# ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed GOOG (Alphabet)

> Source: BetterThanSPY research, https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-goog
> Data as of October 22, 2026. Total returns include reinvested dividends. Past performance does not predict future results; nothing here is investment advice.

GOOG (Alphabet Inc.) screened against the entire market of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs over 8 periods from 1 month to 10 years, with dividends reinvested. To make the list, an investment had to outperform GOOG in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Returns in the tables are total returns over each period; volatility and Sharpe ratio cover 5 years.

## 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

| Investment | Status | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GOOG: Alphabet Inc. (benchmark) |  |  | −7.7% | −6.1% | −4.9% | +1.9% | +27.4% | +135% | +134% | +696% | 32.0% | 0.69 |
| [AAPL](https://betterthanspy.com/research/aapl): Apple Inc. | Made the list | 5/5 short, 2/3 long | +2.5% | +6.9% | +27.7% | +28.8% | +35.2% | +104% | +140% | +1,194% | 28.0% | 0.77 |
| [XLK](https://betterthanspy.com/research/xlk): State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | Made the list | 5/5 short, 2/3 long | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1% | 0.80 |
| [MSFT](https://betterthanspy.com/research/msft): Microsoft Corporation | Fell short | 4/5 short, 1/3 long | +4.6% | +33.7% | +20.9% | +10.9% | +0.9% | +61.9% | +75.6% | +862% | 28.2% | 0.54 |
| [VGT](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vgt): Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Fell short | 4/5 short, 1/3 long | −6.1% | +2.7% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.7% | +135% | +130% | +753% | 26.1% | 0.77 |
| [QQQ](https://betterthanspy.com/research/qqq): Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0% | 0.69 |
| [AMZN](https://betterthanspy.com/research/amzn): Amazon.com, Inc. | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.8% | +2.3% | −1.9% | +10.5% | +14.9% | +97.8% | +50.1% | +498% | 36.6% | 0.41 |
| [VOO](https://betterthanspy.com/research/voo): Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 16.9% | 0.79 |
| [SPY](https://betterthanspy.com/research/spy): State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2% | 0.78 |
| [VTI](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vti): Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.4% | +1.9% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.3% | +71.5% | +298% | 17.5% | 0.71 |
| QQEW: First Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −6.0% | +1.2% | +11.5% | +9.7% | +8.7% | +55.7% | +36.5% | +258% | 21.3% | 0.40 |
| FDN: First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −4.1% | +6.2% | +6.0% | +5.9% | +1.1% | +81.4% | +15.4% | +239% | 27.6% | 0.24 |
| ACWI: iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.0% | +0.8% | +5.5% | +11.2% | +14.9% | +83.1% | +63.7% | +223% | 16.2% | 0.69 |
| [IWM](https://betterthanspy.com/research/iwm): iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Fell short | 4/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.7% | −5.6% | +0.6% | +12.0% | +14.8% | +73.3% | +29.4% | +157% | 22.4% | 0.34 |
| [META](https://betterthanspy.com/research/meta): Meta Platforms, Inc. | Fell short | 2/5 short, 0/3 long | −11.9% | +3.5% | −3.7% | 0.0% | −11.2% | +109% | +102% | +391% | 45.4% | 0.54 |

## ETFs that consistently outperformed GOOG

| Investment | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe | Expense | Assets |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GOOG: Alphabet Inc. (benchmark) |  | −7.7% | −6.1% | −4.9% | +1.9% | +27.4% | +135% | +134% | +696% | 32.0% | 0.69 |  |  |
| [SMH](https://betterthanspy.com/research/smh): VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −13.8% | −10.8% | +9.8% | +40.2% | +55.0% | +272% | +304% | +1,570% | 37.0% | 0.94 | 0.35% | $66B |
| [SOXX](https://betterthanspy.com/research/soxx): iShares Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −17.0% | −14.3% | +10.3% | +51.9% | +68.0% | +219% | +221% | +1,297% | 39.0% | 0.80 | 0.33% | $39B |
| FTXL: First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −16.0% | −12.2% | +9.3% | +56.8% | +81.8% | +234% | +220% | +1,019% | 39.0% | 0.79 | 0.60% | $1.2B |
| [XLK](https://betterthanspy.com/research/xlk): State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 5/5 short, 2/3 long | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1% | 0.80 | 0.08% | $125B |
| EWT: iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 4/5 short, 2/3 long | −9.7% | +2.3% | +20.7% | +60.6% | +67.3% | +187% | +147% | +448% | 24.3% | 0.87 | 0.59% | $12B |
| EPU: iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF | 4/5 short, 2/3 long | −8.9% | −3.8% | +3.4% | +18.6% | +42.6% | +230% | +245% | +258% | 24.9% | 1.12 | 0.59% | $551M |
| EWP: iShares MSCI Spain ETF | 4/5 short, 2/3 long | −6.6% | −4.4% | +2.9% | +6.8% | +20.1% | +139% | +141% | +190% | 20.3% | 0.97 | 0.50% | $2.0B |
| [GBTC](https://betterthanspy.com/research/gbtc): Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF | 3/5 short, 2/3 long | −5.7% | +23.0% | +2.4% | −10.4% | −25.7% | +154% | +28.9% | +6,992% | 59.6% | 0.38 | 1.50% | $10B |
| XSD: State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short, 2/3 long | −15.4% | −14.6% | +2.6% | +35.0% | +36.6% | +158% | +121% | +805% | 40.9% | 0.59 | 0.35% | $2.7B |
| GREK: Global X - MSCI Greece ETF | 3/5 short, 2/3 long | −7.4% | +1.8% | +13.1% | +17.3% | +27.1% | +159% | +223% | +372% | 24.6% | 1.08 | 0.56% | $327M |

## Stocks that consistently outperformed GOOG

| Investment | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe | Market cap |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GOOG: Alphabet Inc. (benchmark) |  | −7.7% | −6.1% | −4.9% | +1.9% | +27.4% | +135% | +134% | +696% | 32.0% | 0.69 |  |
| [NTRA](https://betterthanspy.com/research/ntra): Natera, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +2.7% | +51.9% | +93.2% | +75.4% | +113% | +901% | +249% | +3,934% | 57.6% | 0.73 | $58B |
| [FTNT](https://betterthanspy.com/research/ftnt): Fortinet, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −0.7% | +11.6% | +98.6% | +122% | +104% | +208% | +158% | +2,668% | 44.8% | 0.65 | $127B |
| BWLP: BW LPG Limited | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +1.2% | +20.7% | +46.1% | +116% | +129% | +232% | +966% | +2,648% | 50.9% | 1.19 | $3.8B |
| COKE: Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.5% | +16.7% | +15.1% | +44.1% | +67.4% | +257% | +468% | +1,564% | 38.0% | 1.11 | $14B |
| [MPC](https://betterthanspy.com/research/mpc): Marathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +17.9% | +45.8% | +108% | +181% | +148% | +226% | +660% | +1,314% | 33.4% | 1.39 | $129B |
| [PANW](https://betterthanspy.com/research/panw): Palo Alto Networks, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −5.2% | +5.9% | +95.9% | +97.9% | +67.1% | +188% | +322% | +1,306% | 43.4% | 0.89 | $290B |
| WSM: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.4% | +17.7% | +33.1% | +40.7% | +40.7% | +249% | +202% | +1,298% | 44.4% | 0.72 | $31B |
| FRO: Frontline Plc | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +6.9% | +41.8% | +62.0% | +182% | +148% | +222% | +762% | +1,270% | 49.7% | 1.12 | $11B |
| HALO: Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +8.2% | +60.0% | +82.1% | +77.1% | +89.4% | +258% | +220% | +1,255% | 40.4% | 0.78 | $14B |
| ANF: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +18.6% | +68.2% | +74.7% | +30.6% | +136% | +169% | +323% | +1,132% | 62.9% | 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.

## More research

- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed NVDA (Nvidia)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-nvda)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed AAPL (Apple)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-aapl)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed MSFT (Microsoft)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-msft)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed AMZN (Amazon)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-amzn)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed META (Meta Platforms)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-meta)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed TSLA (Tesla)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-tsla)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed COST (Costco)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-cost)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed SPY (S&P 500)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-spy)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VOO (S&P 500)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-voo)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VTI (Total US Stock Market)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-vti)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed QQQ (Nasdaq-100)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-qqq)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed DIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-dia)

## Explore further

- Full page: https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-goog
- All research pages: https://betterthanspy.com/llms.txt