# ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed SPY (S&P 500)

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

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) 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 SPY 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 SPY: Across over 10,000 stocks and ETFs screened, only 45 of 954 eligible ETFs, or 4.7%, and 227 of 1,502 eligible stocks, or 15%, outperformed in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. Just 5 ETFs and 82 stocks were all-weather, outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period, so SPY was hard to top consistently.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
  - Popular alternatives: QQQ outperformed in 3 of 3 long-term periods but only 2 of 5 short-term periods, while ARKK managed 2 of 3 long-term periods and 1 of 5 short-term periods. DGRO, SCHD, VTV, and RSP each topped SPY in all 5 short-term periods but none of the 3 long-term periods. VOO and IVV, which track the same index as SPY, tied it in every period.
  - Top ETFs: Technology led the ETF group, with 9 of the top 15 from that category. CIBR and HACK, both focused on cybersecurity, and semiconductor funds SMH and SOXX stood out; commodities funds UGA and BNO also performed strongly across the timeframes. In total, 45 ETFs made the consistency cut.
  - Top stocks: A total of 227 stocks made the consistency cut. The leading stocks shown include healthcare companies NTRA, MEDP, and LLY, along with industrial shipping company BWLP. The standout stocks shown also include COKE in consumer staples and MPC in energy.
- The risk trade-off: Over 5 years, the top ETFs and stocks were all more volatile than SPY. The top ETFs had median volatility of 26.6%, compared with 17.2% for SPY, and 9 of 15 had a higher Sharpe ratio (a measure of return per unit of risk). The top stocks had median volatility of 47.0%, and 7 of 10 had a higher Sharpe ratio than SPY, so most offered stronger risk-adjusted returns despite much larger price swings.

## How popular alternatives compare

| Investment | Status | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SPY: State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (benchmark) |  |  | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2% | 0.78 |
| [QQQ](https://betterthanspy.com/research/qqq): Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | Fell short | 2/5 short, 3/3 long | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0% | 0.69 |
| ARKK: ARK Innovation ETF | Fell short | 1/5 short, 2/3 long | −10.6% | +7.7% | +3.2% | +4.5% | −4.1% | +127% | −29.3% | +329% | 46.9% | 0.09 |
| [VUG](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vug): Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 2/3 long | −4.2% | +1.8% | +5.2% | +7.9% | +9.2% | +96.1% | +75.4% | +407% | 22.6% | 0.61 |
| [DGRO](https://betterthanspy.com/research/dgro): iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Fell short | 5/5 short, 0/3 long | +4.3% | +4.5% | +11.1% | +16.6% | +20.1% | +77.8% | +69.6% | +270% | 13.7% | 0.84 |
| [SCHD](https://betterthanspy.com/research/schd): Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | Fell short | 5/5 short, 0/3 long | +5.8% | +8.5% | +16.0% | +30.8% | +35.7% | +72.3% | +62.8% | +256% | 14.4% | 0.75 |
| [VTV](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vtv): Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF | Fell short | 5/5 short, 0/3 long | +2.7% | +3.8% | +12.7% | +19.3% | +23.9% | +80.9% | +78.0% | +237% | 13.7% | 0.91 |
| [RSP](https://betterthanspy.com/research/rsp): Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | Fell short | 5/5 short, 0/3 long | +2.5% | +3.0% | +8.6% | +14.5% | +16.8% | +68.3% | +49.6% | +214% | 16.1% | 0.58 |
| [VYM](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vym): Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Fell short | 3/5 short, 0/3 long | +2.5% | +1.2% | +6.3% | +14.3% | +18.5% | +75.9% | +72.8% | +209% | 13.8% | 0.87 |
| [DIA](https://betterthanspy.com/research/dia): State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | Fell short | 1/5 short, 0/3 long | +1.9% | +1.6% | +7.4% | +10.4% | +15.0% | +68.1% | +61.3% | +251% | 14.8% | 0.72 |
| [VOO](https://betterthanspy.com/research/voo): Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | Same index | about the same returns | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 16.9% | 0.79 |
| [IVV](https://betterthanspy.com/research/ivv): iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | Same index | about the same returns | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.8% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 17.0% | 0.79 |
| [VTI](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vti): Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.4% | +1.9% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.3% | +71.5% | +298% | 17.5% | 0.71 |
| [SCHB](https://betterthanspy.com/research/schb): Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.5% | +1.8% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.2% | +87.3% | +71.6% | +282% | 17.3% | 0.71 |
| [VT](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vt): Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −2.9% | +0.6% | +4.9% | +11.1% | +14.9% | +82.6% | +62.0% | +220% | 16.2% | 0.68 |
| [IWM](https://betterthanspy.com/research/iwm): iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.7% | −5.6% | +0.6% | +12.0% | +14.8% | +73.3% | +29.4% | +157% | 22.4% | 0.34 |
| [VXUS](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vxus): Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −5.4% | −1.9% | +0.8% | +8.9% | +14.3% | +75.1% | +47.2% | +137% | 16.4% | 0.56 |

## ETFs that consistently outperformed SPY

| Investment | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe | Expense | Assets |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SPY: State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (benchmark) |  | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2% | 0.78 |  |  |
| CIBR: First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +0.2% | +15.1% | +49.3% | +45.8% | +35.2% | +134% | +96.7% | +461% | 26.2% | 0.65 | 0.58% | $17B |
| UGA: United States Gasoline Fund, LP | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −0.6% | +16.0% | +32.8% | +132% | +125% | +117% | +227% | +401% | 35.1% | 0.85 | 1.08% | $167M |
| HACK: Amplify Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +0.6% | +15.7% | +51.5% | +54.8% | +42.0% | +142% | +87.4% | +381% | 25.8% | 0.62 | 0.60% | $3.3B |
| BNO: United States Brent Oil Fund LP | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +19.0% | +34.0% | +36.4% | +144% | +139% | +118% | +205% | +359% | 37.1% | 0.79 | 1.15% | $768M |
| RSPT: Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −3.9% | +6.2% | +21.6% | +40.0% | +43.0% | +141% | +116% | +559% | 25.1% | 0.74 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| [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 |
| IYW: iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −6.4% | +2.4% | +16.3% | +24.7% | +26.1% | +138% | +135% | +773% | 26.7% | 0.78 | 0.37% | $24B |
| [VGT](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vgt): Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −6.1% | +2.7% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.7% | +135% | +130% | +753% | 26.1% | 0.77 | 0.09% | $178B |
| [XLK](https://betterthanspy.com/research/xlk): State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1% | 0.80 | 0.08% | $125B |
| FTEC: Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −6.1% | +2.6% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.9% | +136% | +132% | +737% | 26.1% | 0.78 | 0.08% | $22B |
| IXN: iShares Global Tech ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −8.8% | −0.5% | +14.3% | +28.7% | +31.1% | +140% | +137% | +693% | 26.2% | 0.79 | 0.37% | $9.1B |
| XNTK: State Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −10.3% | −1.9% | +13.0% | +23.3% | +24.8% | +159% | +115% | +691% | 29.3% | 0.67 | 0.35% | $2.0B |
| IGM: iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −7.9% | +0.2% | +11.0% | +21.4% | +23.1% | +149% | +126% | +686% | 26.6% | 0.75 | 0.37% | $11B |

## Stocks that consistently outperformed SPY

| Investment | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe | Market cap |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SPY: State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (benchmark) |  | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2% | 0.78 |  |
| [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 |
| 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 |
| MEDP: Medpace Holdings, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +3.8% | +23.8% | +28.6% | +14.5% | +19.6% | +187% | +250% | +2,003% | 52.1% | 0.73 | $18B |
| [LLY](https://betterthanspy.com/research/lly): Eli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +11.7% | +12.5% | +42.3% | +21.5% | +61.9% | +131% | +461% | +1,870% | 32.8% | 1.22 | $1.2T |
| 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 |
| CVI: CVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.5% | +68.6% | +88.5% | +134% | +62.6% | +105% | +289% | +1,306% | 52.4% | 0.79 | $5.9B |
| 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 |

## What stands out

The ETF results were concentrated in technology, especially cybersecurity and semiconductors, while commodities also produced several consistent standouts. CIBR and HACK outperformed across all listed short- and long-term periods, while SMH and SOXX outperformed in all 3 long-term periods but only 3 of 5 short-term periods. That pattern suggests their lead held up over longer windows, though not every recent window.

The stocks came from a wider mix of sectors, including healthcare, industrials, consumer staples, and energy. Still, the risk figures show that outperformance came with a bumpier ride: none of the top ETFs or stocks was less volatile than SPY over 5 years. Higher Sharpe ratios for about half of the ETFs and most of the stocks indicate that many, but not all, delivered enough added return relative to risk to improve on SPY’s risk-adjusted result.

## More research

- [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)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed IWM (Russell 2000 Small Caps)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-iwm)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VXUS (International Stocks)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-vxus)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed NVDA (Nvidia)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-nvda)
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- [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)
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## Explore further

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