BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Pharmaceuticals

How Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on BMY alone. It places BMY (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company) 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 BMY stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: BMY's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against BMY →Chart BMY vs. 22 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about BMY

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

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

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in BMY over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of BMY over the same span and BMY's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 778 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of BMY; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • GILD$2M+15,614% total · +19.1% a year
  • COR$574,137+5,641% total · +15.0% a year
  • AMGN$526,909+5,169% total · +14.6% a year
  • LLY$396,376+3,864% total · +13.5% a year
  • MCK$208,304+1,983% total · +11.0% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • MRK$82,561+726% total · +7.6% a year
  • TEVA$76,156+662% total · +7.3% a year
  • BMY$44,277+343% total · +5.3% a year
  • VTRS$23,883+139% total · +3.0% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,979 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of BMY; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202120222023202420252026
  • LLY$52,411+424% total · +39.3% a year
  • MCK$43,941+339% total · +34.5% a year
  • ABBV$29,134+191% total · +23.8% a year
  • COR$26,420+164% total · +21.4% a year
  • GILD$25,496+155% total · +20.6% a year
  • AMGN$23,160+132% total · +18.3% a year
  • MRK$22,538+125% total · +17.6% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • JNJ$18,849+88.5% total · +13.5% a year
  • BMY$12,837+28.4% total · +5.1% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

BMY at a glance

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

The company

Market value
$129B
Industry
Drug Manufacturers - General
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+48.2%total return
Past 3 years
+29.6%+9.0% a year
Past 5 years
+34.5%+6.1% a year
Past 10 years
+82.7%+6.2% a year
Best calendar year
+77.1%1997
Worst calendar year
−52.4%2002
Losing years
10 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
25.0%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.36return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−70.6%Oct 1999 to Jul 2002
From its all-time high
−7.4%below the peak

BMY against the whole market

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

How does BMY rank among all stocks?

This section ranks BMY 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 BMY 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.

MeasureBMYRankStanding
1-year return+48.2%584 of 3,282top 18%
3-year return+29.6%1,896 of 3,016bottom 38%
5-year return+34.5%1,289 of 2,897top 44%
10-year return+82.7%1,417 of 2,201bottom 37%
Volatility, 5 years25.0%324 of 2,897top 11%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.361,369 of 2,897top 47%
Worst decline, past 10 years−47.7%364 of 2,184top 17%

What has beaten BMY 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). BMY sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than BMY 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 BMY; faint dots are 86 more of the 593 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than BMYSCHD: +10.2% a year, volatility 14.4%ADP: +9.6% a year, volatility 23.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%CL: +7.8% a year, volatility 19.3%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CHT: +8.2% a year, volatility 13.3%HDV: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.0%DGX: +13.0% a year, volatility 22.5%USMV: +7.7% a year, volatility 12.3%COWZ: +11.6% a year, volatility 17.7%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%XLP: +7.6% a year, volatility 13.8%MOAT: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.4%THG: +15.2% a year, volatility 22.9%PDBC: +12.0% a year, volatility 19.3%NWE: +11.2% a year, volatility 21.6%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%NULV: +9.4% a year, volatility 14.2%DSTL: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.2%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%IUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%OUSA: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.4%DJD: +12.5% a year, volatility 13.3%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%DGICA: +10.0% a year, volatility 23.5%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%EBF: +11.5% a year, volatility 21.4%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%MO: +18.3% a year, volatility 21.4%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%BNS: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.0%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%PTLC: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%CTAS: +17.1% a year, volatility 23.1%VXUS: +8.0% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%CCEP: +20.4% a year, volatility 23.3%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%BCAL: +7.8% a year, volatility 22.2%VEA: +9.1% a year, volatility 16.9%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%TJX: +19.8% a year, volatility 22.3%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%WCN: +7.4% a year, volatility 20.4%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%SO: +12.3% a year, volatility 18.9%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%VT: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.2%MSI: +15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%RSP: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.1%ORLY: +15.8% a year, volatility 23.4%PJUL: +10.4% a year, volatility 8.6%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%ETR: +19.8% a year, volatility 22.4%NGG: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.6%DUK: +7.9% a year, volatility 18.1%AEP: +12.8% a year, volatility 20.2%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%CSX: +9.3% a year, volatility 23.5%POCT: +9.9% a year, volatility 8.0%SCHG: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%SEIC: +11.7% a year, volatility 22.4%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%TRP: +10.9% a year, volatility 21.9%AFG: +9.9% a year, volatility 22.7%JEPI: +7.3% a year, volatility 11.0%ED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%DOCT: +8.2% a year, volatility 7.4%IWR: +7.2% a year, volatility 18.2%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%EXC: +7.9% a year, volatility 20.9%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%XLI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.6%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%VGK: +8.2% a year, volatility 17.9%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%FTS: +9.5% a year, volatility 16.5%WEC: +7.7% a year, volatility 19.1%IXC: +20.9% a year, volatility 23.2%BMY: +6.1% a year, volatility 25.0%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%COR: +23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%MCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%AMGN: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%ABBV: +25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTXH: +12.3% a year, volatility 16.9%PJP: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.6%VRTX: +23.9% a year, volatility 29.1%RPRX: +13.8% a year, volatility 23.8%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%V: +13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%CB: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.4%MA: +12.7% a year, volatility 23.8%FTLS: +10.1% a year, volatility 10.5%FTCS: +6.5% a year, volatility 13.3%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%BMYSPY (S&P 500)CORMCKGILDAMGNABBVFBTPPHVRTXRPRXBRK-AVKOTDCBFTLSFTCSDXJNVS5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than BMYSCHD: +10.2% a year, volatility 14.4%ADP: +9.6% a year, volatility 23.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%CL: +7.8% a year, volatility 19.3%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CHT: +8.2% a year, volatility 13.3%HDV: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.0%DGX: +13.0% a year, volatility 22.5%USMV: +7.7% a year, volatility 12.3%COWZ: +11.6% a year, volatility 17.7%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%XLP: +7.6% a year, volatility 13.8%MOAT: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.4%THG: +15.2% a year, volatility 22.9%PDBC: +12.0% a year, volatility 19.3%NWE: +11.2% a year, volatility 21.6%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%NULV: +9.4% a year, volatility 14.2%DSTL: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.2%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%IUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%OUSA: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.4%DJD: +12.5% a year, volatility 13.3%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%DGICA: +10.0% a year, volatility 23.5%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%EBF: +11.5% a year, volatility 21.4%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%MO: +18.3% a year, volatility 21.4%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%BNS: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.0%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%PTLC: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%CTAS: +17.1% a year, volatility 23.1%VXUS: +8.0% a year, volatility 16.4%QQQ: +14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%CCEP: +20.4% a year, volatility 23.3%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%BCAL: +7.8% a year, volatility 22.2%VEA: +9.1% a year, volatility 16.9%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%TJX: +19.8% a year, volatility 22.3%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%WCN: +7.4% a year, volatility 20.4%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%SO: +12.3% a year, volatility 18.9%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%VT: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.2%MSI: +15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%RSP: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.1%ORLY: +15.8% a year, volatility 23.4%PJUL: +10.4% a year, volatility 8.6%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%ETR: +19.8% a year, volatility 22.4%NGG: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.6%DUK: +7.9% a year, volatility 18.1%AEP: +12.8% a year, volatility 20.2%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%CSX: +9.3% a year, volatility 23.5%POCT: +9.9% a year, volatility 8.0%SCHG: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%SEIC: +11.7% a year, volatility 22.4%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%TRP: +10.9% a year, volatility 21.9%AFG: +9.9% a year, volatility 22.7%JEPI: +7.3% a year, volatility 11.0%ED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%DOCT: +8.2% a year, volatility 7.4%IWR: +7.2% a year, volatility 18.2%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%EXC: +7.9% a year, volatility 20.9%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%XLI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.6%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%VGK: +8.2% a year, volatility 17.9%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%FTS: +9.5% a year, volatility 16.5%WEC: +7.7% a year, volatility 19.1%IXC: +20.9% a year, volatility 23.2%BMY: +6.1% a year, volatility 25.0%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%COR: +23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%MCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%AMGN: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%ABBV: +25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%FBT: +10.8% a year, volatility 22.2%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTXH: +12.3% a year, volatility 16.9%PJP: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.6%VRTX: +23.9% a year, volatility 29.1%RPRX: +13.8% a year, volatility 23.8%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%V: +13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%CB: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.4%MA: +12.7% a year, volatility 23.8%FTLS: +10.1% a year, volatility 10.5%FTCS: +6.5% a year, volatility 13.3%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%BMYSPY (S&P 500)CORJNJMCKGILDAMGNABBVPPHKOTDFTLSFTCSDXJNVS
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than BMY?

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

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

Screen the whole market against BMY for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with BMY?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Company · this page
+6.1%25.0%0.36−47.7%+82.7%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.120.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against BMY. 16 of 22 passed at least one test.
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+23.6%22.8%1.05−32.4%+403%0.35—
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+209%0.52—
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+37.8%25.1%1.41−38.1%+582%0.27—
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+202%0.35—
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.1%24.9%0.86−24.9%+280%0.39—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+25.5%23.4%1.09−45.1%+600%0.45—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Pharmaceuticals and the categories next to it (Biotechnology, Specialty Pharmaceuticals), plus BMY's specific themes. 12 of 257 passed at least one test.
FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Biotechnology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+10.8%22.2%0.58−33.3%+205%0.350.55%
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+158%0.460.36%
FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.3%16.9%0.77−32.1%+155%0.560.60%
PJPInvesco Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+11.3%16.6%0.73−34.0%+139%0.530.58%
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Rare Disease Therapeutics
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+23.9%29.1%0.89−41.6%+580%0.26—
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.8%23.8%0.67−49.7%—0.30—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 978 of 3,428 passed at least one test.
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+281%0.37—
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.2%22.9%0.66−36.4%+435%0.37—
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+205%0.39—
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.16—
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+15.8%20.4%0.82−42.6%+256%0.41—
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.7%23.8%0.62−41.0%+551%0.40—
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Long-Short Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.1%10.5%0.97−20.6%+155%0.200.95%
FTCSFirst Trust Capital Strength ETF · US Quality Equity
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+6.5%13.3%0.54−31.9%+191%0.420.53%
What these numbers mean for BMY
Annual return
BMY returned 6.1% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $13,500. 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
BMY's volatility over the past 5 years was 25.0%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, BMY's return lands within 25.0% 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
BMY's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.36, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so BMY 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
BMY's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 47.7%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 47.7% fall takes a 91.1% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, BMY's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.12 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 BMY instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a BMY holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 593 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than BMY with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with BMYExpense
1
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+281%0.37—
2
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+13.2%22.9%0.66−36.4%+435%0.37—
3
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Whole market+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+205%0.39—
4
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.16—
5
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.8%20.4%0.82−42.6%+256%0.41—
6
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.2%14.4%0.75−33.4%+256%0.550.06%
7
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Whole market+9.6%23.0%0.52−40.8%+337%0.23—
8
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+14.1%18.6%0.80−34.0%+461%0.14—
9
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.8%19.3%0.48−29.0%+73.7%0.19—
10
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+208%0.460.08%
11
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+8.2%13.3%0.66−23.8%+104%-0.01—
12
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+13.3%13.0%1.03−37.0%+177%0.540.08%
13
DGXQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical Diagnostics
Whole market+13.0%22.5%0.66−36.6%+256%0.29—
14
USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+7.7%12.3%0.66−33.1%+179%0.370.15%
15
COWZPacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.6%17.7%0.71−38.7%—0.470.49%
16
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.2%18.4%0.91−39.5%+286%0.250.15%
17
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.5%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.200.12%
18
XLPState Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF · Consumer Staples
Whole market+7.6%13.8%0.60−24.5%+124%0.410.08%
19
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.5%18.4%0.59−33.3%+278%0.320.46%
20
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.2%22.9%0.73−40.1%+309%0.44—
21
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Popular alternative+23.6%22.8%1.05−32.4%+403%0.35—
22
PDBCInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF · Broad Commodities
Whole market+12.0%19.3%0.69−40.7%+152%0.300.74%
23
NWENorthwestern Energy Group Inc · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.2%21.6%0.60−39.3%+107%0.27—
24
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.25—
25
NULVNuveen ESG Large-Cap Value · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+9.4%14.2%0.70−37.0%—0.410.26%
26
DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.7%16.2%0.77−33.1%—0.450.39%
27
QUSState Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+11.1%14.2%0.81−33.8%+276%0.270.15%
28
IUSInvesco RAFI Strategic US ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+14.7%14.9%1.00−34.7%—0.330.19%
29
FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund · Biotechnology
Same or nearby category+10.8%22.2%0.58−33.3%+205%0.350.55%
30
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+158%0.460.36%
31
FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+12.3%16.9%0.77−32.1%+155%0.560.60%
32
OUSAALPS Funds O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.5%13.4%0.75−33.1%+189%0.390.48%
33
PJPInvesco Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+11.3%16.6%0.73−34.0%+139%0.530.58%
34
DJDInvesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+12.5%13.3%0.95−34.7%+233%0.460.07%
35
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+298%0.130.03%
36
DGICADonegal Group Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+10.0%23.5%0.53−30.3%+81.6%0.29—
37
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.6%16.9%0.79−34.0%+319%0.120.03%
38
EBFEnnis, Inc. · Business Services
Whole market+11.5%21.4%0.62−35.4%+167%0.33—
39
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Popular alternative+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+209%0.52—
40
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+21.1%22.6%0.97−25.7%+521%0.17—
41
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.3%21.4%0.90−53.7%+133%0.31—
42
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+360%0.48—
43
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.180.48%
44
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+13.2%20.0%0.73−46.9%+191%0.34—
45
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.470.40%
46
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Long-Short Equity
Whole market+10.1%10.5%0.97−20.6%+155%0.200.95%
47
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Tactical Equity
Whole market+9.3%11.9%0.81−26.6%+185%0.180.60%
48
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+692%0.12—
49
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+17.1%23.1%0.80−48.4%+834%0.30—
50
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.0%16.4%0.56−36.0%+137%0.180.05%
51
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.2%23.0%0.69−35.1%+531%-0.110.18%
52
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+20.4%23.3%0.92−48.8%+294%0.23—
53
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.2%13.7%0.91−36.8%+237%0.420.03%
54
BCALCalifornia BanCorp · Regional Banks
Whole market+7.8%22.2%0.45−52.3%+151%0.26—
55
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.1%16.9%0.60−35.8%+152%0.210.03%
56
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Broad Commodities
Whole market+21.1%18.4%1.14−45.7%—0.260.80%
57
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Apparel Retail
Whole market+19.8%22.3%0.93−42.5%+357%0.21—
58
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.7%20.9%0.64−32.6%+404%0.26—
59
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.1%19.0%0.93−26.4%+206%0.220.40%
60
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+7.4%20.4%0.45−31.6%+299%0.28—
61
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.77−31.7%+258%0.290.04%
62
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+11.6%13.8%0.87−35.2%+209%0.430.04%
63
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.3%18.9%0.71−38.4%+178%0.10—
64
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.6%20.8%0.63−37.4%+334%0.23—
65
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.1%16.2%0.68−34.2%+220%0.160.06%
66
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Popular alternative+25.5%23.4%1.09−45.1%+600%0.45—
67
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+15.2%23.6%0.72−32.8%+639%0.26—
68
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+8.4%16.1%0.58−39.0%+214%0.340.20%
69
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+15.8%23.4%0.75−42.0%+394%0.23—
70
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · US Equity Buffer
Whole market+10.4%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.110.79%
71
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+9.5%19.3%0.57−30.1%+357%0.20—
72
ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+19.8%22.4%0.92−42.0%+326%0.28—
73
NGGNational Grid plc · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.3%22.6%0.63−39.2%+125%0.23—
74
DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.9%18.1%0.52−37.4%+140%0.26—
75
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.8%20.2%0.70−32.9%+192%0.27—
76
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · US Equity Buffer
Whole market+11.0%10.5%1.04−13.6%—0.090.85%
77
CSXCSX Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+9.3%23.5%0.50−40.5%+485%0.23—
78
POCTInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Moderate Buffer
Whole market+9.9%8.0%1.22−18.8%—0.080.79%
79
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+12.8%22.5%0.65−34.5%+438%-0.050.04%
80
SEICSEI Investments Company · Asset Management
Whole market+11.7%22.4%0.61−51.8%+156%0.36—
81
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.4%17.5%0.86−34.7%—0.070.26%
82
TRPTC Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+10.9%21.9%0.58−41.6%+165%0.40—
83
AFGAmerican Financial Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+9.9%22.7%0.53−59.0%+332%0.40—
84
JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Covered Call Income
Whole market+7.3%11.0%0.70−13.7%—0.400.35%
85
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.7%18.9%0.73−30.9%+123%0.22—
86
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.9%18.5%0.90−32.9%+207%0.45—
87
DOCTFT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October · Deep Buffer
Whole market+8.2%7.4%1.10−9.9%—0.090.85%
88
IWRiShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+7.2%18.2%0.47−40.6%+198%0.280.18%
89
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+193%0.280.25%
90
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.320.27%
91
VYMIVanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.2%14.8%0.92−40.0%+174%0.310.07%
92
EXCExelon Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.9%20.9%0.47−40.0%+171%0.22—
93
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.1%20.9%0.91−30.9%+485%-0.040.13%
94
XLIState Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF · US Industrials
Whole market+11.4%17.6%0.70−42.3%+246%0.260.08%
95
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.9%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.320.15%
96
VGKVanguard FTSE Europe ETF · European Equity
Whole market+8.2%17.9%0.53−37.2%+150%0.200.06%
97
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+15.9%15.1%1.06−41.3%—0.340.56%
98
FTSFortis Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+9.5%16.5%0.63−34.3%+162%0.25—
99
WECWEC Energy Group, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.7%19.1%0.49−32.3%+168%0.28—
100
IXCiShares Global Energy ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+20.9%23.2%0.94−64.2%+183%0.390.37%

BMY against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityBMY: 6.1% a year, volatility 25.0%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%AMGN: 20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%ABBV: 25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%MRK: 16.2% a year, volatility 24.8%GILD: 22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%COR: 23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%IQV: 1.6% a year, volatility 34.8%TAK: 12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%JNJ: 13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%NVS: 17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%GSK: 9.6% a year, volatility 24.5%TMO: 2.3% a year, volatility 27.8%XBI: 4.2% a year, volatility 32.5%NVO: −4.3% a year, volatility 39.1%BIIB: −0.8% a year, volatility 34.8%PFE: −1.7% a year, volatility 25.4%SNY: 0.5% a year, volatility 25.4%LLY: 41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%MCK: 37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%VTRS: 10.3% a year, volatility 33.6%TEVA: 31.8% a year, volatility 42.8%AZN: 8.9% a year, volatility 35.7%REGN: 7.6% a year, volatility 31.2%BMYSPY (S&P 500)AMGNABBVMRKGILDCORIQVNVSGSKTMOXBINVOBIIBPFESNYLLYMCKVTRSTEVAAZNREGN10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityBMY: 6.1% a year, volatility 25.0%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%AMGN: 20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%ABBV: 25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%MRK: 16.2% a year, volatility 24.8%GILD: 22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%COR: 23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%IQV: 1.6% a year, volatility 34.8%TAK: 12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%JNJ: 13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%NVS: 17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%GSK: 9.6% a year, volatility 24.5%TMO: 2.3% a year, volatility 27.8%XBI: 4.2% a year, volatility 32.5%NVO: −4.3% a year, volatility 39.1%BIIB: −0.8% a year, volatility 34.8%PFE: −1.7% a year, volatility 25.4%SNY: 0.5% a year, volatility 25.4%LLY: 41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%MCK: 37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%VTRS: 10.3% a year, volatility 33.6%TEVA: 31.8% a year, volatility 42.8%AZN: 8.9% a year, volatility 35.7%REGN: 7.6% a year, volatility 31.2%BMYSPY (S&P 500)AMGNABBVMRKGILDCORIQVJNJNVSGSKTMOXBINVOBIIBPFESNYLLYMCKVTRSTEVAREGN
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
LLY Eli Lilly and Company+41.2%32.8%
MCK McKesson Corporation+37.8%25.1%
TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited+31.8%42.8%
ABBV AbbVie Inc.+25.5%23.4%
COR Cencora, Inc.+23.6%22.8%
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.+22.8%24.9%
AMGN Amgen Inc.+20.1%24.9%
NVS Novartis AG+17.4%20.7%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.+16.2%24.8%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson+13.5%18.0%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited+12.3%19.4%
VTRS Viatris Inc.+10.3%33.6%
GSK GSK plc+9.6%24.5%
AZN AstraZeneca PLC+8.9%35.7%
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.+7.6%31.2%
BMY This pageBristol-Myers Squibb Company+6.1%25.0%
XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF+4.2%32.5%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.3%27.8%
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.+1.6%34.8%
SNY Sanofi+0.5%25.4%
BIIB Biogen Inc.−0.8%34.8%
PFE Pfizer Inc.−1.7%25.4%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S−4.3%39.1%
Open these 24 in EasyCompare

Has BMY consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

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

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (this page)—+2.3%+4.8%+9.5%+21.6%+48.2%+29.6%+34.5%+82.7%25.0%0.36−47.7%—$129B—
AMGN QualifiedAmgen Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+9.0%+22.9%+31.0%+39.3%+55.3%+79.2%+150%+280%24.9%0.86−24.9%—$242B—
LLY QualifiedEli Lilly and Company4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+11.7%+12.5%+42.3%+21.5%+61.9%+131%+461%+1,870%32.8%1.22−34.5%—$1.2T—
ABBV QualifiedAbbVie Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+8.1%+13.2%+44.0%+28.0%+28.3%+117%+212%+600%23.4%1.09−45.1%—$503B—
MCK QualifiedMcKesson Corporation4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+13.6%+24.5%+22.3%+23.3%+27.7%+128%+397%+582%25.1%1.41−38.1%—$118B—
MRK QualifiedMerck & Co., Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−2.4%+16.2%+32.1%+41.2%+73.0%+56.1%+111%+245%24.8%0.73−43.4%—$363B—
GILD QualifiedGilead Sciences, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+3.0%+21.3%+19.7%+31.6%+32.6%+123%+179%+202%24.9%0.95−30.5%—$195B—
COR QualifiedCencora, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+7.6%+12.8%+10.3%+0.5%+3.1%+83.8%+188%+403%22.8%1.05−32.4%—$65B—
VTRS QualifiedViatris Inc.5/5 short2/3 long+7.6%+9.5%+29.1%+51.7%+83.7%+135%+63.4%−38.5%33.6%0.47−82.0%—$21B—
IQV QualifiedIQVIA Holdings Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+3.0%+40.2%+58.8%+23.5%+27.8%+51.5%+8.3%+273%34.8%0.22−51.5%—$46B—
TAK QualifiedTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited4/5 short2/3 long+9.8%+23.2%+25.3%+35.5%+49.6%+58.4%+78.4%+33.3%19.4%0.70−54.4%—$64B—
TEVA QualifiedTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited4/5 short2/3 long+1.7%+33.4%+28.8%+29.9%+112%+392%+297%−3.6%42.8%0.85−85.3%—$47B—
JNJ Drug Manufacturers - GeneralJohnson & Johnson2/5 short3/3 long−0.6%+5.2%+19.6%+31.1%+41.8%+92.5%+88.0%+209%18.0%0.80−27.4%—$645B—
NVS Drug Manufacturers - GeneralNovartis AG1/5 short3/3 long+10.6%+2.1%+6.1%+15.0%+21.2%+78.9%+123%+234%20.7%0.89−26.8%—$297B—
AZN Drug Manufacturers - GeneralAstraZeneca PLC0/5 short3/3 long+2.5%+2.3%−10.8%−4.9%+4.1%+46.6%+53.2%+276%35.7%0.42−28.7%—$268B—
GSK Drug Manufacturers - GeneralGSK plc0/5 short3/3 long+1.0%+1.8%−6.4%+5.9%+19.8%+60.8%+57.8%+101%24.5%0.50−37.6%—$103B—
TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.2/5 short2/3 long+2.7%+28.6%+31.9%+14.5%+19.7%+47.9%+12.1%+355%27.8%0.22−40.9%—$250B—
XBI HealthcareState Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF2/5 short2/3 long−6.3%−0.3%+10.5%+24.9%+41.9%+133%+22.9%+160%32.5%0.29−63.9%0.35%$10B—
REGN BiotechnologyRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.2/5 short2/3 long+1.9%+25.9%+10.0%+5.9%+40.8%+3.9%+44.5%+128%31.2%0.39−59.7%—$84B—
NVO Drug Manufacturers - GeneralNovo Nordisk A/S0/5 short1/3 long+0.1%−17.4%+2.0%−23.8%−25.2%−57.2%−19.5%+136%39.1%0.09−75.2%—$175B—
BIIB Drug Manufacturers - GeneralBiogen Inc.5/5 short0/3 long+12.6%+28.4%+33.6%+42.8%+71.8%+0.2%−4.1%−12.7%34.8%0.14−72.7%—$38B—
PFE Drug Manufacturers - GeneralPfizer Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+8.9%+24.7%+17.4%+27.0%+31.7%+19.6%−8.2%+58.7%25.4%0.06−58.9%—$173B—
SNY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralSanofi0/5 short0/3 long−1.3%−4.2%−7.0%−9.5%−12.7%−8.8%+2.6%+65.1%25.4%0.15−33.5%—$101B—
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How did BMY do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where BMY ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with BMY and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

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

InvestmentYears ahead of BMY20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
BMY This pageBristol-Myers Squibb Company—+0.1%+15.8%−26.1%+19.0%+2.9%+0.4%+27.7%−12.9%+7.7%−13.5%+19.3%+14.2%+70.0%−3.8%+39.4%+8.8%+14.8%−6.1%+4.8%+19.9%−6.2%−7.2%+29.1%−52.4%−26.2%+17.1%−2.8%+42.9%+77.1%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 2922 of 237 of 2322 of 2311 of 2315 of 2315 of 238 of 2317 of 2318 of 2313 of 235 of 2318 of 234 of 2220 of 213 of 2111 of 2112 of 215 of 2011 of 206 of 1917 of 1913 of 196 of 1918 of 1817 of 1814 of 188 of 186 of 184 of 18
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF17 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
AMGN Amgen Inc.15 of 29+29.7%−6.8%+13.5%+20.4%+0.9%−2.0%+27.6%+15.2%+22.3%−7.6%+4.0%+42.3%+34.8%+36.8%+18.2%−3.0%−2.0%+24.3%−32.0%−13.4%+22.9%+3.8%+27.8%−14.4%−11.7%+6.5%+130%+93.3%−0.4%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company18 of 29+40.3%+33.3%+60.9%+34.3%+66.1%+31.0%+16.2%+40.5%+17.8%−10.4%+25.4%+39.8%+7.3%+24.2%+25.2%+3.6%−6.2%−21.3%+5.7%−5.2%+2.6%−17.6%+13.1%−17.6%−14.4%+41.9%−24.3%+29.1%+93.6%
ABBV AbbVie Inc.10 of 13+33.1%+18.9%−0.2%+24.0%+32.4%+27.7%+1.5%−1.0%+60.1%+9.8%−6.5%+27.9%+60.7%————————————————
MCK McKesson Corporation19 of 29+44.5%+23.7%+24.1%+51.8%+44.2%+27.1%+26.7%−28.4%+12.0%−28.3%−4.5%+29.3%+67.7%+25.6%+11.8%+13.8%+62.9%−40.4%+29.7%−1.2%+64.9%−1.4%+19.9%−27.2%+4.9%+61.2%−71.3%+46.9%+96.3%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.13 of 29+9.8%−6.3%+1.0%+49.4%+1.8%−7.2%+22.3%+40.0%−1.5%+15.0%−3.9%+16.9%+26.9%+13.1%+9.6%+2.9%+26.7%−45.3%+37.3%+42.8%+4.0%−27.7%−11.2%−1.2%−36.0%+41.8%−7.7%+41.6%+35.7%
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.19 of 29+36.6%+18.7%−2.0%+23.6%+29.9%−6.7%+7.9%−9.9%+3.0%−27.6%+8.6%+25.5%+105%+79.5%+12.9%−16.3%−15.4%+11.2%+41.7%+23.4%+50.2%+20.1%+71.4%+3.6%+58.2%+53.9%+31.7%+6.7%+53.6%
COR Cencora, Inc.15 of 29+51.5%+10.4%+25.3%+26.3%+38.0%+17.0%+18.2%−16.6%+20.6%−23.3%+16.9%+29.9%+65.3%+17.9%+10.3%+32.4%+48.0%−19.8%+3.3%+8.9%+41.4%+2.5%+5.6%−14.5%+25.8%+233%−53.3%+11.7%+20.8%
VTRS Viatris Inc.13 of 29+5.0%+19.7%+2.0%−14.3%−26.2%−6.8%−26.6%−35.2%+10.9%−29.4%−4.1%+29.9%+58.1%+27.9%+1.6%+14.6%+86.4%−29.7%−29.1%+1.1%+14.2%−29.6%+63.5%−6.4%+49.9%+0.7%−19.5%+51.3%+27.1%
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.9 of 12+14.7%−15.1%+12.9%−27.4%+57.5%+16.0%+33.0%+18.7%+28.7%+10.8%+16.6%+27.0%—————————————————
TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited7 of 17+22.7%−3.2%−4.8%+20.1%−21.6%−3.0%+22.1%−38.8%+41.3%−14.0%+24.4%−6.5%+7.4%+5.8%−5.0%+21.2%−16.1%————————————
TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited13 of 29+41.6%+111%+14.5%+13.9%−17.0%−1.5%−36.4%−18.6%−46.0%−43.2%+16.7%+47.4%+10.9%−5.1%−21.0%−5.9%+33.6%−7.4%+50.9%−27.1%+45.2%+6.1%+47.8%+26.1%−15.5%+105%+77.0%−13.4%−5.3%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson14 of 29+47.5%−4.8%−8.6%+6.0%+11.4%+10.8%+16.2%−5.1%+24.4%+15.3%+1.2%+17.3%+34.6%+10.8%+9.9%−0.6%+11.3%−7.7%+3.6%+12.4%−3.4%+25.2%−2.0%−7.9%+14.0%+14.2%+12.5%+29.0%+34.3%
NVS Novartis AG16 of 29+46.0%−0.5%+21.1%+6.6%−5.0%+2.2%+29.1%+6.2%+19.8%−11.8%−4.3%+19.4%+32.2%+16.1%+1.5%+12.6%+14.6%−5.4%−3.4%+11.3%+6.0%+12.3%+27.5%+2.1%−17.2%+30.6%−24.1%+21.9%+52.9%
AZN AstraZeneca PLC17 of 29+38.0%−1.2%+0.8%+20.4%+17.9%+2.9%+37.4%+13.9%+35.3%−16.7%+0.1%+24.6%+32.0%+8.6%+6.0%+3.5%+20.4%+0.3%−17.1%+12.7%+36.9%−22.0%+38.2%−23.2%−7.9%+28.7%−5.3%+27.0%+31.8%
GSK GSK plc13 of 29+51.3%−5.2%+9.8%−16.8%+27.1%−17.7%+29.2%+13.8%−3.0%+2.1%−0.3%−15.7%+28.9%+0.6%+22.7%−2.1%+19.2%−22.2%−0.8%+7.9%+9.9%+5.6%+28.8%−21.6%−9.7%+4.1%−17.9%+48.2%+55.8%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.19 of 29+11.8%−1.7%−3.4%−17.3%+43.5%+43.7%+45.6%+18.2%+35.0%−0.1%+13.8%+13.1%+75.8%+43.2%−18.8%+16.1%+40.0%−40.9%+27.4%+50.3%−0.2%+19.8%+25.3%−15.7%+5.6%+98.2%−11.4%−61.5%+6.7%
XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF9 of 19+35.9%+1.0%+7.6%−25.9%−20.4%+48.3%+32.6%−15.3%+43.8%−15.4%+13.6%+45.0%+48.4%+32.7%+5.2%+17.6%+0.4%−8.5%+29.1%——————————
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.18 of 29+9.0%−18.9%+21.7%+14.2%+30.7%+28.7%+0.5%−0.7%+2.4%−32.4%+32.3%+49.0%+60.9%+209%+68.8%+35.8%+31.7%−24.0%+20.3%+26.2%+72.7%−37.4%−20.6%−34.3%−20.2%+177%+72.8%−13.8%−46.9%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S21 of 29−39.2%−15.9%+54.8%+22.6%+63.5%+23.3%+28.7%−11.8%+54.3%−36.6%+39.3%+16.7%+15.3%+44.0%+4.1%+79.3%+27.2%−19.8%+57.4%+51.3%+5.6%+34.6%+43.5%−27.0%+14.4%+39.0%−1.9%−7.3%+54.9%
BIIB Biogen Inc.15 of 29+15.1%−40.9%−6.6%+15.4%−2.0%−17.5%−1.4%−5.5%+12.3%−7.4%−9.8%+21.4%+91.0%+33.0%+64.1%+25.3%+12.3%−16.3%+15.7%+8.6%−32.0%+81.5%+10.6%−51.9%+9.1%+93.0%+318%+36.6%+44.7%
PFE Pfizer Inc.12 of 29+0.6%−2.2%−41.3%−10.4%+66.7%+3.4%−6.7%+25.1%+16.1%+4.4%+7.3%+5.4%+26.5%+20.6%+28.8%+0.6%+8.1%−16.9%−8.2%+15.3%−10.6%−22.3%+17.7%−22.2%−12.5%+43.0%−21.5%+68.8%+82.0%
SNY Sanofi10 of 23+4.9%+1.1%+6.5%+0.5%+7.0%+0.4%+20.5%+6.0%+9.9%−1.2%−3.4%−11.9%+17.1%+36.0%+18.8%−13.4%+28.7%−26.5%+1.0%+7.2%+11.6%+8.2%+26.2%——————
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Risk and diversification

How BMY 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 BMY's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents BMY's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

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

DuringBMY fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−70.6%−35.0%Oct 1999Jul 20022.8 yearsMay 201310.8 years
2023 regional bank crisis−47.7%+39.1%Dec 2022Jul 202419 monthsNot yet—
No named crash−39.8%—Mar 1987Oct 19877 monthsMay 198919 months
Late-2018 sell-off−39.3%+46.1%Jul 2016Jul 20193 yearsMay 202122 months
No named crash−38.4%—Jan 1992Aug 199319 monthsOct 19952.2 years

How did BMY do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far BMY, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

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

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
BMY This pageBristol-Myers Squibb Company—−2.3%−16.0%−29.4%−22.9%−4.1%−16.3%−10.5%0.0%−39.2%−69.5%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF3 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
AMGN Amgen Inc.6 of 10−1.2%−11.9%−18.3%−14.3%−7.4%−22.1%−12.6%−0.5%−31.3%−60.2%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company5 of 10−0.6%−11.7%−16.9%−10.2%−8.6%−19.6%−10.9%0.0%−50.0%−54.3%
ABBV AbbVie Inc.2 of 6−1.5%−21.9%−32.1%−18.1%−5.8%−29.8%————
MCK McKesson Corporation4 of 10−0.9%−10.5%−32.1%−20.7%−6.5%−30.8%−14.2%−3.5%−57.7%−39.4%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.4 of 10−2.4%−10.8%−19.3%−9.7%−6.6%−18.2%−17.4%−2.3%−63.3%−57.5%
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.4 of 10−1.6%−20.0%−13.7%−22.7%−5.5%−28.7%−18.2%−2.1%−34.3%−53.6%
COR Cencora, Inc.2 of 10−2.3%−17.8%−23.8%−24.2%−7.1%−21.4%−14.5%−2.8%−41.9%−29.7%
VTRS Viatris Inc.1 of 10−6.9%−43.3%−37.3%−32.8%−6.8%−31.9%−32.4%−0.1%−64.4%−47.3%
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.1 of 6−6.8%−35.9%−48.9%−19.2%−5.3%−28.7%————
TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited3 of 8−0.6%−14.8%−31.5%−27.9%−6.5%−17.0%−5.6%−3.7%——
TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited2 of 10−7.4%−34.0%−50.3%−40.1%−10.7%−21.8%−25.8%−2.4%−23.5%−34.7%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson8 of 10−1.1%−12.7%−25.4%−16.9%−8.2%−9.0%−9.8%−0.1%−34.4%−35.9%
NVS Novartis AG4 of 10−1.1%−20.4%−25.5%−9.9%−6.6%−30.1%−14.5%−2.6%−41.7%−25.7%
AZN AstraZeneca PLC5 of 10−0.5%−25.7%−22.6%−11.4%−6.4%−18.0%−16.4%−1.1%−37.4%−43.5%
GSK GSK plc5 of 10−0.3%−37.6%−26.5%−11.5%−4.3%−15.7%−12.4%−2.0%−46.6%−45.1%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.4 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF1 of 9−6.9%−43.6%−32.9%−32.5%−5.5%−42.6%−26.7%−4.1%−37.5%—
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.3 of 10−0.2%−25.8%−12.7%−17.3%−7.3%−37.7%−23.2%−7.2%−49.9%−71.6%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S4 of 10−1.1%−21.4%−23.7%−13.8%−3.9%−20.8%−23.1%−1.7%−40.9%−51.0%
BIIB Biogen Inc.3 of 10−2.5%−22.4%−21.2%−21.7%−9.3%−24.6%−19.4%−0.6%−52.7%−59.8%
PFE Pfizer Inc.4 of 10−1.8%−24.6%−21.8%−12.3%−8.1%−18.2%−16.1%−1.8%−49.8%−46.0%
SNY Sanofi3 of 9−0.5%−33.5%−25.2%−9.0%−9.8%−30.2%−20.7%−2.8%−46.6%—
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How closely does BMY 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 BMY with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than BMY's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
BMY This pageBristol-Myers Squibb Company55%75%0.730.41
LLY Eli Lilly and Company101%6%15.730.37
MCK McKesson Corporation72%27%2.710.56
ABBV AbbVie Inc.92%57%1.620.54
AZN AstraZeneca PLC60%39%1.520.39
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.52%36%1.440.35
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.64%46%1.390.30
COR Cencora, Inc.80%58%1.390.56
JNJ Johnson & Johnson64%53%1.200.46
AMGN Amgen Inc.74%64%1.160.54
NVS Novartis AG69%64%1.080.49
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.55%66%0.840.19
GSK GSK plc51%61%0.820.52
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S75%94%0.800.60
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.128%167%0.771.31
XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF93%122%0.761.01
SNY Sanofi53%74%0.720.46
PFE Pfizer Inc.52%81%0.650.54
TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited34%58%0.580.44
TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited55%116%0.481.11
VTRS Viatris Inc.74%179%0.411.14
BIIB Biogen Inc.35%91%0.380.28
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What diversifies BMY?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202320182016201220082005200420022001199980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (this page)1.00+34.5%0.36−26.1%−12.9%−13.5%−3.8%−6.1%−6.2%−7.2%−52.4%−26.2%−2.8%24.7%+5.1%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.47+119%1.48+17.4%−5.2%————————20.7%+7.8%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.18+225%1.34+42.0%−19.8%+1.1%+19.6%−20.8%—————20.4%+9.8%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.39+103%1.06+8.0%−8.7%+29.8%———————21.1%+7.6%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.25+83.6%0.95+20.1%−9.5%+6.3%+20.9%——————20.4%+7.3%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF-0.16+304%0.94+73.4%−9.1%+35.6%+8.6%−44.7%+10.8%−19.3%−47.0%−14.6%—19.9%+12.7%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.40+178%0.94−0.6%−18.2%+28.0%+5.2%−39.0%+40.1%+33.8%−14.8%−18.2%+18.1%22.4%+9.1%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.22+120%0.93+12.7%−1.9%+8.0%+6.6%+4.9%+17.8%————20.8%+8.3%
DFIV InternationalDimensional - International Value ETF0.32+99.4%0.93+17.7%—————————21.0%+7.7%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202320182016201220082005200420022001199980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (this page)1.00+34.5%0.36−26.1%−12.9%−13.5%−3.8%−6.1%−6.2%−7.2%−52.4%−26.2%−2.8%24.7%+5.1%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.13+471%1.54+34.1%−24.5%−17.5%+3.8%−39.6%+18.7%−4.7%−8.3%−2.5%−36.8%21.1%+12.0%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.-0.11+2,780%1.43+160%−16.3%+7.4%+11.2%−20.5%−25.2%−6.4%−65.1%−25.6%+350%21.8%+24.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.27+397%1.41+24.1%−28.4%−28.3%+25.6%−40.4%+64.9%−1.4%−27.2%+4.9%−71.3%21.7%+11.3%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.-0.03+1,452%1.41+79.6%+0.8%+18.3%+15.7%−15.2%+20.1%+40.0%−9.4%+73.7%−58.7%21.5%+20.7%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.23+660%1.39+30.4%−8.2%+0.7%+94.3%——————22.2%+13.8%
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Common questions

What was BMY's worst drawdown?

BMY's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 70.6%, from October 1999 to July 2002. It took about 11 years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were BMY's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, BMY's best year was 1997, when it returned 77.1%. Its worst was 2002, with a return of -52.4%.

Is there a better investment than BMY?

Among BMY's popular alternatives, COR, JNJ and ABBV earned more than BMY with less volatility over the past 5 years. COR returned 23.6% a year at 22.8% volatility, against 6.1% a year at 25.0%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, FBT (biotechnology) and PPH (pharmaceuticals) earned more than BMY with less volatility over the past 5 years. FBT returned 10.8% a year at 22.2% volatility, against 6.1% a year at 25.0%.

Is BMY more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. BMY's volatility over the past 5 years was 25.0%, 1.5 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, BMY's return lands within 25.0% 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 BMY's Sharpe ratio?

BMY's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.36, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so BMY 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 BMY with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, BMY's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.12 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 BMY instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a BMY holding.

What are the best alternatives to BMY?

Of the 22 popular alternatives we compared, 11 outperformed BMY in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: AMGN, LLY and ABBV.

Did BMY outperform the S&P 500?

BMY finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 11 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +0.1%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did BMY do in stock market crashes?

BMY fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in seven of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in three. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when BMY fell 39.2% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies BMY?

These had a low correlation with BMY over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.47), DXJ (correlation 0.18) and EMLP (correlation 0.39); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.13), CLS (correlation -0.11) and MCK (correlation 0.27). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

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