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Relative Intelligence · Electrical Equipment

How Vertiv (VRT) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on VRT alone. It places VRT (Vertiv Holdings Co) 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 VRT stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: VRT's full trading record, from July 2018 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.

Rank the market against VRT →Chart VRT vs. 20 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in VRT over the past 8 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of VRT over the same span and VRT'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.

Note: VRT began trading on July 30, 2018, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or four other sell-offs. It covers the most recent 8 years of VRT's record, starting at the end of September 2018.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2018 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. 12 of the 3,000 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of VRT; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000$200,000$500,000201820192020202120222023202420252026$10,000$100,00020182020202220242026
  • STRL$343,410+3,334% total · +55.6% a year
  • IESC$329,308+3,193% total · +54.8% a year
  • NVDA$329,088+3,191% total · +54.8% a year
  • FIX$306,821+2,968% total · +53.4% a year
  • STX$259,443+2,494% total · +50.2% a year
  • POWL$250,291+2,403% total · +49.6% a year
  • VRT$248,792+2,388% total · +49.4% a year
  • SMCI$199,369+1,894% total · +45.4% a year
  • MOD$115,676+1,057% total · +35.8% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$29,568+196% total · +14.5% a year
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From the end of September 2021 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. 29 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of VRT; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000$200,000202120222023202420252026$10,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • POWL$273,283+2,633% total · +93.8% a year
  • FIX$236,701+2,267% total · +88.3% a year
  • MOD$152,122+1,421% total · +72.4% a year
  • IESC$140,577+1,306% total · +69.7% a year
  • SMCI$112,215+1,022% total · +62.2% a year
  • NVDA$110,811+1,008% total · +61.8% a year
  • VRT$100,677+907% total · +58.7% a year
  • ANET$94,783+848% total · +56.8% a year
  • NVT$53,086+431% total · +39.6% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

VRT 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.

Note: VRT began trading on July 30, 2018, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or four other sell-offs.

The company

Market value
$78B
Industry
Electrical Equipment & Parts
Price history from
July 2018

Returns

Past 1 year
+16.0%total return
Past 3 years
+456%+77.2% a year
Past 5 years
+772%+54.2% a year
Best calendar year
+252%2023
Worst calendar year
−45.3%2022
Losing years
1 of 7full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
64.2%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
1.01return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−71.3%Sep 2021 to Jun 2022
From its all-time high
−45.9%below the peak

VRT against the whole market

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

How does VRT rank among all stocks?

This section ranks VRT 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 VRT 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.

MeasureVRTRankStanding
1-year return+16.0%1,368 of 3,287top 42%
3-year return+456%119 of 3,017top 4%
5-year return+772%31 of 2,893top 1%
Volatility, 5 years64.2%2,385 of 2,893bottom 19%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years1.0194 of 2,893top 3%

What has beaten VRT 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). VRT sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than VRT 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 VRT; faint dots are 7 more of the 15 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%100.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%120%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than VRTCRS: +63.9% a year, volatility 46.5%ATI: +61.8% a year, volatility 42.9%BELFB: +78.0% a year, volatility 52.1%YPF: +60.7% a year, volatility 54.1%VIST: +59.1% a year, volatility 50.7%BWLP: +60.3% a year, volatility 50.9%ADMA: +58.9% a year, volatility 59.2%VRT: +54.2% a year, volatility 64.2%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%POWL: +87.9% a year, volatility 65.8%NVDA: +58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%MOD: +65.1% a year, volatility 61.7%FIX: +77.0% a year, volatility 46.7%IESC: +58.5% a year, volatility 58.0%STRL: +78.4% a year, volatility 60.0%BE: +60.5% a year, volatility 89.6%MU: +68.1% a year, volatility 57.1%STX: +57.4% a year, volatility 48.7%CLS: +101% a year, volatility 59.7%INSW: +56.5% a year, volatility 40.5%LITE: +57.3% a year, volatility 64.5%VST: +53.4% a year, volatility 48.6%VRTSPY (S&P 500)POWLNVDAMODFIXIESCSTRLBEMUSTXCLSINSW0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%120%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than VRTCRS: +63.9% a year, volatility 46.5%ATI: +61.8% a year, volatility 42.9%BELFB: +78.0% a year, volatility 52.1%YPF: +60.7% a year, volatility 54.1%VIST: +59.1% a year, volatility 50.7%BWLP: +60.3% a year, volatility 50.9%ADMA: +58.9% a year, volatility 59.2%VRT: +54.2% a year, volatility 64.2%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%POWL: +87.9% a year, volatility 65.8%NVDA: +58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%MOD: +65.1% a year, volatility 61.7%FIX: +77.0% a year, volatility 46.7%IESC: +58.5% a year, volatility 58.0%STRL: +78.4% a year, volatility 60.0%BE: +60.5% a year, volatility 89.6%MU: +68.1% a year, volatility 57.1%STX: +57.4% a year, volatility 48.7%CLS: +101% a year, volatility 59.7%INSW: +56.5% a year, volatility 40.5%LITE: +57.3% a year, volatility 64.5%VST: +53.4% a year, volatility 48.6%VRTSPY (S&P 500)POWLNVDAMODFIXSTRLBEMUSTXCLSINSW
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than VRT?

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

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

Screen the whole market against VRT for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 14 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 years5Y returntotalCorr. with VRT?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
VRTVertiv Holdings Co · this page
+54.2%64.2%1.01−71.3%+772%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+81.7%0.500.09%
Popular alternativesbest 3 shownThe investments people most often weigh against VRT. 3 of 20 passed at least one test.
POWLPowell Industries, Inc. · Electrical Equipment
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+87.9%65.8%1.27−68.3%+2,240%0.52—
NVDANVIDIA Corporation · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatility+58.0%51.9%1.14−66.3%+884%0.44—
MODModine Manufacturing Company · Electrical Equipment
Higher return, similar volatility+65.1%61.7%1.13−88.1%+1,127%0.56—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 4 shownEverything else in Electrical Equipment and the categories next to it (Industrial Machinery, Building Products, Engineering & Construction, Electric Utilities), plus VRT's specific themes. 4 of 110 passed at least one test.
FIXComfort Systems USA, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+77.0%46.7%1.46−49.7%+1,636%0.69—
IESCIES Holdings, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+58.5%58.0%1.09−54.3%+900%0.66—
STRLSterling Infrastructure, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+78.4%60.0%1.26−59.6%+1,708%0.54—
BEBloom Energy Corporation · Electrical Equipment
Higher return in most periods+60.5%89.6%0.96−92.5%+965%0.24—
The whole marketbest 6 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 21 of 3,503 passed at least one test.
MUMicron Technology, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+68.1%57.1%1.20−57.6%+1,244%0.28—
STXSeagate Technology Holdings plc · Computer Hardware
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+57.4%48.7%1.18−57.0%+866%0.37—
CLSCelestica Inc. · Electronics Manufacturing
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+101%59.7%1.47−80.6%+3,143%0.52—
INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. · Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+56.5%40.5%1.31−57.4%+839%0.12—
LITELumentum Holdings Inc. · Communications Equipment
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+57.3%64.5%1.03−66.9%+863%0.39—
VSTVistra Corp. · Independent Power Producers
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+53.4%48.6%1.13−53.3%+748%0.52—
What these numbers mean for VRT
Annual return
VRT returned 54.2% 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 $87,200. 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
VRT's volatility over the past 5 years was 64.2%, 3.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, VRT's return lands within 64.2% 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
VRT's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 1.01, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so VRT earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
VRT's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 71.2%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 71.2% fall takes a 248% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, VRT's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.50 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 VRT instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a VRT holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 15 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than VRT with less volatility

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

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline5Y returnCorr. with VRTExpense
1
MUMicron Technology, Inc. · Semiconductors
Whole market+68.1%57.1%1.20−57.6%+1,244%0.28—
2
FIXComfort Systems USA, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Same or nearby category+77.0%46.7%1.46−49.7%+1,636%0.69—
3
STXSeagate Technology Holdings plc · Computer Hardware
Whole market+57.4%48.7%1.18−57.0%+866%0.37—
4
CLSCelestica Inc. · Electronics Manufacturing
Whole market+101%59.7%1.47−80.6%+3,143%0.52—
5
CRSCarpenter Technology Corporation · Metals & Mining
Whole market+63.9%46.5%1.30−74.7%+1,082%0.34—
6
INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. · Oil & Gas
Whole market+56.5%40.5%1.31−57.4%+839%0.12—
7
IESCIES Holdings, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Same or nearby category+58.5%58.0%1.09−54.3%+900%0.66—
8
STRLSterling Infrastructure, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Same or nearby category+78.4%60.0%1.26−59.6%+1,708%0.54—
9
ATIATI Inc. · Metals & Mining
Whole market+61.8%42.9%1.34−82.4%+1,008%0.24—
10
BELFBBel Fuse Inc. · Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Whole market+78.0%52.1%1.37−79.8%+1,688%0.41—
11
NVDANVIDIA Corporation · Semiconductors
Popular alternative+58.0%51.9%1.14−66.3%+884%0.44—
12
YPFYPF Sociedad Anónima · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+60.7%54.1%1.14−90.1%+971%0.20—
13
VISTVista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. · Exploration & Production
Whole market+59.1%50.7%1.17−81.2%+920%0.21—
14
BWLPBW LPG Limited · Marine Shipping
Whole market+60.3%50.9%1.19−68.8%+958%0.22—
15
ADMAADMA Biologics, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+58.9%59.2%1.08−84.1%+912%0.04—

VRT against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityVRT: 54.2% a year, volatility 64.2%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%NVDA: 58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%MOD: 65.1% a year, volatility 61.7%POWL: 87.9% a year, volatility 65.8%SMCI: 55.8% a year, volatility 89.4%ANET: 49.0% a year, volatility 49.0%NVT: 35.4% a year, volatility 38.0%JCI: 17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%AME: 14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%EMR: 12.7% a year, volatility 27.7%EQIX: 6.6% a year, volatility 27.8%TT: 22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%ETN: 20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%CMI: 19.9% a year, volatility 29.0%ROK: 7.8% a year, volatility 32.3%GNRC: −15.7% a year, volatility 54.5%HUBB: 21.0% a year, volatility 30.0%LECO: 14.1% a year, volatility 27.5%AAON: 10.0% a year, volatility 47.5%DLR: 6.3% a year, volatility 29.4%CARR: 2.2% a year, volatility 32.3%VRTSPY (S&P 500)NVDAMODPOWLSMCIANETNVTJCIEMREQIXTTETNCMIROKGNRCAAONDLRCARR0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityVRT: 54.2% a year, volatility 64.2%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%NVDA: 58.0% a year, volatility 51.9%MOD: 65.1% a year, volatility 61.7%POWL: 87.9% a year, volatility 65.8%SMCI: 55.8% a year, volatility 89.4%ANET: 49.0% a year, volatility 49.0%NVT: 35.4% a year, volatility 38.0%JCI: 17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%AME: 14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%EMR: 12.7% a year, volatility 27.7%EQIX: 6.6% a year, volatility 27.8%TT: 22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%ETN: 20.4% a year, volatility 32.1%CMI: 19.9% a year, volatility 29.0%ROK: 7.8% a year, volatility 32.3%GNRC: −15.7% a year, volatility 54.5%HUBB: 21.0% a year, volatility 30.0%LECO: 14.1% a year, volatility 27.5%AAON: 10.0% a year, volatility 47.5%DLR: 6.3% a year, volatility 29.4%CARR: 2.2% a year, volatility 32.3%VRTSPY (S&P 500)NVDAMODPOWLSMCIANETNVTAMEEQIXTTETNGNRCAAONDLR
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
POWL Powell Industries, Inc.+87.9%65.8%
MOD Modine Manufacturing Company+65.1%61.7%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation+58.0%51.9%
SMCI Super Micro Computer, Inc.+55.8%89.4%
VRT This pageVertiv Holdings Co+54.2%64.2%
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.+49.0%49.0%
NVT nVent Electric plc+35.4%38.0%
TT Trane Technologies plc+22.7%27.7%
HUBB Hubbell Incorporated+21.0%30.0%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc+20.4%32.1%
CMI Cummins Inc.+19.9%29.0%
JCI Johnson Controls International plc+17.4%29.1%
AME AMETEK, Inc.+14.4%22.1%
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.+14.1%27.5%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.+12.7%27.7%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
AAON AAON, Inc.+10.0%47.5%
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.+7.8%32.3%
EQIX Equinix, Inc.+6.6%27.8%
DLR Digital Realty Trust, Inc.+6.3%29.4%
CARR Carrier Global Corporation+2.2%32.3%
GNRC Generac Holdings Inc.−15.7%54.5%
Open these 22 in EasyCompare

Has VRT consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares VRT with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over seven periods from one month to five years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than VRT helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than VRT over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 2 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
VRT Vertiv Holdings Co (this page)—−18.9%−30.2%−35.2%+16.0%+16.0%+456%+772%64.2%1.01−71.3%—$78B—
POWL QualifiedPowell Industries, Inc.5/5 short2/2 longAll-weather−12.1%−27.7%−31.7%+40.5%+42.0%+578%+2,240%65.8%1.27−68.3%—$6.0B—
NVDA SemiconductorsNVIDIA Corporation4/5 short1/2 long−4.8%+6.6%+7.4%+14.9%+18.8%+425%+884%51.9%1.14−66.3%—$5.2T—
SMCI Computer HardwareSuper Micro Computer, Inc.2/5 short1/2 long−21.2%+36.3%+12.7%+4.9%−41.0%+30.6%+817%89.4%0.94−84.8%—$21B—
MOD Industrial - MachineryModine Manufacturing Company0/5 short1/2 long−19.4%−35.6%−41.7%+4.2%−7.0%+260%+1,127%61.7%1.13−88.1%—$7.8B—
ANET Computer HardwareArista Networks, Inc.5/5 short0/2 long−11.8%+7.0%+8.6%+35.6%+23.7%+289%+634%49.0%1.06−52.2%—$229B—
NVT Electrical Equipment & PartsnVent Electric plc5/5 short0/2 long−12.4%−9.6%+3.2%+31.4%+40.0%+203%+356%38.0%0.99−56.2%—$23B—
JCI Construction MaterialsJohnson Controls International plc5/5 short0/2 long+1.9%+6.4%+5.5%+22.0%+35.4%+220%+123%29.1%0.70−46.4%—$90B—
AME Electrical Equipment & PartsAMETEK, Inc.5/5 short0/2 long+2.5%+5.3%+4.8%+18.8%+32.8%+78.1%+96.1%22.1%0.72−42.7%—$57B—
EMR Industrial - MachineryEmerson Electric Co.5/5 short0/2 long+5.8%+17.9%+10.1%+19.5%+25.0%+84.9%+82.1%27.7%0.57−50.8%—$90B—
EQIX REIT - SpecialtyEquinix, Inc.5/5 short0/2 long−6.6%−2.5%−9.7%+31.2%+22.2%+49.1%+37.4%27.8%0.37−41.8%—$97B—
TT Industrial - MachineryTrane Technologies plc4/5 short0/2 long+6.5%−1.2%−2.9%+16.8%+11.3%+154%+178%27.7%0.88−40.5%—$102B—
ETN Electrical Equipment & PartsEaton Corporation plc4/5 short0/2 long−12.3%−4.6%−5.8%+17.7%+2.3%+104%+153%32.1%0.74−44.5%—$148B—
CMI Industrial - MachineryCummins Inc.4/5 short0/2 long+0.3%−15.8%−15.2%+3.8%+31.4%+160%+148%29.0%0.77−44.0%—$74B—
ROK Industrial - MachineryRockwell Automation, Inc.4/5 short0/2 long+0.7%−6.4%+4.1%+8.4%+22.9%+68.9%+45.6%32.3%0.40−45.1%—$48B—
GNRC Industrial - MachineryGenerac Holdings Inc.4/5 short0/2 long−5.1%−8.7%−10.4%+37.9%−0.6%+120%−57.5%54.5%-0.04−83.8%—$11B—
HUBB Electrical Equipment & PartsHubbell Incorporated3/5 short0/2 long+0.4%−5.0%−15.4%+0.1%+7.7%+70.6%+159%30.0%0.79−41.6%—$24B—
LECO Manufacturing - Tools & AccessoriesLincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.3/5 short0/2 long+1.0%+6.3%+0.8%+7.7%+10.0%+57.7%+93.5%27.5%0.62−38.9%—$14B—
AAON Industrial - MachineryAAON, Inc.3/5 short0/2 long−3.2%−28.8%−24.3%−6.4%−26.5%+40.8%+61.2%47.5%0.44−50.2%—$6.1B—
DLR REIT - SpecialtyDigital Realty Trust, Inc.3/5 short0/2 long−5.9%+0.1%−12.9%+15.4%+4.3%+65.7%+35.7%29.4%0.35−48.5%—$65B—
CARR Industrial - MachineryCarrier Global Corporation3/5 short0/2 long+2.8%−15.8%−8.2%+6.2%−1.1%+21.2%+11.6%32.3%0.23−40.8%—$46B—
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How did VRT do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2019, along with where VRT ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with VRT and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Note: VRT began trading on July 30, 2018, so the table starts with 2019, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or four other sell-offs.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of VRT; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places VRT among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of VRT2025202420232022202120202019
VRT This pageVertiv Holdings Co—+42.8%+137%+252%−45.3%+33.8%+69.4%+12.5%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 4 of 75 of 213 of 211 of 2119 of 2112 of 213 of 2018 of 20
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF2 of 7+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%
POWL Powell Industries, Inc.4 of 7+44.5%+152%+159%+35.0%+11.5%−32.9%+114%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation4 of 7+38.9%+171%+239%−50.2%+125%+122%+76.4%
SMCI Super Micro Computer, Inc.3 of 7−4.0%+7.2%+246%+87.0%+38.5%+32.1%+73.9%
MOD Modine Manufacturing Company1 of 7+15.2%+94.2%+201%+96.8%−19.7%+63.1%−28.8%
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.2 of 7+18.6%+87.7%+94.1%−15.6%+97.9%+42.9%−3.5%
NVT nVent Electric plc4 of 7+51.2%+16.6%+56.0%+3.3%+67.2%−5.7%+17.2%
JCI Johnson Controls International plc4 of 7+54.0%+39.8%−7.6%−19.3%+77.4%+17.7%+40.8%
AME AMETEK, Inc.2 of 7+14.7%+10.0%+18.8%−4.3%+22.3%+22.2%+48.3%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.2 of 7+8.9%+29.7%+3.8%+5.7%+18.2%+8.6%+31.6%
EQIX Equinix, Inc.2 of 7−16.9%+19.4%+25.4%−21.1%+20.3%+24.2%+68.9%
TT Trane Technologies plc3 of 7+6.4%+53.0%+47.4%−15.3%+41.0%+43.4%+48.3%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc3 of 7−2.8%+39.5%+56.2%−7.2%+46.7%+31.0%+42.8%
CMI Cummins Inc.3 of 7+49.4%+48.9%+1.7%+14.1%−1.7%+30.5%+38.0%
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.3 of 7+38.4%−6.2%+22.6%−24.8%+41.2%+26.2%+37.9%
GNRC Generac Holdings Inc.3 of 7−12.0%+20.0%+28.4%−71.4%+54.8%+126%+102%
HUBB Hubbell Incorporated3 of 7+7.4%+28.9%+42.4%+15.1%+35.6%+8.9%+52.9%
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.2 of 7+29.6%−12.6%+52.6%+5.4%+21.9%+23.0%+25.4%
AAON AAON, Inc.2 of 7−34.9%+59.9%+47.9%−4.6%+19.8%+35.7%+41.9%
DLR Digital Realty Trust, Inc.2 of 7−10.1%+35.9%+39.9%−41.0%+30.7%+20.4%+16.5%
CARR Carrier Global Corporation2 of 5−21.8%+20.3%+41.5%−22.7%+45.3%——
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Risk and diversification

How VRT 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 VRT's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents VRT's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2018, 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.

Note: VRT began trading on July 30, 2018, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or four other sell-offs. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.

Green means VRT fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringVRT fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2022 bear market−71.3%−15.6%Sep 2021Jun 20229 monthsAug 202314 months
No named crash−61.3%−16.9%Jan 2025Apr 20253 monthsOct 20256 months
Covid crash−58.6%−29.1%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthJun 20203 months
No named crash−45.9%+3.3%May 2026Oct 20265 monthsNot yet—
No named crash−36.7%−1.7%May 2024Aug 20243 monthsOct 20242 months

How did VRT do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far VRT, 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: VRT began trading on July 30, 2018, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or four other sell-offs. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than VRT.

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
VRT This pageVertiv Holdings Co—−12.2%−65.7%−58.6%−3.4%Not yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF3 of 4−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
POWL Powell Industries, Inc.3 of 4−8.4%−35.9%−56.9%−35.0%−10.5%−34.6%−30.1%−2.6%−68.7%−48.7%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation3 of 4−5.0%−60.7%−37.5%−55.9%−8.5%−25.3%−23.8%−1.7%−85.1%−89.7%
SMCI Super Micro Computer, Inc.2 of 4−12.8%−31.2%−42.6%−45.6%−9.7%−32.4%−22.7%0.0%−64.3%—
MOD Modine Manufacturing Company2 of 4−10.8%−30.8%−64.1%−36.2%−5.8%−39.8%−43.5%0.0%−96.9%−48.6%
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.3 of 4−1.5%−36.6%−31.2%−31.2%−6.1%−36.6%————
NVT nVent Electric plc3 of 4−8.0%−20.9%−56.2%−30.5%——————
JCI Johnson Controls International plc3 of 4−6.9%−41.6%−44.2%−22.2%−8.2%−20.8%−19.8%−1.9%−66.2%−85.6%
AME AMETEK, Inc.3 of 4−3.7%−26.4%−42.0%−22.1%−6.7%−21.9%−30.3%−1.2%−53.3%−34.9%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.3 of 4−4.3%−25.4%−47.2%−28.8%−5.9%−15.9%−25.8%0.0%−56.1%−43.6%
EQIX Equinix, Inc.3 of 4−4.1%−36.3%−25.1%−22.8%−6.3%−15.8%−22.5%−1.1%−69.9%—
TT Trane Technologies plc3 of 4−3.3%−37.5%−39.2%−17.9%−8.0%−20.6%−34.2%−2.6%−77.5%−44.7%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc3 of 4−4.5%−26.3%−44.5%−26.0%−6.7%−22.3%−34.6%−1.4%−68.5%−31.6%
CMI Cummins Inc.3 of 4−7.9%−20.7%−38.6%−17.7%−11.0%−35.1%−27.6%−2.9%−75.7%−60.2%
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.3 of 4−5.4%−43.8%−42.4%−27.5%−7.9%−23.6%−37.5%−1.4%−74.7%−42.0%
GNRC Generac Holdings Inc.3 of 4−6.8%−54.8%−33.1%−21.8%−5.6%−16.2%−24.4%−4.0%——
HUBB Hubbell Incorporated3 of 4−5.6%−17.3%−40.6%−31.6%−3.7%−20.9%−26.6%−1.0%−59.7%−27.4%
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.3 of 4−3.6%−16.9%−33.2%−25.0%−9.1%−25.2%−28.1%−1.4%−68.9%−45.9%
AAON AAON, Inc.3 of 4−4.5%−39.3%−31.0%−25.7%−7.1%−22.2%−36.4%−2.4%−43.5%−38.8%
DLR Digital Realty Trust, Inc.3 of 4−3.1%−45.7%−24.1%−14.6%−8.1%−8.4%−20.2%−1.7%−56.8%—
CARR Carrier Global Corporation2 of 2−5.6%−35.8%————————
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How closely does VRT 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 VRT with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 5 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 5 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 VRT's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
VRT This pageVertiv Holdings Co205%75%2.732.03
ANET Arista Networks, Inc.191%58%3.281.60
MOD Modine Manufacturing Company246%93%2.641.72
NVT nVent Electric plc153%66%2.331.35
ETN Eaton Corporation plc104%47%2.241.13
TT Trane Technologies plc99%52%1.911.15
SMCI Super Micro Computer, Inc.260%152%1.712.00
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation259%152%1.702.21
HUBB Hubbell Incorporated104%64%1.630.84
AME AMETEK, Inc.87%68%1.290.95
JCI Johnson Controls International plc111%91%1.231.27
CMI Cummins Inc.136%124%1.091.24
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.126%126%1.001.20
AAON AAON, Inc.111%116%0.961.40
EMR Emerson Electric Co.112%125%0.891.21
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.104%127%0.821.50
DLR Digital Realty Trust, Inc.78%95%0.820.99
EQIX Equinix, Inc.79%100%0.790.98
CARR Carrier Global Corporation80%128%0.631.29
GNRC Generac Holdings Inc.80%223%0.361.91
POWL Powell Industries, Inc.234%0%—1.15
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What diversifies VRT?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
VRT Vertiv Holdings Co (this page)1.00+772%1.01−45.3%63.4%+58.7%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.20+119%1.48+3.8%51.1%+53.7%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.41+225%1.34+6.0%51.8%+55.8%
FJAN Multi-AssetFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January0.47+69.0%1.05−4.0%51.6%+51.8%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.34+101%1.04+10.4%51.8%+53.0%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.20+83.3%1.00+7.1%51.4%+52.4%
FTLS Broad MarketFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF0.38+62.9%0.99−5.6%51.4%+51.8%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.47+323%0.97−33.5%54.3%+57.6%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.43+85.0%0.96−5.1%51.7%+52.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
VRT Vertiv Holdings Co (this page)1.00+772%1.01−45.3%63.4%+58.7%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.26+479%1.55+54.1%52.3%+58.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.16+413%1.44+51.8%51.8%+58.5%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.12+690%1.41+86.6%51.9%+62.1%
HWM Aerospace & DefenseHowmet Aerospace Inc.0.35+594%1.36+24.2%53.5%+61.2%
ATI Manufacturing - Metal FabricationATI Inc.0.24+1,008%1.34+87.5%53.8%+65.4%
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Common questions

What was VRT's worst drawdown?

VRT's deepest decline since it began trading in 2018 was 71.2%, from September 2021 to June 2022. It took 14 months from the low to climb back to its old high. Because VRT launched in July 2018, that record does not include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or four other sell-offs.

What were VRT's best and worst years?

Over seven full calendar years, VRT's best year was 2023, when it returned 252%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -45.3%.

Is there a better investment than VRT?

Among VRT's popular alternatives, NVDA earned more than VRT with less volatility over the past 5 years: 58.0% a year at 51.9% volatility, against 54.2% a year at 64.2%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, FIX (engineering & construction) and IESC (engineering & construction) earned more than VRT with less volatility over the past 5 years. FIX returned 77.0% a year at 46.7% volatility, against 54.2% a year at 64.2%.

Is VRT more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. VRT's volatility over the past 5 years was 64.2%, 3.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, VRT's return lands within 64.2% 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 VRT's Sharpe ratio?

VRT's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 1.01, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so VRT earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is VRT with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, VRT's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.50 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 VRT instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a VRT holding.

What are the best alternatives to VRT?

Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, one outperformed VRT in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 2 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: POWL.

Did VRT outperform the S&P 500?

VRT finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in five of seven full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +42.8%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did VRT do in stock market crashes?

VRT fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the four major crashes it has traded through, and further in three. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when VRT fell 65.7% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.

What diversifies VRT?

These had a low correlation with VRT over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.20), DXJ (correlation 0.41) and FJAN (correlation 0.47); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.26), MCK (correlation 0.16) and MPC (correlation 0.12). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to VRT