Relative Intelligence · Food Distribution
How Sysco (SYY) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on SYY alone. It places SYY (Sysco Corporation) against 15 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 SYY stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: SYY's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowIts food distribution peers split over the past 6 months: CHEF (Chefs' Warehouse) rose 69.3%, while TSN (Tyson Foods) fell 11.5%. Over the past 6 months, SYY rose 10.2% against 9.1% for the S&P 500 and 11.2% for the Nasdaq 100. Consistency ↓
- Stock or market?SYY rose 3.3% over the past 3 months, in line with the food distribution ETF XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF), which rose 4.1%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Its food distribution peers did not move as one over the past 3 months: CHEF (Chefs' Warehouse) rose 16.0%, while HRL (Hormel Foods) fell 17.6%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsSYY has trailed the market, rising 6.7% over the past year against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. The same gap shows up over 3 years (37.6% against 89.3%). SYY finished behind the S&P 500 in both 2024 and 2025. By year ↓
- Long termSYY turned $10,000 into $22,600 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashSYY fell less than the S&P 500 in five of seven sell-offs, but the Covid crash broke the pattern: it fell 59.5%, more than the S&P 500's 33.7%. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationSYY's link to the S&P 500 has loosened: a correlation of 0.40 over the past 5 years, down from 0.73 in the 5 years before. On the flip side, over 10 years, SYY's beta versus the S&P 500 was 1.02: in the S&P 500's rising months it gained 76% as much as the index, and in falling months it lost 1.0 times as much. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- YUM (Yum! Brands) earned more than SYY with less volatility over the past 5 years: 5.8% a year at 21.2% volatility, against 3.5% a year at 23.6%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- TXRH (Texas Roadhouse, restaurants) earned more for the risk it took than SYY over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 58.0%, against 63.4% for SYY.
- Whole market
- 667 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than SYY with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF), VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway).
How much would $10,000 in SYY have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in SYY over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of SYY over the same span and SYY's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
- $10,000 invested in SYY at the end of September 1997 would have grown to $172,022 by September 2026, more than the $132,907 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Five of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of SYY, and CALM finished highest, at $790,455.
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. 345 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SYY; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- CALM$790,455+7,805% total · +16.3% a year
- DRI$533,910+5,239% total · +14.7% a year
- ANDE$354,030+3,440% total · +13.1% a year
- YUM$352,310+3,423% total · +13.1% a year
- MCD$187,146+1,771% total · +10.6% a year
- SYY$172,022+1,620% total · +10.3% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
- DAR$63,368+534% total · +6.6% a year
- UNFI$43,444+334% total · +5.2% a year
- TSN$34,211+242% total · +4.3% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,268 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SYY; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- CHEF$34,441+244% total · +28.1% a year
- USFD$26,605+166% total · +21.6% a year
- CALM$24,342+143% total · +19.5% a year
- ANDE$23,087+131% total · +18.2% a year
- PFGC$19,697+97.0% total · +14.5% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- DRI$15,039+50.4% total · +8.5% a year
- YUM$12,260+22.6% total · +4.2% a year
- SYY$11,272+12.7% total · +2.4% a year
- DAR$8,444−15.6% total · −3.3% a year
SYY 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.
- SYY's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 63.4%, from December 2019 to March 2020. It took 12 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 29 full calendar years, SYY's best was 2000, when it returned 53.5%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 23.5%. It lost money in eight of those years.
- SYY is 7.1% below its all-time high.
The company
- Market value
- $41B
- Industry
- Food Distribution
- Price history from
- October 1986
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +6.7%total return
- Past 3 years
- +37.6%+11.2% a year
- Past 5 years
- +18.7%+3.5% a year
- Past 10 years
- +126%+8.5% a year
- Best calendar year
- +53.5%2000
- Worst calendar year
- −23.5%2008
- Losing years
- 8 of 29full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 23.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.27return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −63.4%Dec 2019 to Mar 2020
- From its all-time high
- −7.1%below the peak
SYY against the whole market
Where SYY ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does SYY rank among all stocks?
This section ranks SYY 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 SYY stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- SYY is among the steadier stocks: its price swings rank in the top 8% of the 2,893 stocks worth at least $300 million, where the top is the calmest.
Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | SYY | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +6.7% | 1,709 of 3,287 | bottom 49% |
| 3-year return | +37.6% | 1,736 of 3,017 | bottom 43% |
| 5-year return | +18.7% | 1,467 of 2,893 | bottom 50% |
| 10-year return | +126% | 1,210 of 2,202 | bottom 46% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 23.6% | 243 of 2,893 | top 8% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.27 | 1,659 of 2,893 | bottom 44% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −63.4% | 1,017 of 2,187 | top 47% |
What has beaten SYY 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). SYY sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than SYY 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.
- 89 stocks and 578 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than SYY over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 18% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half SYY's swings, DXJ has the best return for its risk: 26.6% a year at 19.1% volatility, 19% less than SYY's 23.6%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.34 against 0.27 for SYY.
- Among SYY's popular alternatives, YUM is in the region. YUM earned 5.8% a year against 3.5% a year for SYY, at 21.2% volatility, 11% less than SYY's 23.6%.
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 SYY; faint dots are 94 more of the 667 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
- 1 with more than 1.6× SYY's volatility is in the table only
Is there a better investment than SYY?
Investments that beat SYY over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among SYY's popular alternatives, YUM earned more than SYY with less volatility over the past 5 years: 5.8% a year at 21.2% volatility, against 3.5% a year at 23.6%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, TXRH (restaurants) earned more for the risk it took than SYY over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 58.0%, against 63.4% for SYY.
- Across the whole market, 667 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than SYY with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them VTI, VOO and BRK-B.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat SYY 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 SYY'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 SYY 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 SYY'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× SYY's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than SYY's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with SYY?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| SYYSysco Corporation · this page | +3.5% | 23.6% | 0.27 | −63.4% | +126% | 1.00 | — | ||
 SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500 | +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.40 | 0.09% | ||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against SYY. 6 of 15 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 YUMYum! Brands, Inc. · Restaurants | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +5.8% | 21.2% | 0.37 | −52.2% | +192% | 0.52 | — | |
USFDUS Foods Holding Corp. · Food Distribution | Higher return in most periods | +22.7% | 29.8% | 0.84 | −77.3% | +347% | 0.56 | — | |
DRIDarden Restaurants, Inc. · Restaurants | Higher return in most periods | +12.4% | 27.2% | 0.57 | −72.8% | +361% | 0.54 | — | |
CHEFThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. · Food Distribution | Higher return in most periods | +27.5% | 39.8% | 0.81 | −91.3% | +787% | 0.63 | — | |
CALMCal-Maine Foods, Inc. · Agricultural Farm Products | Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +17.6% | 33.3% | 0.66 | −45.6% | +121% | 0.19 | — | |
 MCDMcDonald's Corporation · Restaurants | Similar return, lower volatility | +2.9% | 17.9% | 0.25 | −36.9% | +181% | 0.58 | — | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 2 shownEverything else in Food Distribution and the categories next to it (Restaurants, Packaged Foods), plus SYY's specific themes. 2 of 17 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
TXRHTexas Roadhouse, Inc. · Restaurants | Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +15.9% | 30.4% | 0.64 | −58.0% | +405% | 0.49 | — | |
QSRRestaurant Brands International Inc. · Restaurants | Higher return, similar volatility | +8.0% | 23.1% | 0.45 | −63.0% | +127% | 0.31 | — | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,310 of 3,601 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.32 | — | |
 VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +324% | 0.40 | 0.03% | |
 BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.41 | — | |
 JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.7% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | +196% | 0.45 | — | |
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.48 | 0.48% | |
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.54 | 0.40% | |
 CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution | On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | 0.42 | — | |
 SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds | On the frontierSimilar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +3.8% | 0.3% | 13.25 | −0.3% | — | -0.05 | 0.09% | |
What these numbers mean for SYY
- Annual return
- SYY returned 3.5% 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 $11,900. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
- Volatility
- SYY's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.6%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SYY's return lands within 23.6% 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
- SYY's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.27, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SYY 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
- SYY's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 63.4%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 63.4% fall takes a 173% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, SYY's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.40 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 SYY instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SYY holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 667 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than SYY with less volatility
Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with SYY | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.32 | — |
| 2 | VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +324% | 0.40 | 0.03% |
| 3 | BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.41 | — |
| 4 | JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +12.7% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | +196% | 0.45 | — |
| 5 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.48 | 0.48% |
| 6 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.54 | 0.40% |
| 7 |  KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.58 | — |
| 8 |  VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +12.1% | 13.7% | 0.90 | −36.8% | +235% | 0.61 | 0.03% |
| 9 |  TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +310% | 0.31 | — |
| 10 |  PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products | Whole market | +5.1% | 18.3% | 0.37 | −23.8% | +145% | 0.57 | — |
| 11 |  MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco | Whole market | +17.8% | 21.4% | 0.88 | −53.7% | +140% | 0.50 | — |
| 12 |  TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.58 | — |
| 13 |  SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +9.7% | 14.3% | 0.72 | −33.4% | +252% | 0.57 | 0.06% |
| 14 |  BMOBank of Montreal · Banks | Whole market | +13.6% | 21.4% | 0.71 | −51.0% | +295% | 0.43 | — |
| 15 |  BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks | Whole market | +12.9% | 19.9% | 0.71 | −46.9% | +187% | 0.45 | — |
| 16 |  CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +11.2% | 20.8% | 0.62 | −37.4% | +319% | 0.16 | — |
| 17 |  RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.23 | — |
| 18 |  IVWiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth | Whole market | +13.1% | 21.5% | 0.68 | −32.7% | +413% | 0.23 | 0.18% |
| 19 |  TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +11.9% | 19.4% | 0.68 | −54.4% | +30.4% | 0.24 | — |
| 20 |  AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments | Whole market | +14.4% | 22.1% | 0.72 | −42.7% | +481% | 0.42 | — |
| 21 |  DGROiShares Core Dividend Growth ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +10.9% | 13.7% | 0.83 | −35.1% | +267% | 0.59 | 0.08% |
| 22 |  QUALiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +11.4% | 17.3% | 0.71 | −34.1% | +293% | 0.42 | 0.15% |
| 23 | SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds | Whole market | +20.6% | 18.4% | 1.12 | −45.7% | — | 0.13 | 0.80% |
| 24 |  SLFSun Life Financial Inc. · Life Insurance | Whole market | +11.7% | 19.4% | 0.67 | −50.8% | +255% | 0.34 | — |
| 25 |  XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity | Whole market | +8.4% | 15.3% | 0.60 | −28.4% | +202% | 0.47 | 0.08% |
| 26 | CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications | Whole market | +7.7% | 13.3% | 0.63 | −23.8% | +101% | 0.22 | — |
| 27 | SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity | Whole market | +18.7% | 20.8% | 0.93 | −30.9% | +499% | 0.38 | 0.13% |
| 28 | PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +16.1% | 15.1% | 1.07 | −41.3% | — | 0.51 | 0.56% |
| 29 | AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 17.4% | 0.84 | −43.0% | — | 0.47 | 0.36% |
| 30 | DGRWWisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +11.8% | 14.0% | 0.87 | −32.0% | +276% | 0.55 | 0.28% |
| 31 | USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity | Whole market | +7.6% | 12.3% | 0.66 | −33.1% | +176% | 0.51 | 0.15% |
| 32 | COWZPacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +11.4% | 17.7% | 0.70 | −38.7% | — | 0.47 | 0.49% |
| 33 | EWJiShares MSCI Japan ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +9.2% | 18.8% | 0.57 | −33.1% | +132% | 0.45 | 0.49% |
| 34 | RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +13.7% | 14.4% | 0.97 | −36.1% | +287% | 0.55 | 0.39% |
| 35 | CHDChurch & Dwight Co., Inc. · Household & Personal Products | Whole market | +6.1% | 21.1% | 0.39 | −31.7% | +154% | 0.49 | — |
| 36 | IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +15.7% | 17.2% | 0.94 | −31.4% | +361% | 0.37 | 0.40% |
| 37 | JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 15.7% | 0.89 | −32.9% | — | 0.45 | 0.12% |
| 38 | VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +15.9% | 18.4% | 0.90 | −39.5% | +286% | 0.49 | 0.15% |
| 39 | DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income | Whole market | +11.1% | 11.9% | 0.95 | −30.0% | — | 0.53 | 0.56% |
| 40 | XLPState Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF · Consumer Staples | Whole market | +7.2% | 13.8% | 0.57 | −24.5% | +121% | 0.71 | 0.08% |
| 41 | SEICSEI Investments Company · Asset Management | Whole market | +12.7% | 22.3% | 0.65 | −51.8% | +168% | 0.36 | — |
| 42 | FNDESchwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index ETF · Emerging Markets Equity | Whole market | +9.8% | 17.0% | 0.64 | −39.9% | +151% | 0.33 | 0.39% |
| 43 | MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +9.1% | 18.4% | 0.57 | −33.3% | +276% | 0.47 | 0.46% |
| 44 | PDBCInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF · Broad Commodities | Whole market | +11.7% | 19.3% | 0.67 | −40.7% | +153% | 0.11 | 0.74% |
| 45 | QYLDGlobal X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF · Equity Income | Whole market | +8.4% | 15.0% | 0.62 | −24.7% | +156% | 0.27 | 0.60% |
| 46 | USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.1% | 16.4% | 0.89 | −30.0% | — | 0.35 | 0.12% |
| 47 | GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · International | Whole market | +14.1% | 13.6% | 1.04 | −37.6% | +168% | 0.47 | 0.60% |
| 48 | IBBiShares Biotechnology ETF · Biotechnology | Whole market | +6.2% | 22.4% | 0.38 | −39.8% | +140% | 0.28 | 0.44% |
| 49 | GUNRNorthern Trust Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF · Natural Resources Equity | Whole market | +10.1% | 18.8% | 0.60 | −43.0% | +173% | 0.37 | 0.47% |
| 50 | FTCSFirst Trust Capital Strength ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +6.2% | 13.2% | 0.52 | −31.9% | +188% | 0.57 | 0.53% |
| 51 | TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity | Whole market | +16.2% | 21.3% | 0.81 | −32.0% | +388% | 0.32 | 0.50% |
| 52 |  MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +350% | 0.38 | — |
| 53 | IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.7% | 13.8% | 0.94 | −35.8% | +221% | 0.58 | 0.20% |
| 54 | FTGCFirst Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund · Alternatives | Whole market | +12.9% | 15.6% | 0.86 | −35.9% | +139% | 0.10 | 0.98% |
| 55 | OMFLInvesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity | Whole market | +9.0% | 16.4% | 0.61 | −33.2% | — | 0.42 | 0.29% |
| 56 | SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology | Whole market | +15.0% | 19.5% | 0.82 | −30.8% | — | 0.29 | 0.45% |
| 57 | NWENorthwestern Energy Group Inc · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +10.3% | 21.6% | 0.57 | −39.3% | +104% | 0.39 | — |
| 58 | ACWViShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF · International | Whole market | +6.3% | 10.3% | 0.65 | −28.8% | +116% | 0.52 | 0.20% |
| 59 | DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +13.9% | 15.4% | 0.93 | −36.9% | — | 0.51 | 0.05% |
| 60 | FOCTFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October · Multi-Asset | Whole market | +9.5% | 11.2% | 0.88 | −14.1% | — | 0.43 | 0.85% |
| 61 | JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds | Whole market | +5.1% | 1.7% | 2.98 | −2.6% | — | -0.02 | 0.20% |
| 62 | FVFirst Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +9.7% | 21.1% | 0.55 | −34.0% | +247% | 0.46 | 0.30% |
| 63 | PWVInvesco Large Cap Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.5% | 14.2% | 0.97 | −37.6% | +223% | 0.55 | 0.55% |
| 64 | FHLCFidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF · Healthcare | Whole market | +7.3% | 15.4% | 0.53 | −28.8% | +199% | 0.45 | 0.08% |
| 65 | FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Healthcare | Whole market | +10.8% | 22.2% | 0.58 | −33.3% | +203% | 0.28 | 0.55% |
| 66 | DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +11.3% | 16.1% | 0.75 | −33.1% | — | 0.51 | 0.39% |
| 67 | LTCLTC Properties, Inc. · REIT - Healthcare Facilities | Whole market | +11.3% | 21.1% | 0.62 | −51.4% | +51.7% | 0.30 | — |
| 68 | QUSState Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +11.1% | 14.2% | 0.81 | −33.8% | +273% | 0.49 | 0.15% |
| 69 | RLYState Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF · Multi-Asset | Whole market | +9.9% | 13.3% | 0.78 | −34.2% | +128% | 0.44 | 0.50% |
| 70 | FDLOFidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +9.8% | 13.0% | 0.79 | −34.4% | +249% | 0.52 | 0.15% |
| 71 | VFMFVanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.3% | 17.6% | 0.85 | −41.3% | — | 0.53 | 0.18% |
| 72 | COMTiShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF · Commodities | Whole market | +13.1% | 21.1% | 0.69 | −39.2% | +160% | 0.08 | 0.49% |
| 73 | PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Healthcare | Whole market | +11.6% | 15.8% | 0.78 | −29.7% | +153% | 0.49 | 0.36% |
| 74 | PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology | Whole market | +9.7% | 14.1% | 0.73 | −28.1% | +305% | 0.24 | 0.65% |
| 75 | PNOVInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +8.6% | 9.0% | 0.96 | −18.5% | — | 0.47 | 0.79% |
| 76 | HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.0% | 18.0% | 0.82 | −33.6% | — | 0.35 | 0.50% |
| 77 | QQEWFirst Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF · Technology | Whole market | +6.8% | 21.3% | 0.42 | −32.1% | +267% | 0.29 | 0.55% |
| 78 | JVALJPMorgan U.S. Value Factor ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.0% | 17.2% | 0.75 | −40.4% | — | 0.50 | 0.12% |
| 79 | SIXHETC 6 Meridian Hedged Equity Index Option ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +10.2% | 10.2% | 1.00 | −11.7% | — | 0.55 | 0.31% |
| 80 | IDHQInvesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF · International | Whole market | +10.0% | 17.9% | 0.63 | −33.6% | +183% | 0.48 | 0.29% |
| 81 | QQQEDirexion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +8.1% | 20.7% | 0.48 | −32.1% | +294% | 0.34 | 0.35% |
| 82 | FDRRFidelity Dividend ETF for Rising Rates · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +12.6% | 15.0% | 0.87 | −36.5% | +265% | 0.48 | 0.15% |
| 83 | DJPiPath Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return(SM) ETN · Commodities | Whole market | +11.2% | 18.9% | 0.66 | −38.4% | +120% | 0.10 | 0.70% |
| 84 | FYLDCambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +13.1% | 16.0% | 0.85 | −44.6% | +203% | 0.43 | 0.59% |
| 85 | EYLDCambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF · International | Whole market | +11.9% | 18.4% | 0.70 | −41.8% | +199% | 0.32 | 0.63% |
| 86 | SFYSoFi Select 500 ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.9% | 19.4% | 0.77 | −33.3% | — | 0.32 | 0.19% |
| 87 | OUSAALPS Funds O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +9.4% | 13.4% | 0.74 | −33.1% | +186% | 0.56 | 0.48% |
| 88 | VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.7% | 16.2% | 0.88 | −23.8% | — | 0.40 | 0.49% |
| 89 | DJDInvesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +11.8% | 13.3% | 0.91 | −34.7% | +227% | 0.61 | 0.07% |
| 90 | QVALAlpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.7% | 21.4% | 0.71 | −51.5% | +230% | 0.48 | 0.28% |
| 91 | WTPIWisdomTree Equity Premium Income Fund · Alternatives | Whole market | +9.1% | 12.2% | 0.78 | −28.4% | +121% | 0.41 | 0.44% |
| 92 | QQHHCM Defender 100 Index ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +10.5% | 22.3% | 0.56 | −41.9% | — | 0.12 | 0.98% |
| 93 | RSPHInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF · Healthcare | Whole market | +6.1% | 16.8% | 0.44 | −30.4% | +177% | 0.51 | 0.40% |
| 94 | FEMFirst Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund · International | Whole market | +8.0% | 18.7% | 0.51 | −46.2% | +121% | 0.38 | 0.80% |
| 95 | GWXState Street SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF · International | Whole market | +5.5% | 17.0% | 0.40 | −45.3% | +100% | 0.42 | 0.40% |
| 96 | EBFEnnis, Inc. · Specialty Business Services | Whole market | +11.2% | 21.4% | 0.60 | −35.4% | +163% | 0.42 | — |
| 97 | BCALCalifornia BanCorp · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +7.5% | 22.2% | 0.44 | −52.3% | +148% | 0.14 | — |
| 98 | VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds | Whole market | +4.7% | 1.3% | 3.51 | −13.1% | +40.5% | 0.04 | 0.30% |
| 99 | BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto | Whole market | +6.3% | 3.3% | 1.85 | −4.9% | — | 0.38 | 0.69% |
| 100 |  VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +8.2% | 16.4% | 0.57 | −36.0% | +140% | 0.45 | 0.05% |
SYY against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against SYY, compared period by period and year by year.
How do SYY'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 SYY, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Only YUM was both more rewarding and calmer than SYY over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, SYY returned 3.5% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (23.6% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than SYY with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| CHEF The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. | +27.5% | 39.8% |
| USFD US Foods Holding Corp. | +22.7% | 29.8% |
| CALM Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. | +17.6% | 33.3% |
| ANDE The Andersons, Inc. | +17.3% | 39.3% |
| PFGC Performance Food Group Co | +16.0% | 31.5% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| DRI Darden Restaurants, Inc. | +12.4% | 27.2% |
| YUM Yum! Brands, Inc. | +5.8% | 21.2% |
| SYY This pageSysco Corporation | +3.5% | 23.6% |
| MCD McDonald's Corporation | +2.9% | 17.9% |
| PPC Pilgrim's Pride Corporation | +1.9% | 31.5% |
| UNFI United Natural Foods, Inc. | +1.1% | 52.0% |
| LW Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. | +0.6% | 38.0% |
| TSN Tyson Foods, Inc. | −4.4% | 25.2% |
| DAR Darling Ingredients Inc. | −5.2% | 40.3% |
| HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | −10.1% | 24.9% |
| CAG Conagra Brands, Inc. | −11.2% | 24.5% |
Has SYY consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares SYY 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 SYY helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Three of the 15 popular alternatives, CHEF, USFD and DRI, outperformed SYY in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- CHEF and USFD outperformed SYY in every long-term period and in all but one short-term period, the most consistent record in the group.
- CALM and YUM earned more for the risk they took than SYY (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than SYY over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| SYY Sysco Corporation (this page) | — | +6.4% | +3.3% | +10.2% | +16.6% | +6.7% | +37.6% | +18.7% | +126% | 23.6% | 0.27 | −63.4% | — | $41B | — |
| CHEF QualifiedThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +0.2% | +16.0% | +69.3% | +77.7% | +90.2% | +478% | +237% | +787% | 39.8% | 0.81 | −91.3% | — | $4.5B | — |
| USFD QualifiedUS Foods Holding Corp. | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +9.3% | +8.4% | +10.4% | +38.0% | +35.0% | +178% | +178% | +347% | 29.8% | 0.84 | −77.3% | — | $22B | — |
| DRI QualifiedDarden Restaurants, Inc. | 3/5 short3/3 long | +4.0% | +12.8% | +9.8% | +20.1% | +19.7% | +70.6% | +79.7% | +361% | 27.2% | 0.57 | −72.8% | — | $25B | — |
| PFGC Food DistributionPerformance Food Group Co | 0/5 short3/3 long | +5.9% | −10.5% | +6.8% | +11.2% | −3.6% | +75.9% | +110% | +299% | 31.5% | 0.63 | −78.8% | — | $15B | — |
| DAR Packaged FoodsDarling Ingredients Inc. | 2/5 short2/3 long | −6.4% | −6.7% | +0.2% | +57.3% | +86.2% | +42.0% | −23.4% | +342% | 40.3% | 0.07 | −68.3% | — | $9.3B | — |
| ANDE Agricultural Farm ProductsThe Andersons, Inc. | 2/5 short2/3 long | −4.1% | −15.4% | −9.9% | +24.4% | +39.5% | +39.1% | +122% | +118% | 39.3% | 0.61 | −72.7% | — | $2.2B | — |
| YUM RestaurantsYum! Brands, Inc. | 1/5 short2/3 long | +8.8% | +3.4% | −5.4% | +2.2% | +4.3% | +34.0% | +32.5% | +192% | 21.2% | 0.37 | −52.2% | — | $41B | — |
| CALM Agricultural Farm ProductsCal-Maine Foods, Inc. | 0/5 short2/3 long | −14.9% | −30.2% | −17.5% | −20.3% | −30.4% | +55.3% | +125% | +121% | 33.3% | 0.66 | −45.6% | — | $2.9B | — |
| UNFI Food DistributionUnited Natural Foods, Inc. | 2/5 short1/3 long | +0.5% | −4.4% | −4.3% | +39.1% | +12.5% | +204% | +5.4% | +13.2% | 52.0% | 0.28 | −89.7% | — | $2.8B | — |
| MCD RestaurantsMcDonald's Corporation | 0/5 short1/3 long | −0.5% | −7.2% | −18.6% | −17.1% | −17.8% | +2.7% | +15.5% | +181% | 17.9% | 0.25 | −36.9% | — | $174B | — |
| LW Packaged FoodsLamb Weston Holdings, Inc. | 4/5 short0/3 long | +13.7% | +16.3% | +18.8% | +30.3% | −15.6% | −33.9% | +3.1% | — | 38.0% | 0.22 | −64.6% | — | $7.4B | — |
| TSN Agricultural Farm ProductsTyson Foods, Inc. | 1/5 short0/3 long | +6.5% | −3.6% | −11.5% | −2.1% | +9.3% | +32.8% | −20.1% | +3.1% | 25.2% | -0.05 | −52.4% | — | $19B | — |
| PPC Packaged FoodsPilgrim's Pride Corporation | 0/5 short0/3 long | −4.3% | −3.2% | −14.6% | −29.2% | −24.7% | +30.8% | +10.1% | +57.7% | 31.5% | 0.22 | −62.0% | — | $6.7B | — |
| HRL Packaged FoodsHormel Foods Corporation | 0/5 short0/3 long | +1.8% | −17.6% | −1.2% | −7.4% | −9.6% | −25.6% | −41.4% | −28.0% | 24.9% | -0.31 | −59.1% | — | $11B | — |
| CAG Packaged FoodsConagra Brands, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −2.8% | −0.2% | +0.8% | −11.8% | −15.9% | −35.9% | −44.7% | −42.0% | 24.5% | -0.36 | −62.5% | — | $6.9B | — |
How did SYY do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where SYY ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with SYY and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- SYY finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 12 of its 29 full calendar years, and behind it in each of the last three.
- Among its popular alternatives, PFGC came out ahead of SYY most often, in seven of the ten years both traded.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, SYY finished in the top quarter in four of 29 years and in the bottom quarter in four. In 2025, it ranked 11 of 16.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of SYY; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places SYY among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of SYY | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYY This pageSysco Corporation | — | −1.0% | +7.4% | −1.7% | −0.3% | +8.3% | −10.4% | +39.6% | +5.5% | +12.5% | +38.8% | +5.8% | +13.4% | +18.9% | +11.9% | +3.5% | +8.0% | +26.7% | −23.5% | −13.2% | +21.0% | −17.3% | +3.7% | +26.8% | +15.6% | −11.7% | +53.5% | +45.6% | +22.1% | +41.8% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 4 of 29 | 11 of 16 | 9 of 16 | 10 of 16 | 7 of 16 | 10 of 16 | 11 of 16 | 6 of 16 | 8 of 16 | 11 of 16 | 2 of 14 | 7 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 10 of 13 | 7 of 13 | 9 of 12 | 9 of 12 | 8 of 12 | 6 of 12 | 11 of 12 | 8 of 12 | 10 of 12 | 11 of 12 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 12 | 10 of 12 | 2 of 12 | 1 of 12 | 6 of 12 | 4 of 11 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 14 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% |
| CHEF The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. | 6 of 14 | +26.4% | +67.6% | −11.6% | −0.1% | +29.6% | −32.6% | +19.2% | +56.0% | +29.8% | −5.3% | −27.6% | −21.0% | +84.4% | −11.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| USFD US Foods Holding Corp. | 4 of 9 | +11.7% | +48.6% | +33.5% | −2.3% | +4.6% | −20.5% | +32.4% | −0.9% | +16.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DRI Darden Restaurants, Inc. | 17 of 29 | +1.6% | +17.7% | +22.8% | −4.8% | +29.5% | +10.5% | +12.3% | +6.9% | +36.0% | +18.2% | +25.4% | +12.7% | +26.0% | +2.6% | +1.3% | +36.2% | +28.0% | +4.4% | −30.1% | +4.4% | +41.3% | +32.3% | +3.3% | −13.1% | +55.3% | +26.7% | +0.9% | +44.9% | +44.4% |
| PFGC Performance Food Group Co | 7 of 10 | +6.3% | +22.3% | +18.4% | +27.2% | −3.6% | −7.5% | +59.5% | −2.5% | +37.9% | +3.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DAR Darling Ingredients Inc. | 17 of 29 | +6.9% | −32.4% | −20.4% | −9.7% | +20.1% | +105% | +45.9% | +6.1% | +40.4% | +22.7% | −42.1% | −13.0% | +30.2% | +20.7% | +0.1% | +58.5% | +52.6% | −52.5% | +110% | +38.8% | −8.9% | +58.0% | +54.2% | +156% | +86.7% | −82.4% | −30.4% | −64.0% | −13.5% |
| ANDE The Andersons, Inc. | 17 of 29 | +33.8% | −28.8% | +67.0% | −7.8% | +61.5% | +0.8% | −13.2% | −2.1% | −29.0% | +43.8% | −39.5% | −9.9% | +110% | −0.3% | +21.6% | +42.3% | +59.0% | −62.8% | +6.3% | +97.7% | +70.6% | +62.2% | +28.6% | +29.5% | +19.1% | +8.0% | −27.2% | +32.0% | −1.1% |
| YUM Yum! Brands, Inc. | 17 of 28 | +14.9% | +4.7% | +3.9% | −6.0% | +30.1% | +9.8% | +11.4% | +14.6% | +31.1% | +23.4% | +2.5% | −1.6% | +16.2% | +14.7% | +22.8% | +43.3% | +13.8% | −16.0% | +32.3% | +26.8% | +0.2% | +37.7% | +42.2% | −1.5% | +49.0% | −14.5% | −22.9% | +72.3% | — |
| CALM Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. | 13 of 29 | −15.6% | +87.0% | +14.5% | +51.9% | −1.3% | −12.2% | +2.1% | −3.9% | +0.6% | −2.3% | +23.3% | +33.2% | +52.2% | +13.7% | +19.2% | −4.4% | +23.0% | +13.3% | +211% | +27.1% | −43.4% | −33.5% | +942% | −0.4% | −39.0% | +70.8% | −19.1% | −27.6% | −22.7% |
| UNFI United Natural Foods, Inc. | 16 of 29 | +23.3% | +68.3% | −58.1% | −21.1% | +207% | +82.3% | −17.3% | −78.5% | +3.3% | +21.2% | −49.1% | +2.6% | +40.7% | +33.9% | +9.1% | +37.2% | +50.0% | −43.8% | −11.7% | +36.1% | −15.1% | +73.3% | +41.6% | +1.4% | +41.9% | +46.8% | −50.2% | −7.2% | +52.9% |
| MCD McDonald's Corporation | 16 of 29 | +7.9% | +0.1% | +15.1% | +0.5% | +27.8% | +11.3% | +14.0% | +5.8% | +44.0% | +6.2% | +30.4% | −0.1% | +13.6% | −9.3% | +34.7% | +26.9% | +4.0% | +8.6% | +36.4% | +34.6% | +7.4% | +31.5% | +56.9% | −38.4% | −21.5% | −15.1% | +5.4% | +61.7% | +6.0% |
| LW Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. | 5 of 9 | −35.7% | −37.0% | +22.3% | +42.9% | −18.4% | −7.2% | +18.3% | +31.8% | +51.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| TSN Tyson Foods, Inc. | 15 of 29 | +5.7% | +10.5% | −10.4% | −26.9% | +38.5% | −27.3% | +73.9% | −32.8% | +33.4% | +16.9% | +34.4% | +20.7% | +74.0% | −4.7% | +21.0% | +41.6% | +42.0% | −42.1% | −5.9% | −2.8% | −6.2% | +40.4% | +19.7% | −1.6% | −8.2% | −20.3% | −23.0% | +4.1% | −9.8% |
| PPC Pilgrim's Pride Corporation | 16 of 29 | −3.1% | +64.1% | +16.6% | −15.8% | +43.8% | −40.1% | +111% | −50.1% | +63.5% | −4.0% | −20.2% | +102% | +125% | +25.7% | −18.7% | −20.3% | +1,312% | −97.8% | −1.3% | −11.0% | +8.2% | +88.2% | +100% | −39.1% | +74.2% | −5.4% | −37.0% | +28.5% | +81.9% |
| HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | 12 of 29 | −21.3% | +1.2% | −27.5% | −4.7% | +7.0% | +5.4% | +7.8% | +19.7% | +6.7% | −10.6% | +54.5% | +17.2% | +47.3% | +8.8% | +16.5% | +36.0% | +26.5% | −21.7% | +10.1% | +16.3% | +5.9% | +23.6% | +12.6% | −11.9% | +46.4% | −6.4% | +26.3% | +1.8% | +25.0% |
| CAG Conagra Brands, Inc. | 11 of 29 | −33.3% | +1.5% | −22.8% | +17.5% | −2.5% | +8.6% | +65.5% | −42.0% | −2.6% | +24.0% | +19.2% | +11.0% | +17.6% | +15.0% | +21.4% | +1.4% | +45.7% | −28.0% | −9.2% | +38.0% | −28.1% | +15.9% | +10.2% | +9.4% | −4.7% | +19.2% | −26.0% | −2.7% | +35.9% |
Risk and diversification
How SYY 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 SYY's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents SYY's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
- In all four of SYY's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: SYY fell 32.3% from January to March 2000, while the S&P 500 slipped only 4.2%.
- The slowest recovery came after SYY fell 46.8% from March 2004 to March 2009; it did not regain that peak until December 2012, four years later.
Green means SYY fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | SYY fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covid crash | −63.4% | −25.3% | Dec 2019 | Mar 2020 | 3 months | Mar 2021 | 12 months |
| 2008 financial crisis | −46.8% | −33.4% | Mar 2004 | Mar 2009 | 5 years | Dec 2012 | 3.8 years |
| No named crash | −42.1% | — | Aug 1987 | Nov 1987 | 3 months | Mar 1989 | 16 months |
| No named crash | −32.3% | −4.2% | Jan 2000 | Mar 2000 | 2 months | May 2000 | 2 months |
| No named crash | −29.5% | −1.2% | Dec 1993 | Jul 1994 | 7 months | Jun 1995 | 11 months |
How did SYY do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far SYY, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.
- Among its popular alternatives, HRL held up best, falling less than SYY in eight of the ten crashes they both traded through.
- SYY fell less than the S&P 500 in six of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when SYY fell 27.2% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than SYY.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYY This pageSysco Corporation | — | −2.3% | −20.8% | −59.5% | −17.8% | −6.8% | −6.4% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −43.1% | −27.2% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| CHEF The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. | 1 of 6 | −9.8% | −28.6% | −90.2% | −22.6% | −3.3% | −34.8% | — | — | — | — |
| USFD US Foods Holding Corp. | 1 of 5 | −6.6% | −32.8% | −75.6% | −10.6% | −6.6% | — | — | — | — | — |
| DRI Darden Restaurants, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −1.2% | −25.0% | −71.8% | −14.8% | −4.9% | −16.3% | −22.1% | −0.7% | −69.0% | −32.4% |
| PFGC Performance Food Group Co | 1 of 5 | −5.1% | −32.3% | −78.5% | −17.2% | −7.2% | — | — | — | — | — |
| DAR Darling Ingredients Inc. | 2 of 10 | −7.6% | −34.8% | −51.0% | −18.8% | −5.6% | −43.0% | −36.4% | −4.9% | −83.0% | −85.7% |
| ANDE The Andersons, Inc. | 3 of 10 | −10.0% | −48.8% | −29.6% | −28.0% | −6.2% | −37.3% | −29.6% | −3.7% | −78.0% | −22.8% |
| YUM Yum! Brands, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −1.7% | −22.2% | −46.3% | −6.9% | −7.7% | −24.7% | −12.3% | −1.1% | −45.5% | −33.0% |
| CALM Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. | 3 of 10 | −2.5% | −24.4% | −18.1% | −18.4% | −2.1% | −26.7% | −17.3% | −2.3% | −63.0% | −52.7% |
| UNFI United Natural Foods, Inc. | 2 of 10 | −14.4% | −30.1% | −29.5% | −69.5% | −5.3% | −41.6% | −19.4% | −2.9% | −59.3% | −41.6% |
| MCD McDonald's Corporation | 7 of 10 | −1.4% | −17.2% | −36.1% | −9.7% | −6.1% | −9.8% | −7.3% | −2.0% | −21.4% | −57.1% |
| LW Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. | 3 of 5 | −3.6% | −28.6% | −52.8% | −14.2% | −4.3% | — | — | — | — | — |
| TSN Tyson Foods, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −2.6% | −34.6% | −43.6% | −19.3% | −1.7% | −9.2% | −14.1% | 0.0% | −77.3% | −41.1% |
| PPC Pilgrim's Pride Corporation | 3 of 10 | −1.2% | −37.9% | −36.5% | −24.0% | −8.3% | −21.1% | −45.3% | 0.0% | −99.6% | −54.1% |
| HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | 8 of 10 | −2.6% | −18.5% | −17.2% | −10.8% | −4.3% | −7.6% | −13.0% | 0.0% | −40.3% | −26.4% |
| CAG Conagra Brands, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −2.5% | −16.4% | −19.2% | −43.7% | −3.3% | −13.9% | −13.6% | −1.1% | −44.7% | −30.5% |
How closely does SYY 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 SYY with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- Eight of the 13 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than SYY's 0.76, led by MCD, DRI and CHEF.
- YUM took just 70% of the S&P 500's losses, against 100% for SYY, while still keeping 67% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, SYY captured 76% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 100% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.02. Its share of the market's losses was larger than its share of the gains.
Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than SYY's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYY This pageSysco Corporation | 76% | 100% | 0.76 | 1.02 |
| MCD McDonald's Corporation | 58% | 52% | 1.11 | 0.52 |
| DRI Darden Restaurants, Inc. | 96% | 92% | 1.05 | 1.06 |
| CHEF The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. | 161% | 154% | 1.04 | 1.87 |
| ANDE The Andersons, Inc. | 54% | 54% | 1.01 | 0.65 |
| USFD US Foods Holding Corp. | 100% | 103% | 0.97 | 1.29 |
| YUM Yum! Brands, Inc. | 67% | 70% | 0.96 | 0.82 |
| DAR Darling Ingredients Inc. | 118% | 127% | 0.92 | 1.05 |
| PFGC Performance Food Group Co | 105% | 116% | 0.90 | 1.27 |
| PPC Pilgrim's Pride Corporation | 61% | 96% | 0.64 | 0.71 |
| UNFI United Natural Foods, Inc. | 65% | 120% | 0.54 | 1.02 |
| TSN Tyson Foods, Inc. | 39% | 85% | 0.45 | 0.60 |
| CAG Conagra Brands, Inc. | 25% | 90% | 0.27 | 0.42 |
| HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | 6% | 37% | 0.15 | 0.15 |
| CALM Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. | 27% | -3% | — | 0.04 |
What diversifies SYY?
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 SYY's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing SYY with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in SYY into GLD would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 16% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+2.4% for SYY alone, +6.0% for the mix).
- FIX made money in seven of the eight calendar years in which SYY lost money.
- Among large ETFs, DXJ, EMLP and SMH have moved largely independently of SYY over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.48 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which SYY lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% SYY and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2025 | 2023 | 2022 | 2020 | 2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2001 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYY Sysco Corporation (this page) | 1.00 | +18.7% | 0.27 | −1.0% | −1.7% | −0.3% | −10.4% | −23.5% | −13.2% | −17.3% | −11.7% | 25.0% | +2.4% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.48 | +225% | 1.34 | +32.8% | +42.0% | +6.0% | +3.9% | −20.8% | −7.4% | — | — | 21.3% | +7.3% |
| EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 0.48 | +101% | 1.04 | +9.7% | +8.0% | +10.4% | −13.4% | — | — | — | — | 21.5% | +5.3% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.19 | +323% | 0.97 | +49.2% | +73.4% | −33.5% | +55.5% | −44.7% | +6.0% | +10.8% | −14.6% | 22.4% | +9.9% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.21 | +126% | 0.96 | +63.7% | +12.7% | −0.8% | +24.8% | +4.9% | +30.4% | +17.8% | — | 21.0% | +6.0% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 0.38 | +136% | 0.93 | +26.6% | +17.6% | −10.4% | +28.2% | — | — | — | — | 21.9% | +6.6% |
| XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.33 | +177% | 0.93 | +7.9% | −0.6% | +64.4% | −32.7% | −39.0% | +36.8% | +40.1% | −18.2% | 22.3% | +7.0% |
| DFIV InternationalDimensional - International Value ETF | 0.47 | +99.4% | 0.93 | +45.4% | +17.7% | −3.7% | — | — | — | — | — | 21.7% | +5.3% |
| VLUE Broad MarketiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF | 0.49 | +109% | 0.90 | +32.7% | +14.2% | −14.2% | −0.2% | — | — | — | — | 22.3% | +5.7% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2025 | 2023 | 2022 | 2020 | 2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2001 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYY Sysco Corporation (this page) | 1.00 | +18.7% | 0.27 | −1.0% | −1.7% | −0.3% | −10.4% | −23.5% | −13.2% | −17.3% | −11.7% | 25.0% | +2.4% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.42 | +479% | 1.55 | +76.3% | +34.1% | +54.1% | +10.1% | −39.6% | −9.8% | +18.7% | −2.5% | 22.7% | +9.4% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.12 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +220% | +160% | +1.3% | −2.4% | −20.5% | −25.7% | −25.2% | −25.6% | 24.4% | +21.7% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | 0.31 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +121% | +79.6% | +17.0% | +6.7% | −15.2% | +2.1% | +20.1% | +73.7% | 24.3% | +17.6% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.36 | +413% | 1.44 | +44.5% | +24.1% | +51.8% | +27.1% | −40.4% | +29.7% | +64.9% | +4.9% | 22.3% | +8.9% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.19 | +690% | 1.41 | +19.2% | +30.4% | +86.6% | −27.4% | — | — | — | — | 22.2% | +11.6% |
Common questions
What was SYY's worst drawdown?
SYY's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 63.4%, from December 2019 to March 2020. It took 12 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were SYY's best and worst years?
Over 29 full calendar years, SYY's best year was 2000, when it returned 53.5%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -23.5%.
Is there a better investment than SYY?
Among SYY's popular alternatives, YUM earned more than SYY with less volatility over the past 5 years: 5.8% a year at 21.2% volatility, against 3.5% a year at 23.6%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, TXRH (restaurants) earned more for the risk it took than SYY over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 58.0%, against 63.4% for SYY.
Is SYY more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. SYY's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.6%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SYY's return lands within 23.6% 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 SYY's Sharpe ratio?
SYY's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.27, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SYY 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 SYY with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, SYY's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.40 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 SYY instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SYY holding.
What are the best alternatives to SYY?
Of the 15 popular alternatives we compared, three outperformed SYY in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: CHEF, USFD and DRI.
Did SYY outperform the S&P 500?
SYY finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 12 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -1.0%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did SYY do in stock market crashes?
SYY fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in six of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in one. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when SYY fell 27.2% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.
What diversifies SYY?
These had a low correlation with SYY over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.48), EMLP (correlation 0.48) and SMH (correlation 0.19); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.42), CLS (correlation 0.12) and FIX (correlation 0.31). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than SYY's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of SYY's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.
NVDA
AAPL
GOOG
MSFT
AMZN