BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Consumer Finance

How Capital One Financial (COF) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

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

Period covered: COF's full trading record, from November 1994 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 COF →Chart COF vs. 21 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about COF

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 COF have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in COF over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of COF over the same span and COF'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. 335 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of COF; 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
  • FICO$470,975+4,610% total · +14.2% a year
  • CACC$382,533+3,725% total · +13.4% a year
  • WRLD$257,602+2,476% total · +11.9% a year
  • JPM$189,407+1,794% total · +10.7% a year
  • AXP$184,080+1,741% total · +10.6% a year
  • COF$178,099+1,681% total · +10.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • SLM$64,103+541% total · +6.6% a year
  • BAC$36,875+269% total · +4.6% a year
  • C$11,853+18.5% total · +0.6% 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. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,952 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of COF; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000202120222023202420252026
  • ENVA$48,367+384% total · +37.1% a year
  • JPM$22,905+129% total · +18.0% a year
  • C$21,876+119% total · +16.9% a year
  • AXP$19,289+92.9% total · +14.0% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • V$16,755+67.5% total · +10.9% a year
  • MA$16,338+63.4% total · +10.3% a year
  • SYF$16,226+62.3% total · +10.2% a year
  • BFH$13,265+32.6% total · +5.8% a year
  • COF$13,015+30.2% total · +5.4% a year
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COF 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
$125B
Industry
Financial - Credit Services
Price history from
November 1994

Returns

Past 1 year
−6.3%total return
Past 3 years
+136%+33.1% a year
Past 5 years
+32.3%+5.8% a year
Past 10 years
+221%+12.4% a year
Best calendar year
+113%1998
Worst calendar year
−44.8%2002
Losing years
10 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
35.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.34return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−90.2%Mar 2006 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−20.2%below the peak

COF against the whole market

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

How does COF rank among all stocks?

This section ranks COF 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 COF 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.

MeasureCOFRankStanding
1-year return−6.3%2,259 of 3,282bottom 32%
3-year return+136%680 of 3,016top 23%
5-year return+32.3%1,318 of 2,897top 45%
10-year return+221%793 of 2,201top 36%
Volatility, 5 years35.1%1,145 of 2,897top 40%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.341,451 of 2,897top 50%
Worst decline, past 10 years−60.3%890 of 2,184top 41%

What has beaten COF 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). COF sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than COF 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 COF; faint dots are 91 more of the 1,076 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.

−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than COFWMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%QQQ: +14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.3% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%MRK: +16.1% a year, volatility 24.8%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%AMGN: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.1% a year, volatility 26.1%PGR: +21.8% a year, volatility 25.7%CB: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.4%CM: +19.5% a year, volatility 21.6%BNY: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.4%DE: +15.1% a year, volatility 29.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%SCHD: +10.2% a year, volatility 14.4%BMO: +14.0% a year, volatility 21.4%GWW: +26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%COR: +23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%CTAS: +17.1% a year, volatility 23.1%MNST: +17.4% a year, volatility 24.9%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%AFL: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.8%ADP: +9.6% a year, volatility 23.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%MSI: +15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%ROST: +17.8% a year, volatility 29.5%ALL: +17.9% a year, volatility 26.2%CCEP: +20.4% a year, volatility 23.3%CSX: +9.3% a year, volatility 23.5%FAST: +16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%AJG: +11.6% a year, volatility 24.3%AME: +13.5% a year, volatility 22.2%CBOE: +22.0% a year, volatility 25.1%GRMN: +14.8% a year, volatility 31.6%IX: +18.3% a year, volatility 25.4%ACGL: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.5%NDAQ: +10.5% a year, volatility 24.9%SLF: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%AAPL: +19.1% a year, volatility 28.0%XLF: +8.7% a year, volatility 18.3%WRB: +18.6% a year, volatility 22.9%FNV: +11.2% a year, volatility 31.3%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%WCN: +7.4% a year, volatility 20.4%DGX: +13.0% a year, volatility 22.5%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%DGRW: +11.7% a year, volatility 14.0%SPHQ: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.7%EXPD: +11.1% a year, volatility 27.1%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%EWT: +19.8% a year, volatility 24.3%MTUM: +10.3% a year, volatility 22.2%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%CACI: +16.8% a year, volatility 30.0%AIZ: +13.7% a year, volatility 25.3%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%LECO: +13.8% a year, volatility 27.5%WTS: +14.8% a year, volatility 28.4%MOAT: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.4%CSL: +10.3% a year, volatility 32.4%THG: +15.2% a year, volatility 22.9%ARW: +11.8% a year, volatility 30.7%NHC: +31.2% a year, volatility 28.6%ABBV: +25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%RSPT: +16.6% a year, volatility 25.1%TDIV: +16.5% a year, volatility 21.3%EXLS: +11.5% a year, volatility 32.7%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%RLI: +9.2% a year, volatility 24.0%XMHQ: +9.6% a year, volatility 20.5%WTV: +13.6% a year, volatility 17.0%NIC: +19.7% a year, volatility 30.2%SUSA: +10.3% a year, volatility 17.4%MUFG: +33.5% a year, volatility 29.4%FV: +9.4% a year, volatility 21.1%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%OTTR: +11.1% a year, volatility 27.6%MCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%RTX: +18.7% a year, volatility 24.4%MGRC: +11.0% a year, volatility 26.2%CHCO: +15.1% a year, volatility 22.8%FNDB: +13.1% a year, volatility 15.1%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%BFC: +18.7% a year, volatility 27.4%COF: +5.8% a year, volatility 35.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%V: +13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%MA: +12.7% a year, volatility 23.8%AXP: +13.1% a year, volatility 29.2%SYF: +11.3% a year, volatility 36.7%FICO: +15.0% a year, volatility 45.6%PAG: +16.5% a year, volatility 31.8%FCFS: +16.7% a year, volatility 31.2%NNI: +9.6% a year, volatility 22.6%LYG: +19.8% a year, volatility 32.1%PTC: +8.7% a year, volatility 35.0%EZPW: +30.9% a year, volatility 35.8%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%CAH: +41.7% a year, volatility 24.7%MSFT: +11.9% a year, volatility 28.2%LLY: +41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%TXN: +10.1% a year, volatility 33.8%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%HWM: +45.1% a year, volatility 32.7%C: +15.3% a year, volatility 29.4%COFSPY (S&P 500)JPMAXPSYFFICOPAGFCFSNNILYGPTCEZPWRYCAHLLYVTITXNJAAAHWM−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than COFWMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%QQQ: +14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.3% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%MRK: +16.1% a year, volatility 24.8%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%AMGN: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%VGT: +18.1% a year, volatility 26.1%PGR: +21.8% a year, volatility 25.7%CB: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.4%CM: +19.5% a year, volatility 21.6%BNY: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.4%DE: +15.1% a year, volatility 29.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%SCHD: +10.2% a year, volatility 14.4%BMO: +14.0% a year, volatility 21.4%GWW: +26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%COR: +23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%CTAS: +17.1% a year, volatility 23.1%MNST: +17.4% a year, volatility 24.9%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%AFL: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.8%ADP: +9.6% a year, volatility 23.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%MSI: +15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%ROST: +17.8% a year, volatility 29.5%ALL: +17.9% a year, volatility 26.2%CCEP: +20.4% a year, volatility 23.3%CSX: +9.3% a year, volatility 23.5%FAST: +16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%SCHG: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%AJG: +11.6% a year, volatility 24.3%AME: +13.5% a year, volatility 22.2%CBOE: +22.0% a year, volatility 25.1%GRMN: +14.8% a year, volatility 31.6%IX: +18.3% a year, volatility 25.4%ACGL: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.5%NDAQ: +10.5% a year, volatility 24.9%SLF: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%AAPL: +19.1% a year, volatility 28.0%XLF: +8.7% a year, volatility 18.3%WRB: +18.6% a year, volatility 22.9%FNV: +11.2% a year, volatility 31.3%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%WCN: +7.4% a year, volatility 20.4%DGX: +13.0% a year, volatility 22.5%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%DGRW: +11.7% a year, volatility 14.0%SPHQ: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.7%EXPD: +11.1% a year, volatility 27.1%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%EWT: +19.8% a year, volatility 24.3%MTUM: +10.3% a year, volatility 22.2%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%CACI: +16.8% a year, volatility 30.0%AIZ: +13.7% a year, volatility 25.3%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%LECO: +13.8% a year, volatility 27.5%WTS: +14.8% a year, volatility 28.4%MOAT: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.4%CSL: +10.3% a year, volatility 32.4%THG: +15.2% a year, volatility 22.9%ARW: +11.8% a year, volatility 30.7%NHC: +31.2% a year, volatility 28.6%ABBV: +25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%RSPT: +16.6% a year, volatility 25.1%TDIV: +16.5% a year, volatility 21.3%EXLS: +11.5% a year, volatility 32.7%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%RLI: +9.2% a year, volatility 24.0%XMHQ: +9.6% a year, volatility 20.5%WTV: +13.6% a year, volatility 17.0%NIC: +19.7% a year, volatility 30.2%SUSA: +10.3% a year, volatility 17.4%MUFG: +33.5% a year, volatility 29.4%FV: +9.4% a year, volatility 21.1%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%OTTR: +11.1% a year, volatility 27.6%MCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%RTX: +18.7% a year, volatility 24.4%MGRC: +11.0% a year, volatility 26.2%CHCO: +15.1% a year, volatility 22.8%FNDB: +13.1% a year, volatility 15.1%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%BFC: +18.7% a year, volatility 27.4%COF: +5.8% a year, volatility 35.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%V: +13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%MA: +12.7% a year, volatility 23.8%AXP: +13.1% a year, volatility 29.2%SYF: +11.3% a year, volatility 36.7%FICO: +15.0% a year, volatility 45.6%PAG: +16.5% a year, volatility 31.8%FCFS: +16.7% a year, volatility 31.2%NNI: +9.6% a year, volatility 22.6%LYG: +19.8% a year, volatility 32.1%PTC: +8.7% a year, volatility 35.0%EZPW: +30.9% a year, volatility 35.8%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%CAH: +41.7% a year, volatility 24.7%MSFT: +11.9% a year, volatility 28.2%LLY: +41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%TXN: +10.1% a year, volatility 33.8%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%HWM: +45.1% a year, volatility 32.7%C: +15.3% a year, volatility 29.4%COFSPY (S&P 500)JPMSYFFICOPAGNNILYGPTCEZPWRYCAHLLYVTIJAAAHWMC
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than COF?

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

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

Screen the whole market against COF 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 COF?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
COFCapital One Financial Corporation · this page
+5.8%35.1%0.34−60.3%+221%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.520.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against COF. 10 of 21 passed at least one test.
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+534%0.71—
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.2%22.9%0.66−36.4%+435%0.61—
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.7%23.8%0.62−41.0%+551%0.56—
AXPAmerican Express Company · Consumer Finance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.1%29.2%0.57−49.6%+455%0.78—
SYFSynchrony Financial · Consumer Finance
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+11.3%36.7%0.47−66.4%+229%0.82—
FICOFair Isaac Corporation · Application Software
Smaller losses in recent crashes+15.0%45.6%0.54−75.1%+566%0.38—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Consumer Finance and the categories next to it (Online Lending, Payment Processing, Application Software, Auto Dealerships), plus COF's specific themes. 12 of 122 passed at least one test.
PAGPenske Automotive Group, Inc. · Auto Dealerships
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+16.5%31.8%0.64−60.0%+510%0.48—
FCFSFirstCash Holdings, Inc · Consumer Finance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+16.7%31.2%0.65−50.2%+342%0.24—
NNINelnet, Inc. · Consumer Finance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+9.6%22.6%0.52−44.0%+257%0.33—
LYGLloyds Banking Group plc · Banks · Consumer Lending theme
Higher return, lower volatility+19.8%32.1%0.73−66.5%+215%0.39—
PTCPTC Inc. · Application Software
Higher return in most periods+8.7%35.0%0.41−54.4%+321%0.50—
EZPWEZCORP, Inc. · Consumer Finance
Higher return, similar volatility+30.9%35.8%0.94−76.6%+171%0.24—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,584 of 3,521 passed at least one test.
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.53—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+41.7%24.7%1.54−46.1%+345%0.27—
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.9%28.2%0.54−37.1%+862%0.19—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+41.2%32.8%1.22−34.5%+1,870%-0.11—
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+298%0.560.03%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.6%16.9%0.79−34.0%+319%0.520.03%
TXNTexas Instruments Incorporated · Semiconductors
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.1%33.8%0.45−33.4%+413%0.24—
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · AAA CLO Debt
On the frontierSimilar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.360.20%
What these numbers mean for COF
Annual return
COF returned 5.8% 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 $13,200. 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
COF's volatility over the past 5 years was 35.1%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, COF's return lands within 35.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
COF's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.34, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so COF 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
COF's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 60.3%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 60.3% fall takes a 152% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, COF's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.52 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 COF instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a COF holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,076 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than COF 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 COFExpense
1
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.53—
2
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+41.7%24.7%1.54−46.1%+345%0.27—
3
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Whole market+11.9%28.2%0.54−37.1%+862%0.19—
4
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+41.2%32.8%1.22−34.5%+1,870%-0.11—
5
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+298%0.560.03%
6
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.6%16.9%0.79−34.0%+319%0.520.03%
7
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+21.1%22.6%0.97−25.7%+521%0.13—
8
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+281%0.26—
9
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+692%0.26—
10
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.2%23.0%0.69−35.1%+531%0.410.18%
11
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.3%23.4%0.94−42.9%+240%0.28—
12
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.9%26.1%0.73−42.0%+361%0.25—
13
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.1%24.8%0.73−43.4%+245%-0.05—
14
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.2%13.7%0.91−36.8%+237%0.550.03%
15
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+20.1%24.9%0.86−24.9%+280%0.10—
16
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.51—
17
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.7%20.9%0.64−32.6%+404%0.16—
18
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.1%26.1%0.77−35.1%+753%0.400.09%
19
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.8%25.7%0.90−30.3%+849%0.16—
20
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.8%20.4%0.82−42.6%+256%0.25—
21
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.5%21.6%0.94−47.3%+409%0.56—
22
BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks
Whole market+22.8%24.4%0.97−50.5%+332%0.60—
23
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+15.1%29.9%0.62−37.9%+764%0.28—
24
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.77−31.7%+258%0.500.04%
25
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+360%0.40—
26
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.2%14.4%0.75−33.4%+256%0.450.06%
27
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+14.0%21.4%0.72−51.0%+304%0.53—
28
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.7%24.9%1.08−41.6%+670%0.34—
29
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+23.6%22.8%1.05−32.4%+403%0.37—
30
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+17.1%23.1%0.80−48.4%+834%0.30—
31
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Whole market+17.4%24.9%0.77−30.4%+278%0.18—
32
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.6%20.8%0.63−37.4%+334%-0.03—
33
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.5%20.8%0.97−54.9%+344%0.29—
34
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · Business Services
Whole market+9.6%23.0%0.52−40.8%+337%0.24—
35
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+14.1%18.6%0.80−34.0%+461%0.08—
36
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+15.2%23.6%0.72−32.8%+639%0.17—
37
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+9.5%19.3%0.57−30.1%+357%0.12—
38
ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. · Apparel Retail
Whole market+17.8%29.5%0.71−51.4%+311%0.19—
39
ALLThe Allstate Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.9%26.2%0.76−41.4%+377%0.20—
40
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+20.4%23.3%0.92−48.8%+294%0.19—
41
CSXCSX Corporation · Railroads
Whole market+9.3%23.5%0.50−40.5%+485%0.30—
42
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+16.2%24.6%0.74−30.7%+582%0.27—
43
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+12.8%22.5%0.65−34.5%+438%0.460.04%
44
AJGArthur J. Gallagher & Co. · Insurance Brokers
Whole market+11.6%24.3%0.57−44.4%+552%0.19—
45
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Whole market+13.5%22.2%0.68−42.7%+466%0.40—
46
CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+22.0%25.1%0.92−43.2%+481%-0.02—
47
GRMNGarmin Ltd. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+14.8%31.6%0.59−54.6%+678%0.29—
48
IXORIX Corporation · Diversified Financials
Whole market+18.3%25.4%0.79−42.5%+286%0.31—
49
ACGLArch Capital Group Ltd. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+20.1%24.5%0.87−53.8%+316%0.09—
50
NDAQNasdaq, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+10.5%24.9%0.53−38.3%+447%0.41—
51
SLFSun Life Financial Inc. · Life Insurance
Whole market+11.9%19.4%0.68−50.8%+260%0.36—
52
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+19.1%28.0%0.77−38.5%+1,194%0.25—
53
XLFState Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF · Financial Sector Equity
Whole market+8.7%18.3%0.55−42.9%+245%0.730.08%
54
WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+18.6%22.9%0.86−45.3%+466%0.14—
55
FNVFranco-Nevada Corporation · Gold Mining
Whole market+11.2%31.3%0.50−37.1%+302%0.00—
56
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Whole market+24.8%28.1%0.94−40.8%+639%0.47—
57
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+7.4%20.4%0.45−31.6%+299%0.21—
58
DGXQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical Diagnostics
Whole market+13.0%22.5%0.66−36.6%+256%0.15—
59
RDVYFirst Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−40.6%+321%0.700.47%
60
DGRWWisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+11.7%14.0%0.87−32.0%+271%0.510.28%
61
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+11.7%16.7%0.75−31.6%+295%0.480.20%
62
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+11.1%27.1%0.53−35.6%+338%0.33—
63
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.600.39%
64
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+19.8%24.3%0.87−38.9%+448%0.310.59%
65
MTUMiShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+10.3%22.2%0.56−34.1%+322%0.320.15%
66
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.6%17.2%0.94−31.4%+357%0.440.40%
67
CACICACI International Inc · Business Services
Whole market+16.8%30.0%0.67−42.9%+512%0.09—
68
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Popular alternative+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+534%0.71—
69
AIZAssurant, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+13.7%25.3%0.64−44.6%+322%0.40—
70
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.2%18.4%0.91−39.5%+286%0.530.15%
71
LECOLincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+13.8%27.5%0.61−38.9%+368%0.51—
72
WTSWatts Water Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+14.8%28.4%0.63−44.1%+533%0.41—
73
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Popular alternative+13.2%22.9%0.66−36.4%+435%0.61—
74
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.5%18.4%0.59−33.3%+278%0.630.46%
75
CSLCarlisle Companies Incorporated · Building Products
Whole market+10.3%32.4%0.47−38.7%+279%0.30—
76
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.2%22.9%0.73−40.1%+309%0.27—
77
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Popular alternative+12.7%23.8%0.62−41.0%+551%0.56—
78
ARWArrow Electronics, Inc. · Technology Distribution
Whole market+11.8%30.7%0.52−52.8%+234%0.24—
79
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Health Care Facilities
Whole market+31.2%28.6%1.10−35.3%+385%0.17—
80
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+25.5%23.4%1.09−45.1%+600%-0.03—
81
RSPTInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.6%25.1%0.74−33.7%+559%0.450.40%
82
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.5%21.3%0.83−32.0%+384%0.430.50%
83
EXLSExlService Holdings, Inc. · IT Services
Whole market+11.5%32.7%0.50−51.3%+346%0.32—
84
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.230.48%
85
RLIRLI Corp. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+9.2%24.0%0.49−43.5%+238%0.20—
86
XMHQInvesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.6%20.5%0.55−36.9%+241%0.600.30%
87
WTVWisdomTree U.S. Value Fund · US Value Equity
Whole market+13.6%17.0%0.84−42.2%+306%0.680.12%
88
NICNicolet Bankshares, Inc. · Regional Banks
Whole market+19.7%30.2%0.75−44.3%+354%0.40—
89
SUSAiShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF · Large-Cap ESG
Whole market+10.3%17.4%0.65−32.9%+300%0.530.25%
90
MUFGMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.5%29.4%1.14−54.9%+485%0.30—
91
FVFirst Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+9.4%21.1%0.54−34.0%+243%0.580.30%
92
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.4%20.7%0.89−26.8%+234%0.12—
93
OTTROtter Tail Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.1%27.6%0.52−41.5%+239%0.28—
94
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+37.8%25.1%1.41−38.1%+582%0.18—
95
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+18.7%24.4%0.83−52.0%+319%0.33—
96
MGRCMcGrath RentCorp · Equipment Rental
Whole market+11.0%26.2%0.53−44.0%+365%0.43—
97
CHCOCity Holding Company · Regional Banks
Whole market+15.1%22.8%0.73−32.3%+272%0.55—
98
FNDBSchwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+13.1%15.1%0.90−38.1%+285%0.620.25%
99
QUSState Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+11.1%14.2%0.81−33.8%+276%0.520.15%
100
BFCBank First Corporation · Regional Banks
Whole market+18.7%27.4%0.76−39.8%+485%0.29—

COF against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%120%−50.0%−40.0%−30.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityCOF: 5.8% a year, volatility 35.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%JPM: 17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%MA: 12.7% a year, volatility 23.8%V: 13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%C: 15.3% a year, volatility 29.4%AXP: 13.1% a year, volatility 29.2%WRLD: −3.7% a year, volatility 55.5%SLM: 5.7% a year, volatility 36.1%TRU: −5.9% a year, volatility 40.2%OPRT: −17.6% a year, volatility 80.7%EFX: −6.2% a year, volatility 35.1%CACC: −2.1% a year, volatility 41.0%ALLY: −1.7% a year, volatility 38.1%NAVI: −11.0% a year, volatility 36.4%SOFI: −6.4% a year, volatility 65.7%UPST: −41.3% a year, volatility 102%ENVA: 38.4% a year, volatility 41.9%SYF: 11.3% a year, volatility 36.7%BFH: 7.6% a year, volatility 46.4%OMF: 10.0% a year, volatility 35.3%FICO: 15.0% a year, volatility 45.6%BAC: 4.0% a year, volatility 26.6%COFSPY (S&P 500)JPMWRLDSLMTRUOPRTEFXCACCALLYNAVISOFIUPSTENVASYFBFHFICOBAC0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%120%−60.0%−40.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityCOF: 5.8% a year, volatility 35.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%JPM: 17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%MA: 12.7% a year, volatility 23.8%V: 13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%C: 15.3% a year, volatility 29.4%AXP: 13.1% a year, volatility 29.2%WRLD: −3.7% a year, volatility 55.5%SLM: 5.7% a year, volatility 36.1%TRU: −5.9% a year, volatility 40.2%OPRT: −17.6% a year, volatility 80.7%EFX: −6.2% a year, volatility 35.1%CACC: −2.1% a year, volatility 41.0%ALLY: −1.7% a year, volatility 38.1%NAVI: −11.0% a year, volatility 36.4%SOFI: −6.4% a year, volatility 65.7%UPST: −41.3% a year, volatility 102%ENVA: 38.4% a year, volatility 41.9%SYF: 11.3% a year, volatility 36.7%BFH: 7.6% a year, volatility 46.4%OMF: 10.0% a year, volatility 35.3%FICO: 15.0% a year, volatility 45.6%BAC: 4.0% a year, volatility 26.6%COFSPY (S&P 500)JPMVWRLDSLMTRUOPRTEFXALLYNAVIUPSTENVABFHBAC
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
ENVA Enova International, Inc.+38.4%41.9%
JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co.+17.3%24.3%
C Citigroup Inc.+15.3%29.4%
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation+15.0%45.6%
V Visa Inc.+13.2%22.9%
AXP American Express Company+13.1%29.2%
MA Mastercard Incorporated+12.7%23.8%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
SYF Synchrony Financial+11.3%36.7%
OMF OneMain Holdings, Inc.+10.0%35.3%
BFH Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.+7.6%46.4%
COF This pageCapital One Financial Corporation+5.8%35.1%
SLM SLM Corporation+5.7%36.1%
BAC Bank of America Corporation+4.0%26.6%
ALLY Ally Financial Inc.−1.7%38.1%
CACC Credit Acceptance Corporation−2.1%41.0%
WRLD World Acceptance Corporation−3.7%55.5%
TRU TransUnion−5.9%40.2%
EFX Equifax Inc.−6.2%35.1%
SOFI SoFi Technologies, Inc.−6.4%65.7%
NAVI Navient Corporation−11.0%36.4%
OPRT Oportun Financial Corporation−17.6%80.7%
UPST Upstart Holdings, Inc.−41.3%102%
Open these 23 in EasyCompare

Has COF consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

A green cell means the alternative earned more than COF 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
COF Capital One Financial Corporation (this page)—+1.4%+1.4%+2.8%−17.0%−6.3%+136%+32.3%+221%35.1%0.34−60.3%—$125B—
ENVA QualifiedEnova International, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+4.6%−20.5%+5.2%+9.2%+55.1%+287%+407%+1,822%41.9%0.99−77.6%—$4.4B—
SYF QualifiedSynchrony Financial4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+3.3%+3.6%−3.8%−10.2%+4.6%+179%+70.6%+229%36.7%0.47−66.4%—$24B—
JPM QualifiedJPMorgan Chase & Co.3/5 short3/3 long−0.5%−2.9%+8.5%+5.4%+16.6%+154%+122%+534%24.3%0.78−43.6%—$895B—
MA QualifiedMastercard Incorporated5/5 short2/3 long+14.1%+19.2%+24.5%+13.2%+11.5%+68.0%+81.9%+551%23.8%0.62−41.0%—$555B—
V QualifiedVisa Inc.5/5 short2/3 long+14.4%+17.5%+33.6%+20.3%+20.9%+83.1%+86.1%+435%22.9%0.66−36.4%—$774B—
BFH QualifiedBread Financial Holdings, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long−0.2%+0.8%+11.4%+37.1%+71.1%+276%+44.0%−27.4%46.4%0.39−91.5%—$3.9B—
C Banks - DiversifiedCitigroup Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−7.5%−6.9%−4.6%+4.8%+29.9%+245%+104%+234%29.4%0.63−56.5%—$206B—
AXP Financial - Credit ServicesAmerican Express Company2/5 short2/3 long+6.9%−6.5%−1.8%−12.0%−6.6%+133%+84.7%+455%29.2%0.57−49.6%—$219B—
OMF Financial - Credit ServicesOneMain Holdings, Inc.2/5 short2/3 long−3.3%−3.0%−0.9%−12.7%+9.8%+97.6%+61.1%+330%35.3%0.45−68.7%—$6.6B—
FICO Software - ApplicationFair Isaac Corporation0/5 short2/3 long−10.0%−32.6%−15.1%−49.9%−47.7%−11.2%+101%+566%45.6%0.54−75.1%—$18B—
WRLD Financial - Credit ServicesWorld Acceptance Corporation3/5 short1/3 long−1.9%−9.1%+13.5%+19.6%−4.6%+67.8%−17.2%+248%55.5%0.21−77.0%—$791M—
BAC Banks - DiversifiedBank of America Corporation2/5 short1/3 long−9.1%−16.7%−2.9%−7.2%+2.1%+115%+21.4%+281%26.6%0.28−49.0%—$357B—
SLM Financial - Credit ServicesSLM Corporation0/5 short1/3 long−10.3%−13.3%−4.7%−19.2%−17.6%+77.5%+32.1%+251%36.1%0.34−51.7%—$4.1B—
TRU Financial - Data & Stock ExchangesTransUnion5/5 short0/3 long+16.1%+10.9%+13.2%+0.7%+4.1%+30.9%−26.2%+162%40.2%0.05−64.9%—$16B—
OPRT Financial - Credit ServicesOportun Financial Corporation5/5 short0/3 long+12.3%+66.5%+61.9%+84.0%+69.0%+59.4%−62.0%—80.7%0.17−92.3%—$428M—
EFX Consulting ServicesEquifax Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+17.1%+10.1%+5.4%−11.8%−17.9%+7.1%−27.4%+56.9%35.1%-0.01−54.4%—$22B—
CACC Financial - Credit ServicesCredit Acceptance Corporation3/5 short0/3 long−0.6%−7.8%+6.1%+23.1%+11.5%+35.7%−10.2%+200%41.0%0.15−56.9%—$5.8B—
ALLY Financial - Credit ServicesAlly Financial Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+0.6%−11.4%−12.8%−12.3%−0.4%+85.9%−8.4%+167%38.1%0.14−66.2%—$12B—
NAVI Financial - Credit ServicesNavient Corporation1/5 short0/3 long−6.5%+4.7%+3.0%−26.7%−24.8%−39.4%−44.1%+8.7%36.4%-0.14−67.2%—$831M—
SOFI Financial - Credit ServicesSoFi Technologies, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−13.9%−13.5%−22.5%−46.2%−45.7%+103%−28.2%—65.7%0.22−83.3%—$19B—
UPST Financial - Credit ServicesUpstart Holdings, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−8.2%−16.7%−31.3%−48.0%−52.7%−2.1%−93.0%—102%-0.01−96.9%—$2.3B—
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How did COF do year by year?

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

InvestmentYears ahead of COF20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
COF This pageCapital One Financial Corporation—+37.6%+38.3%+44.3%−34.6%+49.3%−2.7%+38.6%−22.8%+16.3%+23.8%−10.9%+9.4%+34.2%+37.5%−0.1%+11.6%+24.1%−30.3%−38.4%−11.0%+2.7%+37.6%+107%−44.8%−17.8%+36.9%+26.0%+113%+51.5%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 295 of 2211 of 227 of 2215 of 229 of 2213 of 2012 of 1914 of 1914 of 198 of 1912 of 187 of 149 of 136 of 1310 of 136 of 1310 of 134 of 129 of 1211 of 118 of 115 of 113 of 1111 of 119 of 103 of 103 of 101 of 104 of 10
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF14 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%
ENVA Enova International, Inc.8 of 11+64.0%+73.2%+44.3%−6.3%+65.4%+2.9%+23.6%+28.0%+21.1%+89.9%−70.3%——————————————————
SYF Synchrony Financial5 of 11+30.6%+74.0%+19.8%−27.4%+36.4%−0.1%+57.5%−37.8%+8.4%+20.4%+2.2%——————————————————
JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co.14 of 29+37.3%+44.3%+30.6%−12.6%+27.8%−5.5%+47.3%−6.6%+26.8%+34.5%+8.4%+9.9%+36.7%+36.2%−19.9%+2.3%+34.4%−25.1%−6.9%+25.7%+5.7%+10.0%+60.5%−30.7%−17.4%−10.1%+11.7%+32.9%+25.5%
MA Mastercard Incorporated10 of 19+9.0%+24.2%+23.4%−2.7%+1.2%+20.2%+59.2%+25.3%+47.7%+6.9%+13.8%+3.7%+70.7%+32.1%+66.7%−12.2%+79.8%−33.4%+119%——————————
V Visa Inc.11 of 17+11.8%+22.3%+26.3%−3.4%−0.3%+17.1%+43.3%+16.5%+47.2%+1.4%+19.1%+18.7%+48.0%+50.5%+45.4%−18.9%+68.0%————————————
BFH Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.10 of 24+23.1%+88.9%−10.3%−42.4%+13.7%−32.7%−23.8%−40.2%+11.9%−17.2%−3.3%+8.8%+81.6%+39.4%+46.2%+10.0%+38.8%−38.0%+20.1%+75.5%−25.0%+71.5%+56.3%−7.5%—————
C Citigroup Inc.14 of 29+70.4%+41.9%+19.0%−22.1%+0.9%−19.7%+57.9%−28.5%+27.0%+15.9%−4.1%+3.9%+31.8%+50.5%−44.3%+42.9%−50.6%−75.9%−44.8%+19.6%+4.6%+2.8%+41.6%−20.4%+0.1%+23.6%+70.2%−6.8%+79.9%
AXP American Express Company14 of 29+26.0%+60.3%+28.7%−8.5%+36.9%−1.1%+32.5%−2.6%+36.2%+8.6%−24.2%+3.7%+59.8%+23.6%+11.6%+7.8%+126%−63.7%−13.4%+19.1%+4.3%+17.6%+37.7%+0.2%−34.5%−0.3%+63.3%+15.7%+59.9%
OMF OneMain Holdings, Inc.9 of 12+39.7%+15.2%+63.1%−27.2%+23.6%+34.5%+88.5%−6.6%+17.3%−46.7%+14.9%+43.0%—————————————————
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation18 of 29−15.1%+71.0%+94.5%+38.0%−15.1%+36.4%+100%+22.1%+28.5%+26.7%+30.4%+15.2%+49.8%+17.5%+53.8%+10.1%+27.0%−47.4%−20.7%−7.8%+20.7%+12.2%+15.3%+1.8%+85.6%−3.6%+15.0%+39.0%−14.7%
WRLD World Acceptance Corporation15 of 29+24.9%−13.9%+98.0%−73.1%+140%+18.3%−15.5%+26.7%+25.6%+73.3%−53.3%−9.2%+17.4%+1.4%+39.2%+47.4%+81.3%−26.8%−42.5%+64.7%+3.6%+38.3%+161%+4.3%+32.7%+14.3%−26.0%+20.8%−21.8%
BAC Bank of America Corporation12 of 29+28.0%+33.9%+4.9%−23.8%+49.6%−11.6%+46.1%−15.0%+35.7%+33.4%−4.8%+15.7%+34.5%+109%−58.1%−11.2%+7.6%−63.1%−18.9%+20.8%+2.4%+21.5%+20.1%+14.6%+42.7%−4.5%−14.0%+1.2%+27.3%
SLM SLM Corporation14 of 29−0.2%+47.3%+18.7%−13.5%+60.6%+41.0%+8.5%−26.5%+2.6%+69.0%−36.1%+9.3%+57.3%+32.4%+8.7%+11.6%+26.2%−55.7%−58.4%−9.8%+4.9%+44.2%+10.6%+24.8%+27.1%+63.9%−10.7%+22.2%+51.7%
TRU TransUnion4 of 10−7.0%+35.6%+21.8%−51.9%+19.9%+16.3%+51.3%+3.7%+77.7%+12.2%———————————————————
OPRT Oportun Financial Corporation0 of 6+36.3%−0.8%−29.0%−72.8%+4.5%−18.6%———————————————————————
EFX Equifax Inc.16 of 29−14.2%+3.7%+28.2%−33.1%+52.8%+39.0%+52.3%−20.0%+0.9%+7.3%+39.3%+18.6%+29.5%+41.9%+10.9%+16.2%+17.2%−26.6%−10.0%+7.2%+35.8%+15.2%+6.2%−3.9%−15.2%+23.5%−30.3%−2.7%+17.0%
CACC Credit Acceptance Corporation14 of 29−5.5%−11.9%+12.3%−31.0%+98.7%−21.8%+15.9%+18.0%+48.7%+1.6%+56.9%+4.9%+27.8%+23.6%+31.1%+49.1%+207%−33.7%−38.0%+107%−36.7%+66.3%+140%−28.3%+48.3%+62.6%−49.5%−5.7%−67.0%
ALLY Ally Financial Inc.4 of 11+29.9%+6.4%+49.2%−46.9%+36.0%+20.6%+37.9%−20.7%+56.1%+2.9%−21.1%——————————————————
NAVI Navient Corporation4 of 11+2.7%−25.6%+17.5%−19.4%+124%−23.1%+63.0%−30.5%−15.1%+50.7%−44.7%——————————————————
SOFI SoFi Technologies, Inc.3 of 5+70.0%+54.8%+116%−70.8%+27.1%————————————————————————
UPST Upstart Holdings, Inc.3 of 5−29.0%+50.7%+209%−91.3%+271%————————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How COF 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 COF's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents COF's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1994, 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 COF fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringCOF fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−90.2%−43.1%Mar 2006Mar 20093 yearsJun 20145.3 years
Dot-com bust−65.6%−35.2%May 2001Aug 200215 monthsJan 200417 months
Covid crash−60.3%−24.6%Jan 2020Apr 20203 monthsJan 20219 months
No named crash−51.7%−17.7%Jul 1998Oct 19983 monthsJan 19993 months
2022 bear market−50.4%−6.7%Aug 2021May 202321 monthsNov 202418 months

How did COF do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far COF, 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 COF.

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
COF This pageCapital One Financial Corporation—−11.1%−42.6%−58.8%−28.2%−9.6%−28.5%−24.2%−2.1%−87.7%−65.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF10 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
ENVA Enova International, Inc.1 of 6−12.9%−42.8%−60.9%−41.4%−3.7%−62.9%————
SYF Synchrony Financial0 of 6−15.2%−43.6%−62.0%−33.3%−9.6%−30.7%————
JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co.8 of 10−5.4%−37.9%−42.5%−21.3%−5.6%−22.0%−32.1%−0.1%−67.7%−74.0%
MA Mastercard Incorporated8 of 9−4.0%−28.2%−41.0%−21.9%−5.8%−20.4%−13.8%−3.1%−62.7%—
V Visa Inc.8 of 8−3.5%−24.1%−36.4%−19.1%−5.8%−15.8%−11.5%−0.8%——
BFH Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.4 of 9−15.0%−59.6%−78.1%−41.8%−4.5%−41.3%−18.7%−0.8%−70.5%—
C Citigroup Inc.5 of 10−11.7%−39.2%−54.8%−33.1%−6.7%−40.3%−42.6%−1.0%−97.7%−52.7%
AXP American Express Company8 of 10−9.8%−31.6%−49.6%−20.7%−8.6%−36.6%−18.1%−4.5%−83.4%−59.1%
OMF OneMain Holdings, Inc.1 of 6−14.7%−43.4%−68.7%−35.3%−5.6%−61.7%————
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation9 of 10−2.5%−34.8%−50.9%−25.4%−7.8%−16.0%−32.8%−0.6%−75.1%−45.8%
WRLD World Acceptance Corporation8 of 10−9.3%−60.0%−36.0%−21.0%−6.7%−48.5%−20.2%0.0%−75.1%−36.5%
BAC Bank of America Corporation6 of 10−12.4%−38.7%−47.8%−26.4%−6.9%−37.8%−45.2%−0.6%−93.4%−36.3%
SLM SLM Corporation5 of 10−12.0%−31.9%−47.3%−31.8%−7.1%−41.7%−31.8%−0.9%−93.5%−22.2%
TRU TransUnion4 of 6−6.4%−52.7%−45.1%−29.8%−4.8%−25.0%————
OPRT Oportun Financial Corporation1 of 3−18.0%−79.1%−53.3%———————
EFX Equifax Inc.8 of 10−3.4%−42.3%−35.8%−32.3%−7.6%−17.9%−16.9%−0.5%−49.8%−48.6%
CACC Credit Acceptance Corporation8 of 10−9.0%−32.8%−46.1%−20.6%−4.4%−30.4%−30.5%−1.4%−61.4%−48.2%
ALLY Ally Financial Inc.2 of 6−21.7%−46.0%−60.2%−24.3%−5.8%−32.3%————
NAVI Navient Corporation1 of 6−11.3%−42.2%−64.9%−40.4%−5.9%−45.6%————
SOFI SoFi Technologies, Inc.0 of 2−15.2%−67.8%————————
UPST Upstart Holdings, Inc.0 of 2−13.3%−87.0%————————
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How closely does COF 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 COF 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 COF's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
COF This pageCapital One Financial Corporation115%146%0.791.39
ENVA Enova International, Inc.170%135%1.261.49
MA Mastercard Incorporated105%88%1.200.95
V Visa Inc.93%79%1.180.87
JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co.117%103%1.141.09
AXP American Express Company117%113%1.031.16
WRLD World Acceptance Corporation95%101%0.941.38
SLM SLM Corporation98%108%0.911.18
BAC Bank of America Corporation127%146%0.871.36
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation137%159%0.861.31
OMF OneMain Holdings, Inc.136%167%0.811.63
C Citigroup Inc.131%165%0.801.49
SYF Synchrony Financial125%163%0.771.56
CACC Credit Acceptance Corporation121%169%0.721.32
ALLY Ally Financial Inc.114%158%0.721.35
TRU TransUnion142%228%0.621.47
EFX Equifax Inc.103%191%0.541.39
NAVI Navient Corporation97%186%0.521.50
BFH Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.102%222%0.461.80
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What diversifies COF?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202220202018201520112008200720062002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
COF Capital One Financial Corporation (this page)1.00+32.3%0.34−34.6%−2.7%−22.8%−10.9%−0.1%−30.3%−38.4%−11.0%−44.8%−17.8%31.1%+5.4%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.38+119%1.48+3.8%−9.0%−5.2%———————25.7%+8.3%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.23+225%1.34+6.0%+3.9%−19.8%+7.7%−16.1%−20.8%−7.4%———25.6%+10.2%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.40+103%1.06+10.4%−13.4%−8.7%−25.3%——————26.2%+8.0%
EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF0.42+141%0.97−5.2%−4.0%−15.3%−15.6%−9.8%−36.8%+20.9%+49.2%−13.6%−9.2%26.7%+9.0%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.48+83.6%0.95−5.1%+2.1%−9.5%+4.1%——————26.0%+7.6%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.33+304%0.94−33.5%+55.5%−9.1%−0.3%+6.8%−44.7%+6.0%−6.7%−47.0%−14.6%28.0%+12.4%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.25+178%0.94+64.4%−32.7%−18.2%−21.5%+2.8%−39.0%+36.8%+18.0%−14.8%−18.2%26.7%+9.8%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.05+120%0.93−0.8%+24.8%−1.9%−10.7%+9.6%+4.9%+30.4%+22.6%——25.3%+8.9%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202220202018201520112008200720062002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
COF Capital One Financial Corporation (this page)1.00+32.3%0.34−34.6%−2.7%−22.8%−10.9%−0.1%−30.3%−38.4%−11.0%−44.8%−17.8%31.1%+5.4%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.27+471%1.54+54.1%+10.1%−24.5%+12.6%+8.1%−39.6%−9.8%−5.8%−8.3%−2.5%26.8%+12.3%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.41+2,780%1.43+1.3%−2.4%−16.3%−6.0%−24.4%−20.5%−25.7%−26.0%−65.1%−25.6%31.6%+23.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.18+397%1.41+51.8%+27.1%−28.4%−4.5%+11.8%−40.4%+29.7%−1.2%−27.2%+4.9%26.3%+11.8%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.19+1,452%1.41+17.0%+6.7%+0.8%+67.7%−17.0%−15.2%+2.1%+38.9%−9.4%+73.7%28.0%+20.7%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.14+660%1.39+86.6%−27.4%−8.2%+17.4%——————26.6%+14.4%
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Common questions

What was COF's worst drawdown?

COF's deepest decline since it began trading in 1994 was 90.2%, from March 2006 to March 2009. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were COF's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, COF's best year was 1998, when it returned 113%. Its worst was 2002, with a return of -44.8%.

Is there a better investment than COF?

Among COF's popular alternatives, JPM, V and MA earned more than COF with less volatility over the past 5 years. JPM returned 17.3% a year at 24.3% volatility, against 5.8% a year at 35.1%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, PAG (auto dealerships) and FCFS (consumer finance) earned more than COF with less volatility over the past 5 years. PAG returned 16.5% a year at 31.8% volatility, against 5.8% a year at 35.1%.

Is COF more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. COF's volatility over the past 5 years was 35.1%, about twice the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, COF's return lands within 35.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is COF's Sharpe ratio?

COF's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.34, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so COF 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 COF with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, COF's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.52 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 COF instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a COF holding.

What are the best alternatives to COF?

Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, six outperformed COF in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: ENVA, SYF and JPM.

Did COF outperform the S&P 500?

COF finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 15 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +37.6%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did COF do in stock market crashes?

COF fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in none of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in ten. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when COF fell 87.7% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies COF?

These had a low correlation with COF over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.38), DXJ (correlation 0.23) and EMLP (correlation 0.40); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.27), CLS (correlation 0.41) and MCK (correlation 0.18). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to COF

Other stocks and ETFs