.2%−26.6%−10.0%+7.2%+35.8%+15.2%+6.2%−3.9%−15.2%+23.5%−30.3%−2.7%+17.0%
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Risk and diversification

How SPGI 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 SPGI's worst declines?

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

DuringSPGI fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−74.7%−54.1%Jun 2007Mar 200921 monthsJul 20134.3 years
No named crash−50.2%—Aug 1989Oct 199014 monthsOct 19933 years
No named crash−42.6%—Sep 1987Jan 19884 monthsApr 198915 months
2022 bear market−39.8%−22.9%Dec 2021Oct 202210 monthsJul 202421 months
Covid crash−38.1%−33.7%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthMay 20202 months

How did SPGI do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far SPGI, 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 SPGI.

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
SPGI This pageS&P Global Inc.—−4.2%−36.3%−38.1%−24.6%−6.2%−21.3%−20.8%−0.4%−66.4%−29.5%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF7 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
CBOE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.4 of 7−3.7%−16.4%−38.6%−18.9%−20.4%−17.0%−11.8%———
NDAQ Nasdaq, Inc.5 of 9−5.7%−27.8%−37.1%−16.7%−6.4%−10.1%−16.1%−5.3%−68.5%—
CME CME Group Inc.7 of 9−3.4%−31.7%−37.4%−9.4%−4.3%−17.3%−18.0%−1.9%−77.5%—
BLK BlackRock, Inc.2 of 10−7.2%−40.8%−42.3%−25.2%−7.1%−19.9%−23.9%0.0%−60.4%−33.0%
IBKR Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.5 of 9−14.3%−33.3%−38.0%−18.2%−5.6%−32.6%−14.2%−2.6%−63.7%—
MCO Moody's Corporation3 of 10−3.4%−37.6%−42.0%−26.1%−4.6%−29.3%−27.6%−0.7%−69.3%−18.5%
SSNC SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.1 of 8−7.1%−44.3%−47.2%−26.7%−3.3%−26.4%−30.9%−0.9%——
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.5 of 9−7.0%−33.8%−33.0%−13.3%−9.4%−12.7%−19.3%−2.0%−73.9%—
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation3 of 10−2.5%−34.8%−50.9%−25.4%−7.8%−16.0%−32.8%−0.6%−75.1%−45.8%
MSCI MSCI Inc.4 of 8−2.5%−35.8%−32.2%−24.6%−6.1%−13.3%−26.3%−1.7%——
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.6 of 9−3.8%−25.4%−31.1%−31.2%−4.4%−16.7%−18.9%−2.4%−59.0%—
TRU TransUnion1 of 6−6.4%−52.7%−45.1%−29.8%−4.8%−25.0%————
FDS FactSet Research Systems Inc.6 of 10−3.0%−25.9%−33.6%−19.7%−5.7%−22.3%−18.4%−2.2%−54.4%−59.0%
TRI Thomson Reuters Corporation6 of 9−2.4%−19.9%−35.4%−9.3%−7.0%−17.4%−25.1%−2.0%−56.6%—
MORN Morningstar, Inc.5 of 9−10.0%−37.3%−35.4%−19.4%−4.9%−11.2%−16.7%−0.7%−67.9%—
VRSK Verisk Analytics, Inc.6 of 8−2.6%−28.4%−28.5%−17.4%−6.6%−19.1%−8.0%−1.0%——
EFX Equifax Inc.5 of 10−3.4%−42.3%−35.8%−32.3%−7.6%−17.9%−16.9%−0.5%−49.8%−48.6%
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How closely does SPGI 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 SPGI 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 SPGI's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
SPGI This pageS&P Global Inc.107%125%0.851.04
CME CME Group Inc.50%11%4.480.33
CBOE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.79%50%1.590.53
IBKR Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.128%92%1.401.03
MSCI MSCI Inc.131%121%1.081.12
NDAQ Nasdaq, Inc.104%97%1.070.91
TRI Thomson Reuters Corporation69%67%1.040.63
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.88%94%0.940.84
MCO Moody's Corporation131%151%0.871.26
VRSK Verisk Analytics, Inc.63%73%0.870.73
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation137%159%0.861.31
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.90%105%0.850.90
BLK BlackRock, Inc.127%157%0.811.30
MORN Morningstar, Inc.93%117%0.791.07
SSNC SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.113%153%0.741.32
FDS FactSet Research Systems Inc.71%97%0.730.76
TRU TransUnion142%228%0.621.47
EFX Equifax Inc.103%191%0.541.39
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What diversifies SPGI?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202220082007200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SPGI S&P Global Inc. (this page)1.00+3.7%0.16−28.4%−45.5%−34.7%−3.2%24.8%−0.6%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.42+119%1.48+3.8%———20.7%+3.1%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.21+225%1.34+6.0%−20.8%−7.4%—20.5%+4.9%
GCOW InternationalPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF0.46+93.4%1.04+5.5%———21.4%+2.5%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.45+101%1.04+10.4%———21.3%+2.8%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.47+83.3%1.00+7.1%———21.3%+2.2%
EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF0.48+140%0.97−5.2%−36.8%+20.9%−11.8%21.9%+3.8%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.33+323%0.97−33.5%−44.7%+6.0%—23.1%+7.1%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.14+126%0.96−0.8%+4.9%+30.4%—20.6%+3.6%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202220082007200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SPGI S&P Global Inc. (this page)1.00+3.7%0.16−28.4%−45.5%−34.7%−3.2%24.8%−0.6%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.24+479%1.55+54.1%−39.6%−9.8%+108%21.7%+7.0%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.15+3,143%1.47+1.3%−20.5%−25.7%−2.3%24.4%+18.7%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.16+1,636%1.46+17.0%−15.2%+2.1%−71.1%23.0%+15.1%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.12+413%1.44+51.8%−40.4%+29.7%+61.2%21.0%+6.6%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.08+690%1.41+86.6%———21.4%+9.1%
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Common questions

What was SPGI's worst drawdown?

SPGI's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 74.7%, from June 2007 to March 2009. It took about four years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were SPGI's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, SPGI's best year was 1997, when it returned 64.4%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -45.5%.

Is there a better investment than SPGI?

Among SPGI's popular alternatives, ICE and CME earned more than SPGI with less volatility over the past 5 years. ICE returned 5.4% a year at 21.8% volatility, against 0.7% a year at 25.6%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, CTAS (business services) and ADP (business services) earned more than SPGI with less volatility over the past 5 years. CTAS returned 16.5% a year at 23.1% volatility, against 0.7% a year at 25.6%.

Is SPGI more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. SPGI's volatility over the past 5 years was 25.6%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SPGI's return lands within 25.6% 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 SPGI's Sharpe ratio?

SPGI's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.16, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SPGI 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 SPGI with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, SPGI's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.70 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 SPGI instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SPGI holding.

What are the best alternatives to SPGI?

Of the 17 popular alternatives we compared, eight outperformed SPGI in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: CBOE, NDAQ and CME.

Did SPGI outperform the S&P 500?

SPGI finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 21 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +5.7%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did SPGI do in stock market crashes?

SPGI fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when SPGI fell 36.3% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.

What diversifies SPGI?

These had a low correlation with SPGI over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.42), DXJ (correlation 0.21) and GCOW (correlation 0.46); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.24), CLS (correlation 0.15) and FIX (correlation 0.16). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to SPGI

Other stocks and ETFs