Benchmark research · Alphabet
ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed GOOG (Alphabet)
Any investment can look great over a single hand-picked timeframe. To find what truly kept ahead of GOOG (Alphabet Inc.), we screened GOOG against the entire market of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs across 8 different time windows from 1 month to 10 years, including reinvested dividends. A contender had to come out ahead in both the short term and the long term to make the list. Data as of October 22, 2026.
Compare the entire market against GOOG live →Key findings
- How hard it was to top GOOG: The bar was selective for ETFs but more attainable for stocks. Of 958 eligible ETFs, 10 (1.0%) outperformed in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods, and none qualified as all-weather. Of 1,501 eligible stocks, 161 (11%) met the consistency rule, including 29 all-weather stocks.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
- Popular alternatives: AAPL and XLK made the list, each outperforming in 5 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. MSFT and VGT fell short despite outperforming in 4 of 5 short-term periods, because each topped GOOG in only 1 of 3 long-term periods. QQQ also fell short, with 4 of 5 short-term and 0 of 3 long-term periods.
- Top ETFs: Technology and semiconductor funds led the group. SMH and FTXL, both focused on semiconductors, and SOXX each outperformed in 3 of 5 short-term and 3 of 3 long-term periods. XLK also stood out, topping GOOG in all 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
- Top stocks: 161 stocks met the consistency rule, and 29 were all-weather. The leading examples included NTRA in healthcare, FTNT and PANW in technology, and BWLP in industrials. Each of these four outperformed in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods.
- The risk trade-off: Over 5 years, the top ETFs had median volatility similar to GOOG, and about half were less volatile. Most had higher Sharpe ratios, with 8 of 10 above the benchmark. The top stocks were bumpier: their median volatility was moderately higher, and none of the top 10 was less volatile. Still, 9 of 10 had higher Sharpe ratios, suggesting most delivered more return per unit of risk over this period.
How popular alternatives compare
Well-known funds and stocks investors often compare against GOOG, sorted by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | ||
| GOOG Alphabet Inc. (benchmark) | — | −7.7% | −6.1% | −4.9% | +1.9% | +27.4% | +135% | +134% | +696% | 32.0% | 0.69 |
| AAPL Made the listApple Inc. | 5/5 short2/3 long | +2.5% | +6.9% | +27.7% | +28.8% | +35.2% | +104% | +140% | +1,194% | 28.0%0.9× GOOG | 0.77 |
| XLK Made the listState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1%0.8× GOOG | 0.80 |
| MSFT Fell shortMicrosoft Corporation | 4/5 short1/3 long | +4.6% | +33.7% | +20.9% | +10.9% | +0.9% | +61.9% | +75.6% | +862% | 28.2%0.9× GOOG | 0.54 |
| VGT Fell shortVanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short1/3 long | −6.1% | +2.7% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.7% | +135% | +130% | +753% | 26.1%0.8× GOOG | 0.77 |
| QQQ Fell shortInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | 4/5 short0/3 long | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0%0.7× GOOG | 0.69 |
| AMZN Fell shortAmazon.com, Inc. | 4/5 short0/3 long | −1.8% | +2.3% | −1.9% | +10.5% | +14.9% | +97.8% | +50.1% | +498% | 36.6%1.1× GOOG | 0.41 |
| VOO Fell shortVanguard S&P 500 ETF | 4/5 short0/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 16.9%0.5× GOOG | 0.79 |
| SPY Fell shortState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 4/5 short0/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2%0.5× GOOG | 0.78 |
| VTI Fell shortVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | 4/5 short0/3 long | −1.4% | +1.9% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.3% | +71.5% | +298% | 17.5%0.5× GOOG | 0.71 |
| QQEW Fell shortFirst Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF | 4/5 short0/3 long | −6.0% | +1.2% | +11.5% | +9.7% | +8.7% | +55.7% | +36.5% | +258% | 21.3%0.7× GOOG | 0.40 |
| FDN Fell shortFirst Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund | 4/5 short0/3 long | −4.1% | +6.2% | +6.0% | +5.9% | +1.1% | +81.4% | +15.4% | +239% | 27.6%0.9× GOOG | 0.24 |
| ACWI Fell shortiShares MSCI ACWI ETF | 4/5 short0/3 long | −3.0% | +0.8% | +5.5% | +11.2% | +14.9% | +83.1% | +63.7% | +223% | 16.2%0.5× GOOG | 0.69 |
| IWM Fell shortiShares Russell 2000 ETF | 4/5 short0/3 long | −3.7% | −5.6% | +0.6% | +12.0% | +14.8% | +73.3% | +29.4% | +157% | 22.4%0.7× GOOG | 0.34 |
| META Fell shortMeta Platforms, Inc. | 2/5 short0/3 long | −11.9% | +3.5% | −3.7% | 0.0% | −11.2% | +109% | +102% | +391% | 45.4%1.4× GOOG | 0.54 |
ETFs that consistently outperformed GOOG
Top 10 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Green cells outperformed GOOG in that period. Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Expense | Assets | |||
| — | GOOG Alphabet Inc. (benchmark) | — | −7.7% | −6.1% | −4.9% | +1.9% | +27.4% | +135% | +134% | +696% | 32.0% | 0.69 | ||
| 1 | SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −13.8% | −10.8% | +9.8% | +40.2% | +55.0% | +272% | +304% | +1,570% | 37.0%1.2× GOOG | 0.94 | 0.35% | $66B |
| 2 | SOXX Broad MarketiShares Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −17.0% | −14.3% | +10.3% | +51.9% | +68.0% | +219% | +221% | +1,297% | 39.0%1.2× GOOG | 0.80 | 0.33% | $39B |
| 3 | FTXL TechnologyFirst Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −16.0% | −12.2% | +9.3% | +56.8% | +81.8% | +234% | +220% | +1,019% | 39.0%1.2× GOOG | 0.79 | 0.60% | $1.2B |
| 4 | XLK TechnologyState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1%0.8× GOOG | 0.80 | 0.08% | $125B |
| 5 | EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 4/5 short2/3 long | −9.7% | +2.3% | +20.7% | +60.6% | +67.3% | +187% | +147% | +448% | 24.3%0.8× GOOG | 0.87 | 0.59% | $12B |
| 6 | EPU InternationaliShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF | 4/5 short2/3 long | −8.9% | −3.8% | +3.4% | +18.6% | +42.6% | +230% | +245% | +258% | 24.9%0.8× GOOG | 1.12 | 0.59% | $551M |
| 7 | EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF | 4/5 short2/3 long | −6.6% | −4.4% | +2.9% | +6.8% | +20.1% | +139% | +141% | +190% | 20.3%0.6× GOOG | 0.97 | 0.50% | $2.0B |
| 8 | GBTC CryptoGrayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF | 3/5 short2/3 long | −5.7% | +23.0% | +2.4% | −10.4% | −25.7% | +154% | +28.9% | +6,992% | 59.6%1.9× GOOG | 0.38 | 1.50% | $10B |
| 9 | XSD TechnologyState Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short2/3 long | −15.4% | −14.6% | +2.6% | +35.0% | +36.6% | +158% | +121% | +805% | 40.9%1.3× GOOG | 0.59 | 0.35% | $2.7B |
| 10 | GREK InternationalGlobal X - MSCI Greece ETF | 3/5 short2/3 long | −7.4% | +1.8% | +13.1% | +17.3% | +27.1% | +159% | +223% | +372% | 24.6%0.8× GOOG | 1.08 | 0.56% | $327M |
Stocks that consistently outperformed GOOG
Top 10 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Individual stocks swing far more than funds; check the volatility column.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Company | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Market cap | |||
| — | GOOG Alphabet Inc. (benchmark) | — | −7.7% | −6.1% | −4.9% | +1.9% | +27.4% | +135% | +134% | +696% | 32.0% | 0.69 | |
| 1 | NTRA Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchNatera, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +2.7% | +51.9% | +93.2% | +75.4% | +113% | +901% | +249% | +3,934% | 57.6%1.8× GOOG | 0.73 | $58B |
| 2 | FTNT Software - InfrastructureFortinet, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −0.7% | +11.6% | +98.6% | +122% | +104% | +208% | +158% | +2,668% | 44.8%1.4× GOOG | 0.65 | $127B |
| 3 | BWLP Marine ShippingBW LPG Limited | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +1.2% | +20.7% | +46.1% | +116% | +129% | +232% | +966% | +2,648% | 50.9%1.6× GOOG | 1.19 | $3.8B |
| 4 | COKE Beverages - Non-AlcoholicCoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.5% | +16.7% | +15.1% | +44.1% | +67.4% | +257% | +468% | +1,564% | 38.0%1.2× GOOG | 1.11 | $14B |
| 5 | MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +17.9% | +45.8% | +108% | +181% | +148% | +226% | +660% | +1,314% | 33.4%1.0× GOOG | 1.39 | $129B |
| 6 | PANW Software - InfrastructurePalo Alto Networks, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −5.2% | +5.9% | +95.9% | +97.9% | +67.1% | +188% | +322% | +1,306% | 43.4%1.4× GOOG | 0.89 | $290B |
| 7 | WSM Specialty RetailWilliams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.4% | +17.7% | +33.1% | +40.7% | +40.7% | +249% | +202% | +1,298% | 44.4%1.4× GOOG | 0.72 | $31B |
| 8 | FRO Marine ShippingFrontline Plc | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +6.9% | +41.8% | +62.0% | +182% | +148% | +222% | +762% | +1,270% | 49.7%1.6× GOOG | 1.12 | $11B |
| 9 | HALO BiotechnologyHalozyme Therapeutics, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +8.2% | +60.0% | +82.1% | +77.1% | +89.4% | +258% | +220% | +1,255% | 40.4%1.3× GOOG | 0.78 | $14B |
| 10 | ANF Apparel - RetailAbercrombie & Fitch Co. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +18.6% | +68.2% | +74.7% | +30.6% | +136% | +169% | +323% | +1,132% | 62.9%2.0× GOOG | 0.77 | $6.9B |
What stands out
The ETF results point to a strong showing from technology, especially semiconductor funds. SMH, SOXX, and FTXL kept ahead of GOOG across all long-term periods, while XLK's advantage was stronger in the short term. The stock leaders came from a wider range of sectors, including healthcare, technology, industrials, consumer staples, energy, and consumer discretionary. That mix suggests the stock results were not limited to one theme, though the table shows only the top 10 stocks.
The risk figures add context to those returns. The leading ETFs had median volatility similar to GOOG, and most had higher Sharpe ratios. The leading stocks swung more widely, but most also had higher Sharpe ratios. These measures describe the past five years, not a guarantee that the same balance of return and risk will continue.
Methodology
- Short-term periods: 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y. Long-term periods: 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than GOOG's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of GOOG's (whichever is larger) count as a tie and are shown in gray.
- Consistent means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods, so a recent hot streak alone is not enough. All-weather means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Rankings use long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then the 10Y return.
- Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years. The Sharpe ratio is return above cash divided by volatility over the same period: higher means more return per unit of risk.
- Returns and risk figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update with each market day. Past performance does not predict future results.