BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Application Software

How Datadog (DDOG) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on DDOG alone. It places DDOG (Datadog, Inc.) against 19 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where DDOG stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: DDOG's full trading record, from September 2019 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

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

Rank the market against DDOG →Chart DDOG vs. 19 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about DDOG

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 DDOG have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in DDOG over the past 7 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of DDOG over the same span and DDOG's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Note: DDOG began trading on September 19, 2019, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or five other sell-offs. It covers the most recent 7 years of DDOG's record, starting at the end of September 2019.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2019 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. 124 of the 3,145 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of DDOG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000$200,000$500,00020192020202120222023202420252026$10,000$100,0002019202120232025
  • NVDA$528,672+5,187% total · +76.3% a year
  • NET$187,012+1,770% total · +51.9% a year
  • CRWD$181,581+1,716% total · +51.3% a year
  • PANW$116,957+1,070% total · +42.1% a year
  • FTNT$116,452+1,065% total · +42.0% a year
  • DDOG$80,755+708% total · +34.8% a year
  • HPE$51,986+420% total · +26.6% a year
  • MSFT$39,234+292% total · +21.6% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$28,402+184% total · +16.1% a year
  • IBM$21,137+111% total · +11.3% 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. 853 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of DDOG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • NVDA$110,811+1,008% total · +61.8% a year
  • HPE$51,318+413% total · +38.7% a year
  • CRWD$43,090+331% total · +33.9% a year
  • NET$30,828+208% total · +25.3% a year
  • FROG$28,966+190% total · +23.7% a year
  • GOOG$25,811+158% total · +20.9% a year
  • CSCO$22,737+127% total · +17.9% a year
  • IBM$20,049+100% total · +14.9% a year
  • DDOG$19,374+93.7% total · +14.1% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

DDOG at a glance

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

Note: DDOG began trading on September 19, 2019, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or five other sell-offs.

The company

Market value
$93B
Industry
Software - Application
Price history from
September 2019

Returns

Past 1 year
+67.1%total return
Past 3 years
+201%+44.4% a year
Past 5 years
+58.7%+9.7% a year
Best calendar year
+161%2020
Worst calendar year
−58.7%2022
Losing years
2 of 6full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
59.8%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.45return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−68.1%Nov 2021 to Apr 2023
From its all-time high
−12.1%below the peak

DDOG against the whole market

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

How does DDOG rank among all stocks?

This section ranks DDOG 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 DDOG 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.

MeasureDDOGRankStanding
1-year return+67.1%355 of 3,282top 11%
3-year return+201%398 of 3,016top 13%
5-year return+58.7%1,019 of 2,897top 35%
Volatility, 5 years59.8%2,270 of 2,897bottom 23%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.451,099 of 2,897top 38%

What has beaten DDOG 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). DDOG sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than DDOG 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 DDOG; faint dots are 91 more of the 1,073 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.

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than DDOGDHT: +40.3% a year, volatility 39.0%DELL: +53.8% a year, volatility 54.5%CAH: +41.7% a year, volatility 24.7%AAPL: +19.1% a year, volatility 28.0%CPAC: +24.0% a year, volatility 38.8%LLY: +41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%ABBV: +25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%HSBC: +32.8% a year, volatility 25.9%V: +13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%CAT: +30.7% a year, volatility 32.0%MUFG: +33.5% a year, volatility 29.4%QQQ: +14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.3% a year, volatility 23.4%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%MPC: +50.0% a year, volatility 33.4%MRK: +16.1% a year, volatility 24.8%MCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%ANET: +47.6% a year, volatility 49.1%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%AMGN: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%APH: +31.3% a year, volatility 32.4%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%KLAC: +35.3% a year, volatility 46.9%VCTR: +27.7% a year, volatility 35.0%MFG: +33.9% a year, volatility 30.6%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%VGT: +18.1% a year, volatility 26.1%SMFG: +34.0% a year, volatility 29.4%BTI: +19.4% a year, volatility 22.0%PGR: +21.8% a year, volatility 25.7%VRTX: +23.9% a year, volatility 29.1%ADI: +18.6% a year, volatility 34.2%MO: +18.3% a year, volatility 21.4%ASX: +47.3% a year, volatility 43.3%DE: +15.1% a year, volatility 29.9%GLW: +29.7% a year, volatility 42.2%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%GWW: +26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +12.5% a year, volatility 24.4%COR: +23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%AEM: +28.2% a year, volatility 38.5%NEM: +17.8% a year, volatility 39.1%MNST: +17.4% a year, volatility 24.9%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%SMH: +32.2% a year, volatility 37.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%MSI: +15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%ORLY: +15.8% a year, volatility 23.4%NGG: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.6%ESLT: +39.7% a year, volatility 34.6%AEP: +12.8% a year, volatility 20.2%CIEN: +43.7% a year, volatility 52.9%WPM: +25.8% a year, volatility 37.0%FAST: +16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%PCAR: +17.7% a year, volatility 26.2%TAK: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%ARGX: +24.5% a year, volatility 39.9%SCHG: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%AJG: +11.6% a year, volatility 24.3%B: +17.8% a year, volatility 37.4%RACE: +13.2% a year, volatility 30.0%CTVA: +16.2% a year, volatility 28.4%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%AMAL: +25.4% a year, volatility 33.4%CASY: +30.8% a year, volatility 29.4%MPWR: +18.8% a year, volatility 55.5%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%ED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%IRM: +23.8% a year, volatility 30.3%NTAP: +20.6% a year, volatility 35.3%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%UMC: +18.8% a year, volatility 43.3%KR: +13.5% a year, volatility 27.4%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%UTHR: +25.1% a year, volatility 35.2%KRT: +24.4% a year, volatility 44.1%FER: +13.6% a year, volatility 31.4%COKE: +41.6% a year, volatility 38.0%DDOG: +9.7% a year, volatility 59.8%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%HPE: +32.8% a year, volatility 42.3%GOOG: +18.5% a year, volatility 32.0%CSCO: +16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%IBM: +20.1% a year, volatility 30.2%CRWD: +27.4% a year, volatility 52.7%FROG: +21.6% a year, volatility 58.0%FTNT: +20.9% a year, volatility 44.8%SAP: +12.9% a year, volatility 30.0%FFIV: +16.7% a year, volatility 30.8%CIBR: +14.5% a year, volatility 26.2%ZETA: +32.6% a year, volatility 70.5%GWRE: +9.0% a year, volatility 43.3%INSW: +58.7% a year, volatility 40.6%FRO: +53.9% a year, volatility 49.7%EXEL: +25.0% a year, volatility 35.8%HALO: +26.2% a year, volatility 40.4%NHC: +31.2% a year, volatility 28.6%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%MRVL: +28.0% a year, volatility 65.3%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%FIX: +73.0% a year, volatility 46.9%PANW: +33.4% a year, volatility 43.4%BELFB: +75.9% a year, volatility 52.3%NVDA: +56.5% a year, volatility 51.9%DDOGSPY (S&P 500)HPEGOOGCSCOIBMCRWDFROGFTNTSAPZETAGWREINSWFROEXELHALONHCVTIMRVLVIGFIXPANWBELFB0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than DDOGDHT: +40.3% a year, volatility 39.0%DELL: +53.8% a year, volatility 54.5%CAH: +41.7% a year, volatility 24.7%AAPL: +19.1% a year, volatility 28.0%CPAC: +24.0% a year, volatility 38.8%LLY: +41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%ABBV: +25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%HSBC: +32.8% a year, volatility 25.9%V: +13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%CAT: +30.7% a year, volatility 32.0%MUFG: +33.5% a year, volatility 29.4%QQQ: +14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.3% a year, volatility 23.4%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%MPC: +50.0% a year, volatility 33.4%MRK: +16.1% a year, volatility 24.8%MCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%ANET: +47.6% a year, volatility 49.1%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%AMGN: +20.1% a year, volatility 24.9%APH: +31.3% a year, volatility 32.4%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%KLAC: +35.3% a year, volatility 46.9%VCTR: +27.7% a year, volatility 35.0%MFG: +33.9% a year, volatility 30.6%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%VGT: +18.1% a year, volatility 26.1%SMFG: +34.0% a year, volatility 29.4%BTI: +19.4% a year, volatility 22.0%PGR: +21.8% a year, volatility 25.7%VRTX: +23.9% a year, volatility 29.1%ADI: +18.6% a year, volatility 34.2%MO: +18.3% a year, volatility 21.4%ASX: +47.3% a year, volatility 43.3%DE: +15.1% a year, volatility 29.9%GLW: +29.7% a year, volatility 42.2%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%GWW: +26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%LMT: +12.5% a year, volatility 24.4%COR: +23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%AEM: +28.2% a year, volatility 38.5%NEM: +17.8% a year, volatility 39.1%MNST: +17.4% a year, volatility 24.9%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%SMH: +32.2% a year, volatility 37.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%MSI: +15.2% a year, volatility 23.6%ORLY: +15.8% a year, volatility 23.4%NGG: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.6%ESLT: +39.7% a year, volatility 34.6%AEP: +12.8% a year, volatility 20.2%CIEN: +43.7% a year, volatility 52.9%WPM: +25.8% a year, volatility 37.0%FAST: +16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%PCAR: +17.7% a year, volatility 26.2%TAK: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%ARGX: +24.5% a year, volatility 39.9%SCHG: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%AJG: +11.6% a year, volatility 24.3%B: +17.8% a year, volatility 37.4%RACE: +13.2% a year, volatility 30.0%CTVA: +16.2% a year, volatility 28.4%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%AMAL: +25.4% a year, volatility 33.4%CASY: +30.8% a year, volatility 29.4%MPWR: +18.8% a year, volatility 55.5%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%ED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%AZO: +12.3% a year, volatility 25.3%IRM: +23.8% a year, volatility 30.3%NTAP: +20.6% a year, volatility 35.3%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%UMC: +18.8% a year, volatility 43.3%KR: +13.5% a year, volatility 27.4%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%UTHR: +25.1% a year, volatility 35.2%KRT: +24.4% a year, volatility 44.1%FER: +13.6% a year, volatility 31.4%COKE: +41.6% a year, volatility 38.0%DDOG: +9.7% a year, volatility 59.8%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%HPE: +32.8% a year, volatility 42.3%GOOG: +18.5% a year, volatility 32.0%CSCO: +16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%IBM: +20.1% a year, volatility 30.2%CRWD: +27.4% a year, volatility 52.7%FROG: +21.6% a year, volatility 58.0%FTNT: +20.9% a year, volatility 44.8%SAP: +12.9% a year, volatility 30.0%FFIV: +16.7% a year, volatility 30.8%CIBR: +14.5% a year, volatility 26.2%ZETA: +32.6% a year, volatility 70.5%GWRE: +9.0% a year, volatility 43.3%INSW: +58.7% a year, volatility 40.6%FRO: +53.9% a year, volatility 49.7%EXEL: +25.0% a year, volatility 35.8%HALO: +26.2% a year, volatility 40.4%NHC: +31.2% a year, volatility 28.6%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%MRVL: +28.0% a year, volatility 65.3%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%FIX: +73.0% a year, volatility 46.9%PANW: +33.4% a year, volatility 43.4%BELFB: +75.9% a year, volatility 52.3%NVDA: +56.5% a year, volatility 51.9%DDOGSPY (S&P 500)HPEGOOGCSCOCRWDFROGFTNTZETAGWREINSWFROEXELNHCVTIMRVLFIX
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than DDOG?

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

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

Screen the whole market against DDOG 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 years5Y returntotalCorr. with DDOG?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
DDOGDatadog, Inc. · this page
+9.7%59.8%0.45−68.1%+58.7%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+80.3%0.400.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against DDOG. 9 of 19 passed at least one test.
HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise Company · Computer Hardware
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+32.8%42.3%0.89−56.9%+313%0.56—
GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+18.5%32.0%0.69−44.6%+134%0.31—
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+16.9%26.1%0.73−42.0%+118%0.49—
IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation · IT Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+20.1%30.2%0.76−41.1%+150%0.34—
CRWDCrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+27.4%52.7%0.72−67.7%+236%0.74—
FROGJFrog Ltd. · Application Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+21.6%58.0%0.63−80.4%+166%0.62—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Application Software and Software and the categories next to it (Enterprise Software), plus DDOG's specific themes. 26 of 135 passed at least one test.
FTNTFortinet, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+20.9%44.8%0.65−38.3%+158%0.60—
SAPSAP SE · Enterprise Software
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.9%30.0%0.56−52.5%+83.7%0.14—
FFIVF5, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+16.7%30.8%0.66−54.6%+116%0.46—
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.5%26.2%0.65−33.9%+96.7%0.800.58%
ZETAZeta Global Holdings Corp. · Software
Higher return in most periods+32.6%70.5%0.76−70.0%+310%0.19—
GWREGuidewire Software, Inc. · Application Software
Similar return, lower volatility+9.0%43.3%0.41−60.8%+53.6%0.22—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,378 of 3,504 passed at least one test.
INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. · Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+58.7%40.6%1.35−57.4%+906%-0.19—
FROFrontline Plc · Oil & Gas
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+53.9%49.7%1.12−52.0%+762%-0.14—
EXELExelixis, Inc. · Oncology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+25.0%35.8%0.81−57.2%+205%0.23—
HALOHalozyme Therapeutics, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+26.2%40.4%0.78−49.1%+220%0.01—
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Health Care Facilities
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+31.2%28.6%1.10−35.3%+289%0.12—
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+71.5%0.410.03%
MRVLMarvell Technology, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+28.0%65.3%0.70−61.9%+243%0.49—
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · Dividend Growth
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.4%14.1%0.77−31.7%+63.9%0.240.04%
What these numbers mean for DDOG
Annual return
DDOG returned 9.7% 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 $15,900. 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
DDOG's volatility over the past 5 years was 59.8%, 3.5 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, DDOG's return lands within 59.8% 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
DDOG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.45, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so DDOG 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
DDOG's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 68.1%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 68.1% fall takes a 214% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, DDOG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.40 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 DDOG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a DDOG holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,073 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than DDOG 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 decline5Y returnCorr. with DDOGExpense
1
INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. · Oil & Gas
Whole market+58.7%40.6%1.35−57.4%+906%-0.19—
2
FROFrontline Plc · Oil & Gas
Whole market+53.9%49.7%1.12−52.0%+762%-0.14—
3
EXELExelixis, Inc. · Oncology
Whole market+25.0%35.8%0.81−57.2%+205%0.23—
4
HALOHalozyme Therapeutics, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+26.2%40.4%0.78−49.1%+220%0.01—
5
FTNTFortinet, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Same or nearby category+20.9%44.8%0.65−38.3%+158%0.60—
6
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Health Care Facilities
Whole market+31.2%28.6%1.10−35.3%+289%0.12—
7
DHTDHT Holdings, Inc. · Oil & Gas
Whole market+40.3%39.0%1.07−39.7%+443%-0.17—
8
DELLDell Technologies Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+53.8%54.5%1.06−59.6%+761%0.59—
9
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+41.7%24.7%1.54−46.1%+471%0.13—
10
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+19.1%28.0%0.77−38.5%+140%0.39—
11
CPACCementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. · Construction Materials
Whole market+24.0%38.8%0.73−55.9%+194%-0.01—
12
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+41.2%32.8%1.22−34.5%+461%0.12—
13
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+71.5%0.410.03%
14
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.6%16.9%0.79−34.0%+80.8%0.400.03%
15
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+21.1%22.6%0.97−25.7%+161%-0.16—
16
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+88.5%-0.07—
17
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+25.5%23.4%1.09−45.1%+212%-0.07—
18
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+88.0%-0.19—
19
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+32.8%25.9%1.23−62.3%+313%0.03—
20
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+13.2%22.9%0.66−36.4%+86.1%-0.02—
21
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+225%0.140.48%
22
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Whole market+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+103%-0.13—
23
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+119%-0.120.40%
24
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+123%0.16—
25
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+30.7%32.0%1.00−43.4%+281%0.11—
26
MUFGMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.5%29.4%1.14−54.9%+325%0.07—
27
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.2%23.0%0.69−35.1%+94.0%0.540.18%
28
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.3%23.4%0.94−42.9%+162%-0.12—
29
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.4%20.7%0.89−26.8%+123%-0.16—
30
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil Refining
Whole market+50.0%33.4%1.39−79.7%+660%-0.10—
31
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.1%24.8%0.73−43.4%+111%-0.10—
32
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+37.8%25.1%1.41−38.1%+397%-0.11—
33
ANETArista Networks, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+47.6%49.1%1.04−52.2%+601%0.16—
34
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.2%13.7%0.91−36.8%+78.0%0.130.03%
35
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+20.1%24.9%0.86−24.9%+150%-0.25—
36
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Whole market+31.3%32.4%1.01−37.5%+290%0.30—
37
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+179%-0.21—
38
KLACKLA Corporation · Semiconductor Equipment
Whole market+35.3%46.9%0.88−50.9%+353%0.25—
39
VCTRVictory Capital Holdings, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+27.7%35.0%0.88−45.2%+240%0.21—
40
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.9%30.6%1.11−45.7%+330%0.08—
41
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.7%20.9%0.64−32.6%+73.8%-0.07—
42
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.1%19.0%0.93−26.4%+120%-0.190.40%
43
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.1%26.1%0.77−35.1%+130%0.600.09%
44
SMFGSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+34.0%29.4%1.15−47.6%+332%-0.01—
45
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Whole market+19.4%22.0%0.92−56.1%+143%-0.05—
46
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.8%25.7%0.90−30.3%+168%-0.27—
47
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Rare Disease Therapeutics
Whole market+23.9%29.1%0.89−41.6%+192%-0.18—
48
ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors
Whole market+18.6%34.2%0.67−33.6%+135%0.13—
49
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.3%21.4%0.90−53.7%+132%-0.20—
50
HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise Company · Computer Hardware
Popular alternative+32.8%42.3%0.89−56.9%+313%0.56—
51
ASXASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. · Semiconductors
Whole market+47.3%43.3%1.11−52.5%+592%0.31—
52
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+15.1%29.9%0.62−37.9%+102%-0.08—
53
GLWCorning Inc · Electronic Components
Whole market+29.7%42.2%0.83−51.5%+268%0.08—
54
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+11.6%13.8%0.87−35.2%+72.8%0.090.04%
55
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.7%24.9%1.08−41.6%+227%0.17—
56
LMTLockheed Martin Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+12.5%24.4%0.61−36.7%+80.0%-0.17—
57
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+23.6%22.8%1.05−32.4%+188%-0.10—
58
AEMAgnico Eagle Mines Limited · Gold Mining
Whole market+28.2%38.5%0.84−54.2%+246%-0.19—
59
NEMNewmont Corporation · Gold Mining
Whole market+17.8%39.1%0.62−62.4%+127%-0.19—
60
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Whole market+17.4%24.9%0.77−30.4%+123%0.15—
61
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.6%20.8%0.63−37.4%+73.2%-0.04—
62
SMHVanEck Semiconductor ETF · Semiconductors
Whole market+32.2%37.0%0.94−45.3%+304%0.480.35%
63
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+14.1%18.6%0.80−34.0%+93.2%-0.02—
64
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+124%0.13—
65
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+15.2%23.6%0.72−32.8%+103%-0.05—
66
ORLYO'Reilly Automotive, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+15.8%23.4%0.75−42.0%+108%-0.14—
67
NGGNational Grid plc · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.3%22.6%0.63−39.2%+78.6%-0.04—
68
ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+39.7%34.6%1.14−35.4%+432%0.13—
69
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.8%20.2%0.70−32.9%+82.7%-0.17—
70
CIENCiena Corporation · Communications Equipment
Whole market+43.7%52.9%0.95−49.5%+513%0.18—
71
WPMWheaton Precious Metals Corp. · Precious Metals
Whole market+25.8%37.0%0.81−46.7%+215%-0.14—
72
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+16.2%24.6%0.74−30.7%+112%0.02—
73
PCARPACCAR Inc · Commercial Vehicles
Whole market+17.7%26.2%0.76−37.9%+126%0.00—
74
TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.3%19.4%0.70−54.4%+78.4%-0.32—
75
ARGXargenx SE · Immunology Therapeutics
Whole market+24.5%39.9%0.75−38.2%+199%0.14—
76
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+12.8%22.5%0.65−34.5%+82.4%0.510.04%
77
AJGArthur J. Gallagher & Co. · Insurance Brokers
Whole market+11.6%24.3%0.57−44.4%+72.8%-0.09—
78
BBarrick Mining Corporation · Gold Mining
Whole market+17.8%37.4%0.63−53.9%+127%-0.07—
79
RACEFerrari N.V. · Automobiles
Whole market+13.2%30.0%0.56−39.2%+85.5%0.09—
80
CTVACorteva, Inc. · Chemicals
Whole market+16.2%28.4%0.67−34.7%+112%-0.17—
81
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.4%17.5%0.86−34.7%+95.5%0.440.26%
82
AMALAmalgamated Financial Corp. · Regional Banks
Whole market+25.4%33.4%0.85−62.9%+210%0.11—
83
CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores
Whole market+30.8%29.4%1.06−36.1%+282%-0.06—
84
MPWRMonolithic Power Systems, Inc. · Semiconductors
Whole market+18.8%55.5%0.59−51.6%+137%0.23—
85
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Broad Commodities
Whole market+21.1%18.4%1.14−45.7%+161%-0.140.80%
86
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.7%18.9%0.73−30.9%+81.6%-0.24—
87
AZOAutoZone, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+12.3%25.3%0.59−42.1%+78.4%-0.34—
88
IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs
Whole market+23.8%30.3%0.86−39.0%+191%0.17—
89
NTAPNetApp, Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+20.6%35.3%0.71−58.1%+155%0.68—
90
EFViShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.6%15.9%0.89−43.2%+89.4%-0.050.31%
91
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.9%18.5%0.90−32.9%+109%-0.10—
92
UMCUnited Microelectronics Corporation · Semiconductors
Whole market+18.8%43.3%0.61−54.3%+137%0.43—
93
KRThe Kroger Co. · Grocery Stores
Whole market+13.5%27.4%0.60−43.8%+88.0%-0.17—
94
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+89.2%0.060.25%
95
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.1%20.9%0.91−30.9%+130%0.390.13%
96
UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corporation · Rare Disease Therapeutics
Whole market+25.1%35.2%0.81−55.6%+206%-0.05—
97
KRTKarat Packaging Inc. · Packaging
Whole market+24.4%44.1%0.72−48.4%+198%0.18—
98
FERFerrovial N.V. · Infrastructure
Whole market+13.6%31.4%0.56−38.9%+89.4%0.03—
99
COKECoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+41.6%38.0%1.11−51.7%+468%-0.10—
100
FIXComfort Systems USA, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Whole market+73.0%46.9%1.41−49.7%+1,452%0.18—

DDOG against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityDDOG: 9.7% a year, volatility 59.8%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%CRWD: 27.4% a year, volatility 52.7%HPE: 32.8% a year, volatility 42.3%FROG: 21.6% a year, volatility 58.0%NVDA: 56.5% a year, volatility 51.9%PANW: 33.4% a year, volatility 43.4%IBM: 20.1% a year, volatility 30.2%MSFT: 11.9% a year, volatility 28.2%GOOG: 18.5% a year, volatility 32.0%CSCO: 16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%ESTC: −10.3% a year, volatility 60.4%GTLB: −14.6% a year, volatility 73.0%SNOW: −1.6% a year, volatility 62.6%MDB: −6.4% a year, volatility 71.2%NET: 10.9% a year, volatility 69.1%PD: −16.3% a year, volatility 57.1%NOW: 2.7% a year, volatility 45.6%DT: −4.3% a year, volatility 41.6%AMZN: 8.5% a year, volatility 36.6%ORCL: 6.5% a year, volatility 44.3%DDOGSPY (S&P 500)CRWDHPEFROGNVDAPANWIBMMSFTCSCOESTCGTLBSNOWMDBNETPDNOWDTAMZNORCL0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityDDOG: 9.7% a year, volatility 59.8%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%CRWD: 27.4% a year, volatility 52.7%HPE: 32.8% a year, volatility 42.3%FROG: 21.6% a year, volatility 58.0%NVDA: 56.5% a year, volatility 51.9%PANW: 33.4% a year, volatility 43.4%IBM: 20.1% a year, volatility 30.2%MSFT: 11.9% a year, volatility 28.2%GOOG: 18.5% a year, volatility 32.0%CSCO: 16.9% a year, volatility 26.1%ESTC: −10.3% a year, volatility 60.4%GTLB: −14.6% a year, volatility 73.0%SNOW: −1.6% a year, volatility 62.6%MDB: −6.4% a year, volatility 71.2%NET: 10.9% a year, volatility 69.1%PD: −16.3% a year, volatility 57.1%NOW: 2.7% a year, volatility 45.6%DT: −4.3% a year, volatility 41.6%AMZN: 8.5% a year, volatility 36.6%ORCL: 6.5% a year, volatility 44.3%DDOGSPY (S&P 500)CRWDHPEFROGNVDAPANWIBMGOOGESTCGTLBSNOWMDBNETPDNOWDTAMZNORCL
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation+56.5%51.9%
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.+33.4%43.4%
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company+32.8%42.3%
CRWD CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.+27.4%52.7%
FROG JFrog Ltd.+21.6%58.0%
IBM International Business Machines Corporation+20.1%30.2%
GOOG Alphabet Inc.+18.5%32.0%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.+16.9%26.1%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation+11.9%28.2%
NET Cloudflare, Inc.+10.9%69.1%
DDOG This pageDatadog, Inc.+9.7%59.8%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.+8.5%36.6%
ORCL Oracle Corporation+6.5%44.3%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.+2.7%45.6%
SNOW Snowflake Inc.−1.6%62.6%
DT Dynatrace, Inc.−4.3%41.6%
MDB MongoDB, Inc.−6.4%71.2%
ESTC Elastic N.V.−10.3%60.4%
GTLB GitLab Inc.−14.6%73.0%
PD PagerDuty, Inc.−16.3%57.1%
Open these 21 in EasyCompare

Has DDOG consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

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

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
DDOG Datadog, Inc. (this page)—+4.2%+4.9%+95.1%+92.7%+67.1%+201%+58.7%59.8%0.45−68.1%—$93B—
CRWD QualifiedCrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.4/5 short2/2 longAll-weather−4.8%+26.3%+104%+110%+90.3%+431%+236%52.7%0.72−67.7%—$244B—
HPE QualifiedHewlett Packard Enterprise Company3/5 short2/2 long−9.1%+15.5%+95.6%+132%+145%+292%+313%42.3%0.89−56.9%—$74B—
FROG QualifiedJFrog Ltd.3/5 short2/2 long+4.4%+17.8%+101%+57.6%+96.8%+320%+166%58.0%0.63−80.4%—$11B—
NET Software - InfrastructureCloudflare, Inc.1/5 short2/2 long−14.0%+12.9%+46.3%+54.9%+44.1%+417%+67.4%69.1%0.49−82.6%—$108B—
NVDA SemiconductorsNVIDIA Corporation0/5 short2/2 long−7.3%+0.2%+5.0%+12.6%+18.0%+395%+839%51.9%1.12−66.3%—$5.1T—
PANW Software - InfrastructurePalo Alto Networks, Inc.2/5 short1/2 long−5.2%+5.9%+95.9%+97.9%+67.1%+188%+322%43.4%0.89−48.0%—$290B—
IBM Information Technology ServicesInternational Business Machines Corporation2/5 short1/2 long+9.0%+23.4%+1.6%−11.8%−10.0%+103%+150%30.2%0.76−41.1%—$238B—
MSFT Software - InfrastructureMicrosoft Corporation1/5 short1/2 long+4.6%+33.7%+20.9%+10.9%+0.9%+61.9%+75.6%28.2%0.54−37.1%—$3.9T—
GOOG Internet Content & InformationAlphabet Inc.0/5 short1/2 long−7.7%−6.1%−4.9%+1.9%+27.4%+135%+134%32.0%0.69−44.6%—$3.9T—
CSCO Communication EquipmentCisco Systems, Inc.0/5 short1/2 long−1.1%−6.2%+17.7%+39.7%+51.2%+117%+118%26.1%0.73−42.0%—$414B—
ESTC Software - ApplicationElastic N.V.3/5 short0/2 long+10.1%+67.4%+99.5%+35.4%+14.1%+24.3%−41.9%60.4%0.12−76.8%—$10B—
GTLB Software - ApplicationGitLab Inc.3/5 short0/2 long+11.7%+73.9%+144%+50.7%+13.4%+22.8%−54.6%73.0%0.14−85.2%—$9.1B—
PD Software - ApplicationPagerDuty, Inc.3/5 short0/2 long+19.0%+95.4%+157%+39.1%+8.2%−12.6%−59.0%57.1%-0.03−90.0%—$1.4B—
NOW Software - ApplicationServiceNow, Inc.2/5 short0/2 long+14.6%+64.5%+52.3%+6.5%−16.1%+45.0%+14.3%45.6%0.29−64.5%—$162B—
SNOW Software - ApplicationSnowflake Inc.2/5 short0/2 long−6.7%+17.2%+102%+44.9%+29.9%+111%−7.6%62.6%0.28−73.0%—$111B—
DT Software - ApplicationDynatrace, Inc.2/5 short0/2 long+10.8%+53.2%+75.3%+49.6%+27.9%+36.6%−19.5%41.6%0.10−61.8%—$18B—
MDB Software - InfrastructureMongoDB, Inc.1/5 short0/2 long−15.3%+18.8%+34.4%−9.4%+11.4%+5.8%−28.3%71.2%0.26−76.5%—$29B—
AMZN Specialty RetailAmazon.com, Inc.0/5 short0/2 long−1.8%+2.3%−1.9%+10.5%+14.9%+97.8%+50.1%36.6%0.41−56.1%—$2.7T—
ORCL Software - InfrastructureOracle Corporation0/5 short0/2 long−15.6%+0.1%−32.6%−35.0%−53.4%+25.4%+36.7%44.3%0.36−64.6%—$380B—
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How did DDOG do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2020, along with where DDOG ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with DDOG and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Note: DDOG began trading on September 19, 2019, so the table starts with 2020, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or five other sell-offs.

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

InvestmentYears ahead of DDOG202520242023202220212020
DDOG This pageDatadog, Inc.—−4.8%+17.7%+65.1%−58.7%+80.9%+161%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 2 of 615 of 2012 of 209 of 2018 of 202 of 194 of 17
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF3 of 6+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%
CRWD CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.5 of 6+37.0%+34.0%+143%−48.6%−3.3%+325%
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company3 of 6+15.5%+29.1%+9.7%+4.5%+37.4%−21.9%
FROG JFrog Ltd.2 of 5+112%−15.0%+62.3%−28.2%−52.7%—
NET Cloudflare, Inc.4 of 6+83.1%+29.3%+84.2%−65.6%+73.0%+345%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation5 of 6+38.9%+171%+239%−50.2%+125%+122%
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.4 of 6+1.2%+23.4%+111%−24.8%+56.7%+53.7%
IBM International Business Machines Corporation3 of 6+38.2%+39.3%+21.9%+10.6%+16.6%−1.2%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation2 of 6+15.6%+12.9%+58.2%−28.0%+52.5%+42.5%
GOOG Alphabet Inc.3 of 6+65.4%+35.6%+58.8%−38.7%+65.2%+31.0%
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.3 of 6+33.5%+21.0%+9.3%−22.5%+45.8%−3.5%
ESTC Elastic N.V.1 of 6−23.9%−12.1%+119%−58.2%−15.8%+127%
GTLB GitLab Inc.1 of 4−33.4%−10.5%+38.6%−47.8%——
PD PagerDuty, Inc.1 of 6−28.2%−21.1%−12.8%−23.6%−16.7%+78.3%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.3 of 6−27.8%+50.0%+82.0%−40.2%+17.9%+95.0%
SNOW Snowflake Inc.1 of 5+42.1%−22.4%+38.6%−57.6%+20.4%—
DT Dynatrace, Inc.1 of 6−20.3%−0.6%+42.8%−36.5%+39.5%+71.0%
MDB MongoDB, Inc.3 of 6+80.3%−43.1%+108%−62.8%+47.4%+173%
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.4 of 6+5.2%+44.4%+80.9%−49.6%+2.4%+76.3%
ORCL Oracle Corporation3 of 6+18.1%+60.0%+30.9%−4.7%+36.9%+24.3%
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Risk and diversification

How DDOG 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 DDOG's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents DDOG's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2019, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Note: DDOG began trading on September 19, 2019, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or five other sell-offs. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.

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

DuringDDOG fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2022 bear market−68.1%−11.1%Nov 2021Apr 202317 monthsNov 20252.6 years
No named crash−48.6%+0.4%Nov 2025Feb 20263 monthsMay 20263 months
Covid crash−42.1%−28.9%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthMay 20202 months
No named crash−39.5%+7.7%Feb 2021May 20213 monthsAug 20213 months
No named crash−27.4%−0.8%Aug 2026Sep 20261 monthOct 20261 month

How did DDOG do in stock market crashes?

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

Note: DDOG began trading on September 19, 2019, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or five other sell-offs. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

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

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
DDOG This pageDatadog, Inc.—−9.5%−53.0%−38.8%Not yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF3 of 3−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
CRWD CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.2 of 3−7.1%−42.7%−50.0%———————
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company2 of 3−7.2%−30.5%−45.3%−27.4%−9.6%—————
FROG JFrog Ltd.1 of 2−14.1%−43.0%————————
NET Cloudflare, Inc.1 of 3−11.1%−69.5%−31.8%———————
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation2 of 3−5.0%−60.7%−37.5%−55.9%−8.5%−25.3%−23.8%−1.7%−85.1%−89.7%
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.2 of 3−2.1%−30.6%−46.8%−29.1%−3.3%−40.2%————
IBM International Business Machines Corporation3 of 3−2.0%−16.7%−37.3%−29.1%−6.3%−23.3%−14.6%−1.5%−44.3%−58.3%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation3 of 3−2.0%−31.0%−27.7%−18.2%−7.4%−14.4%−14.1%−2.6%−57.9%−62.9%
GOOG Alphabet Inc.3 of 3−3.9%−35.0%−30.8%−18.9%−9.9%−12.7%−21.1%−1.1%−65.3%—
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.3 of 3−1.4%−35.4%−29.1%−17.5%−5.3%−22.8%−16.6%−3.1%−60.0%−89.3%
ESTC Elastic N.V.0 of 3−11.5%−54.4%−40.3%———————
GTLB GitLab Inc.0 of 2−11.3%−57.9%————————
PD PagerDuty, Inc.1 of 3−10.4%−43.3%−41.5%———————
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.3 of 3−7.2%−39.9%−28.8%−20.6%−8.5%−47.6%————
SNOW Snowflake Inc.1 of 2−7.8%−64.1%————————
DT Dynatrace, Inc.1 of 3−9.2%−46.9%−45.3%———————
MDB MongoDB, Inc.0 of 3−15.1%−61.3%−45.0%−24.9%−2.8%—————
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.3 of 3−3.4%−39.6%−22.7%−33.2%−7.1%−30.6%−20.7%−2.9%−65.3%−91.8%
ORCL Oracle Corporation3 of 3−5.0%−31.0%−28.3%−17.2%−6.6%−16.1%−23.9%−2.1%−41.1%−84.2%
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How closely does DDOG 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 DDOG with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 5 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 5 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than DDOG's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
DDOG This pageDatadog, Inc.112%119%0.941.51
CRWD CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.122%38%3.211.19
HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company154%72%2.151.39
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation259%152%1.702.21
NET Cloudflare, Inc.118%72%1.651.64
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc.98%75%1.310.99
FROG JFrog Ltd.146%127%1.151.23
GOOG Alphabet Inc.140%132%1.071.20
IBM International Business Machines Corporation106%104%1.020.73
MSFT Microsoft Corporation115%126%0.911.10
ORCL Oracle Corporation159%213%0.751.77
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc.125%170%0.741.45
SNOW Snowflake Inc.83%134%0.621.35
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.85%142%0.600.99
MDB MongoDB, Inc.145%285%0.511.74
DT Dynatrace, Inc.57%127%0.440.77
ESTC Elastic N.V.66%177%0.371.04
PD PagerDuty, Inc.36%187%0.190.98
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc.104%-13%—0.93
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What diversifies DDOG?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
DDOG Datadog, Inc. (this page)1.00+58.7%0.45−4.8%−58.7%59.4%+14.1%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF-0.12+119%1.48+27.1%+3.8%47.3%+17.2%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.14+225%1.34+32.8%+6.0%47.9%+19.0%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund-0.05+103%1.06+9.7%+10.4%47.4%+16.9%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF-0.12+86.8%1.03+11.9%+7.0%47.2%+16.4%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.14+83.6%0.95+23.1%−5.1%47.9%+16.4%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.48+304%0.94+49.2%−33.5%51.2%+20.4%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF-0.23+178%0.94+7.9%+64.4%46.6%+19.4%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares-0.19+120%0.93+63.7%−0.8%47.0%+17.9%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
DDOG Datadog, Inc. (this page)1.00+58.7%0.45−4.8%−58.7%59.4%+14.1%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.13+471%1.54+76.3%+54.1%48.4%+21.3%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.32+2,780%1.43+220%+1.3%52.4%+32.7%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation-0.11+397%1.41+44.5%+51.8%47.2%+21.2%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.18+1,452%1.41+121%+17.0%49.9%+29.7%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation-0.10+660%1.39+19.2%+86.6%47.3%+24.1%
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Common questions

What was DDOG's worst drawdown?

DDOG's deepest decline since it began trading in 2019 was 68.1%, from November 2021 to April 2023. It took about three years from the low to climb back to its old high. Because DDOG launched in September 2019, that record does not include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or five other sell-offs.

What were DDOG's best and worst years?

Over six full calendar years, DDOG's best year was 2020, when it returned 161%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -58.7%.

Is there a better investment than DDOG?

Among DDOG's popular alternatives, HPE, GOOG and CSCO earned more than DDOG with less volatility over the past 5 years. HPE returned 32.8% a year at 42.3% volatility, against 9.7% a year at 59.8%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, FTNT (cybersecurity) and SAP (enterprise software) earned more than DDOG with less volatility over the past 5 years. FTNT returned 20.9% a year at 44.8% volatility, against 9.7% a year at 59.8%.

Is DDOG more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. DDOG's volatility over the past 5 years was 59.8%, 3.5 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, DDOG's return lands within 59.8% 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 DDOG's Sharpe ratio?

DDOG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.45, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so DDOG 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 DDOG with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, DDOG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.40 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 DDOG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a DDOG holding.

What are the best alternatives to DDOG?

Of the 19 popular alternatives we compared, three outperformed DDOG in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 2 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: CRWD, HPE and FROG.

Did DDOG outperform the S&P 500?

DDOG finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in three of six full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -4.8%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did DDOG do in stock market crashes?

DDOG fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in none of the three major crashes it has traded through, and further in three. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when DDOG fell 53.0% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.

What diversifies DDOG?

These had a low correlation with DDOG over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation -0.12), DXJ (correlation 0.14) and EMLP (correlation -0.05); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.13), CLS (correlation 0.32) and MCK (correlation -0.11). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to DDOG