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Relative Intelligence · Integrated Oil & Gas

How Suncor Energy (SU) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on SU alone. It places SU (Suncor Energy Inc.) against 18 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where SU stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: SU'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 SU →Chart SU vs. 18 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in SU over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of SU over the same span and SU'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. 214 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SU; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • EME$2M+16,257% total · +19.2% a year
  • VLO$1M+10,099% total · +17.3% a year
  • LLY$396,376+3,864% total · +13.5% a year
  • IMO$350,553+3,406% total · +13.0% a year
  • ENB$341,848+3,318% total · +13.0% a year
  • SU$282,795+2,728% total · +12.2% a year
  • COP$156,444+1,464% total · +9.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • E$101,879+919% total · +8.3% a year
  • YPF$45,576+356% total · +5.4% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 196 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SU; 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
  • YPF$107,580+976% total · +60.8% a year
  • INSW$102,075+921% total · +59.1% a year
  • MPC$71,516+615% total · +48.2% a year
  • PBR$64,214+542% total · +45.1% a year
  • VLO$64,131+541% total · +45.0% a year
  • IMO$44,071+341% total · +34.5% a year
  • PSX$43,718+337% total · +34.3% a year
  • SU$40,398+304% total · +32.2% a year
  • EC$23,114+131% total · +18.2% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

SU 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
$93B
Industry
Oil & Gas Integrated
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+111%total return
Past 3 years
+161%+37.6% a year
Past 5 years
+318%+33.1% a year
Past 10 years
+295%+14.7% a year
Best calendar year
+82.6%2009
Worst calendar year
−64.0%2008
Losing years
8 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
32.5%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
1.05return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−90.5%Jun 1989 to Dec 1991
From its all-time high
At its highwithin 1%

SU against the whole market

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

How does SU rank among all stocks?

This section ranks SU 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 SU 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.

MeasureSURankStanding
1-year return+111%144 of 3,287top 4%
3-year return+161%540 of 3,017top 18%
5-year return+318%150 of 2,893top 5%
10-year return+295%601 of 2,202top 27%
Volatility, 5 years32.5%956 of 2,893top 33%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years1.0572 of 2,893top 2%
Worst decline, past 10 years−73.5%1,410 of 2,187bottom 37%

What has beaten SU 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). SU sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than SU 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 SU. 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%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 SUSU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%PBR: +50.3% a year, volatility 37.5%VLO: +44.2% a year, volatility 36.9%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%INSW: +56.5% a year, volatility 40.5%PBR-A: +51.8% a year, volatility 37.5%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%EME: +43.0% a year, volatility 35.3%ASX: +48.8% a year, volatility 43.0%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%SUSPY (S&P 500)PBRVLOPSXMPCINSWPBR-ATRGPCAHMCKHSBCEMEASXVTI10.0%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 SUSU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%PBR: +50.3% a year, volatility 37.5%VLO: +44.2% a year, volatility 36.9%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%INSW: +56.5% a year, volatility 40.5%PBR-A: +51.8% a year, volatility 37.5%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%EME: +43.0% a year, volatility 35.3%ASX: +48.8% a year, volatility 43.0%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%SUSPY (S&P 500)PBRVLOPSXMPCINSWTRGPCAHMCKHSBCASXVTI
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market

Is there a better investment than SU?

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

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

Screen the whole market against SU for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 16 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with SU?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
SUSuncor Energy Inc. · this page
+33.1%32.5%1.05−73.5%+295%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.190.09%
Popular alternativesbest 3 shownThe investments people most often weigh against SU. 3 of 18 passed at least one test.
PBRPetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras · Integrated Oil & Gas
Higher return in most periods+50.3%37.5%1.28−75.3%+674%0.49—
VLOValero Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas
Higher return in most periods+44.2%36.9%1.18−71.9%+1,061%0.65—
PSXPhillips 66 · Oil & Gas
Higher return in most periods+33.2%32.9%1.04−64.2%+430%0.68—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 4 shownEverything else in Integrated Oil & Gas and Oil & Gas and the categories next to it (Exploration & Production, Oil & Gas Midstream, Oilfield Services), plus SU's specific themes. 4 of 66 passed at least one test.
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+51.2%33.4%1.41−79.7%+1,387%0.57—
INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. · Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+56.5%40.5%1.31−57.4%—0.30—
PBR-APetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras · Integrated Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+51.8%37.5%1.31−71.7%+768%0.48—
TRGPTarga Resources Corp. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Higher return, similar volatility+41.8%31.7%1.27−90.8%+829%0.52—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 254 of 3,549 passed at least one test.
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%-0.07—
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.29—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%-0.04—
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+33.1%25.9%1.24−62.3%+319%0.34—
EMEEMCOR Group, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+43.0%35.3%1.20−48.0%+1,202%0.20—
ASXASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. · Semiconductors
Higher return in most periods+48.8%43.0%1.15−52.5%+967%-0.18—
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Smaller losses in recent crashes+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.180.03%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Smaller losses in recent crashes+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.180.03%
What these numbers mean for SU
Annual return
SU returned 33.1% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $41,800. 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
SU's volatility over the past 5 years was 32.5%, 1.9 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SU's return lands within 32.5% 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
SU's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 1.05, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SU earned more 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
SU's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 73.5%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 73.5% fall takes a 277% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, SU's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.19 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 SU instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SU holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 2 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than SU with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. Best first; funds that hold the same thing are listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with SUExpense
1
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%-0.07—
2
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.29—

SU against its popular alternatives

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

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

Green points earned more than SU 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%55.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilitySU: 33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%IMO: 34.3% a year, volatility 32.0%EC: 18.0% a year, volatility 37.9%EQNR: 19.2% a year, volatility 34.4%COP: 18.2% a year, volatility 32.6%CVE: 26.6% a year, volatility 39.4%VLO: 44.2% a year, volatility 36.9%PBR: 50.3% a year, volatility 37.5%PSX: 33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%YPF: 60.7% a year, volatility 54.1%CNQ: 26.5% a year, volatility 32.5%E: 23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%CVX: 19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%TTE: 18.0% a year, volatility 25.8%SHEL: 21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%XOM: 27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%TRP: 10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%BP: 16.0% a year, volatility 28.7%ENB: 9.1% a year, volatility 18.9%SUSPY (S&P 500)IMOECEQNRCOPCVEVLOPBRYPFCNQECVXTTESHELXOMBPENB10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilitySU: 33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%IMO: 34.3% a year, volatility 32.0%EC: 18.0% a year, volatility 37.9%EQNR: 19.2% a year, volatility 34.4%COP: 18.2% a year, volatility 32.6%CVE: 26.6% a year, volatility 39.4%VLO: 44.2% a year, volatility 36.9%PBR: 50.3% a year, volatility 37.5%PSX: 33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%YPF: 60.7% a year, volatility 54.1%CNQ: 26.5% a year, volatility 32.5%E: 23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%CVX: 19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%TTE: 18.0% a year, volatility 25.8%SHEL: 21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%XOM: 27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%TRP: 10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%BP: 16.0% a year, volatility 28.7%ENB: 9.1% a year, volatility 18.9%SUSPY (S&P 500)IMOECEQNRCOPCVEVLOPBRYPFCNQECVXXOMBPENB
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
YPF YPF Sociedad Anónima+60.7%54.1%
PBR Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras+50.3%37.5%
VLO Valero Energy Corporation+44.2%36.9%
IMO Imperial Oil Limited+34.3%32.0%
PSX Phillips 66+33.2%32.9%
SU This pageSuncor Energy Inc.+33.1%32.5%
XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation+27.1%26.5%
CVE Cenovus Energy Inc.+26.6%39.4%
CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Limited+26.5%32.5%
E Eni S.p.A.+23.0%25.6%
SHEL Shell plc+21.0%24.8%
CVX Chevron Corporation+19.5%25.2%
EQNR Equinor ASA+19.2%34.4%
COP ConocoPhillips+18.2%32.6%
TTE TotalEnergies SE+18.0%25.8%
EC Ecopetrol S.A.+18.0%37.9%
BP BP p.l.c.+16.0%28.7%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
TRP TC Energy Corporation+10.8%21.9%
ENB Enbridge Inc.+9.1%18.9%
Open these 20 in EasyCompare

Has SU consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than SU 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
SU Suncor Energy Inc. (this page)—+16.7%+26.8%+28.9%+75.6%+111%+161%+318%+295%32.5%1.05−73.5%—$93B—
VLO QualifiedValero Energy Corporation4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+10.2%+38.9%+93.2%+166%+176%+259%+524%+1,061%36.9%1.18−71.9%—$125B—
PBR QualifiedPetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras5/5 short2/3 long+24.6%+45.4%+31.0%+128%+140%+132%+667%+674%37.5%1.28−75.3%—$166B—
PSX QualifiedPhillips 664/5 short2/3 long+11.2%+40.1%+89.2%+128%+130%+183%+319%+430%32.9%1.04−64.2%—$117B—
IMO Oil & Gas IntegratedImperial Oil Limited0/5 short2/3 long+7.0%+10.5%+11.0%+53.8%+59.7%+143%+337%+430%32.0%1.09−77.1%—$65B—
YPF Oil & Gas IntegratedYPF Sociedad Anónima0/5 short2/3 long−4.5%+0.7%+23.9%+39.9%+102%+313%+971%+173%54.1%1.14−90.1%—$20B—
EC Oil & Gas IntegratedEcopetrol S.A.2/5 short1/3 long+5.0%+10.3%+35.7%+81.5%+112%+116%+129%+401%37.9%0.63−73.3%—$36B—
EQNR Oil & Gas IntegratedEquinor ASA1/5 short1/3 long+7.7%+23.4%+29.6%+92.7%+107%+73.2%+141%+416%34.4%0.69−66.8%—$109B—
CNQ Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionCanadian Natural Resources Limited0/5 short1/3 long+12.2%+24.4%+27.6%+62.5%+87.7%+90.4%+224%+433%32.5%0.89−77.5%—$112B—
COP Oil & Gas Exploration & ProductionConocoPhillips0/5 short1/3 long+14.4%+27.0%+27.1%+54.3%+72.9%+28.5%+131%+379%32.6%0.68−70.7%—$175B—
CVE Oil & Gas IntegratedCenovus Energy Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+5.1%+18.0%+34.6%+92.4%+101%+76.2%+225%+163%39.4%0.80−89.2%—$61B—
E Oil & Gas IntegratedEni S.p.A.0/5 short0/3 long+10.2%+20.3%+14.6%+56.0%+77.9%+120%+181%+278%25.6%0.94−61.4%—$86B—
CVX Oil & Gas IntegratedChevron Corporation0/5 short0/3 long+10.8%+20.0%+25.4%+48.8%+51.9%+53.4%+144%+238%25.2%0.84−55.8%—$446B—
TTE Oil & Gas IntegratedTotalEnergies SE0/5 short0/3 long+1.2%+12.8%+5.7%+40.3%+55.2%+60.5%+129%+234%25.8%0.78−59.6%—$201B—
SHEL Oil & Gas IntegratedShell plc0/5 short0/3 long+13.2%+23.5%+22.1%+43.7%+50.3%+77.1%+159%+233%24.8%0.90−67.2%—$301B—
XOM Oil & Gas IntegratedExxonmobil Holdings Corporation0/5 short0/3 long+12.4%+20.7%+22.0%+47.9%+62.4%+76.7%+232%+214%26.5%1.04−61.0%—$731B—
TRP Oil & Gas MidstreamTC Energy Corporation0/5 short0/3 long+3.3%−8.8%+3.6%+13.8%+24.9%+136%+66.7%+160%21.9%0.58−41.6%—$64B—
BP Oil & Gas IntegratedBP p.l.c.0/5 short0/3 long+14.4%+19.0%+12.1%+43.0%+56.3%+46.5%+110%+141%28.7%0.66−63.9%—$130B—
ENB Oil & Gas MidstreamEnbridge Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−0.6%−12.9%−4.6%+5.0%+8.5%+84.0%+54.3%+103%18.9%0.56−44.1%—$107B—
Open these 19 in EasyCompare

How did SU do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of SU20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
SU This pageSuncor Energy Inc.—+29.7%+16.2%+6.0%+32.3%+55.0%−46.6%+22.1%−21.3%+15.8%+31.2%−16.3%−7.0%+8.6%+16.2%−23.8%+9.9%+82.6%−64.0%+38.4%+25.4%+79.0%+42.3%+61.2%−3.9%+29.7%+25.1%+42.2%−11.2%+68.4%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 10 of 295 of 194 of 1912 of 1915 of 197 of 1918 of 199 of 1915 of 198 of 197 of 198 of 1910 of 1911 of 195 of 1816 of 1812 of 182 of 1715 of 163 of 165 of 164 of 165 of 164 of 169 of 161 of 155 of 131 of 139 of 132 of 13
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF13 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%
VLO Valero Energy Corporation17 of 29+37.0%−2.9%+5.9%+75.0%+40.3%−35.7%+30.3%−15.7%+40.0%+0.7%+46.8%+0.3%+65.0%+66.3%−7.8%+39.6%−20.3%−68.5%+37.9%−0.4%+128%+97.9%+26.6%−2.1%+3.6%+88.6%−4.8%−31.5%+209%
PBR Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras13 of 25+2.3%−2.9%+89.6%+55.4%+19.3%−29.0%+24.2%+27.7%+1.8%+135%−41.1%−45.1%−28.3%−20.0%−32.1%−18.1%+101%−55.6%+132%+51.1%+85.0%+43.9%+111%−32.0%−1.9%————
PSX Phillips 669 of 13+17.5%−11.6%+33.1%+49.6%+8.4%−33.9%+34.0%−12.3%+20.9%+9.0%+17.1%−4.7%+48.3%————————————————
IMO Imperial Oil Limited11 of 29+43.8%+10.5%+20.6%+38.0%+95.3%−25.4%+7.2%−17.2%−8.8%+8.5%−23.5%−1.7%+4.0%−2.3%+10.9%+6.0%+15.8%−38.0%+49.9%+11.9%+69.7%+36.1%+58.5%+6.2%+9.3%+25.5%+40.3%−21.1%+41.9%
YPF YPF Sociedad Anónima8 of 29−14.9%+147%+87.1%+141%−18.7%−59.4%−12.9%−41.2%+39.5%+5.8%−40.3%−19.3%+128%−57.4%−24.8%+23.2%+5.2%+26.5%−5.7%−4.0%+27.4%+32.8%+246%−31.6%−25.3%−16.8%+35.4%−15.8%+39.3%
EC Ecopetrol S.A.9 of 17+48.5%−24.6%+40.1%−5.0%+0.8%−29.3%+38.7%+13.5%+64.4%+28.9%−55.7%−52.3%−31.5%+41.5%+6.1%+85.1%+41.2%————————————
EQNR Equinor ASA10 of 24+7.7%−16.0%−0.8%+42.9%+64.6%−13.6%−1.0%+3.4%+23.4%+38.3%−16.6%−22.5%+1.4%+2.1%+12.7%−0.1%+57.8%−43.2%+22.8%+22.0%+51.4%+45.6%+43.8%+31.8%—————
CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Limited14 of 25+15.5%−1.3%+23.7%+39.9%+83.3%−19.1%+39.6%−28.9%+15.0%+51.6%−27.4%−6.8%+19.1%−21.7%−15.2%+24.4%+81.4%−44.9%+38.1%+7.6%+133%+71.3%+72.2%+24.3%−10.9%————
COP ConocoPhillips11 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%
CVE Cenovus Energy Inc.6 of 16+15.8%−5.9%−12.3%+61.1%+105%−39.6%+47.2%−21.6%−38.6%+21.1%−36.1%−25.3%−11.9%+3.6%+2.3%+35.6%—————————————
E Eni S.p.A.10 of 29+49.0%−13.6%+27.5%+11.0%+44.9%−28.1%+4.8%+0.6%+9.2%+15.9%−8.8%−23.6%+4.8%+26.6%+1.0%−7.2%+13.4%−29.9%+12.9%+20.6%+10.8%+39.6%+28.8%+32.9%−1.5%+20.1%−16.4%+21.9%+13.9%
CVX Chevron Corporation10 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%
TTE TotalEnergies SE10 of 29+27.6%−14.7%+14.1%+34.9%+26.0%−16.6%+10.3%−0.8%+14.3%+20.0%−7.0%−12.1%+25.0%+8.0%+1.7%−11.3%+22.6%−29.8%+18.9%+21.3%+18.8%+22.6%+33.4%+4.0%−1.3%+6.5%+41.6%−9.2%+41.4%
SHEL Shell plc10 of 29+22.2%−0.9%+20.2%+36.0%+28.4%−37.4%+7.7%−7.5%+31.0%+28.2%−27.1%−1.3%+9.0%−0.9%+14.8%+17.6%+20.9%−34.2%+23.5%+19.3%+12.8%+14.4%+24.5%−7.3%−17.1%+2.4%+29.8%−9.0%+30.7%
XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation11 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%
TRP TC Energy Corporation10 of 29+24.0%+39.9%+6.1%−8.8%+21.7%−18.7%+57.0%−22.2%+12.9%+46.1%−29.0%+12.3%+1.0%+13.2%+20.0%+16.2%+34.2%−30.6%+21.9%+16.2%+32.9%+21.2%+55.8%+21.9%+14.8%+41.4%−36.3%−16.2%+35.6%
BP BP p.l.c.9 of 29+24.5%−11.9%+6.0%+37.0%+36.4%−41.3%+5.9%−4.6%+20.0%+28.8%−12.8%−17.6%+22.8%+2.0%+0.5%−22.7%+32.9%−32.5%+13.2%+8.0%+13.6%+22.2%+26.4%−9.5%−0.1%−17.1%+33.8%+17.8%+16.5%
ENB Enbridge Inc.13 of 29+19.5%+26.3%−1.1%+6.5%+30.9%−13.6%+36.0%−15.5%−3.7%+32.4%−33.3%+21.0%+3.7%+19.2%+37.0%+26.2%+47.3%−17.0%+21.4%+13.5%+29.5%+24.8%+57.5%+3.1%−1.3%+48.7%−8.9%+7.6%+66.2%
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Risk and diversification

How SU 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 SU's worst declines?

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

DuringSU fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−90.5%—Jun 1989Dec 19912.5 yearsDec 19932 years
2008 financial crisis−81.0%+115%May 2008Mar 202011.8 yearsNov 20255.7 years
No named crash−71.2%—Nov 1986Dec 198713 monthsMay 198917 months
No named crash−31.0%+32.1%Oct 1997Jan 199915 monthsApr 19993 months
No named crash−26.0%+2.4%May 2006Oct 20065 monthsJun 20078 months

How did SU do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far SU, 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 SU.

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
SU This pageSuncor Energy Inc.—−6.4%−36.6%−65.3%−34.0%−7.0%−34.7%−42.2%−0.2%−79.9%−25.4%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF8 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
VLO Valero Energy Corporation5 of 10−3.5%−31.9%−61.3%−42.0%−6.9%−24.2%−35.6%−4.3%−80.7%−54.1%
PBR Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras3 of 9−7.6%−26.6%−71.2%−26.3%−8.4%−54.9%−37.6%−1.6%−80.1%—
PSX Phillips 666 of 6−5.6%−32.0%−53.3%−33.2%−4.7%−21.1%————
IMO Imperial Oil Limited7 of 10−5.1%−29.7%−67.5%−27.3%−6.9%−29.0%−28.8%0.0%−60.8%−20.8%
YPF YPF Sociedad Anónima3 of 10−17.8%−45.2%−73.5%−27.3%−8.9%−48.7%−22.0%−1.6%−65.2%−75.8%
EC Ecopetrol S.A.1 of 8−8.4%−48.6%−67.3%−44.6%−12.6%−49.1%−15.5%−0.3%——
EQNR Equinor ASA7 of 9−2.8%−24.5%−49.0%−29.1%−4.4%−34.9%−19.9%−1.0%−68.4%—
CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Limited5 of 9−5.8%−32.2%−74.4%−32.1%−11.7%−38.1%−36.9%−0.2%−74.8%—
COP ConocoPhillips5 of 10−6.1%−33.0%−61.8%−28.3%−9.4%−43.4%−19.0%−0.8%−62.4%−31.7%
CVE Cenovus Energy Inc.1 of 8−7.1%−40.4%−82.3%−37.9%−16.4%−42.5%−26.3%−0.9%——
E Eni S.p.A.8 of 10−2.5%−33.7%−49.7%−23.2%−6.9%−30.6%−25.1%−1.1%−61.8%−22.9%
CVX Chevron Corporation8 of 10−2.6%−24.9%−51.0%−19.6%−5.3%−18.5%−17.2%−0.1%−43.8%−29.5%
TTE TotalEnergies SE8 of 10−4.5%−24.6%−49.3%−22.2%−5.4%−21.5%−26.0%−2.1%−50.8%−25.1%
SHEL Shell plc7 of 10−3.7%−25.0%−57.0%−19.1%−6.3%−35.9%−19.6%−2.6%−53.7%−36.2%
XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation7 of 10−3.1%−20.5%−47.9%−23.6%−10.0%−15.0%−19.6%−0.3%−33.7%−33.6%
TRP TC Energy Corporation9 of 10−4.0%−30.7%−41.6%−15.3%−5.2%−18.5%−12.8%−0.6%−45.4%−13.7%
BP BP p.l.c.8 of 10−4.2%−23.9%−55.5%−20.9%−5.0%−22.9%−23.9%−2.5%−53.4%−31.1%
ENB Enbridge Inc.8 of 10−1.5%−23.9%−43.4%−13.8%−3.2%−34.6%−13.2%0.0%−40.9%−21.0%
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How closely does SU 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 SU 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 SU's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
SU This pageSuncor Energy Inc.90%90%1.000.96
PBR Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras104%63%1.660.99
EQNR Equinor ASA79%52%1.510.62
SHEL Shell plc60%43%1.400.45
VLO Valero Energy Corporation142%114%1.241.31
TTE TotalEnergies SE69%57%1.220.51
E Eni S.p.A.79%69%1.150.70
IMO Imperial Oil Limited110%105%1.041.18
COP ConocoPhillips94%92%1.020.91
CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Limited110%109%1.011.13
PSX Phillips 66116%122%0.951.16
XOM Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation78%83%0.940.76
BP BP p.l.c.58%62%0.940.51
TRP TC Energy Corporation67%73%0.920.72
EC Ecopetrol S.A.127%139%0.911.13
CVX Chevron Corporation86%94%0.910.89
ENB Enbridge Inc.60%74%0.820.73
CVE Cenovus Energy Inc.124%173%0.721.69
YPF YPF Sociedad Anónima144%206%0.701.58
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What diversifies SU?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2020201820152014201120082002199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SU Suncor Energy Inc. (this page)1.00+318%1.05−46.6%−21.3%−16.3%−7.0%−23.8%−64.0%−3.9%−11.2%30.8%+32.2%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.48+119%1.48−9.0%−5.2%——————25.6%+29.7%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.11+225%1.34+3.9%−19.8%+7.7%+8.1%−16.1%−20.8%——25.1%+32.1%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF-0.12+323%0.97+55.5%−9.1%−0.3%+30.2%+6.8%−44.7%−47.0%—24.8%+35.6%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.21+85.0%0.96+2.1%−9.5%+4.1%+3.4%————25.2%+29.2%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.08+126%0.96+24.8%−1.9%−10.7%−2.2%+9.6%+4.9%——25.2%+30.4%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.02+136%0.93+28.2%−0.9%——————25.1%+31.3%
DFIV InternationalDimensional - International Value ETF0.45+99.4%0.93————————26.3%+29.4%
VTV Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Value ETF0.41+76.6%0.90+2.3%−5.5%−1.0%+13.2%+1.1%−35.9%——25.9%+28.7%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2020201820152014201120082002199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SU Suncor Energy Inc. (this page)1.00+318%1.05−46.6%−21.3%−16.3%−7.0%−23.8%−64.0%−3.9%−11.2%30.8%+32.2%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.-0.07+479%1.55+10.1%−24.5%+12.6%+23.0%+8.1%−39.6%−8.3%+51.7%24.9%+35.0%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.16+3,143%1.47−2.4%−16.3%−6.0%+12.9%−24.4%−20.5%−65.1%—28.9%+48.9%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.17+1,636%1.46+6.7%+0.8%+67.7%−10.4%−17.0%−15.2%−9.4%−9.5%27.6%+44.5%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.29+413%1.44+27.1%−28.4%−4.5%+29.3%+11.8%−40.4%−27.2%+46.9%26.6%+33.8%
HWM Aerospace & DefenseHowmet Aerospace Inc.0.16+594%1.36−7.2%−37.5%−36.3%+50.9%−42.9%−67.4%−33.1%+7.0%26.7%+37.1%
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Common questions

What was SU's worst drawdown?

SU's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 90.5%, from June 1989 to December 1991. It took 24 months from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were SU's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, SU's best year was 2009, when it returned 82.6%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -64.0%.

Is there a better investment than SU?

Among SU's popular alternatives, PBR, VLO and PSX were ahead of SU in most short and long periods. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, INSW (oil & gas) earned more for the risk it took than SU over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 57.4%, against 73.5% for SU.

Is SU more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. SU's volatility over the past 5 years was 32.5%, 1.9 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SU's return lands within 32.5% 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 SU's Sharpe ratio?

SU's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 1.05, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SU earned more 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 SU with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, SU's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.19 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 SU instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SU holding.

What are the best alternatives to SU?

Of the 18 popular alternatives we compared, three outperformed SU in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: VLO, PBR and PSX.

Did SU outperform the S&P 500?

SU finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 15 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +29.7%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did SU do in stock market crashes?

SU fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in eight. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when SU fell 65.3% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.

What diversifies SU?

These had a low correlation with SU over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.48), DXJ (correlation 0.11) and SMH (correlation -0.12); among large stocks, CAH (correlation -0.07), CLS (correlation 0.16) and FIX (correlation 0.17). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to SU