EasyCompare

Relative Intelligence · Freight & Logistics

How United Parcel Service (UPS) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on UPS alone. It places UPS (United Parcel Service, Inc.) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where UPS stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: UPS's full trading record, from November 1999 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 UPS →Chart UPS vs. 20 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in UPS over the past 26 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of UPS over the same span and UPS'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 2000 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. 1,008 of the 1,261 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of UPS; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M2000200420082012201620202024$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M2000200720142021
  • ODFL$4M+40,763% total · +26.0% a year
  • AMZN$1M+12,876% total · +20.6% a year
  • CNI$391,125+3,811% total · +15.1% a year
  • NSC$366,111+3,561% total · +14.9% a year
  • KNX$257,458+2,475% total · +13.3% a year
  • EXPD$211,732+2,017% total · +12.5% a year
  • ARCB$105,499+955% total · +9.5% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$84,332+743% total · +8.5% a year
  • UPS$35,665+257% total · +5.0% a year
  • DSGX$16,336+63.4% total · +1.9% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 3,087 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of UPS; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202120222023202420252026
  • XPO$37,221+272% total · +30.1% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • EXPD$16,419+64.2% total · +10.4% a year
  • ARCB$15,970+59.7% total · +9.8% a year
  • SNDR$15,016+50.2% total · +8.5% a year
  • NSC$14,343+43.4% total · +7.5% a year
  • ODFL$12,474+24.7% total · +4.5% a year
  • CNI$11,429+14.3% total · +2.7% a year
  • DSGX$9,951−0.5% total · −0.1% a year
  • UPS$6,501−35.0% total · −8.3% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

UPS at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$74B
Industry
Integrated Freight & Logistics
Price history from
November 1999

Returns

Past 1 year
+20.8%total return
Past 3 years
−23.0%−8.4% a year
Past 5 years
−36.1%−8.6% a year
Past 10 years
+35.4%+3.1% a year
Best calendar year
+48.6%2020
Worst calendar year
−19.8%2008
Losing years
11 of 26full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
28.9%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
-0.17return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−57.9%Feb 2022 to Sep 2025
From its all-time high
−46.5%below the peak

UPS against the whole market

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

How does UPS rank among all stocks?

This section ranks UPS 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 UPS 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.

MeasureUPSRankStanding
1-year return+20.8%1,213 of 3,287top 37%
3-year return−23.0%2,628 of 3,017bottom 14%
5-year return−36.1%2,241 of 2,893bottom 24%
10-year return+35.4%1,651 of 2,202bottom 26%
Volatility, 5 years28.9%632 of 2,893top 22%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years-0.172,634 of 2,893bottom 10%
Worst decline, past 10 years−57.9%803 of 2,187top 37%

What has beaten UPS 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). UPS sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than UPS 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 UPS; faint dots are 94 more of the 1,403 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than UPSFLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%DBA: +10.7% a year, volatility 13.8%AOM: +4.4% a year, volatility 8.3%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%QAI: +4.1% a year, volatility 6.8%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%BND: −0.4% a year, volatility 6.1%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%IEMG: +6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%VZ: +2.7% a year, volatility 22.9%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%RSP: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.1%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%CDC: +6.0% a year, volatility 12.5%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%NGG: +11.8% a year, volatility 22.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%BMY: +5.5% a year, volatility 24.9%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%BSV: +1.7% a year, volatility 2.8%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%SPGI: +0.7% a year, volatility 25.6%AJG: +10.9% a year, volatility 24.2%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%VXF: +4.9% a year, volatility 22.4%ITW: +6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%ECL: +6.7% a year, volatility 24.1%MRSH: +4.4% a year, volatility 20.9%UPS: −8.6% a year, volatility 28.9%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%NSC: +5.3% a year, volatility 24.8%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%CNI: +0.6% a year, volatility 21.9%SNDR: +6.2% a year, volatility 31.5%DSGX: +1.8% a year, volatility 31.8%STAG: +0.6% a year, volatility 23.5%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%TRP: +10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%CSX: +8.3% a year, volatility 23.3%CP: +4.0% a year, volatility 24.1%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%LSTR: +2.2% a year, volatility 28.2%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%CTA-PA: −8.1% a year, volatility 20.3%UPSSPY (S&P 500)NSCEXPDCNISNDRDSGXSTAGUNPCSXCPMPLXLSTRSGOVRYCAHCHTAAPLCTA-PA−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than UPSFLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%BALT: +6.3% a year, volatility 3.3%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%VXUS: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%DBA: +10.7% a year, volatility 13.8%AOM: +4.4% a year, volatility 8.3%PG: +5.1% a year, volatility 18.3%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%QAI: +4.1% a year, volatility 6.8%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%SCHD: +9.7% a year, volatility 14.3%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%BND: −0.4% a year, volatility 6.1%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%VB: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%BLK: +7.1% a year, volatility 27.1%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%IEMG: +6.8% a year, volatility 19.4%VWO: +5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%VZ: +2.7% a year, volatility 22.9%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%UL: +5.5% a year, volatility 21.5%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%RSP: +8.2% a year, volatility 16.1%ORLY: +15.9% a year, volatility 23.4%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%CDC: +6.0% a year, volatility 12.5%WM: +9.3% a year, volatility 19.2%NGG: +11.8% a year, volatility 22.6%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%BMY: +5.5% a year, volatility 24.9%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%DUK: +7.5% a year, volatility 18.0%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%BSV: +1.7% a year, volatility 2.8%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%SPGI: +0.7% a year, volatility 25.6%AJG: +10.9% a year, volatility 24.2%CL: +7.2% a year, volatility 19.2%ICE: +5.4% a year, volatility 21.8%VXF: +4.9% a year, volatility 22.4%ITW: +6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%ECL: +6.7% a year, volatility 24.1%MRSH: +4.4% a year, volatility 20.9%UPS: −8.6% a year, volatility 28.9%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%NSC: +5.3% a year, volatility 24.8%EXPD: +12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%CNI: +0.6% a year, volatility 21.9%SNDR: +6.2% a year, volatility 31.5%DSGX: +1.8% a year, volatility 31.8%STAG: +0.6% a year, volatility 23.5%UNP: +7.1% a year, volatility 22.9%TRP: +10.8% a year, volatility 21.9%CSX: +8.3% a year, volatility 23.3%CP: +4.0% a year, volatility 24.1%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%LSTR: +2.2% a year, volatility 28.2%SGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%CHT: +7.7% a year, volatility 13.3%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%CTA-PA: −8.1% a year, volatility 20.3%UPSSPY (S&P 500)NSCCNISNDRDSGXSTAGUNPMPLXSGOVRYFLOTCAHCHTAAPLCTA-PA
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than UPS?

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

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

Screen the whole market against UPS 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 UPS?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc. · this page
−8.6%28.9%-0.17−57.9%+35.4%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.610.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against UPS. 14 of 19 passed at least one test.
NSCNorfolk Southern Corporation · Railroads
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+5.3%24.8%0.33−44.4%+328%0.53—
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.0%27.1%0.56−35.6%+349%0.46—
CNICanadian National Railway Company · Railroads
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+0.6%21.9%0.14−29.1%+124%0.68—
SNDRSchneider National, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+6.2%31.5%0.35−44.0%—0.54—
DSGXThe Descartes Systems Group Inc. · Application Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+1.8%31.8%0.21−48.7%+324%0.13—
STAGSTAG Industrial, Inc. · Industrial REITs
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+0.6%23.5%0.14−45.1%+145%0.58—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Freight & Logistics and the categories next to it (Railroads, Oil & Gas, E-Commerce, Commercial Vehicles), plus UPS's specific themes. 67 of 106 passed at least one test.
UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+7.1%22.9%0.42−38.7%+295%0.63—
TRPTC Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+10.8%21.9%0.58−41.6%+160%0.32—
CSXCSX Corporation · Railroads
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+8.3%23.3%0.46−40.5%+446%0.58—
CPCanadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. · Railroads
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+4.0%24.1%0.28−33.7%+227%0.61—
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.38—
LSTRLandstar System, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+2.2%28.2%0.22−38.8%+190%0.62—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 2,156 of 3,508 passed at least one test.
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—-0.060.09%
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%0.43—
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+4.5%1.8%2.48−13.5%+35.9%-0.010.15%
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%0.34—
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.070.20%
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+7.7%13.3%0.63−23.8%+101%0.28—
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.39—
CTA-PAEIDP, Inc. · Chemicals
Similar return, lower volatility−8.1%20.3%-0.32−40.3%−19.5%0.14—
What these numbers mean for UPS
Annual return
UPS lost 8.6% 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 $6,390. 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
UPS's volatility over the past 5 years was 28.9%, 1.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, UPS's return lands within 28.9% 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
UPS's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was -0.17, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so UPS 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
UPS's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 57.9%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 57.9% fall takes a 138% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, UPS's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.61 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 UPS instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a UPS holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,403 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than UPS 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 UPSExpense
1
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—-0.060.09%
2
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.43—
3
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.8%2.48−13.5%+35.9%-0.010.15%
4
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.34—
5
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.070.20%
6
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+7.7%13.3%0.63−23.8%+101%0.28—
7
FLRNState Street SPDR Bloomberg Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.7%2.58−14.7%+35.9%0.050.15%
8
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.620.03%
9
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.610.03%
10
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.31—
11
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.33—
12
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.27—
13
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.19—
14
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.37—
15
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.460.48%
16
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.510.40%
17
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.50—
18
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto
Whole market+6.3%3.3%1.85−4.9%—0.510.69%
19
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.44—
20
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.4%0.57−36.0%+140%0.670.05%
21
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.530.18%
22
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.27—
23
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.27—
24
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.47—
25
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.19—
26
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.20—
27
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.36—
28
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.630.03%
29
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.51−13.1%+40.5%0.040.30%
30
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%0.19—
31
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.23—
32
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.20—
33
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.650.03%
34
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.47—
35
DBAInvesco DB Agriculture Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+10.7%13.8%0.81−35.3%+62.2%0.060.90%
36
AOMiShares Core 40/60 Moderate Allocation ETF · Multi-Asset
Whole market+4.4%8.3%0.56−20.0%+77.8%0.640.20%
37
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.1%18.3%0.37−23.8%+145%0.41—
38
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.43—
39
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.480.09%
40
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−21.0%+58.0%0.290.60%
41
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.18—
42
FTQIFirst Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.5%14.8%0.82−19.4%+121%0.510.75%
43
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.36—
44
BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks
Whole market+22.7%24.4%0.97−50.5%+341%0.42—
45
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.51—
46
VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.8%17.6%0.47−39.4%+198%0.640.03%
47
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.640.04%
48
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.28—
49
QAINYLI Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+4.1%6.8%0.64−14.9%+44.1%0.650.75%
50
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.32—
51
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.7%14.3%0.72−33.4%+252%0.620.06%
52
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+13.6%21.4%0.71−51.0%+295%0.51—
53
BNDVanguard Total Bond Market ETF · Investment Grade Bonds
Whole market−0.4%6.1%-0.03−18.6%+13.2%0.500.03%
54
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.49—
55
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+12.9%19.9%0.71−46.9%+187%0.60—
56
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Treasury Bonds
Whole market+2.7%2.9%0.94−6.3%+32.7%0.360.03%
57
VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF · US Small-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.2%20.6%0.40−42.0%+179%0.610.03%
58
BLKBlackRock, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+7.1%27.1%0.39−43.9%+313%0.49—
59
HLTHilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−50.8%+694%0.47—
60
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.41—
61
LMTLockheed Martin Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+11.1%24.2%0.56−36.7%+204%0.16—
62
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.670.06%
63
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−38.4%+170%0.25—
64
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.36—
65
IEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+6.8%19.4%0.44−38.7%+122%0.640.09%
66
VWOVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+5.2%17.5%0.38−36.4%+102%0.630.06%
67
EP-PCEl Paso Energy Capital Trust I PFD CV TR SECS · Preferred Stocks
Whole market+5.2%8.9%0.61−25.4%+37.8%0.09—
68
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.32—
69
GDGeneral Dynamics Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+12.9%20.8%0.69−51.6%+184%0.28—
70
VZVerizon Communications Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+2.7%22.9%0.23−41.2%+55.8%0.18—
71
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.32—
72
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Whole market+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%0.31—
73
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.5%21.5%0.36−30.1%+89.8%0.39—
74
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.630.79%
75
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+8.2%16.1%0.57−39.0%+211%0.660.20%
76
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+15.9%23.4%0.75−42.0%+393%0.10—
77
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.42—
78
CDCVictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+6.0%12.5%0.53−21.4%+168%0.540.38%
79
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+9.3%19.2%0.56−30.1%+344%0.28—
80
NGGNational Grid plc · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.8%22.6%0.61−39.2%+118%0.55—
81
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.570.85%
82
BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+5.5%24.9%0.34−47.7%+74.8%0.32—
83
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.33—
84
DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.5%18.0%0.50−37.4%+132%0.36—
85
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%0.45—
86
ALLThe Allstate Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.0%26.2%0.73−41.4%+356%0.07—
87
BSVVanguard Short-Term Bond ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+1.7%2.8%0.63−8.5%+20.5%0.320.03%
88
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.22—
89
ABTAbbott Laboratories · Medical Devices
Whole market−1.7%23.1%0.04−39.6%+204%0.32—
90
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%22.4%0.67−34.5%+451%0.510.04%
91
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Whole market+14.4%22.1%0.72−42.7%+481%0.60—
92
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.600.26%
93
SPGIS&P Global Inc. · Financial Data
Whole market+0.7%25.6%0.16−39.8%+293%0.40—
94
AJGArthur J. Gallagher & Co. · Insurance
Whole market+10.9%24.2%0.55−44.4%+516%0.21—
95
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.2%19.2%0.46−29.0%+68.8%0.40—
96
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+5.4%21.8%0.35−34.3%+240%0.37—
97
VXFVanguard Extended Market ETF · US Extended Market
Whole market+4.9%22.4%0.33−41.7%+194%0.570.05%
98
ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+6.7%21.4%0.41−37.9%+208%0.53—
99
ECLEcolab Inc. · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+6.7%24.1%0.39−43.7%+176%0.48—
100
MRSHMarsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+4.4%20.9%0.31−35.8%+245%0.41—

UPS against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%55.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityUPS: −8.6% a year, volatility 28.9%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%EXPD: 12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%NSC: 5.3% a year, volatility 24.8%CNI: 0.6% a year, volatility 21.9%STAG: 0.6% a year, volatility 23.5%GXO: −10.9% a year, volatility 42.2%DSGX: 1.8% a year, volatility 31.8%XPO: 30.5% a year, volatility 47.0%ODFL: 4.3% a year, volatility 36.9%ARCB: 9.3% a year, volatility 49.5%AMZN: 9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%KNX: 4.3% a year, volatility 33.9%FDX: 12.0% a year, volatility 32.8%SNDR: 6.2% a year, volatility 31.5%JBHT: 4.0% a year, volatility 32.8%TFII: 1.0% a year, volatility 37.7%SAIA: 4.6% a year, volatility 51.8%CHRW: 9.9% a year, volatility 34.4%WERN: −6.9% a year, volatility 31.7%HUBG: −6.3% a year, volatility 35.9%UPSSPY (S&P 500)EXPDNSCCNISTAGGXODSGXXPOODFLARCBAMZNKNXFDXSNDRJBHTTFIISAIACHRWWERNHUBG10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityUPS: −8.6% a year, volatility 28.9%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%EXPD: 12.0% a year, volatility 27.1%NSC: 5.3% a year, volatility 24.8%CNI: 0.6% a year, volatility 21.9%STAG: 0.6% a year, volatility 23.5%GXO: −10.9% a year, volatility 42.2%DSGX: 1.8% a year, volatility 31.8%XPO: 30.5% a year, volatility 47.0%ODFL: 4.3% a year, volatility 36.9%ARCB: 9.3% a year, volatility 49.5%AMZN: 9.0% a year, volatility 36.6%KNX: 4.3% a year, volatility 33.9%FDX: 12.0% a year, volatility 32.8%SNDR: 6.2% a year, volatility 31.5%JBHT: 4.0% a year, volatility 32.8%TFII: 1.0% a year, volatility 37.7%SAIA: 4.6% a year, volatility 51.8%CHRW: 9.9% a year, volatility 34.4%WERN: −6.9% a year, volatility 31.7%HUBG: −6.3% a year, volatility 35.9%UPSSPY (S&P 500)NSCCNISTAGGXODSGXXPOODFLARCBAMZNFDXSNDRTFIISAIACHRWHUBG
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
XPO XPO Logistics, Inc.+30.5%47.0%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
EXPD Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.+12.0%27.1%
FDX FedEx Corporation+12.0%32.8%
CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.+9.9%34.4%
ARCB ArcBest Corp+9.3%49.5%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.+9.0%36.6%
SNDR Schneider National, Inc.+6.2%31.5%
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation+5.3%24.8%
SAIA Saia, Inc.+4.6%51.8%
ODFL Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.+4.3%36.9%
KNX Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.+4.3%33.9%
JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.+4.0%32.8%
DSGX The Descartes Systems Group Inc.+1.8%31.8%
TFII TFI International Inc.+1.0%37.7%
CNI Canadian National Railway Company+0.6%21.9%
STAG STAG Industrial, Inc.+0.6%23.5%
HUBG Hub Group, Inc.−6.3%35.9%
WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc.−6.9%31.7%
UPS This pageUnited Parcel Service, Inc.−8.6%28.9%
GXO GXO Logistics, Inc.−10.9%42.2%
Open these 21 in EasyCompare

Has UPS consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than UPS 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
UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. (this page)—+4.0%−11.5%−5.0%+2.2%+20.8%−23.0%−36.1%+35.4%28.9%-0.17−57.9%—$74B—
EXPD QualifiedExpeditors International of Washington, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+3.3%+11.9%+33.6%+31.3%+66.5%+78.4%+76.6%+349%27.1%0.56−35.6%—$26B—
NSC QualifiedNorfolk Southern Corporation4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+5.3%−2.4%+7.9%+14.6%+13.8%+72.0%+29.5%+328%24.8%0.33−44.4%—$73B—
DSGX QualifiedThe Descartes Systems Group Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+13.7%+22.5%+17.3%+6.0%−5.9%+24.5%+9.2%+324%31.8%0.21−48.7%—$7.7B—
CNI QualifiedCanadian National Railway Company4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+3.2%−3.8%+10.2%+23.0%+30.2%+21.9%+3.1%+124%21.9%0.14−29.1%—$73B—
XPO QualifiedXPO Logistics, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+7.1%−11.3%−18.2%+34.6%+39.6%+159%+278%+1,467%47.0%0.80−64.5%—$22B—
ODFL QualifiedOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+7.4%−18.6%−15.5%+18.8%+34.7%−2.5%+23.4%+747%36.9%0.30−45.2%—$39B—
ARCB QualifiedArcBest Corp3/5 short3/3 long+0.2%−17.8%+9.3%+69.0%+73.5%+39.6%+56.1%+633%49.5%0.43−67.8%—$2.9B—
AMZN QualifiedAmazon.com, Inc.3/5 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—
KNX QualifiedKnight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−5.1%−16.1%−3.0%+22.2%+34.6%+28.2%+23.3%+156%33.9%0.29−51.6%—$10B—
FDX QualifiedFedEx Corporation3/5 short3/3 long+1.0%−2.1%−5.4%+27.6%+56.7%+63.1%+76.6%+156%32.8%0.52−66.0%—$71B—
SNDR QualifiedSchneider National, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long−4.5%−17.4%+3.4%+15.5%+32.6%+20.9%+35.1%—31.5%0.35−44.0%—$5.4B—
JBHT Integrated Freight & LogisticsJ.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−4.1%−22.0%−9.7%+15.7%+37.9%+32.2%+21.6%+220%32.8%0.28−42.4%—$21B—
TFII TruckingTFI International Inc.1/5 short3/3 long−10.9%−26.1%−17.4%+5.8%+17.6%−1.6%+5.2%+537%37.7%0.22−53.8%—$9.2B—
SAIA TruckingSaia, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−4.1%−22.0%−25.2%−1.0%+7.5%−12.9%+25.2%+1,050%51.8%0.35−60.9%—$8.9B—
CHRW Integrated Freight & LogisticsC.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−8.0%−31.4%−23.0%−13.2%+12.0%+76.2%+60.0%+157%34.4%0.45−40.6%—$16B—
STAG REIT - IndustrialSTAG Industrial, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−1.4%−11.6%−6.4%+2.3%−1.7%+27.0%+2.9%+145%23.5%0.14−45.1%—$7.1B—
WERN TruckingWerner Enterprises, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−14.6%−35.4%−10.4%−1.1%+7.2%−17.2%−29.9%+66.8%31.7%-0.07−51.1%—$1.8B—
HUBG Integrated Freight & LogisticsHub Group, Inc.0/5 short2/3 long−17.7%−48.0%−39.7%−38.4%−28.8%−29.8%−27.6%+38.4%35.9%0.00−50.6%—$1.6B—
RXO TruckingRXO, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+45.4%−0.7%+46.6%+123%+58.0%+52.3%————−67.2%—$4.7B—
GXO Integrated Freight & LogisticsGXO Logistics, Inc.2/5 short1/3 long+5.9%−8.9%−18.8%−11.4%−12.3%−8.0%−43.8%—42.2%-0.06−69.6%—$5.5B—
Open these 21 in EasyCompare

How did UPS do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2000, along with where UPS ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with UPS 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 UPS; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places UPS among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of UPS20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000
UPS This pageUnited Parcel Service, Inc.—−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%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 1 of 2616 of 2118 of 2121 of 2111 of 2012 of 198 of 1913 of 1911 of 1917 of 1813 of 184 of 1815 of 188 of 1811 of 188 of 178 of 1714 of 1711 of 1710 of 1710 of 1714 of 1613 of 1612 of 155 of 1411 of 1411 of 14
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF15 of 26+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%
EXPD Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.14 of 26+36.2%−11.9%+23.8%−21.7%+42.5%+23.5%+16.2%+6.5%+22.9%+19.3%+2.6%+2.2%+13.5%−2.0%−24.1%+58.5%+5.7%−24.9%+11.0%+20.6%+21.4%+49.0%+15.9%+15.1%+6.5%+22.9%
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation18 of 26+25.7%+1.6%−1.6%−15.6%+27.3%+24.8%+32.4%+5.2%+36.8%+31.5%−20.3%+20.8%+54.2%−12.7%+18.8%+22.8%+15.2%−4.8%+2.2%+13.8%+25.6%+55.3%+20.2%+10.4%+39.5%−31.8%
DSGX The Descartes Systems Group Inc.14 of 26−22.8%+35.1%+20.7%−15.8%+41.4%+36.9%+61.5%−6.8%+32.7%+6.6%+35.5%+10.7%+44.0%+29.9%+1.7%+18.7%+98.3%−28.8%+13.8%+17.5%+57.0%−29.1%−9.0%−58.4%−69.0%+11.6%
CNI Canadian National Railway Company16 of 26−0.1%−17.5%+7.8%−1.4%+13.7%+23.6%+24.3%−8.6%+24.4%+22.8%−17.6%+22.6%+27.3%+17.9%+20.3%+24.4%+51.4%−20.1%+10.9%+9.2%+32.6%+47.4%+55.3%−12.3%+65.5%+14.8%
XPO XPO Logistics, Inc.14 of 22+3.6%+49.7%+163%−27.7%+11.6%+49.5%+39.7%−37.7%+112%+58.4%−33.4%+55.5%+51.2%+40.8%+20.6%+100%+11.3%−6.5%−3.4%+441%−54.6%+8.8%————
ODFL Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.21 of 26−10.5%−12.5%+43.5%−20.5%+84.2%+54.8%+54.3%−5.8%+53.9%+45.3%−23.9%+46.5%+54.6%+26.9%+26.6%+56.2%+7.9%+23.5%−4.4%−10.5%+16.1%+53.7%+78.3%+125%+33.5%−11.6%
ARCB ArcBest Corp14 of 26−20.0%−22.1%+72.4%−41.3%+182%+56.5%−18.6%−3.4%+30.9%+31.5%−53.5%+38.3%+256%−50.0%−29.4%−6.3%+0.1%+39.8%−38.0%−16.4%−1.2%+44.9%+22.5%−9.8%+57.4%+52.5%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.15 of 26+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%
KNX Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.16 of 26+0.1%−6.9%+11.1%−13.2%+46.8%+17.6%+44.0%−42.3%+33.4%+38.0%−27.3%+85.4%+27.2%−5.1%−16.4%−0.3%+21.1%+9.7%−12.5%−17.3%+25.9%+45.1%+22.1%+11.8%+120%+12.1%
FDX FedEx Corporation16 of 26+5.1%+13.5%+49.1%−31.6%+0.7%+74.3%−4.8%−34.7%+35.2%+26.1%−13.7%+21.4%+57.6%+10.5%−9.7%+12.1%+31.1%−27.7%−17.6%+5.4%+5.3%+46.4%+24.9%+4.8%+61.0%−2.4%
SNDR Schneider National, Inc.5 of 8−8.0%+16.8%+10.2%−11.8%+31.5%+4.9%+18.2%−34.0%——————————————————
JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.20 of 26+15.2%−13.8%+15.6%−13.9%+50.6%+18.1%+26.8%−18.4%+19.6%+33.8%−12.0%+10.1%+30.2%+34.2%+11.8%+28.2%+24.8%−3.4%+34.4%−6.9%+2.1%+66.5%+84.3%+26.4%+38.0%+21.6%
TFII TFI International Inc.13 of 20−21.9%+0.5%+37.2%−9.5%+120%+56.2%+33.5%+6.7%−2.3%+55.8%−30.8%+10.7%+21.1%+59.6%+5.2%+65.0%+150%−61.4%−19.5%−21.7%——————
SAIA Saia, Inc.16 of 23−28.3%+4.0%+109%−37.8%+86.4%+94.2%+66.8%−21.1%+60.3%+98.4%−59.8%+72.7%+108%+85.2%−24.8%+11.9%+36.5%−18.4%−42.7%+9.2%−9.0%+32.9%+77.3%———
CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.16 of 26+59.0%+22.9%−3.1%−13.1%+17.2%+23.0%−4.7%−3.6%+24.6%+21.0%−15.1%+31.3%−5.4%−7.4%−11.5%+39.4%+8.8%+3.5%+34.3%+11.8%+34.9%+48.0%+22.6%+8.7%−7.2%+59.2%
STAG STAG Industrial, Inc.10 of 14+13.3%−10.3%+26.6%−29.6%+59.1%+4.1%+33.2%−3.8%+20.6%+38.3%−19.6%+27.0%+20.2%+68.2%————————————
WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc.14 of 26−14.9%−14.2%+6.6%−14.4%+22.7%+9.0%+39.6%−22.8%+44.6%+16.4%−24.3%+27.1%+15.2%−3.0%+10.0%+24.3%+23.3%+15.5%−1.6%−10.5%−12.3%+16.9%+13.8%+18.6%+43.7%+21.7%
HUBG Hub Group, Inc.15 of 26−3.1%−2.0%+15.7%−5.7%+47.8%+11.1%+38.4%−22.6%+9.5%+32.7%−13.4%−4.5%+18.7%+3.6%−7.8%+31.2%+0.9%−0.1%−3.6%+55.9%+35.3%+143%+349%−54.4%+16.5%−54.8%
RXO RXO, Inc.2 of 3−47.0%+2.5%+35.2%———————————————————————
GXO GXO Logistics, Inc.2 of 4+21.0%−28.9%+43.3%−53.0%——————————————————————
Open these 22 in EasyCompare

Risk and diversification

How UPS 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 UPS's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents UPS's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1999, 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 UPS fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringUPS fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2022 bear market−57.9%+51.7%Feb 2022Sep 20253.6 yearsNot yet—
2008 financial crisis−51.7%−38.0%Dec 2004Mar 20094.3 yearsFeb 201123 months
Dot-com bust−34.2%−25.0%Nov 1999Sep 200122 monthsOct 20032.1 years
Late-2018 sell-off−30.8%−14.1%Jan 2018Dec 201811 monthsJul 202019 months
2015 China and oil sell-off−20.1%−8.1%Jan 2015Jan 201612 monthsJul 20166 months

How did UPS do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far UPS, 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 UPS.

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
UPS This pageUnited Parcel Service, Inc.—−1.5%−29.8%−18.5%−23.7%−8.7%−16.4%−16.4%−1.6%−47.9%−26.5%
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%
EXPD Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.3 of 10−3.1%−32.9%−27.9%−17.9%−5.1%−17.7%−22.3%−1.0%−54.4%−33.7%
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation2 of 10−4.0%−28.4%−43.6%−23.8%−5.6%−31.7%−21.1%−2.1%−62.9%−39.9%
DSGX The Descartes Systems Group Inc.2 of 10−2.4%−27.9%−37.0%−28.0%−8.4%−24.7%−19.9%0.0%−55.6%−97.7%
CNI Canadian National Railway Company5 of 10−1.3%−21.0%−27.3%−22.1%−5.1%−23.9%−19.3%−0.5%−46.7%−30.6%
XPO XPO Logistics, Inc.0 of 9−9.2%−46.0%−59.0%−61.2%−9.4%−52.2%−58.3%−3.4%−52.8%—
ODFL Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.0 of 10−6.0%−34.5%−28.6%−28.4%−10.3%−31.0%−26.2%−3.6%−50.7%−33.3%
ARCB ArcBest Corp0 of 10−8.0%−42.0%−33.2%−33.6%−10.9%−47.3%−41.6%−3.8%−63.6%−40.2%
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%
KNX Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.3 of 10−8.7%−28.3%−27.9%−31.8%−2.8%−25.1%−21.6%−2.0%−40.8%−36.7%
FDX FedEx Corporation1 of 10−5.3%−45.3%−44.9%−38.1%−8.0%−27.0%−29.7%−3.3%−67.8%−30.0%
SNDR Schneider National, Inc.1 of 5−6.0%−24.8%−24.0%−29.9%−8.4%—————
JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.2 of 10−5.5%−28.8%−31.5%−26.6%−3.0%−18.8%−24.8%−2.4%−53.1%−50.9%
TFII TFI International Inc.1 of 9−5.7%−34.4%−52.5%−32.9%−4.1%−30.9%−39.4%−2.5%−81.3%—
SAIA Saia, Inc.0 of 9−6.6%−46.3%−36.9%−32.7%−9.2%−54.5%−43.1%−1.7%−64.5%—
CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.4 of 10−2.0%−20.9%−19.1%−18.8%−3.5%−16.9%−22.5%−2.2%−42.3%−29.3%
STAG STAG Industrial, Inc.1 of 7−6.2%−40.1%−43.6%−15.6%−8.6%−26.9%−22.3%———
WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc.3 of 10−6.2%−23.6%−23.6%−18.5%−9.1%−25.6%−18.9%−2.1%−46.1%−45.1%
HUBG Hub Group, Inc.1 of 10−6.3%−28.8%−33.1%−28.9%−8.6%−32.1%−31.1%−4.8%−62.1%−74.9%
RXO RXO, Inc.0 of 1−5.1%—————————
GXO GXO Logistics, Inc.0 of 2−11.4%−62.5%————————
Open these 22 in EasyCompare

How closely does UPS 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 UPS 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 UPS's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
UPS This pageUnited Parcel Service, Inc.85%149%0.571.08
ODFL Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.127%107%1.191.10
DSGX The Descartes Systems Group Inc.86%79%1.090.86
SAIA Saia, Inc.169%162%1.041.73
XPO XPO Logistics, Inc.190%185%1.032.03
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.134%139%0.961.31
ARCB ArcBest Corp155%166%0.941.68
TFII TFI International Inc.150%159%0.941.58
EXPD Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.118%135%0.870.95
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation123%147%0.841.30
CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.87%106%0.830.84
JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.109%137%0.791.18
CNI Canadian National Railway Company80%105%0.770.89
STAG STAG Industrial, Inc.85%110%0.770.94
KNX Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.111%156%0.721.25
FDX FedEx Corporation116%166%0.701.29
WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc.99%151%0.661.06
HUBG Hub Group, Inc.100%167%0.601.13
Open these 18 in EasyCompare

What diversifies UPS?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202420232022201820152008200720052001200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. (this page)1.00−36.1%-0.17−15.9%−15.9%−6.0%−16.2%−15.5%−10.9%−19.8%−3.5%−10.5%−6.0%−13.8%27.4%−8.3%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.46+225%1.34+32.8%+29.8%+42.0%+6.0%−19.8%+7.7%−20.8%−7.4%———23.2%−1.6%
MLPX EnergyGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF0.43+135%0.97+4.9%+42.9%+15.8%+21.5%−15.5%−35.3%—————23.7%−2.6%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.49+323%0.97+49.2%+39.1%+73.4%−33.5%−9.1%−0.3%−44.7%+6.0%+10.8%−14.6%—26.0%+0.4%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.27+126%0.96+63.7%+26.7%+12.7%−0.8%−1.9%−10.7%+4.9%+30.4%+17.8%——23.1%−2.8%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.42+136%0.93+26.6%+45.8%+17.6%−10.4%−0.9%——————23.9%−2.3%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.31+177%0.93+7.9%+5.6%−0.6%+64.4%−18.2%−21.5%−39.0%+36.8%+40.1%−18.2%+24.4%24.0%−1.9%
EUFN InternationaliShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF0.44+133%0.89+65.8%+17.2%+26.1%−8.8%−23.1%−4.7%—————23.9%−2.5%
AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF0.34+111%0.89+5.8%+22.8%+21.4%+25.5%−12.6%−25.7%—————23.4%−2.8%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202420232022201820152008200720052001200080/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. (this page)1.00−36.1%-0.17−15.9%−15.9%−6.0%−16.2%−15.5%−10.9%−19.8%−3.5%−10.5%−6.0%−13.8%27.4%−8.3%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.34+479%1.55+76.3%+19.0%+34.1%+54.1%−24.5%+12.6%−39.6%−9.8%+18.7%−2.5%+108%24.2%+0.4%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.19+3,143%1.47+220%+215%+160%+1.3%−16.3%−6.0%−20.5%−25.7%−25.2%−25.6%−2.3%26.7%+11.5%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.33+1,636%1.46+121%+107%+79.6%+17.0%+0.8%+67.7%−15.2%+2.1%+20.1%+73.7%−71.1%26.3%+7.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.19+413%1.44+44.5%+23.7%+24.1%+51.8%−28.4%−4.5%−40.4%+29.7%+64.9%+4.9%+61.2%23.4%0.0%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.17+690%1.41+19.2%−4.0%+30.4%+86.6%−8.2%+17.4%—————23.8%+2.4%
Open these 14 in EasyCompare

Common questions

What was UPS's worst drawdown?

UPS's deepest decline since it began trading in 1999 was 57.9%, from February 2022 to September 2025. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.

What were UPS's best and worst years?

Over 26 full calendar years, UPS's best year was 2020, when it returned 48.6%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -19.8%.

Is there a better investment than UPS?

Among UPS's popular alternatives, NSC, EXPD and CNI earned more than UPS with less volatility over the past 5 years. NSC returned 5.3% a year at 24.8% volatility, against a loss of 8.6% a year at 28.9%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, UNP (railroads) and TRP (oil & gas midstream) earned more than UPS with less volatility over the past 5 years. UNP returned 7.1% a year at 22.9% volatility, against a loss of 8.6% a year at 28.9%.

Is UPS more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. UPS's volatility over the past 5 years was 28.9%, 1.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, UPS's return lands within 28.9% 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 UPS's Sharpe ratio?

UPS's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was -0.17, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so UPS 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 UPS with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, UPS's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.61 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 UPS instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a UPS holding.

What are the best alternatives to UPS?

Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, 11 outperformed UPS in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: EXPD, NSC and DSGX.

Did UPS outperform the S&P 500?

UPS finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 11 of 26 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -15.9%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did UPS do in stock market crashes?

UPS fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in five of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when UPS fell 26.5% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies UPS?

These had a low correlation with UPS over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.46), MLPX (correlation 0.43) and SMH (correlation 0.49); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.34), CLS (correlation 0.19) and FIX (correlation 0.33). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to UPS

Other stocks and ETFs