Relative Intelligence · Metals & Mining
How VALE compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on VALE alone. It places VALE (Vale S.A.) 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 VALE stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: VALE's full trading record, from March 2002 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowOver the past 6 months, VALE fell 24.9% while the S&P 500 rose 9.1%. The slide is VALE's own: it is 24.9% below its high, against 1.3% for the S&P 500. At a glance ↓
- Stock or market?The weakness is VALE's own: it fell 5.5% over the past 3 months while the metals & mining ETF PICK (iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF) rose 3.4%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Its metals & mining peers did not move as one over the past 3 months: SCCO (Southern Copper) rose 17.6%, while UUUU (Energy Fuels) fell 30.1%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsVALE has outpaced the market, rising 23.6% over the past year against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. By year ↓
- Long termOver 5 years VALE trailed the index: 42.6% against 81.7%. On the flip side, VALE turned $10,000 into $43,400 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashAcross six sell-offs, VALE has typically fallen about twice as far as the S&P 500. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationAgainst the S&P 500, VALE has a correlation of 0.20 over 5 years, less closely than 86% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Next to an index fund it is a real diversifier. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- BHP (BHP Group) and RIO (Rio Tinto Group) earned more than VALE with less volatility over the past 5 years. BHP returned 16.6% a year at 31.4% volatility, against 7.4% a year at 35.0%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- RS (Reliance Steel & Aluminum, metals & mining) and RTX (aerospace & defense) earned more than VALE with less volatility over the past 5 years. RS returned 24.8% a year at 28.1% volatility, against 7.4% a year at 35.0%.
- Whole market
- 874 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than VALE with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them AAPL (Apple), GOOG (Alphabet) and MSFT (Microsoft).
How much would $10,000 in VALE have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in VALE over the past 24 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of VALE over the same span and VALE's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
- $10,000 invested in VALE at the end of September 2002 would have grown to $227,488 by September 2026, more than the $144,215 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Six of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of VALE, and SCCO finished highest, at $3,061,539.
Choose a period
From the end of September 2002 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 326 of the 1,370 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of VALE; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- SCCO$3M+30,515% total · +26.9% a year
- NUE$469,426+4,594% total · +17.4% a year
- TECK$333,942+3,239% total · +15.7% a year
- TGB$318,217+3,082% total · +15.5% a year
- BHP$301,925+2,919% total · +15.3% a year
- GGB$254,078+2,441% total · +14.4% a year
- VALE$227,488+2,175% total · +13.9% a year
- RIO$221,060+2,111% total · +13.8% a year
- FCX$180,496+1,705% total · +12.8% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$144,215+1,342% total · +11.8% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,626 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of VALE; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- TGB$47,141+371% total · +36.4% a year
- SCCO$47,048+370% total · +36.3% a year
- HBM$43,240+332% total · +34.0% a year
- TECK$28,309+183% total · +23.1% a year
- NUE$25,527+155% total · +20.6% a year
- BHP$24,178+142% total · +19.3% a year
- FCX$23,053+131% total · +18.2% a year
- RIO$19,377+93.8% total · +14.1% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- VALE$14,576+45.8% total · +7.8% a year
VALE 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.
- VALE is still 24.9% below its all-time high.
- VALE's deepest decline since it began trading in 2002 was 93.2%, from May 2008 to January 2016. It took about ten years from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 23 full calendar years, VALE's best was 2009, when it returned 145%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 61.8%. It lost money in seven of those years.
The company
- Market value
- $55B
- Industry
- Industrial Materials
- Price history from
- March 2002
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +23.6%total return
- Past 3 years
- +37.8%+11.3% a year
- Past 5 years
- +42.6%+7.4% a year
- Past 10 years
- +334%+15.8% a year
- Best calendar year
- +145%2009
- Worst calendar year
- −61.8%2008
- Losing years
- 7 of 23full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 35.0%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.38return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −93.2%May 2008 to Jan 2016
- From its all-time high
- −24.9%below the peak
VALE against the whole market
Where VALE ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does VALE rank among all stocks?
This section ranks VALE 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 VALE stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- VALE's 10-year return ranks in the top 23% of the 2,202 stocks worth at least $300 million with 10 years of history.
Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | VALE | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +23.6% | 1,149 of 3,287 | top 35% |
| 3-year return | +37.8% | 1,733 of 3,017 | bottom 44% |
| 5-year return | +42.6% | 1,175 of 2,893 | top 41% |
| 10-year return | +334% | 513 of 2,202 | top 23% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 35.0% | 1,135 of 2,893 | top 39% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.38 | 1,294 of 2,893 | top 45% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −57.6% | 791 of 2,187 | top 36% |
What has beaten VALE 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). VALE sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than VALE 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.
- 420 stocks and 454 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than VALE over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 24% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half VALE's swings, CAH has the best return for its risk: 42.1% a year at 24.7% volatility, 29% less than VALE's 35.0%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.55 against 0.38 for VALE. HWM earned the most, 47.3% a year, while still swinging less than VALE (32.5% against 35.0%).
- Among VALE's popular alternatives, BHP and RIO are in the region. BHP earned 16.6% a year against 7.4% a year for VALE, at 31.4% volatility, 10% less than VALE's 35.0%.
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 VALE; faint dots are 90 more of the 874 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
Is there a better investment than VALE?
Investments that beat VALE over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among VALE's popular alternatives, BHP and RIO earned more than VALE with less volatility over the past 5 years. BHP returned 16.6% a year at 31.4% volatility, against 7.4% a year at 35.0%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, RS (metals & mining) and RTX (aerospace & defense) earned more than VALE with less volatility over the past 5 years. RS returned 24.8% a year at 28.1% volatility, against 7.4% a year at 35.0%.
- Across the whole market, 874 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than VALE with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them AAPL, GOOG and MSFT.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat VALE 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 VALE'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 VALE 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 VALE'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× VALE's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than VALE's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with VALE?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| VALEVale S.A. · this page | +7.4% | 35.0% | 0.38 | −57.6% | +334% | 1.00 | — | ||
 SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500 | +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.20 | 0.09% | ||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against VALE. 10 of 19 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 BHPBHP Group Limited · Metals & Mining | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +16.6% | 31.4% | 0.65 | −44.3% | +398% | 0.81 | — | |
 RIORio Tinto Group · Metals & Mining | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +12.2% | 29.0% | 0.54 | −37.5% | +464% | 0.89 | — | |
 NUENucor Corporation · Metals & Mining | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +21.7% | 37.4% | 0.72 | −57.2% | +569% | 0.32 | — | |
 SCCOSouthern Copper Corporation · Metals & Mining | Higher return in most periods | +32.0% | 40.7% | 0.89 | −55.3% | +1,017% | 0.67 | — | |
 FCXFreeport-McMoRan Inc. · Metals & Mining | Higher return in most periods | +13.7% | 44.9% | 0.51 | −72.6% | +650% | 0.64 | — | |
TECKTeck Resources Limited · Metals & Mining | Higher return in most periods | +19.2% | 45.3% | 0.61 | −79.6% | +259% | 0.52 | — | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Metals & Mining and the categories next to it (Gold Mining, Aerospace & Defense, Silver, Gold), plus VALE's specific themes. 51 of 80 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +24.8% | 28.1% | 0.93 | −40.8% | +626% | 0.29 | — | |
 RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +18.6% | 24.3% | 0.83 | −52.0% | +317% | 0.23 | — | |
 GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +213% | 0.53 | 0.40% | |
ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +39.8% | 34.6% | 1.15 | −35.4% | +765% | 0.17 | — | |
 FNVFranco-Nevada Corporation · Gold Mining | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.5% | 31.3% | 0.53 | −37.1% | +303% | 0.39 | — | |
 NOCNorthrop Grumman Corporation · Aerospace & Defense | Similar return, lower volatility | +7.6% | 26.1% | 0.41 | −37.8% | +188% | 0.32 | — | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,406 of 3,535 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.36 | — | |
 GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +19.0% | 32.0% | 0.71 | −44.6% | +752% | 0.15 | — | |
 MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +12.5% | 28.2% | 0.56 | −37.1% | +946% | -0.06 | — | |
 LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | -0.04 | — | |
 WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | -0.01 | — | |
 SPYMState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −33.9% | +324% | 0.20 | 0.02% | |
 ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +19.5% | 34.1% | 0.69 | −33.6% | +652% | 0.33 | — | |
 VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity | Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +8.2% | 16.4% | 0.57 | −36.0% | +140% | 0.52 | 0.05% | |
What these numbers mean for VALE
- Annual return
- VALE returned 7.4% 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 $14,300. 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
- VALE's volatility over the past 5 years was 35.0%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, VALE's return lands within 35.0% 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
- VALE's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.38, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so VALE 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
- VALE's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 57.6%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 57.6% fall takes a 136% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, VALE's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.20 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against VALE instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a VALE holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 874 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than VALE with less volatility
Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with VALE | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.36 | — |
| 2 | GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services | Whole market | +19.0% | 32.0% | 0.71 | −44.6% | +752% | 0.15 | — |
| 3 | MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software | Whole market | +12.5% | 28.2% | 0.56 | −37.1% | +946% | -0.06 | — |
| 4 | LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | -0.04 | — |
| 5 | WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail | Whole market | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | -0.01 | — |
| 6 |  ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.25 | — |
| 7 |  VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing | Whole market | +12.8% | 22.9% | 0.64 | −36.4% | +429% | 0.12 | — |
| 8 |  CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment | Whole market | +16.8% | 26.1% | 0.73 | −42.0% | +374% | 0.11 | — |
| 9 |  MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks | Whole market | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +345% | 0.32 | — |
| 10 | SPYMState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −33.9% | +324% | 0.20 | 0.02% |
| 11 |  LINLinde plc · Chemicals | Whole market | +11.5% | 20.9% | 0.63 | −32.6% | +394% | 0.27 | — |
| 12 |  DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +14.4% | 29.9% | 0.60 | −37.9% | +755% | 0.27 | — |
| 13 |  TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +22.4% | 22.3% | 1.02 | −46.3% | +347% | 0.19 | — |
| 14 |  TTTrane Technologies plc · Building Products | Whole market | +22.7% | 27.7% | 0.88 | −40.5% | +955% | 0.12 | — |
| 15 |  RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | -0.04 | — |
| 16 |  CMICummins Inc. · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +19.9% | 29.0% | 0.77 | −44.0% | +444% | 0.20 | — |
| 17 |  ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail | Whole market | +15.9% | 23.4% | 0.75 | −42.0% | +393% | 0.00 | — |
| 18 |  MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment | Whole market | +14.8% | 23.6% | 0.71 | −32.8% | +625% | 0.14 | — |
| 19 |  WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +9.3% | 19.2% | 0.56 | −30.1% | +344% | 0.02 | — |
| 20 |  FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution | Whole market | +15.8% | 24.6% | 0.72 | −30.7% | +576% | 0.06 | — |
| 21 |  AJGArthur J. Gallagher & Co. · Insurance | Whole market | +10.9% | 24.2% | 0.55 | −44.4% | +516% | -0.05 | — |
| 22 |  CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution | Whole market | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | 0.16 | — |
| 23 | CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +21.5% | 25.1% | 0.91 | −43.2% | +463% | 0.13 | — |
| 24 |  AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware | Whole market | +18.5% | 28.0% | 0.75 | −38.5% | +1,168% | 0.01 | — |
| 25 | EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics | Whole market | +12.0% | 27.1% | 0.56 | −35.6% | +349% | 0.32 | — |
| 26 |  VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market | Whole market | +11.5% | 17.5% | 0.71 | −35.0% | +302% | 0.20 | 0.03% |
| 27 | EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +20.4% | 24.2% | 0.89 | −38.9% | +468% | 0.33 | 0.59% |
| 28 | MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +26.1% | 31.2% | 0.90 | −35.5% | +706% | -0.15 | — |
| 29 | IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +15.7% | 17.2% | 0.94 | −31.4% | +361% | 0.21 | 0.40% |
| 30 | XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +13.8% | 18.9% | 0.78 | −30.5% | +379% | 0.09 | 0.20% |
| 31 |  BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.21 | — |
| 32 | NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities | Whole market | +32.0% | 28.5% | 1.12 | −35.3% | +394% | 0.13 | — |
| 33 |  JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks | Whole market | +17.3% | 24.3% | 0.78 | −43.6% | +537% | 0.11 | — |
| 34 | RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining | Same or nearby category | +24.8% | 28.1% | 0.93 | −40.8% | +626% | 0.29 | — |
| 35 | BHPBHP Group Limited · Metals & Mining | Popular alternative | +16.6% | 31.4% | 0.65 | −44.3% | +398% | 0.81 | — |
| 36 | TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity | Whole market | +16.2% | 21.3% | 0.81 | −32.0% | +388% | 0.24 | 0.50% |
| 37 |  JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +12.7% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | +196% | 0.27 | — |
| 38 | RIORio Tinto Group · Metals & Mining | Popular alternative | +12.2% | 29.0% | 0.54 | −37.5% | +464% | 0.89 | — |
| 39 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.21 | 0.48% |
| 40 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.44 | 0.40% |
| 41 |  KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.28 | — |
| 42 |  CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +31.1% | 31.9% | 1.01 | −43.4% | +936% | 0.26 | — |
| 43 |  COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail | Whole market | +17.4% | 22.9% | 0.82 | −31.4% | +685% | 0.09 | — |
| 44 | NICNicolet Bankshares, Inc. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +19.0% | 30.1% | 0.73 | −44.3% | +344% | 0.21 | — |
| 45 |  QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth | Whole market | +14.5% | 23.0% | 0.71 | −35.1% | +553% | 0.08 | 0.18% |
| 46 |  MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing | Whole market | +12.4% | 23.8% | 0.61 | −41.0% | +541% | 0.10 | — |
| 47 |  PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco | Whole market | +21.0% | 23.4% | 0.94 | −42.9% | +242% | 0.25 | — |
| 48 |  MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | 0.04 | — |
| 49 |  MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +16.3% | 24.8% | 0.74 | −43.4% | +241% | 0.07 | — |
| 50 |  NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +17.1% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | +226% | 0.44 | — |
| 51 |  APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components | Whole market | +33.8% | 32.2% | 1.07 | −37.5% | +965% | 0.07 | — |
| 52 |  VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +12.1% | 13.7% | 0.90 | −36.8% | +235% | 0.37 | 0.03% |
| 53 |  AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology | Whole market | +19.6% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | +266% | 0.27 | — |
| 54 |  GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology | Whole market | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +200% | 0.20 | — |
| 55 | MGRCMcGrath RentCorp · Rental & Leasing Services | Whole market | +10.0% | 26.2% | 0.50 | −44.0% | +357% | 0.05 | — |
| 56 |  VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity | Whole market | +9.3% | 16.9% | 0.61 | −35.8% | +153% | 0.49 | 0.03% |
| 57 |  TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +310% | 0.44 | — |
| 58 | BFCBank First Corporation · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +19.0% | 27.3% | 0.78 | −39.8% | +496% | 0.08 | — |
| 59 |  IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation · IT Services | Whole market | +16.6% | 30.5% | 0.66 | −41.1% | +151% | 0.13 | — |
| 60 |  VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity | Whole market | +18.4% | 26.0% | 0.78 | −35.1% | +779% | 0.03 | 0.09% |
| 61 |  SAPSAP SE · Enterprise Software | Whole market | +11.5% | 30.0% | 0.52 | −52.5% | +205% | 0.04 | — |
| 62 |  SMFGSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. · Banks | Whole market | +33.7% | 29.4% | 1.14 | −47.6% | +474% | 0.26 | — |
| 63 |  PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +21.3% | 25.6% | 0.89 | −30.3% | +816% | 0.03 | — |
| 64 |  CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +15.7% | 20.4% | 0.82 | −42.6% | +248% | 0.27 | — |
| 65 |  VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Biotechnology | Whole market | +22.6% | 29.1% | 0.85 | −41.6% | +521% | 0.13 | — |
| 66 | EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.5% | 14.5% | 0.94 | −34.2% | +387% | 0.35 | 0.19% |
| 67 |  ETNEaton Corporation plc · Electrical Equipment | Whole market | +20.4% | 32.1% | 0.74 | −44.5% | +657% | 0.02 | — |
| 68 |  BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks | Whole market | +22.7% | 24.4% | 0.97 | −50.5% | +341% | 0.23 | — |
| 69 |  CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks | Whole market | +19.2% | 21.6% | 0.93 | −47.3% | +395% | 0.31 | — |
| 70 |  VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +10.4% | 14.1% | 0.78 | −31.7% | +258% | 0.25 | 0.04% |
| 71 |  CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution | Whole market | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.33 | — |
| 72 |  SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +9.7% | 14.3% | 0.72 | −33.4% | +252% | 0.43 | 0.06% |
| 73 |  BMOBank of Montreal · Banks | Whole market | +13.6% | 21.4% | 0.71 | −51.0% | +295% | 0.37 | — |
| 74 |  TAT&T Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications | Whole market | +9.8% | 25.2% | 0.50 | −39.4% | +60.7% | 0.20 | — |
| 75 |  GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution | Whole market | +26.3% | 24.9% | 1.07 | −41.6% | +654% | -0.02 | — |
| 76 |  BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks | Whole market | +12.9% | 19.9% | 0.71 | −46.9% | +187% | 0.39 | — |
| 77 |  HLTHilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. · Hotels & Resorts | Whole market | +21.0% | 26.8% | 0.85 | −50.8% | +694% | 0.19 | — |
| 78 |  MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +17.2% | 24.9% | 0.77 | −30.4% | +285% | 0.19 | — |
| 79 | NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology | Whole market | +16.2% | 19.1% | 0.89 | −33.6% | +330% | 0.33 | 0.70% |
| 80 |  VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +10.3% | 16.2% | 0.69 | −34.2% | +223% | 0.34 | 0.06% |
| 81 |  SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +11.3% | 18.8% | 0.67 | −38.4% | +170% | 0.22 | — |
| 82 |  CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services | Whole market | +16.5% | 23.1% | 0.78 | −48.4% | +808% | 0.09 | — |
| 83 | RCBCRiver City Bank · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +14.6% | 27.2% | 0.64 | −45.5% | +345% | 0.05 | — |
| 84 |  CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +11.2% | 20.8% | 0.62 | −37.4% | +319% | 0.18 | — |
| 85 |  JCIJohnson Controls International plc · Building Products | Whole market | +17.4% | 29.1% | 0.70 | −46.4% | +426% | 0.18 | — |
| 86 | PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +10.5% | 8.6% | 1.20 | −18.2% | — | 0.18 | 0.79% |
| 87 |  ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. · Specialty Retail | Whole market | +18.1% | 29.5% | 0.71 | −51.4% | +312% | 0.14 | — |
| 88 |  EMREmerson Electric Co. · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +12.7% | 27.7% | 0.57 | −50.8% | +309% | 0.21 | — |
| 89 |  GSKGSK plc · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +9.5% | 24.5% | 0.49 | −37.6% | +95.1% | 0.20 | — |
| 90 |  NGGNational Grid plc · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +11.8% | 22.6% | 0.61 | −39.2% | +118% | 0.42 | — |
| 91 | FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset | Whole market | +11.1% | 10.5% | 1.05 | −13.6% | — | 0.24 | 0.85% |
| 92 |  CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +19.7% | 23.2% | 0.90 | −48.8% | +292% | 0.12 | — |
| 93 |  AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +12.4% | 20.2% | 0.68 | −32.9% | +185% | 0.38 | — |
| 94 |  ALLThe Allstate Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +17.0% | 26.2% | 0.73 | −41.4% | +356% | 0.23 | — |
| 95 | ITICInvestors Title Company · Insurance - Specialty | Whole market | +13.9% | 33.2% | 0.56 | −43.8% | +399% | 0.12 | — |
| 96 |  AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments | Whole market | +14.4% | 22.1% | 0.72 | −42.7% | +481% | 0.19 | — |
| 97 |  RACEFerrari N.V. · Automobiles | Whole market | +13.3% | 30.0% | 0.57 | −39.2% | +711% | -0.03 | — |
| 98 |  DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity | Whole market | +14.7% | 17.5% | 0.87 | −34.7% | — | 0.15 | 0.26% |
| 99 |  TRPTC Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +10.8% | 21.9% | 0.58 | −41.6% | +160% | 0.23 | — |
| 100 |  IXORIX Corporation · Diversified Financials | Whole market | +17.9% | 25.4% | 0.78 | −42.5% | +284% | 0.30 | — |
VALE against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against VALE, compared period by period and year by year.
How do VALE'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 VALE, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Only BHP and RIO were both more rewarding and calmer than VALE over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, VALE returned 7.4% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (35.0% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than VALE with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| SCCO Southern Copper Corporation | +32.0% | 40.7% |
| TGB Trekor Metals Limited | +28.4% | 63.5% |
| HBM Hudbay Minerals Inc. | +26.3% | 55.8% |
| NUE Nucor Corporation | +21.8% | 37.4% |
| TECK Teck Resources Limited | +19.2% | 45.3% |
| BHP BHP Group Limited | +16.6% | 31.4% |
| GGB Gerdau S.A. | +14.1% | 38.6% |
| FCX Freeport-McMoRan Inc. | +13.7% | 44.9% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| RIO Rio Tinto Group | +12.2% | 29.0% |
| ERO Ero Copper Corp. | +9.8% | 56.0% |
| VALE This pageVale S.A. | +7.4% | 35.0% |
| NEXA Nexa Resources S.A. | +4.2% | 56.7% |
| MP MP Materials Corp. | +1.5% | 70.3% |
| UUUU Energy Fuels Inc. | −1.1% | 72.4% |
| SGML Sigma Lithium Corporation | −2.7% | 81.3% |
| SBSW Sibanye Stillwater Limited | −5.0% | 60.5% |
| CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. | −8.8% | 60.2% |
| SID Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional | −17.7% | 54.5% |
| CMP Compass Minerals International, Inc. | −20.0% | 52.9% |
| LAC Lithium Americas Corp. | −33.3% | 86.2% |
Has VALE consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares VALE 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 VALE helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Ten of the 19 popular alternatives, led by SCCO, FCX and NUE, outperformed VALE in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- SCCO, FCX and NUE outperformed VALE in every long-term period and in all but one short-term period, the most consistent record in the group.
- SCCO, NUE and BHP earned more for the risk they took than VALE (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than VALE over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| VALE Vale S.A. (this page) | — | −8.0% | −5.5% | −24.9% | +1.0% | +23.6% | +37.8% | +42.6% | +334% | 35.0% | 0.38 | −57.6% | — | $55B | — |
| SCCO QualifiedSouthern Copper Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +2.2% | +17.6% | +9.6% | +39.9% | +56.5% | +233% | +301% | +1,017% | 40.7% | 0.89 | −55.3% | — | $171B | — |
| FCX QualifiedFreeport-McMoRan Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.3% | +17.4% | −1.4% | +33.9% | +64.8% | +111% | +89.6% | +650% | 44.9% | 0.51 | −72.6% | — | $99B | — |
| NUE QualifiedNucor Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +8.1% | +13.6% | +29.9% | +55.6% | +93.7% | +92.9% | +167% | +569% | 37.4% | 0.72 | −57.2% | — | $59B | — |
| BHP QualifiedBHP Group Limited | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.9% | +3.9% | +5.1% | +38.1% | +50.2% | +71.0% | +115% | +398% | 31.4% | 0.65 | −44.3% | — | $208B | — |
| TGB QualifiedTrekor Metals Limited | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −8.3% | +13.2% | +3.1% | +42.0% | +100% | +616% | +249% | +1,667% | 63.5% | 0.71 | −90.8% | — | $2.9B | — |
| HBM QualifiedHudbay Minerals Inc. | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −11.2% | +13.6% | −7.8% | +17.9% | +44.2% | +445% | +221% | +493% | 55.8% | 0.70 | −86.3% | — | $11B | — |
| RIO QualifiedRio Tinto Group | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −9.2% | +1.1% | −9.7% | +10.6% | +30.1% | +69.2% | +77.9% | +464% | 29.0% | 0.54 | −37.5% | — | $143B | — |
| TECK QualifiedTeck Resources Limited | 5/5 short2/3 long | −3.6% | +18.2% | +9.1% | +34.5% | +46.2% | +68.6% | +141% | +259% | 45.3% | 0.61 | −79.6% | — | $31B | — |
| GGB QualifiedGerdau S.A. | 5/5 short2/3 long | +4.8% | +12.9% | +24.5% | +41.6% | +59.3% | +65.3% | +93.4% | +225% | 38.6% | 0.54 | −67.4% | — | $10B | — |
| ERO QualifiedEro Copper Corp. | 5/5 short2/3 long | −5.2% | +31.1% | +15.9% | +13.3% | +45.0% | +138% | +59.8% | — | 56.0% | 0.45 | −67.2% | — | $3.4B | — |
| NEXA Industrial MaterialsNexa Resources S.A. | 5/5 short1/3 long | −4.3% | +3.4% | −22.3% | +41.5% | +121% | +135% | +23.1% | — | 56.7% | 0.36 | −85.0% | — | $1.6B | — |
| SBSW Other Precious MetalsSibanye Stillwater Limited | 1/5 short1/3 long | −12.2% | +27.4% | −24.4% | −27.6% | −9.8% | +89.7% | −22.5% | +11.3% | 60.5% | 0.22 | −82.7% | — | $6.9B | — |
| UUUU UraniumEnergy Fuels Inc. | 0/5 short1/3 long | −33.3% | −30.1% | −61.8% | −50.8% | −63.6% | +6.9% | −5.6% | +433% | 72.4% | 0.34 | −79.3% | — | $2.2B | — |
| MP Industrial MaterialsMP Materials Corp. | 0/5 short1/3 long | −21.9% | −14.6% | −41.0% | −29.0% | −52.9% | +127% | +7.8% | — | 70.3% | 0.36 | −82.0% | — | $7.0B | — |
| CLF SteelCleveland-Cliffs Inc. | 3/5 short0/3 long | +13.1% | +52.0% | +40.3% | +0.4% | −15.6% | −6.4% | −37.1% | +137% | 60.2% | 0.14 | −82.4% | — | $7.8B | — |
| SID SteelCompanhia Siderúrgica Nacional | 3/5 short0/3 long | −0.9% | +14.9% | −15.9% | −28.0% | −29.7% | −36.6% | −62.3% | −34.8% | 54.5% | -0.09 | −86.5% | — | $1.5B | — |
| CMP Industrial MaterialsCompass Minerals International, Inc. | 3/5 short0/3 long | −6.7% | −25.1% | −13.8% | +10.8% | +18.1% | −16.8% | −67.2% | −60.1% | 52.9% | -0.16 | −89.1% | — | $924M | — |
| LAC Industrial MaterialsLithium Americas Corp. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −27.7% | −26.2% | −57.0% | −55.1% | −69.3% | −69.3% | −86.8% | +7.5% | 86.2% | -0.08 | −91.8% | — | $478M | — |
| SGML Industrial MaterialsSigma Lithium Corporation | 0/5 short0/3 long | −17.6% | −17.0% | −61.0% | −40.5% | +23.7% | −65.8% | −12.8% | — | 81.3% | 0.36 | −89.9% | — | $952M | — |
How did VALE do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2003, along with where VALE ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with VALE and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, VALE finished in the top quarter in four of 23 years and in the bottom quarter in no. In 2025, it ranked 9 of 20.
- VALE finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 13 of its 23 full calendar years.
- Among its popular alternatives, ERO came out ahead of VALE most often, in five of the eight years both traded.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of VALE; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places VALE among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of VALE | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALE This pageVale S.A. | — | +66.3% | −38.8% | +1.6% | +32.5% | −1.7% | +32.0% | +2.7% | +12.3% | +62.2% | +134% | −57.8% | −44.1% | −23.2% | +3.3% | −34.0% | +21.2% | +145% | −61.8% | +123% | +47.5% | +46.9% | +50.6% | +108% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 4 of 23 | 9 of 20 | 14 of 20 | 14 of 20 | 3 of 20 | 15 of 20 | 12 of 19 | 12 of 19 | 3 of 18 | 3 of 16 | 6 of 16 | 11 of 16 | 11 of 16 | 11 of 15 | 9 of 15 | 7 of 15 | 11 of 15 | 9 of 15 | 8 of 14 | 2 of 14 | 7 of 13 | 8 of 13 | 7 of 13 | 8 of 11 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 10 of 23 | +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% |
| SCCO Southern Copper Corporation | 13 of 23 | +66.7% | +10.7% | +50.3% | +4.5% | −0.4% | +59.0% | +44.6% | −33.0% | +50.3% | +23.1% | −6.2% | −0.3% | −22.5% | +41.2% | −33.4% | +56.3% | +109% | −50.2% | +111% | +79.5% | +60.3% | +7.2% | +236% |
| FCX Freeport-McMoRan Inc. | 11 of 23 | +35.4% | −9.4% | +13.7% | −7.3% | +61.4% | +99.1% | +29.6% | −45.1% | +43.8% | +94.9% | −70.2% | −35.8% | +19.9% | −4.0% | −36.9% | +52.7% | +228% | −75.5% | +86.9% | +11.6% | +49.1% | −6.6% | +154% |
| NUE Nucor Corporation | 12 of 23 | +42.0% | −31.9% | +33.8% | +17.4% | +118% | −1.8% | +11.9% | −16.4% | +9.6% | +52.2% | −14.9% | −5.4% | +27.6% | +13.1% | −6.3% | −2.8% | +4.2% | −19.4% | +12.8% | +70.5% | +30.9% | +89.1% | +37.7% |
| BHP BHP Group Limited | 11 of 23 | +28.9% | −24.6% | +16.4% | +29.4% | +2.0% | +25.3% | +24.6% | +10.5% | +33.8% | +41.9% | −38.1% | −27.9% | −9.8% | +14.9% | −22.0% | +24.5% | +85.2% | −37.4% | +79.4% | +21.2% | +42.0% | +34.3% | +62.6% |
| TGB Trekor Metals Limited | 11 of 23 | +192% | +38.6% | −4.8% | −28.3% | +55.3% | +175% | +1.5% | −79.7% | +173% | +151% | −67.0% | −51.4% | −29.3% | +9.9% | −48.0% | +24.4% | +640% | −89.0% | +100% | +112% | −29.1% | +3.0% | +519% |
| HBM Hudbay Minerals Inc. | 12 of 22 | +145% | +47.2% | +9.1% | −29.9% | +3.9% | +69.4% | −11.5% | −46.3% | +54.9% | +49.3% | −55.8% | +6.2% | −17.8% | +3.3% | −44.7% | +41.9% | +407% | −87.0% | +4.7% | +272% | +179% | −67.5% | — |
| RIO Rio Tinto Group | 13 of 23 | +44.5% | −15.4% | +11.1% | +18.4% | −0.4% | +36.2% | +37.5% | −2.9% | +44.9% | +39.2% | −33.4% | −15.3% | +0.6% | +22.4% | −30.5% | +35.3% | +195% | −78.5% | +102% | +23.6% | +57.1% | +9.7% | +45.6% |
| TECK Teck Resources Limited | 11 of 23 | +19.2% | −2.6% | +14.0% | +33.8% | +59.8% | +5.8% | −18.7% | −16.9% | +33.4% | +421% | −71.1% | −44.9% | −25.8% | +5.9% | −42.1% | +78.7% | +611% | −86.1% | −2.8% | +47.1% | +81.7% | +87.5% | +148% |
| GGB Gerdau S.A. | 11 of 23 | +32.7% | −25.9% | −2.1% | +28.4% | +18.2% | −3.1% | +32.8% | +3.2% | +18.5% | +164% | −65.2% | −53.8% | −11.7% | +17.0% | −43.0% | −15.8% | +160% | −52.6% | +86.5% | +54.8% | +47.9% | +83.5% | +213% |
| ERO Ero Copper Corp. | 5 of 8 | +110% | −14.6% | +14.8% | −10.1% | −5.7% | −11.0% | +152% | +21.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| NEXA Nexa Resources S.A. | 2 of 8 | +2.7% | +23.3% | +21.8% | −20.0% | −16.4% | +28.6% | −28.3% | −37.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SBSW Sibanye Stillwater Limited | 5 of 12 | +332% | −39.3% | −46.5% | −9.6% | −12.4% | +61.5% | +251% | −43.9% | −25.7% | +20.2% | −17.0% | +65.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| UUUU Energy Fuels Inc. | 9 of 19 | +183% | −28.6% | +15.8% | −18.6% | +79.1% | +123% | −33.0% | +59.2% | +9.2% | −44.4% | −52.3% | +8.6% | −36.3% | −33.7% | −69.3% | +282% | +35.3% | −88.4% | −59.5% | — | — | — | — |
| MP MP Materials Corp. | 3 of 5 | +224% | −21.4% | −18.3% | −46.5% | +41.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. | 11 of 23 | +41.3% | −54.0% | +26.8% | −26.0% | +49.5% | +77.3% | +12.8% | +6.6% | −14.2% | +431% | −77.8% | −71.7% | −30.4% | −35.3% | −19.2% | +70.8% | +81.5% | −48.8% | +110% | +10.7% | +71.9% | +104% | +157% |
| SID Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional | 12 of 23 | +11.1% | −59.6% | +70.3% | −29.4% | −22.3% | +72.4% | +68.7% | −3.0% | −24.2% | +231% | −49.2% | −65.5% | +18.1% | −24.0% | −48.3% | +7.8% | +168% | −55.9% | +211% | +57.6% | +27.7% | +53.8% | +344% |
| CMP Compass Minerals International, Inc. | 10 of 22 | +74.6% | −55.3% | −37.0% | −18.7% | −14.3% | +6.6% | +54.4% | −39.5% | −3.9% | +8.1% | −10.6% | +11.4% | +10.3% | +11.5% | −21.2% | +35.6% | +17.5% | +46.3% | +34.9% | +34.6% | +6.0% | +78.1% | — |
| LAC Lithium Americas Corp. | 7 of 17 | +46.8% | −53.6% | −45.4% | −34.9% | +132% | +296% | 0.0% | −64.4% | +201% | +129% | −43.0% | +97.4% | +68.6% | −47.7% | −88.9% | +5.1% | +527% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SGML Sigma Lithium Corporation | 4 of 7 | +17.6% | −64.4% | +11.7% | +171% | +343% | +80.8% | −16.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How VALE 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 VALE's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents VALE's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2002, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
- In all five of VALE's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: VALE fell 93.2% from May 2008 to January 2016, while the S&P 500 rose 54.9%.
- The slowest recovery came after VALE fell 93.2% from May 2008 to January 2016; it did not regain that peak until January 2026, ten years later.
Green means VALE fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | VALE fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 financial crisis | −93.2% | +54.9% | May 2008 | Jan 2016 | 7.7 years | Jan 2026 | 10 years |
| No named crash | −32.0% | +0.8% | May 2006 | Sep 2006 | 4 months | Dec 2006 | 3 months |
| No named crash | −32.0% | −2.9% | Jan 2004 | May 2004 | 4 months | Sep 2004 | 4 months |
| 2008 financial crisis | −29.6% | −11.5% | Nov 2007 | Jan 2008 | 2 months | Apr 2008 | 3 months |
| No named crash | −28.9% | −3.4% | Feb 2005 | May 2005 | 3 months | Aug 2005 | 3 months |
How did VALE do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far VALE, 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.
Note: VALE began trading on March 21, 2002, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.
- VALE fell further than the S&P 500 in six of the nine crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when VALE fell 61.1% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.
- Among its popular alternatives, BHP held up best, falling less than VALE in eight of the nine crashes they both traded through.
- VALE began trading after the dot-com bust, but nine of its popular alternatives lived through it. The mildest fall among them was BHP's 32.6%, against 47.5% for the S&P 500.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than VALE.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALE This pageVale S.A. | — | −3.1% | −41.4% | −45.5% | −20.9% | −5.3% | −61.1% | −33.4% | −0.8% | −79.5% | Not yet trading |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 6 of 9 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| SCCO Southern Copper Corporation | 3 of 9 | −3.4% | −43.0% | −38.7% | −32.0% | −5.3% | −26.0% | −32.9% | −0.4% | −78.5% | −42.5% |
| FCX Freeport-McMoRan Inc. | 0 of 9 | −7.2% | −51.3% | −56.1% | −32.8% | −8.4% | −72.2% | −46.7% | −2.1% | −86.4% | −51.4% |
| NUE Nucor Corporation | 6 of 9 | −10.3% | −40.8% | −41.5% | −23.5% | −6.0% | −24.3% | −23.9% | 0.0% | −68.3% | −44.8% |
| BHP BHP Group Limited | 8 of 9 | −2.2% | −31.8% | −38.1% | −12.8% | −6.4% | −49.4% | −30.7% | 0.0% | −73.7% | −32.6% |
| TGB Trekor Metals Limited | 1 of 9 | −6.3% | −61.9% | −50.2% | −44.2% | −5.4% | −55.6% | −48.6% | −1.2% | −91.2% | −82.1% |
| HBM Hudbay Minerals Inc. | 1 of 9 | −9.2% | −63.3% | −57.9% | −30.1% | −10.0% | −74.5% | −38.9% | 0.0% | −91.9% | — |
| RIO Rio Tinto Group | 6 of 9 | −2.6% | −35.3% | −30.0% | −13.2% | −5.3% | −43.9% | −41.3% | 0.0% | −89.0% | −33.9% |
| TECK Teck Resources Limited | 1 of 9 | −8.2% | −43.6% | −54.0% | −26.9% | −8.1% | −65.4% | −48.9% | 0.0% | −94.8% | — |
| GGB Gerdau S.A. | 4 of 9 | −9.3% | −36.4% | −63.4% | −20.3% | −6.8% | −55.0% | −29.2% | −2.2% | −83.3% | −66.6% |
| ERO Ero Copper Corp. | 0 of 5 | −6.2% | −49.1% | −53.9% | −29.2% | −6.3% | — | — | — | — | — |
| NEXA Nexa Resources S.A. | 1 of 5 | −5.1% | −53.3% | −68.0% | −14.3% | −7.1% | — | — | — | — | — |
| SBSW Sibanye Stillwater Limited | 2 of 6 | 0.0% | −57.3% | −72.2% | −33.6% | −9.0% | −34.2% | — | — | — | — |
| UUUU Energy Fuels Inc. | 3 of 9 | −10.2% | −54.9% | −41.2% | −36.9% | −2.4% | −56.1% | −49.9% | −4.9% | −96.4% | — |
| MP MP Materials Corp. | 0 of 2 | −7.9% | −53.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. | 2 of 9 | −10.0% | −60.5% | −59.6% | −41.3% | −2.6% | −71.3% | −51.4% | 0.0% | −89.8% | −46.5% |
| SID Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional | 1 of 9 | −13.3% | −58.7% | −65.1% | −21.7% | −7.4% | −53.8% | −33.9% | −1.0% | −84.4% | −60.9% |
| CMP Compass Minerals International, Inc. | 6 of 9 | −9.8% | −52.6% | −39.7% | −43.4% | −3.7% | −21.7% | −24.3% | 0.0% | −53.2% | — |
| LAC Lithium Americas Corp. | 2 of 8 | −11.7% | −49.9% | −63.5% | −44.5% | −2.8% | −54.4% | −55.3% | −6.9% | — | — |
| SGML Sigma Lithium Corporation | 3 of 4 | −5.2% | −25.4% | −18.2% | −11.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does VALE 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 VALE with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- Over the past 10 years, VALE captured 100% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 88% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 0.74. Its share of the market's gains was larger than its share of the losses.
- Only SCCO and RIO had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than VALE's 1.13, out of 15 popular alternatives with the same record.
- RIO took just 72% of the S&P 500's losses, against 88% for VALE, while still keeping 98% of its gains.
Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than VALE's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALE This pageVale S.A. | 100% | 88% | 1.13 | 0.74 |
| SCCO Southern Copper Corporation | 139% | 103% | 1.35 | 1.13 |
| RIO Rio Tinto Group | 98% | 72% | 1.35 | 0.63 |
| BHP BHP Group Limited | 106% | 97% | 1.10 | 0.87 |
| TGB Trekor Metals Limited | 217% | 214% | 1.01 | 1.89 |
| UUUU Energy Fuels Inc. | 153% | 164% | 0.93 | 1.66 |
| FCX Freeport-McMoRan Inc. | 164% | 181% | 0.90 | 1.74 |
| TECK Teck Resources Limited | 115% | 128% | 0.90 | 1.10 |
| NUE Nucor Corporation | 154% | 176% | 0.87 | 1.65 |
| HBM Hudbay Minerals Inc. | 193% | 234% | 0.82 | 1.95 |
| GGB Gerdau S.A. | 138% | 182% | 0.76 | 1.54 |
| CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. | 172% | 276% | 0.62 | 2.19 |
| LAC Lithium Americas Corp. | 103% | 185% | 0.56 | 1.62 |
| SBSW Sibanye Stillwater Limited | 89% | 172% | 0.52 | 1.25 |
| SID Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional | 113% | 238% | 0.47 | 1.73 |
| CMP Compass Minerals International, Inc. | 75% | 206% | 0.36 | 1.43 |
What diversifies VALE?
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 VALE's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing VALE with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in VALE into SPMO would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 19% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+7.8% for VALE alone, +11.7% for the mix).
- MCK made money in five of the seven calendar years in which VALE lost money.
- Among large ETFs, LVHI, DXJ and EMLP have moved largely independently of VALE over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.44 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which VALE lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% VALE and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2024 | 2021 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2011 | 2008 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALE Vale S.A. (this page) | 1.00 | +42.6% | 0.38 | −38.8% | −1.7% | −57.8% | −44.1% | −23.2% | −34.0% | −61.8% | 33.0% | +7.8% |
| LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF | 0.44 | +119% | 1.48 | +15.9% | +17.8% | — | — | — | — | — | 27.3% | +10.3% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.21 | +225% | 1.34 | +29.8% | +18.0% | +7.7% | +8.1% | +41.3% | −16.1% | −20.8% | 27.0% | +12.3% |
| EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 0.32 | +101% | 1.04 | +33.4% | +23.1% | −25.3% | +23.8% | +16.6% | — | — | 27.5% | +10.1% |
| HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF | 0.41 | +83.3% | 1.00 | +14.1% | +19.6% | −0.3% | +12.6% | +23.8% | — | — | 27.7% | +9.4% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.19 | +323% | 0.97 | +39.1% | +42.1% | −0.3% | +30.2% | +33.4% | +6.8% | −44.7% | 28.5% | +14.8% |
| DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 0.31 | +85.0% | 0.96 | +13.4% | +19.6% | +4.1% | +3.4% | +26.4% | — | — | 27.2% | +9.8% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 0.03 | +136% | 0.93 | +45.8% | +22.7% | — | — | — | — | — | 26.9% | +11.7% |
| XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.32 | +177% | 0.93 | +5.6% | +53.3% | −21.5% | −8.7% | +26.3% | +2.8% | −39.0% | 28.5% | +11.7% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2024 | 2021 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2011 | 2008 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALE Vale S.A. (this page) | 1.00 | +42.6% | 0.38 | −38.8% | −1.7% | −57.8% | −44.1% | −23.2% | −34.0% | −61.8% | 33.0% | +7.8% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.16 | +479% | 1.55 | +19.0% | −0.4% | +12.6% | +23.0% | +66.0% | +8.1% | −39.6% | 27.7% | +14.6% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | -0.03 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +215% | +37.9% | −6.0% | +12.9% | +27.6% | −24.4% | −20.5% | 28.6% | +27.6% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | -0.03 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +107% | +89.0% | +67.7% | −10.4% | +61.7% | −17.0% | −15.2% | 27.6% | +23.6% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.04 | +413% | 1.44 | +23.7% | +44.2% | −4.5% | +29.3% | +67.7% | +11.8% | −40.4% | 27.1% | +14.1% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.21 | +690% | 1.41 | −4.0% | +61.0% | +17.4% | +0.4% | +48.6% | — | — | 28.4% | +16.4% |
Common questions
What was VALE's worst drawdown?
VALE's deepest decline since it began trading in 2002 was 93.2%, from May 2008 to January 2016. It took about ten years from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were VALE's best and worst years?
Over 23 full calendar years, VALE's best year was 2009, when it returned 145%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -61.8%.
Is there a better investment than VALE?
Among VALE's popular alternatives, BHP and RIO earned more than VALE with less volatility over the past 5 years. BHP returned 16.6% a year at 31.4% volatility, against 7.4% a year at 35.0%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, RS (metals & mining) and RTX (aerospace & defense) earned more than VALE with less volatility over the past 5 years. RS returned 24.8% a year at 28.1% volatility, against 7.4% a year at 35.0%.
Is VALE more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. VALE's volatility over the past 5 years was 35.0%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, VALE's return lands within 35.0% 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 VALE's Sharpe ratio?
VALE's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.38, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so VALE 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 VALE with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, VALE's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.20 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against VALE instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a VALE holding.
What are the best alternatives to VALE?
Of the 19 popular alternatives we compared, ten outperformed VALE in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: SCCO, FCX and NUE.
Did VALE outperform the S&P 500?
VALE finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 13 of 23 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +66.3%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did VALE do in stock market crashes?
VALE fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in six. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when VALE fell 61.1% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.
What diversifies VALE?
These had a low correlation with VALE over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.44), DXJ (correlation 0.21) and EMLP (correlation 0.32); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.16), CLS (correlation -0.03) and FIX (correlation -0.03). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than VALE's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of VALE's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.
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