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Relative Intelligence · Discount Retail

How Target (TGT) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on TGT alone. It places TGT (Target Corporation) against 19 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 TGT stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: TGT'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 TGT →Chart TGT vs. 19 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in TGT over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of TGT over the same span and TGT'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. 320 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of TGT; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M$10M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M$10M19972004201120182025
  • AMZN$11M+114,749% total · +27.5% a year
  • ROST$1M+14,044% total · +18.6% a year
  • TJX$958,745+9,487% total · +17.0% a year
  • COST$727,732+7,177% total · +15.9% a year
  • BBY$604,450+5,945% total · +15.2% a year
  • HD$287,658+2,777% total · +12.3% a year
  • WMT$272,033+2,620% total · +12.1% a year
  • TGT$184,797+1,748% total · +10.6% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • PSMT$118,754+1,088% total · +8.9% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,908 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of TGT; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000$35,000202120222023202420252026$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000202120222023202420252026
  • WMT$23,813+138% total · +18.9% a year
  • ROST$22,648+126% total · +17.8% a year
  • TJX$21,559+116% total · +16.6% a year
  • COST$21,378+114% total · +16.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • AMZN$15,169+51.7% total · +8.7% a year
  • BBY$10,541+5.4% total · +1.1% a year
  • HD$9,837−1.6% total · −0.3% a year
  • BURL$9,422−5.8% total · −1.2% a year
  • TGT$8,005−20.0% total · −4.4% a year
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TGT 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
$70B
Industry
Discount Stores
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+75.1%total return
Past 3 years
+58.0%+16.5% a year
Past 5 years
−28.5%−6.5% a year
Past 10 years
+207%+11.9% a year
Best calendar year
+100%2019
Worst calendar year
−34.2%2022
Losing years
11 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
36.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.00return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−64.4%Nov 2021 to Nov 2025
From its all-time high
−32.7%below the peak

TGT against the whole market

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

How does TGT rank among all stocks?

This section ranks TGT 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 TGT 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.

MeasureTGTRankStanding
1-year return+75.1%303 of 3,287top 9%
3-year return+58.0%1,426 of 3,017top 47%
5-year return−28.5%2,128 of 2,893bottom 27%
10-year return+207%835 of 2,202top 38%
Volatility, 5 years36.1%1,217 of 2,893top 42%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.002,350 of 2,893bottom 20%
Worst decline, past 10 years−64.4%1,061 of 2,187top 49%

What has beaten TGT 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). TGT sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than TGT 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 TGT; faint dots are 91 more of the 1,912 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than TGTV: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%ELV: +2.2% a year, volatility 29.4%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%WAT: +4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%MTD: +2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%MSGS: +18.4% a year, volatility 25.6%SSNC: +4.7% a year, volatility 25.2%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%IGV: +4.4% a year, volatility 28.9%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%EXLS: +10.6% a year, volatility 32.6%SXT: +9.3% a year, volatility 30.3%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%SKYY: +7.5% a year, volatility 31.4%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%BUG: +7.1% a year, volatility 30.4%FTXH: +11.9% a year, volatility 16.9%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%SAFT: +10.6% a year, volatility 28.5%RCBC: +14.6% a year, volatility 27.2%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%SHEL: +21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%CBNK: +12.1% a year, volatility 27.4%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%COP: +18.2% a year, volatility 32.6%SU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%CNQ: +26.5% a year, volatility 32.5%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%XLE: +22.6% a year, volatility 25.5%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%GS: +19.6% a year, volatility 28.6%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%MS: +16.0% a year, volatility 28.8%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%CIB: +32.9% a year, volatility 32.9%SMFG: +33.7% a year, volatility 29.4%PH: +27.4% a year, volatility 28.8%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%C: +15.1% a year, volatility 29.4%BAC: +4.0% a year, volatility 26.6%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%AXP: +13.5% a year, volatility 29.3%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%TXN: +9.9% a year, volatility 33.7%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%ETN: +20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%TGT: −6.5% a year, volatility 36.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%ROST: +18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%HD: 0.0% a year, volatility 24.7%AMZN: +9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%KDP: +2.5% a year, volatility 22.1%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%COKE: +41.2% a year, volatility 38.0%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%CPRT: −5.7% a year, volatility 27.5%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%TGTSPY (S&P 500)WMTCOSTTJXROSTHDAMZNKOKDPORLYCOKECAHMSFTLLYABBVGLDCRMCPRTMPC−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than TGTV: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%CVX: +19.5% a year, volatility 25.2%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%SAP: +11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%TMO: +2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%ELV: +2.2% a year, volatility 29.4%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%A: +2.6% a year, volatility 30.6%WAT: +4.5% a year, volatility 33.9%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%MTD: +2.6% a year, volatility 32.5%MSGS: +18.4% a year, volatility 25.6%SSNC: +4.7% a year, volatility 25.2%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%IGV: +4.4% a year, volatility 28.9%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%EXLS: +10.6% a year, volatility 32.6%SXT: +9.3% a year, volatility 30.3%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%SKYY: +7.5% a year, volatility 31.4%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%BUG: +7.1% a year, volatility 30.4%FTXH: +11.9% a year, volatility 16.9%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%SAFT: +10.6% a year, volatility 28.5%RCBC: +14.6% a year, volatility 27.2%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%SHEL: +21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%CBNK: +12.1% a year, volatility 27.4%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%PSX: +33.2% a year, volatility 32.9%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%COP: +18.2% a year, volatility 32.6%SU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%CNQ: +26.5% a year, volatility 32.5%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%APH: +33.8% a year, volatility 32.2%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%XLE: +22.6% a year, volatility 25.5%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%GS: +19.6% a year, volatility 28.6%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%MS: +16.0% a year, volatility 28.8%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%MFG: +33.6% a year, volatility 30.6%IBM: +16.6% a year, volatility 30.5%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%CIB: +32.9% a year, volatility 32.9%SMFG: +33.7% a year, volatility 29.4%PH: +27.4% a year, volatility 28.8%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%ADI: +19.5% a year, volatility 34.1%C: +15.1% a year, volatility 29.4%BAC: +4.0% a year, volatility 26.6%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%AXP: +13.5% a year, volatility 29.3%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%TXN: +9.9% a year, volatility 33.7%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%ETN: +20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%TGT: −6.5% a year, volatility 36.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%ROST: +18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%HD: 0.0% a year, volatility 24.7%AMZN: +9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%KDP: +2.5% a year, volatility 22.1%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%COKE: +41.2% a year, volatility 38.0%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%CRM: −3.2% a year, volatility 39.4%CPRT: −5.7% a year, volatility 27.5%MPC: +51.2% a year, volatility 33.4%TGTSPY (S&P 500)WMTCOSTROSTHDAMZNKOKDPCOKECAHLLYABBVCPRTMPC
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than TGT?

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

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

Screen the whole market against TGT for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with TGT?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
TGTTarget Corporation · this page
−6.5%36.1%0.00−64.4%+207%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.490.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against TGT. 10 of 19 passed at least one test.
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.36—
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.37—
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.09—
ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+18.1%29.5%0.71−51.4%+312%0.50—
HDThe Home Depot, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline0.0%24.7%0.12−38.0%+217%0.37—
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. · E-Commerce
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+9.0%36.6%0.42−56.1%+548%0.33—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Discount Retail and the categories next to it (Specialty Retail, Grocery Stores, E-Commerce, Food & Beverages), plus TGT's specific themes. 27 of 57 passed at least one test.
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.29—
KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc. · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+2.5%22.1%0.23−36.9%+281%0.33—
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.03—
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.10—
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+15.9%23.4%0.75−42.0%+393%0.03—
COKECoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. · Food & Beverages
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+41.2%38.0%1.10−51.7%+1,569%-0.05—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 2,312 of 3,557 passed at least one test.
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.19—
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.28—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%-0.01—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.06—
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.320.59%
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.130.40%
CRMSalesforce, Inc. · Enterprise Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods−3.2%39.4%0.12−58.7%+240%0.42—
CPRTCopart, Inc. · Auction Services
Similar return, lower volatility−5.7%27.5%-0.08−58.9%+312%0.26—
What these numbers mean for TGT
Annual return
TGT lost 6.5% 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 $7,150. 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
TGT's volatility over the past 5 years was 36.1%, 2.1 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, TGT's return lands within 36.1% 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
TGT's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was -0.00, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so TGT 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
TGT's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 64.4%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 64.4% fall takes a 181% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, TGT's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.49 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 TGT instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a TGT holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,912 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than TGT with less volatility

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

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with TGTExpense
1
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.19—
2
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Whole market+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.28—
3
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%-0.01—
4
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.06—
5
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.35—
6
CVXChevron Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+19.5%25.2%0.84−55.8%+238%0.22—
7
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.28—
8
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.13—
9
SAPSAP SE · Enterprise Software
Whole market+11.5%30.0%0.52−52.5%+205%0.34—
10
TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.9%27.8%0.24−40.9%+366%0.44—
11
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Whole market+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.29—
12
ELVElevance Health Inc. · Managed Health Care
Whole market+2.2%29.4%0.23−50.4%+307%0.18—
13
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Same or nearby category+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.29—
14
DGXQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical Diagnostics
Whole market+12.3%22.5%0.63−36.6%+243%0.16—
15
AAgilent Technologies, Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.6%30.6%0.24−43.2%+306%0.41—
16
WATWaters Corporation · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+4.5%33.9%0.30−44.3%+182%0.22—
17
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+12.0%27.1%0.56−35.6%+349%0.27—
18
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil & Gas
Whole market+51.2%33.4%1.41−79.7%+1,387%0.30—
19
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.320.59%
20
MTDMettler-Toledo International Inc. · Life Sciences Tools
Whole market+2.6%32.5%0.24−43.5%+298%0.47—
21
MSGSMadison Square Garden Sports Corp. · Entertainment
Whole market+18.4%25.6%0.79−41.6%+432%0.25—
22
SSNCSS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. · Software
Whole market+4.7%25.2%0.31−48.9%+200%0.39—
23
NEUNewMarket Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−40.7%+165%0.20—
24
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.130.40%
25
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Whole market+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.10—
26
IGViShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF · Software
Whole market+4.4%28.9%0.29−45.9%+383%0.290.38%
27
FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology
Whole market+21.8%24.3%0.94−38.0%—0.310.19%
28
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.060.09%
29
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%-0.02—
30
EXLSExlService Holdings, Inc. · IT Services
Whole market+10.6%32.6%0.47−51.3%+327%0.25—
31
SXTSensient Technologies Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+9.3%30.3%0.44−50.6%+133%0.24—
32
KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc. · Food & Beverages
Same or nearby category+2.5%22.1%0.23−36.9%+281%0.33—
33
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.36—
34
SKYYFirst Trust Cloud Computing ETF · Technology
Whole market+7.5%31.4%0.39−53.2%+396%0.350.60%
35
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.440.20%
36
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.24—
37
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.33—
38
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.400.61%
39
BUGGlobal X - Cybersecurity ETF · Technology
Whole market+7.1%30.4%0.38−41.7%—0.230.50%
40
FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.9%16.9%0.75−32.1%+153%0.330.60%
41
GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services
Whole market+19.0%32.0%0.71−44.6%+752%0.20—
42
SAFTSafety Insurance Group, Inc. · Insurance - Property & Casualty
Whole market+10.6%28.5%0.49−32.8%+138%0.03—
43
RCBCRiver City Bank · Banks - Regional
Whole market+14.6%27.2%0.64−45.5%+345%0.23—
44
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.500.03%
45
SHELShell plc · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+21.0%24.8%0.90−67.2%+233%0.17—
46
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.490.03%
47
CBNKCapital Bancorp, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+12.1%27.4%0.55−53.7%—0.15—
48
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.22—
49
PSXPhillips 66 · Oil & Gas
Whole market+33.2%32.9%1.04−64.2%+430%0.32—
50
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.32—
51
COPConocoPhillips · Exploration & Production
Whole market+18.2%32.6%0.68−70.7%+379%0.23—
52
SUSuncor Energy Inc. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+33.1%32.5%1.05−73.5%+295%0.30—
53
TRGPTarga Resources Corp. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+41.8%31.7%1.27−90.8%+829%0.41—
54
CNQCanadian Natural Resources Limited · Oil & Gas
Whole market+26.5%32.5%0.89−77.5%+433%0.39—
55
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.18—
56
EEni S.p.A. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+23.0%25.6%0.94−61.4%+278%0.27—
57
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.290.48%
58
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.460.40%
59
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.330.69%
60
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+31.1%31.9%1.01−43.4%+936%0.39—
61
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.430.05%
62
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.380.18%
63
MUFGMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.2%29.4%1.13−54.9%+483%0.02—
64
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.40—
65
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.05—
66
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.16—
67
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.260.30%
68
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%-0.11—
69
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.09—
70
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Whole market+33.8%32.2%1.07−37.5%+965%0.28—
71
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.470.03%
72
XLEState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+22.6%25.5%0.93−66.8%+189%0.270.08%
73
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%0.17—
74
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.07—
75
GSThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+19.6%28.6%0.77−48.8%+521%0.37—
76
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.450.03%
77
MSMorgan Stanley · Capital Markets
Whole market+16.0%28.8%0.66−51.3%+627%0.40—
78
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.28—
79
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.510.60%
80
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.6%30.6%1.10−45.7%+345%0.08—
81
IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation · IT Services
Whole market+16.6%30.5%0.66−41.1%+151%-0.03—
82
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.17—
83
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.38—
84
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.380.09%
85
CIBGrupo Cibest S.A. · Banks
Whole market+32.9%32.9%1.03−70.4%+345%0.17—
86
SMFGSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.7%29.4%1.14−47.6%+474%0.01—
87
PHParker-Hannifin Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+27.4%28.8%0.99−54.7%+789%0.47—
88
BHPBHP Group Limited · Metals & Mining
Whole market+16.6%31.4%0.65−44.3%+398%0.23—
89
ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Whole market+19.5%34.1%0.69−33.6%+652%0.31—
90
CCitigroup Inc. · Banks
Whole market+15.1%29.4%0.63−56.5%+234%0.39—
91
BACBank of America Corporation · Banks
Whole market+4.0%26.6%0.28−49.0%+282%0.43—
92
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.7%22.0%0.90−56.1%+98.2%0.01—
93
AXPAmerican Express Company · Consumer Finance
Whole market+13.5%29.3%0.58−49.6%+446%0.41—
94
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.22—
95
TXNTexas Instruments Incorporated · Semiconductors
Whole market+9.9%33.7%0.45−33.4%+424%0.28—
96
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.6%29.1%0.85−41.6%+521%0.16—
97
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+17.8%21.4%0.88−53.7%+140%0.21—
98
ETNEaton Corporation plc · Electrical Equipment
Whole market+20.4%32.1%0.74−44.5%+657%0.37—
99
BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks
Whole market+22.7%24.4%0.97−50.5%+341%0.35—
100
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.46—

TGT against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%−10.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityTGT: −6.5% a year, volatility 36.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%COST: 17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%WMT: 20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TJX: 19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%ROST: 18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%HD: 0.0% a year, volatility 24.7%PSMT: 18.6% a year, volatility 28.2%KR: 12.3% a year, volatility 27.3%BJ: 11.9% a year, volatility 32.5%KSS: −8.8% a year, volatility 70.0%DG: −7.4% a year, volatility 37.0%AMZN: 9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%BURL: −1.3% a year, volatility 44.4%BBY: 0.7% a year, volatility 38.1%OLLI: 6.8% a year, volatility 44.4%M: 1.5% a year, volatility 52.4%FIVE: 3.6% a year, volatility 47.7%DLTR: 4.3% a year, volatility 40.1%SFM: 23.8% a year, volatility 40.3%UPS: −8.6% a year, volatility 28.9%TGTSPY (S&P 500)COSTWMTTJXROSTHDKRBJKSSDGAMZNBURLBBYOLLIMFIVEDLTRSFMUPS0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityTGT: −6.5% a year, volatility 36.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%COST: 17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%WMT: 20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TJX: 19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%ROST: 18.1% a year, volatility 29.5%HD: 0.0% a year, volatility 24.7%PSMT: 18.6% a year, volatility 28.2%KR: 12.3% a year, volatility 27.3%BJ: 11.9% a year, volatility 32.5%KSS: −8.8% a year, volatility 70.0%DG: −7.4% a year, volatility 37.0%AMZN: 9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%BURL: −1.3% a year, volatility 44.4%BBY: 0.7% a year, volatility 38.1%OLLI: 6.8% a year, volatility 44.4%M: 1.5% a year, volatility 52.4%FIVE: 3.6% a year, volatility 47.7%DLTR: 4.3% a year, volatility 40.1%SFM: 23.8% a year, volatility 40.3%UPS: −8.6% a year, volatility 28.9%TGTSPY (S&P 500)COSTWMTTJXHDKSSDGAMZNBURLBBYOLLIMFIVEDLTRSFMUPS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
SFM Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.+23.8%40.3%
WMT Walmart Inc.+20.8%22.6%
TJX The TJX Companies, Inc.+19.9%22.3%
PSMT PriceSmart, Inc.+18.6%28.2%
ROST Ross Stores, Inc.+18.1%29.5%
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation+17.4%22.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
KR The Kroger Co.+12.3%27.3%
BJ BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.+11.9%32.5%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.+9.0%36.6%
OLLI Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.+6.8%44.4%
DLTR Dollar Tree, Inc.+4.3%40.1%
FIVE Five Below, Inc.+3.6%47.7%
M Macy's, Inc.+1.5%52.4%
BBY Best Buy Co., Inc.+0.7%38.1%
HD The Home Depot, Inc.0.0%24.7%
BURL Burlington Stores, Inc.−1.3%44.4%
TGT This pageTarget Corporation−6.5%36.1%
DG Dollar General Corporation−7.4%37.0%
UPS United Parcel Service, Inc.−8.6%28.9%
KSS Kohl's Corporation−8.8%70.0%
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Has TGT consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than TGT 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
TGT Target Corporation (this page)—−2.4%+11.2%+20.3%+57.4%+75.1%+58.0%−28.5%+207%36.1%0.00−64.4%—$70B—
COST Discount StoresCostco Wholesale Corporation1/5 short3/3 long+10.7%+6.5%0.0%+16.9%+6.9%+87.2%+123%+685%22.9%0.82−31.4%—$441B—
AMZN Specialty RetailAmazon.com, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+1.6%+5.1%+5.8%+16.0%+21.3%+110%+53.8%+548%36.6%0.42−56.1%—$2.8T—
WMT Discount StoresWalmart Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+9.7%+5.3%−7.5%+5.2%+11.0%+130%+158%+508%22.6%0.96−25.7%—$938B—
TJX Apparel - RetailThe TJX Companies, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+12.3%−5.3%−7.3%−3.8%+3.8%+71.6%+147%+361%22.3%0.93−42.5%—$162B—
ROST Apparel - RetailRoss Stores, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+2.6%+0.8%+4.3%+30.6%+51.9%+111%+129%+312%29.5%0.71−51.4%—$76B—
BURL Apparel - RetailBurlington Stores, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+2.8%−26.5%−25.6%−13.2%−3.1%+112%−6.2%+240%44.4%0.19−68.9%—$16B—
BBY Specialty RetailBest Buy Co., Inc.2/5 short2/3 long+0.7%+11.4%+43.6%+41.1%+22.1%+58.2%+3.5%+242%38.1%0.21−52.6%—$20B—
OLLI Discount StoresOllie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.2/5 short2/3 long+16.3%+37.4%−1.1%−16.8%−23.3%+23.8%+38.9%+238%44.4%0.37−66.2%—$5.5B—
HD Home ImprovementThe Home Depot, Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+6.0%−4.7%−8.9%−6.9%−16.7%+18.8%−0.2%+217%24.7%0.12−38.0%—$314B—
PSMT Discount StoresPriceSmart, Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+1.6%−3.6%+9.3%+41.7%+43.2%+153%+135%+124%28.2%0.75−53.2%—$5.3B—
M Department StoresMacy's, Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+5.5%+1.3%+19.3%+5.7%+34.8%+131%+7.7%+0.7%52.4%0.29−87.8%—$6.1B—
FIVE Specialty RetailFive Below, Inc.0/5 short2/3 long−5.2%+9.6%−9.7%+15.7%+43.3%+27.2%+19.6%+493%47.7%0.32−76.4%—$12B—
KR Grocery StoresThe Kroger Co.1/5 short1/3 long+5.5%+8.7%−6.1%+1.8%−6.9%+52.6%+78.5%+151%27.3%0.56−43.8%—$37B—
DLTR Discount StoresDollar Tree, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+11.2%−1.1%+16.5%−2.1%+26.2%+13.1%+23.3%+64.7%40.1%0.31−64.8%—$23B—
BJ Discount StoresBJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+10.9%+9.0%+9.4%+11.3%+9.0%+47.7%+75.3%—32.5%0.51−38.8%—$13B—
SFM Grocery StoresSprouts Farmers Market, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−5.7%−13.3%−13.0%−19.7%−41.4%+52.7%+191%+202%40.3%0.74−65.2%—$6.0B—
KSS Department StoresKohl's Corporation3/5 short0/3 long+24.7%+24.6%+51.0%+4.4%+38.6%+23.2%−36.7%−20.0%70.0%0.21−89.2%—$2.5B—
DG Discount StoresDollar General Corporation1/5 short0/3 long+10.6%+8.1%+7.2%0.0%+28.5%+24.2%−32.0%+127%37.0%-0.01−72.6%—$30B—
UPS Integrated Freight & LogisticsUnited Parcel Service, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+4.0%−11.5%−5.0%+2.2%+20.8%−23.0%−36.1%+35.4%28.9%-0.17−57.9%—$74B—
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How did TGT do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of TGT20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
TGT This pageTarget Corporation—−24.5%−2.3%−1.4%−34.2%+32.9%+40.5%+100%+4.7%−5.8%+2.7%−1.6%+23.8%+9.5%+18.2%−13.0%+26.3%+42.4%−30.0%−11.6%+4.7%+6.6%+36.1%+29.0%−26.5%+28.0%−11.5%+36.2%+62.2%+74.2%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 4 of 2919 of 2014 of 2017 of 2018 of 207 of 204 of 201 of 2011 of 1917 of 1914 of 199 of 187 of 1816 of 166 of 1514 of 158 of 157 of 1411 of 149 of 149 of 146 of 141 of 146 of 149 of 144 of 145 of 146 of 138 of 135 of 11
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%
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation16 of 29−5.4%+39.6%+49.0%−19.1%+51.8%+32.7%+45.7%+10.6%+22.4%+0.3%+18.9%+20.5%+21.9%+28.4%+16.7%+23.7%+14.3%−24.0%+33.2%+7.9%+3.2%+31.1%+32.5%−36.8%+11.1%−12.5%+26.4%+61.8%+77.7%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.18 of 28+5.2%+44.4%+80.9%−49.6%+2.4%+76.3%+23.0%+28.4%+56.0%+10.9%+118%−22.2%+59.0%+45.0%−3.9%+33.7%+163%−44.7%+135%−16.5%+6.8%−16.0%+178%+74.6%−30.5%−79.6%+42.2%+968%—
WMT Walmart Inc.13 of 29+24.5%+74.0%+12.9%−0.5%+1.9%+23.4%+30.1%−3.4%+46.6%+16.1%−26.6%+11.8%+18.2%+17.1%+13.8%+3.1%−2.5%+20.0%+4.9%+0.2%−10.2%+0.6%+5.6%−11.8%+8.9%−22.7%+70.5%+107%+74.6%
TJX The TJX Companies, Inc.19 of 29+28.7%+30.6%+19.7%+6.7%+12.8%+12.3%+38.8%+18.9%+3.5%+7.4%+4.6%+8.8%+51.7%+33.0%+47.6%+22.9%+81.0%−27.4%+1.8%+24.0%−6.8%+15.0%+13.8%−1.6%+44.3%+37.1%−29.5%+70.3%+44.9%
ROST Ross Stores, Inc.16 of 29+20.4%+10.4%+20.6%+2.9%−6.0%+5.8%+41.3%+4.8%+23.5%+23.0%+15.3%+27.0%+39.9%+14.9%+52.0%+49.7%+45.3%+17.8%−12.0%+2.4%+0.9%+9.4%+25.5%+32.9%+91.0%−5.7%−8.3%+9.7%+47.9%
BURL Burlington Stores, Inc.7 of 12+1.3%+46.6%−4.1%−30.4%+11.5%+14.7%+40.2%+32.2%+45.2%+97.5%−9.2%+47.7%—————————————————
BBY Best Buy Co., Inc.15 of 29−17.8%+14.4%+2.5%−17.5%+4.4%+16.7%+70.5%−20.6%+64.5%+46.5%−18.8%+0.1%+244%−47.3%−30.3%−11.8%+43.2%−45.9%+7.8%+13.9%+10.8%+14.6%+117%−51.3%+152%−41.2%+63.7%+233%+247%
OLLI Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.7 of 10−0.1%+44.6%+62.0%−8.5%−37.4%+25.2%−1.8%+24.9%+87.2%+67.3%———————————————————
HD The Home Depot, Inc.17 of 29−9.3%+15.0%+12.8%−22.0%+59.5%+24.5%+30.6%−7.3%+43.8%+3.5%+28.5%+30.3%+35.9%+50.3%+23.5%+25.1%+30.5%−11.4%−31.1%+1.0%−4.3%+21.4%+49.1%−52.6%+12.1%−33.3%+69.1%+109%+76.9%
PSMT PriceSmart, Inc.12 of 28+34.8%+25.0%+26.2%−15.8%−19.1%+29.6%+21.6%−30.8%+3.5%+1.5%−8.3%−20.4%+50.6%+12.0%+85.5%+90.2%+1.8%−29.9%+69.4%+114%+10.5%+20.9%−72.7%−34.6%+6.5%−16.1%+124%+2.2%—
M Macy's, Inc.15 of 29+36.4%−12.4%+1.6%−18.7%+136%−31.1%−38.2%+23.6%−25.3%+6.5%−45.4%+25.6%+39.6%+23.8%+28.8%+52.4%+64.5%−58.7%−31.1%+16.6%+16.1%+23.9%+65.3%−29.7%+16.8%−30.8%+16.1%+1.2%+26.2%
FIVE Five Below, Inc.7 of 13+79.5%−50.8%+20.5%−14.5%+18.2%+36.9%+25.0%+54.3%+66.0%+24.5%−21.4%−5.5%+34.8%————————————————
KR The Kroger Co.15 of 29+4.2%+36.9%+5.0%+0.4%+45.4%+11.9%+7.9%+2.1%−19.0%−16.4%+31.8%+64.8%+54.5%+9.6%+10.5%+10.7%−20.9%0.0%+17.0%+23.4%+7.6%−5.3%+20.0%−26.1%−22.8%+43.4%−37.6%+64.7%+58.1%
DLTR Dollar Tree, Inc.12 of 29+64.1%−47.2%+0.4%+0.7%+30.1%+14.9%+4.1%−15.8%+39.0%−0.1%+9.7%+24.7%+39.1%−2.4%+48.2%+74.2%+15.8%+60.9%−13.9%+25.7%−16.8%−4.3%+22.3%−20.5%+26.1%−24.1%+10.8%+58.4%+62.2%
BJ BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.6 of 7+0.8%+34.0%+0.8%−1.2%+79.6%+63.9%+2.6%——————————————————————
SFM Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.5 of 12−37.3%+164%+48.6%+9.1%+47.7%+3.9%−17.7%−3.5%+28.7%−28.8%−21.8%−11.6%—————————————————
KSS Kohl's Corporation13 of 29+51.5%−45.8%+23.7%−46.0%+23.6%−17.2%−19.2%+26.7%+12.6%+8.3%−19.5%+10.6%+35.7%−10.5%−7.4%+0.8%+49.0%−21.0%−33.1%+40.8%−1.2%+9.4%−19.7%−20.5%+15.5%+69.0%+17.5%+80.4%+73.4%
DG Dollar General Corporation9 of 16+79.6%−43.1%−44.1%+5.6%+13.0%+35.9%+45.7%+17.6%+26.9%+4.3%+2.9%+17.2%+36.8%+7.1%+34.2%+36.7%—————————————
UPS United Parcel Service, Inc.11 of 26−15.9%−15.9%−6.0%−16.2%+30.0%+48.6%+24.2%−15.5%+7.1%+22.7%−10.9%+8.7%+46.5%+3.9%+3.8%+30.3%+7.8%−19.8%−3.5%+1.8%−10.5%+16.4%+19.9%+17.3%−6.0%−13.8%———
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Risk and diversification

How TGT 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 TGT's worst declines?

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

DuringTGT fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2022 bear market−64.4%+47.1%Nov 2021Nov 20254 yearsNot yet—
2008 financial crisis−63.0%−54.5%Jul 2007Mar 200920 monthsAug 20123.4 years
No named crash−57.0%—Oct 1987Dec 19872 monthsJul 198919 months
Dot-com bust−42.6%−28.1%Feb 2002Oct 20028 monthsMar 200417 months
Dot-com bust−40.8%−10.0%Mar 2000Oct 20007 monthsFeb 20014 months

How did TGT do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far TGT, 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 TGT.

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
TGT This pageTarget Corporation—−3.4%−43.9%−21.7%−30.3%−3.0%−15.8%−10.4%−1.3%−60.6%−42.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF4 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation5 of 10−3.1%−31.4%−13.7%−20.8%−6.5%−15.2%−13.5%−1.2%−48.0%−50.1%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.1 of 10−3.4%−39.6%−22.7%−33.2%−7.1%−30.6%−20.7%−2.9%−65.3%−91.8%
WMT Walmart Inc.6 of 10−0.8%−25.7%−13.1%−18.3%−4.9%−22.3%−10.5%−1.5%−26.2%−31.8%
TJX The TJX Companies, Inc.5 of 10−4.7%−27.7%−42.5%−25.6%−5.3%−16.1%−9.7%−2.1%−49.9%−32.6%
ROST Ross Stores, Inc.3 of 10−4.9%−37.5%−51.4%−26.0%−5.1%−20.5%−12.4%−2.6%−46.5%−45.8%
BURL Burlington Stores, Inc.1 of 6−4.8%−61.5%−51.4%−15.6%−3.7%−26.8%————
BBY Best Buy Co., Inc.1 of 10−6.6%−40.7%−44.3%−39.7%−4.5%−33.1%−25.2%−1.1%−66.9%−74.1%
OLLI Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.1 of 6−6.2%−27.7%−40.0%−36.1%−3.9%−23.3%————
HD The Home Depot, Inc.4 of 10−1.8%−34.2%−38.0%−25.1%−6.6%−16.9%−22.2%−1.6%−44.3%−64.9%
PSMT PriceSmart, Inc.2 of 10−2.6%−34.1%−29.7%−34.1%−4.4%−27.9%−22.1%−2.6%−66.5%−60.0%
M Macy's, Inc.1 of 10−11.4%−44.6%−69.9%−24.6%−5.7%−48.1%−24.4%−2.2%−83.2%−46.4%
FIVE Five Below, Inc.1 of 6−2.5%−44.6%−55.8%−31.1%−2.7%−28.9%————
KR The Kroger Co.6 of 10−1.3%−29.6%−13.0%−14.9%−6.0%−14.3%−13.7%−2.2%−35.3%−58.3%
DLTR Dollar Tree, Inc.4 of 10−1.5%−26.5%−30.2%−7.2%−6.7%−24.1%−11.3%−1.9%−49.1%−67.1%
BJ BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.2 of 4−3.3%−25.4%−20.3%−32.0%——————
SFM Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.3 of 6−2.2%−33.9%−26.0%−20.7%−3.9%−19.0%————
KSS Kohl's Corporation3 of 10−15.6%−59.0%−69.7%−26.8%−4.9%−34.4%−24.9%−1.7%−59.1%−39.7%
DG Dollar General Corporation5 of 8−0.7%−27.6%−18.4%−15.9%−4.4%−25.2%−8.4%−2.6%——
UPS United Parcel Service, Inc.6 of 10−1.5%−29.8%−18.5%−23.7%−8.7%−16.4%−16.4%−1.6%−47.9%−26.5%
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How closely does TGT 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 TGT 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 TGT's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
TGT This pageTarget Corporation83%87%0.951.00
WMT Walmart Inc.74%36%2.080.53
SFM Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.54%27%1.970.47
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation93%50%1.850.77
KR The Kroger Co.49%36%1.340.40
TJX The TJX Companies, Inc.81%65%1.250.78
FIVE Five Below, Inc.111%102%1.091.13
ROST Ross Stores, Inc.93%89%1.050.93
DG Dollar General Corporation46%46%1.000.37
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.134%139%0.961.31
OLLI Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.92%100%0.920.83
PSMT PriceSmart, Inc.68%79%0.860.80
BURL Burlington Stores, Inc.103%121%0.851.22
HD The Home Depot, Inc.96%117%0.811.00
BBY Best Buy Co., Inc.127%164%0.771.40
DLTR Dollar Tree, Inc.52%79%0.660.75
UPS United Parcel Service, Inc.85%149%0.571.08
M Macy's, Inc.93%183%0.511.75
KSS Kohl's Corporation109%234%0.471.76
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What diversifies TGT?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202420232022201720152011200820072002200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
TGT Target Corporation (this page)1.00−28.5%0.00−24.5%−2.3%−1.4%−34.2%−5.8%−1.6%−13.0%−30.0%−11.6%−26.5%−11.5%31.8%−4.3%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.46+119%1.48+27.1%+15.9%+17.4%+3.8%+10.0%——————26.4%+0.3%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.29+225%1.34+32.8%+29.8%+42.0%+6.0%+22.8%+7.7%−16.1%−20.8%−7.4%——26.3%+2.1%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.34+101%1.04+9.7%+33.4%+8.0%+10.4%+1.1%−25.3%—————26.6%+0.1%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.36+83.3%1.00+11.9%+14.1%+1.8%+7.1%+13.5%−0.3%—————26.6%−0.5%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.30+323%0.97+49.2%+39.1%+73.4%−33.5%+38.5%−0.3%+6.8%−44.7%+6.0%−47.0%—28.3%+4.3%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.13+126%0.96+63.7%+26.7%+12.7%−0.8%+12.8%−10.7%+9.6%+4.9%+30.4%——26.1%+0.8%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.34+136%0.93+26.6%+45.8%+17.6%−10.4%+27.8%——————27.1%+1.2%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.27+177%0.93+7.9%+5.6%−0.6%+64.4%−0.9%−21.5%+2.8%−39.0%+36.8%−14.8%+24.4%27.3%+1.7%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202420232022201720152011200820072002200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
TGT Target Corporation (this page)1.00−28.5%0.00−24.5%−2.3%−1.4%−34.2%−5.8%−1.6%−13.0%−30.0%−11.6%−26.5%−11.5%31.8%−4.3%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.19+479%1.55+76.3%+19.0%+34.1%+54.1%−12.7%+12.6%+8.1%−39.6%−9.8%−8.3%+108%27.0%+4.1%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.19+3,143%1.47+220%+215%+160%+1.3%−11.6%−6.0%−24.4%−20.5%−25.7%−65.1%−2.3%30.0%+15.4%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.32+1,636%1.46+121%+107%+79.6%+17.0%+32.1%+67.7%−17.0%−15.2%+2.1%−9.4%−71.1%29.5%+11.6%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation-0.11+413%1.44+44.5%+23.7%+24.1%+51.8%+12.0%−4.5%+11.8%−40.4%+29.7%−27.2%+61.2%25.4%+4.0%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.30+690%1.41+19.2%−4.0%+30.4%+86.6%+34.8%+17.4%—————28.1%+5.8%
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Common questions

What was TGT's worst drawdown?

TGT's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 64.4%, from November 2021 to November 2025. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.

What were TGT's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, TGT's best year was 2019, when it returned 100%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -34.2%.

Is there a better investment than TGT?

Among TGT's popular alternatives, WMT, COST and TJX earned more than TGT with less volatility over the past 5 years. WMT returned 20.8% a year at 22.6% volatility, against a loss of 6.5% a year at 36.1%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, KO (food & beverages) and KDP (food & beverages) earned more than TGT with less volatility over the past 5 years. KO returned 14.7% a year at 16.8% volatility, against a loss of 6.5% a year at 36.1%.

Is TGT more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. TGT's volatility over the past 5 years was 36.1%, 2.1 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, TGT's return lands within 36.1% 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 TGT's Sharpe ratio?

TGT's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was -0.00, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so TGT 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 TGT with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, TGT's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.49 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 TGT instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a TGT holding.

What are the best alternatives to TGT?

None of the 19 popular alternatives we compared outperformed TGT in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, which says more about TGT's strength than about its alternatives.

Did TGT outperform the S&P 500?

TGT finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 16 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -24.5%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did TGT do in stock market crashes?

TGT fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in four of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when TGT fell 21.7% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.

What diversifies TGT?

These had a low correlation with TGT over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.46), DXJ (correlation 0.29) and EMLP (correlation 0.34); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.19), CLS (correlation 0.19) and FIX (correlation 0.32). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to TGT

Other stocks and ETFs