BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Application Software

How Roper Technologies (ROP) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on ROP alone. It places ROP (Roper Technologies, 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 ROP stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: ROP's full trading record, from February 1992 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

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

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

This page answers the following questions about ROP

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 ROP have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ROP over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ROP over the same span and ROP's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 245 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ROP; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • TYL$926,134+9,161% total · +16.9% a year
  • AME$869,262+8,593% total · +16.6% a year
  • DHR$777,394+7,674% total · +16.2% a year
  • INTU$591,451+5,815% total · +15.1% a year
  • FICO$470,975+4,610% total · +14.2% a year
  • ROP$251,464+2,415% total · +11.8% a year
  • ITW$188,355+1,784% total · +10.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • CDNS$123,432+1,134% total · +9.1% a year
  • PTC$25,432+154% total · +3.3% 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. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,898 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ROP; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026$0$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • APPF$16,654+66.5% total · +10.7% a year
  • ITW$14,020+40.2% total · +7.0% a year
  • MANH$12,984+29.8% total · +5.4% a year
  • GWRE$11,994+19.9% total · +3.7% a year
  • SSNC$11,894+18.9% total · +3.5% a year
  • PTC$11,712+17.1% total · +3.2% a year
  • VEEV$9,905−0.9% total · −0.2% a year
  • DHR$8,422−15.8% total · −3.4% a year
  • ROP$8,085−19.1% total · −4.2% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

ROP at a glance

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

The company

Market value
$43B
Industry
Software - Application
Price history from
February 1992

Returns

Past 1 year
−13.5%total return
Past 3 years
−6.7%−2.3% a year
Past 5 years
−7.5%−1.5% a year
Past 10 years
+171%+10.5% a year
Best calendar year
+87.4%1999
Worst calendar year
−30.2%2008
Losing years
8 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
23.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.05return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−59.0%Jun 1998 to Oct 1998
From its all-time high
−25.5%below the peak

ROP against the whole market

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

How does ROP rank among all stocks?

This section ranks ROP 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 ROP 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.

MeasureROPRankStanding
1-year return−13.5%2,488 of 3,282bottom 25%
3-year return−6.7%2,450 of 3,016bottom 20%
5-year return−7.5%1,847 of 2,897bottom 37%
10-year return+171%985 of 2,201top 45%
Volatility, 5 years23.1%215 of 2,897top 7%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.052,259 of 2,897bottom 23%
Worst decline, past 10 years−46.5%336 of 2,184top 15%

What has beaten ROP 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). ROP sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ROP 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 ROP; faint dots are 93 more of the 906 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.

−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ROPSGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SCHD: +10.2% a year, volatility 14.4%DIVB: +14.6% a year, volatility 15.5%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%AEP: +12.8% a year, volatility 20.2%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%IHE: +12.9% a year, volatility 16.8%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%FTXH: +12.3% a year, volatility 16.9%WCN: +7.4% a year, volatility 20.4%WEC: +7.7% a year, volatility 19.1%NI: +15.5% a year, volatility 20.3%USMV: +7.7% a year, volatility 12.3%AEE: +8.2% a year, volatility 19.4%IHF: +2.9% a year, volatility 19.3%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%RSPH: +6.1% a year, volatility 16.8%PJP: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.6%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%MOAT: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.4%BNS: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.0%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%ICVT: +3.7% a year, volatility 14.1%PTLC: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.9%BALT: +6.2% a year, volatility 3.3%VXUS: +8.0% a year, volatility 16.4%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%TAK: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%VEA: +9.1% a year, volatility 16.9%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%PG: +5.8% a year, volatility 18.4%PTNQ: +9.4% a year, volatility 14.2%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%SO: +12.3% a year, volatility 18.9%OUSA: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.4%IWF: +11.2% a year, volatility 21.8%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%VT: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.2%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%IEMG: +6.5% a year, volatility 19.5%VWO: +5.0% a year, volatility 17.5%MCD: +3.5% a year, volatility 18.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%UL: +5.7% a year, volatility 21.6%RSP: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.1%CDC: +6.5% a year, volatility 12.6%DUK: +7.9% a year, volatility 18.1%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%POCT: +9.9% a year, volatility 8.0%BSV: +1.8% a year, volatility 2.8%VCSH: +2.4% a year, volatility 2.9%CL: +7.8% a year, volatility 19.3%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%ICE: +5.9% a year, volatility 21.8%MRSH: +4.8% a year, volatility 21.0%JEPI: +7.3% a year, volatility 11.0%ED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%MDLZ: +4.3% a year, volatility 20.3%SHY: +1.9% a year, volatility 2.0%DOCT: +8.2% a year, volatility 7.4%CHT: +8.2% a year, volatility 13.3%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%VNLA: +4.1% a year, volatility 1.1%FLTR: +4.8% a year, volatility 2.1%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%XEL: +7.2% a year, volatility 20.9%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%EXC: +7.9% a year, volatility 20.9%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%IUSG: +12.4% a year, volatility 21.3%FLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%VGK: +8.2% a year, volatility 17.9%VCIT: +0.8% a year, volatility 6.7%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%FTS: +9.5% a year, volatility 16.5%HYGH: +6.6% a year, volatility 7.1%STIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.8%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%DFAT: +9.7% a year, volatility 21.0%DGRW: +11.7% a year, volatility 14.0%PEG: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%DFAS: +7.2% a year, volatility 20.5%ROP: −1.5% a year, volatility 23.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%ITW: +7.0% a year, volatility 21.4%DHR: −3.2% a year, volatility 29.2%SSNC: +5.2% a year, volatility 25.2%PTC: +8.7% a year, volatility 35.0%IHAK: +9.0% a year, volatility 25.0%MSFT: +11.9% a year, volatility 28.2%CIBR: +14.5% a year, volatility 26.2%SAP: +12.9% a year, volatility 30.0%FFIV: +16.7% a year, volatility 30.8%IGV: +4.7% a year, volatility 28.9%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%V: +13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%TBB: −1.7% a year, volatility 11.3%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%ROPSPY (S&P 500)ITWDHRSSNCPTCIHAKMSFTCIBRFFIVIGVXLVKOJNJVLUEGLDTBBDXJ−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ROPSGOV: +3.8% a year, volatility 0.3%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%SCHD: +10.2% a year, volatility 14.4%DIVB: +14.6% a year, volatility 15.5%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%AEP: +12.8% a year, volatility 20.2%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%IHE: +12.9% a year, volatility 16.8%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%FTXH: +12.3% a year, volatility 16.9%WCN: +7.4% a year, volatility 20.4%WEC: +7.7% a year, volatility 19.1%NI: +15.5% a year, volatility 20.3%USMV: +7.7% a year, volatility 12.3%AEE: +8.2% a year, volatility 19.4%IHF: +2.9% a year, volatility 19.3%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%RSPH: +6.1% a year, volatility 16.8%PJP: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.6%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%MOAT: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.4%BNS: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.0%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%ICVT: +3.7% a year, volatility 14.1%PTLC: +9.3% a year, volatility 11.9%BALT: +6.2% a year, volatility 3.3%VXUS: +8.0% a year, volatility 16.4%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%TAK: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%VEA: +9.1% a year, volatility 16.9%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%PG: +5.8% a year, volatility 18.4%PTNQ: +9.4% a year, volatility 14.2%VO: +6.8% a year, volatility 17.6%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%SO: +12.3% a year, volatility 18.9%OUSA: +9.5% a year, volatility 13.4%IWF: +11.2% a year, volatility 21.8%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%VT: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.2%EP-PC: +5.2% a year, volatility 8.9%IEMG: +6.5% a year, volatility 19.5%VWO: +5.0% a year, volatility 17.5%MCD: +3.5% a year, volatility 18.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%UL: +5.7% a year, volatility 21.6%RSP: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.1%CDC: +6.5% a year, volatility 12.6%DUK: +7.9% a year, volatility 18.1%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%POCT: +9.9% a year, volatility 8.0%BSV: +1.8% a year, volatility 2.8%VCSH: +2.4% a year, volatility 2.9%CL: +7.8% a year, volatility 19.3%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%ICE: +5.9% a year, volatility 21.8%MRSH: +4.8% a year, volatility 21.0%JEPI: +7.3% a year, volatility 11.0%ED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%MDLZ: +4.3% a year, volatility 20.3%SHY: +1.9% a year, volatility 2.0%DOCT: +8.2% a year, volatility 7.4%CHT: +8.2% a year, volatility 13.3%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%VNLA: +4.1% a year, volatility 1.1%FLTR: +4.8% a year, volatility 2.1%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%XEL: +7.2% a year, volatility 20.9%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%EXC: +7.9% a year, volatility 20.9%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%IUSG: +12.4% a year, volatility 21.3%FLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%VGK: +8.2% a year, volatility 17.9%VCIT: +0.8% a year, volatility 6.7%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%FTS: +9.5% a year, volatility 16.5%HYGH: +6.6% a year, volatility 7.1%STIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.8%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%DFAT: +9.7% a year, volatility 21.0%DGRW: +11.7% a year, volatility 14.0%PEG: +6.2% a year, volatility 20.6%DFAS: +7.2% a year, volatility 20.5%ROP: −1.5% a year, volatility 23.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%ITW: +7.0% a year, volatility 21.4%DHR: −3.2% a year, volatility 29.2%SSNC: +5.2% a year, volatility 25.2%PTC: +8.7% a year, volatility 35.0%IHAK: +9.0% a year, volatility 25.0%MSFT: +11.9% a year, volatility 28.2%CIBR: +14.5% a year, volatility 26.2%SAP: +12.9% a year, volatility 30.0%FFIV: +16.7% a year, volatility 30.8%IGV: +4.7% a year, volatility 28.9%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%V: +13.2% a year, volatility 22.9%TBB: −1.7% a year, volatility 11.3%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%ROPSPY (S&P 500)ITWDHRSSNCPTCIHAKCIBRFFIVXLVKOJNJVLUEGLDTBBDXJ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 2 with more than 1.6× ROP's volatility are in the table only

Is there a better investment than ROP?

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

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

Screen the whole market against ROP for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with ROP?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
ROPRoper Technologies, Inc. · this page
−1.5%23.1%0.05−46.5%+171%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.500.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ROP. 11 of 19 passed at least one test.
ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+7.0%21.4%0.42−37.9%+213%0.52—
DHRDanaher Corporation · Life Sciences Tools
Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes−3.2%29.2%0.03−43.8%+240%0.28—
SSNCSS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. · Software
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+5.2%25.2%0.33−48.9%+205%0.59—
PTCPTC Inc. · Application Software
Higher return in most periods+8.7%35.0%0.41−54.4%+321%0.56—
VEEVVeeva Systems Inc. · Application Software
Higher return in most periods+0.1%39.6%0.20−55.7%+725%0.37—
CDNSCadence Design Systems, Inc. · Software
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.2%37.3%0.52−34.2%+1,103%0.27—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Application Software and Software and the categories next to it (Enterprise Software), plus ROP's specific themes. 13 of 133 passed at least one test.
IHAKiShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF · Cybersecurity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+9.0%25.0%0.47−34.4%—0.340.47%
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+11.9%28.2%0.54−37.1%+862%0.50—
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.5%26.2%0.65−33.9%+461%0.300.58%
SAPSAP SE · Enterprise Software
Higher return in most periods+12.9%30.0%0.56−52.5%+217%0.60—
FFIVF5, Inc. · Cybersecurity
Higher return in most periods+16.7%30.8%0.66−54.6%+279%0.24—
IGViShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF · Software
Higher return in most periods+4.7%28.9%0.30−45.9%+381%0.460.38%
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,332 of 3,506 passed at least one test.
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+208%0.500.08%
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+205%0.34—
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+209%0.19—
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+16.2%18.4%0.91−39.5%+286%0.270.15%
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.7%20.9%0.64−32.6%+404%0.47—
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.1%19.0%0.93−26.4%+206%0.030.40%
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.2%22.9%0.66−36.4%+435%0.60—
TBBAT&T Inc. 5.35% GLB NTS 66 · Exchange-Traded Debt
Similar return, lower volatility−1.7%11.3%-0.10−19.8%—0.01—
What these numbers mean for ROP
Annual return
ROP lost 1.5% 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 $9,250. 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
ROP's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.1%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ROP's return lands within 23.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
ROP's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.05, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so ROP 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
ROP's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 46.5%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 46.5% fall takes a 87.0% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, ROP's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.50 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ROP instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ROP holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 906 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ROP with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with ROPExpense
1
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+208%0.500.08%
2
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Whole market+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+205%0.34—
3
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+209%0.19—
4
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.2%18.4%0.91−39.5%+286%0.270.15%
5
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.7%20.9%0.64−32.6%+404%0.47—
6
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.1%19.0%0.93−26.4%+206%0.030.40%
7
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF · Treasury Bills
Whole market+3.8%0.3%13.25−0.3%—0.130.09%
8
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.77−31.7%+258%0.590.04%
9
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.2%14.4%0.75−33.4%+256%0.510.06%
10
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+14.6%15.5%0.96−36.9%—0.590.05%
11
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.25—
12
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+9.5%19.3%0.57−30.1%+357%0.51—
13
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.8%20.2%0.70−32.9%+192%0.22—
14
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · AAA CLO Debt
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.190.20%
15
IHEiShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.9%16.8%0.81−29.6%+157%0.330.37%
16
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.9%18.5%0.90−32.9%+207%0.40—
17
FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.3%16.9%0.77−32.1%+155%0.350.60%
18
WCNWaste Connections, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+7.4%20.4%0.45−31.6%+299%0.57—
19
WECWEC Energy Group, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.7%19.1%0.49−32.3%+168%0.26—
20
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.5%20.3%0.81−30.9%+166%0.21—
21
USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+7.7%12.3%0.66−33.1%+179%0.650.15%
22
AEEAmeren Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+8.2%19.4%0.50−29.1%+199%0.29—
23
IHFiShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF · Health Care Services
Whole market+2.9%19.3%0.25−35.2%+175%0.470.37%
24
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+298%0.490.03%
25
RSPHInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+6.1%16.8%0.44−30.4%+181%0.540.40%
26
PJPInvesco Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+11.3%16.6%0.73−34.0%+139%0.360.58%
27
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.6%16.9%0.79−34.0%+319%0.490.03%
28
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.6%17.2%0.94−31.4%+357%0.430.40%
29
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+281%0.53—
30
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.23—
31
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.5%18.4%0.59−33.3%+278%0.540.46%
32
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.100.48%
33
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+13.2%20.0%0.73−46.9%+191%0.32—
34
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.370.40%
35
ICVTiShares Convertible Bond ETF · Corporate Bonds
Whole market+3.7%14.1%0.33−33.2%+201%0.170.20%
36
PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Tactical Equity
Whole market+9.3%11.9%0.81−26.6%+185%0.300.60%
37
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · US Equity Buffer
Whole market+6.2%3.3%1.84−4.9%—0.400.69%
38
VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity
Whole market+8.0%16.4%0.56−36.0%+137%0.320.05%
39
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Investment Grade Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.52−13.1%+40.7%0.110.30%
40
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.4%20.7%0.89−26.8%+234%0.29—
41
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.2%13.7%0.91−36.8%+237%0.540.03%
42
TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.3%19.4%0.70−54.4%+33.3%0.05—
43
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.1%16.9%0.60−35.8%+152%0.370.03%
44
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Bank Loans
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−20.9%+58.7%0.360.60%
45
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.8%18.4%0.40−23.8%+156%0.26—
46
PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Tactical Asset Allocation
Whole market+9.4%14.2%0.70−28.1%+292%0.150.65%
47
VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity
Whole market+6.8%17.6%0.46−39.4%+199%0.560.03%
48
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+11.6%13.8%0.87−35.2%+209%0.530.04%
49
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Inflation-Protected Bonds
Whole market+2.7%2.9%0.95−6.3%+33.2%0.380.03%
50
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.3%18.9%0.71−38.4%+178%0.25—
51
OUSAALPS Funds O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.5%13.4%0.75−33.1%+189%0.620.48%
52
IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+11.2%21.8%0.60−32.7%+402%0.390.18%
53
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.8%2.49−13.5%+35.9%0.160.15%
54
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.6%20.8%0.63−37.4%+334%0.31—
55
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.1%16.2%0.68−34.2%+220%0.450.06%
56
EP-PCEl Paso Energy Capital Trust I PFD CV TR SECS · Preferred Stocks
Whole market+5.2%8.9%0.62−25.4%+38.1%0.27—
57
IEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+6.5%19.5%0.42−38.7%+115%0.060.09%
58
VWOVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+5.0%17.5%0.36−36.4%+95.9%0.120.06%
59
MCDMcDonald's Corporation · Restaurants
Whole market+3.5%18.0%0.28−36.9%+181%0.42—
60
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+14.1%18.6%0.80−34.0%+461%0.50—
61
ULUnilever PLC · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+5.7%21.6%0.37−30.1%+96.5%0.24—
62
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+8.4%16.1%0.58−39.0%+214%0.560.20%
63
CDCVictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+6.5%12.6%0.56−21.4%+174%0.440.38%
64
DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.9%18.1%0.52−37.4%+140%0.31—
65
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · US Equity Buffer
Whole market+11.0%10.5%1.04−13.6%—0.420.85%
66
POCTInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Moderate Buffer
Whole market+9.9%8.0%1.22−18.8%—0.440.79%
67
BSVVanguard Short-Term Bond ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+1.8%2.8%0.67−8.5%+21.0%0.250.03%
68
VCSHVanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF · Short-Term Corporate Bonds
Whole market+2.4%2.9%0.84−12.9%+29.1%0.330.03%
69
CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products
Whole market+7.8%19.3%0.48−29.0%+73.7%0.14—
70
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.4%17.5%0.86−34.7%—0.480.26%
71
ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+5.9%21.8%0.37−34.3%+249%0.61—
72
MRSHMarsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. · Insurance Brokers
Whole market+4.8%21.0%0.33−35.8%+261%0.69—
73
JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Covered Call Income
Whole market+7.3%11.0%0.70−13.7%—0.620.35%
74
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.7%18.9%0.73−30.9%+123%0.26—
75
MDLZMondelez International, Inc. · Packaged Foods
Whole market+4.3%20.3%0.31−29.8%+94.6%0.35—
76
SHYiShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF · Short-Term Treasuries
Whole market+1.9%2.0%0.93−5.7%+18.0%0.210.15%
77
DOCTFT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October · Deep Buffer
Whole market+8.2%7.4%1.10−9.9%—0.350.85%
78
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+8.2%13.3%0.66−23.8%+104%0.14—
79
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+193%0.320.25%
80
VNLAJanus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF · Ultrashort Bonds
Whole market+4.1%1.1%3.80−4.5%—0.180.25%
81
FLTRVanEck IG Floating Rate ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.8%2.1%2.21−17.8%+42.1%0.050.14%
82
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.390.27%
83
XELXcel Energy Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.2%20.9%0.44−34.4%+164%0.17—
84
VYMIVanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.2%14.8%0.92−40.0%+174%0.370.07%
85
EXCExelon Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+7.9%20.9%0.47−40.0%+171%0.29—
86
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.1%20.9%0.91−30.9%+485%0.330.13%
87
IUSGiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF · US Growth Equity
Whole market+12.4%21.3%0.66−32.4%+390%0.390.04%
88
FLRNState Street SPDR Bloomberg Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.7%2.58−14.7%+35.7%0.180.15%
89
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.9%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.500.15%
90
VGKVanguard FTSE Europe ETF · European Equity
Whole market+8.2%17.9%0.53−37.2%+150%0.470.06%
91
VCITVanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF · Investment Grade Bonds
Whole market+0.8%6.7%0.15−20.6%+27.7%0.360.03%
92
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+15.9%15.1%1.06−41.3%—0.570.56%
93
FTSFortis Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+9.5%16.5%0.63−34.3%+162%0.30—
94
HYGHiShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF · High Yield Bonds
Whole market+6.6%7.1%0.95−23.9%+73.7%0.541.12%
95
STIPiShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF · Inflation-Protected Bonds
Whole market+2.7%2.8%0.95−6.5%+33.0%0.470.03%
96
RDVYFirst Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−40.6%+321%0.510.47%
97
DFATDimensional - US Targeted Value ETF · US Small-Cap Value
Whole market+9.7%21.0%0.55−26.1%—0.460.33%
98
DGRWWisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+11.7%14.0%0.87−32.0%+271%0.570.28%
99
PEGPublic Service Enterprise Group Incorporated · Electric Utilities
Whole market+6.2%20.6%0.40−40.8%+151%0.32—
100
DFASDimensional - US Small Cap ETF · Systematic Core Equity
Whole market+7.2%20.5%0.44−26.1%—0.460.31%

ROP against its popular alternatives

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

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

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

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%−10.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityROP: −1.5% a year, volatility 23.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%AME: 13.5% a year, volatility 22.2%ITW: 7.0% a year, volatility 21.4%DHR: −3.2% a year, volatility 29.2%HON: 2.5% a year, volatility 22.7%ADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%INTU: −9.0% a year, volatility 39.2%TYL: −5.8% a year, volatility 33.4%BSY: −7.3% a year, volatility 37.1%VEEV: 0.1% a year, volatility 39.6%PTC: 8.6% a year, volatility 35.0%MANH: 7.5% a year, volatility 40.2%SSNC: 5.2% a year, volatility 25.2%APPF: 10.3% a year, volatility 44.2%GWRE: 9.0% a year, volatility 43.3%CDNS: 13.2% a year, volatility 37.3%FTV: 1.8% a year, volatility 25.5%SNPS: 5.6% a year, volatility 42.4%FICO: 15.0% a year, volatility 45.6%VRSK: −0.3% a year, volatility 26.0%ROPSPY (S&P 500)AMEITWDHRHONADSKINTUTYLBSYVEEVPTCMANHSSNCAPPFGWRECDNSFTVSNPSFICOVRSK10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−10.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityROP: −1.5% a year, volatility 23.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%AME: 13.5% a year, volatility 22.2%ITW: 7.0% a year, volatility 21.4%DHR: −3.2% a year, volatility 29.2%HON: 2.5% a year, volatility 22.7%ADSK: −3.8% a year, volatility 36.4%INTU: −9.0% a year, volatility 39.2%TYL: −5.8% a year, volatility 33.4%BSY: −7.3% a year, volatility 37.1%VEEV: 0.1% a year, volatility 39.6%PTC: 8.6% a year, volatility 35.0%MANH: 7.5% a year, volatility 40.2%SSNC: 5.2% a year, volatility 25.2%APPF: 10.3% a year, volatility 44.2%GWRE: 9.0% a year, volatility 43.3%CDNS: 13.2% a year, volatility 37.3%FTV: 1.8% a year, volatility 25.5%SNPS: 5.6% a year, volatility 42.4%FICO: 15.0% a year, volatility 45.6%VRSK: −0.3% a year, volatility 26.0%ROPSPY (S&P 500)ITWDHRHONADSKINTUTYLBSYVEEVPTCMANHSSNCAPPFGWRECDNSSNPSFICOVRSK
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation+15.0%45.6%
AME AMETEK, Inc.+13.5%22.2%
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.+13.2%37.3%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
APPF AppFolio Inc.+10.3%44.2%
GWRE Guidewire Software, Inc.+9.0%43.3%
PTC PTC Inc.+8.6%35.0%
MANH Manhattan Associates, Inc.+7.5%40.2%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.+7.0%21.4%
SNPS Synopsys, Inc.+5.6%42.4%
SSNC SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.+5.2%25.2%
HON Honeywell International Inc.+2.5%22.7%
FTV Fortive Corporation+1.8%25.5%
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.+0.1%39.6%
VRSK Verisk Analytics, Inc.−0.3%26.0%
ROP This pageRoper Technologies, Inc.−1.5%23.1%
DHR Danaher Corporation−3.2%29.2%
ADSK Autodesk, Inc.−3.8%36.4%
TYL Tyler Technologies, Inc.−5.8%33.4%
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated−7.3%37.1%
INTU Intuit Inc.−9.0%39.2%
Open these 21 in EasyCompare

Has ROP consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

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

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

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
ROP Roper Technologies, Inc. (this page)—+20.2%+29.9%+20.2%+1.1%−13.5%−6.7%−7.5%+171%23.1%0.05−46.5%—$43B—
VEEV QualifiedVeeva Systems Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+23.6%+74.8%+96.9%+47.0%+11.2%+65.3%+0.6%+725%39.6%0.20−55.7%—$52B—
PTC QualifiedPTC Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+38.6%+71.5%+38.0%+14.1%−4.4%+42.5%+51.4%+321%35.0%0.41−54.4%—$21B—
MANH QualifiedManhattan Associates, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+16.9%+62.4%+69.5%+44.8%+24.5%+31.3%+43.6%+359%40.2%0.38−61.0%—$14B—
SSNC QualifiedSS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+13.0%+34.1%+27.6%+5.6%+10.7%+87.6%+28.7%+205%25.2%0.33−48.9%—$21B—
APPF QualifiedAppFolio Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+5.4%+34.0%+37.2%−5.7%−8.7%+20.9%+63.5%+1,032%44.2%0.44−55.4%—$7.7B—
GWRE QualifiedGuidewire Software, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+26.0%+41.6%+32.6%+1.1%−24.2%+117%+53.6%+225%43.3%0.41−60.8%—$16B—
AME Electrical Equipment & PartsAMETEK, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−2.7%+0.9%+3.9%+14.7%+29.9%+72.8%+88.1%+466%22.2%0.68−42.7%—$55B—
ITW Industrial - MachineryIllinois Tool Works Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+3.9%+2.6%+5.9%+14.0%+13.2%+34.9%+40.0%+213%21.4%0.42−37.9%—$80B—
CDNS Software - ApplicationCadence Design Systems, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+2.2%−8.1%−6.6%−0.2%−6.3%+29.1%+85.7%+1,103%37.3%0.52−34.2%—$85B—
DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation2/5 short2/3 long+4.1%+28.5%+25.3%+0.3%+6.1%+14.6%−15.2%+240%29.2%0.03−43.8%—$161B—
HON ConglomeratesHoneywell International Inc.2/5 short2/3 long+3.0%−6.0%−4.6%+7.7%+9.0%+30.5%+13.2%+163%22.7%0.22−43.0%—$69B—
FTV Hardware, Equipment & PartsFortive Corporation2/5 short2/3 long+7.3%−0.2%−1.1%+8.8%+22.9%+15.3%+9.4%+104%25.5%0.20−52.6%—$18B—
SNPS Software - InfrastructureSynopsys, Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+3.2%+11.9%−11.5%−12.1%−7.0%−9.7%+31.6%+611%42.4%0.35−43.0%—$81B—
FICO Software - ApplicationFair Isaac Corporation0/5 short2/3 long−10.0%−32.6%−15.1%−49.9%−47.7%−11.2%+101%+566%45.6%0.54−75.1%—$18B—
ADSK Software - ApplicationAutodesk, Inc.0/5 short2/3 long+16.1%+25.3%+3.0%−11.1%−17.3%+27.7%−17.4%+253%36.4%0.08−52.0%—$53B—
INTU Software - ApplicationIntuit Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+22.0%+25.3%−12.4%−42.8%−46.3%−27.7%−37.5%+251%39.2%-0.04−68.2%—$95B—
TYL Software - ApplicationTyler Technologies, Inc.1/5 short1/3 long+18.5%+38.0%+13.3%−10.0%−23.5%+7.0%−25.6%+136%33.4%-0.01−57.4%—$16B—
VRSK Software - ServicesVerisk Analytics, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long+18.3%+6.0%+14.3%−7.3%−13.5%−10.0%−1.6%+161%26.0%0.12−50.8%—$26B—
BSY Software - ApplicationBentley Systems, Incorporated3/5 short0/3 long+23.7%+32.8%+12.4%+3.9%−23.7%−19.4%−31.6%—37.1%-0.02−61.0%—$11B—
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How did ROP do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where ROP ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with ROP and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

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

InvestmentYears ahead of ROP20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
ROP This pageRoper Technologies, Inc.—−13.9%−4.1%+26.9%−11.6%+14.7%+22.4%+33.7%+3.5%+42.4%−2.9%+22.1%+13.4%+24.9%+29.3%+14.3%+46.9%+21.5%−30.2%+25.1%+27.8%+30.8%+24.3%+35.8%−25.4%+51.0%−11.8%+87.4%−27.1%+45.1%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 7 of 2915 of 2018 of 2013 of 206 of 2010 of 2014 of 1917 of 1913 of 197 of 1913 of 184 of 178 of 1715 of 166 of 156 of 154 of 1412 of 135 of 133 of 135 of 131 of 135 of 138 of 1310 of 133 of 137 of 132 of 1311 of 123 of 12
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF9 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.6 of 12+6.2%+9.2%+19.3%−36.8%−6.2%+93.5%+57.5%+61.6%+35.8%+41.1%+9.2%−17.7%—————————————————
PTC PTC Inc.12 of 29−5.3%+5.1%+45.8%−0.9%+1.3%+59.7%−9.7%+36.4%+31.3%+33.6%−5.5%+3.6%+57.2%+23.3%−18.9%+37.9%+29.2%−29.1%−0.9%+18.2%+3.6%+49.4%+56.4%−67.7%−41.9%−50.3%+66.6%−31.4%−7.8%
MANH Manhattan Associates, Inc.14 of 27−35.9%+25.5%+77.4%−21.9%+47.8%+31.9%+88.2%−14.5%−6.6%−19.9%+62.5%+38.6%+94.6%+49.1%+32.5%+27.1%+52.1%−40.1%−12.4%+46.9%−14.2%−13.6%+16.7%−18.8%−31.6%+479%−73.0%——
SSNC SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.6 of 15+16.8%+25.8%+19.2%−35.7%+13.7%+19.5%+37.2%+12.1%+42.5%−15.6%+17.7%+32.5%+91.6%+27.9%−11.9%——————————————
APPF AppFolio Inc.8 of 10−5.7%+42.4%+64.4%−13.0%−32.8%+63.7%+85.7%+42.7%+74.0%+63.4%———————————————————
GWRE Guidewire Software, Inc.7 of 13+19.2%+54.6%+74.3%−44.9%−11.8%+17.3%+36.8%+8.0%+50.5%−18.0%+18.8%+3.2%+65.1%————————————————
AME AMETEK, Inc.15 of 29+14.7%+10.0%+18.8%−4.3%+22.3%+22.2%+48.3%−5.9%+50.0%−8.6%+2.5%+0.5%+41.0%+34.6%+7.9%+54.8%+27.6%−35.1%+47.9%+13.0%+20.0%+48.9%+26.4%+21.4%+23.7%+37.7%−13.6%−16.8%+22.4%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.14 of 29−0.4%−1.0%+21.6%−8.5%+23.6%+16.4%+45.6%−22.1%+38.9%+35.0%+0.1%+15.0%+41.4%+33.6%−10.0%+14.4%+41.4%−32.7%+18.0%+7.1%−3.7%+11.7%+31.1%−2.9%+15.2%−10.6%+17.6%−2.6%+51.9%
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.14 of 29+4.0%+10.3%+69.5%−13.8%+36.6%+96.7%+59.5%+4.0%+65.8%+21.2%+9.7%+35.3%+3.8%+29.9%+25.9%+37.9%+63.7%−78.5%−5.0%+5.9%+22.5%−23.2%+52.5%−46.2%−20.3%+14.6%−19.3%+21.4%+24.1%
DHR Danaher Corporation15 of 29+0.4%−0.4%−1.2%−19.0%+48.6%+45.4%+49.5%+11.8%+20.0%+73.2%+9.3%+11.6%+38.3%+19.1%−0.1%+25.7%+33.0%−35.4%+21.3%+30.1%−2.7%+25.3%+39.7%+9.1%−11.7%+41.5%−11.0%+72.4%+35.2%
HON Honeywell International Inc.10 of 29−6.3%+10.2%+0.1%+5.0%−0.2%+23.1%+36.9%−7.5%+35.2%+14.3%+4.9%+10.6%+45.8%+18.5%+3.8%+37.8%+21.9%−45.9%+37.5%+23.1%+6.6%+7.3%+41.6%−28.0%−27.7%−17.2%+31.0%+15.1%+16.7%
FTV Fortive Corporation2 of 9−1.9%+2.3%+15.1%−15.4%+8.1%+11.2%+13.3%−6.1%+35.4%————————————————————
SNPS Synopsys, Inc.13 of 29−3.2%−5.7%+61.3%−13.4%+42.1%+86.2%+65.2%−1.2%+44.8%+29.0%+4.9%+7.1%+27.4%+17.1%+1.1%+20.8%+20.3%−28.6%−3.0%+33.3%+2.6%−42.3%+46.7%−21.9%+24.5%−28.9%+23.0%+51.7%−22.7%
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation16 of 29−15.1%+71.0%+94.5%+38.0%−15.1%+36.4%+100%+22.1%+28.5%+26.7%+30.4%+15.2%+49.8%+17.5%+53.8%+10.1%+27.0%−47.4%−20.7%−7.8%+20.7%+12.2%+15.3%+1.8%+85.6%−3.6%+15.0%+39.0%−14.7%
ADSK Autodesk, Inc.15 of 29+0.1%+21.4%+30.3%−33.5%−7.9%+66.4%+42.6%+22.7%+41.6%+21.5%+1.5%+19.4%+42.4%+16.6%−20.6%+50.3%+29.3%−60.5%+23.0%−5.8%+13.2%+210%+73.0%−22.5%+39.5%−19.5%−20.3%+16.3%+33.0%
INTU Intuit Inc.15 of 29+6.1%+1.2%+61.8%−39.1%+70.3%+46.1%+34.1%+25.9%+39.2%+20.2%+5.9%+22.1%+29.7%+14.3%+7.0%+60.4%+29.2%−24.7%+3.6%+14.5%+21.1%−16.7%+12.6%+9.7%+8.5%−34.2%+148%+75.8%+30.9%
TYL Tyler Technologies, Inc.18 of 29−21.3%+37.9%+29.7%−40.1%+23.2%+45.5%+61.5%+5.0%+24.0%−18.1%+59.3%+7.2%+111%+60.9%+45.0%+4.3%+66.2%−7.1%−8.3%+60.1%+5.0%−13.2%+131%−8.3%+169%−69.3%−10.3%+11.5%+193%
VRSK Verisk Analytics, Inc.8 of 16−18.2%+16.0%+36.2%−22.3%+10.8%+39.9%+37.9%+13.6%+18.3%+5.6%+20.0%−2.5%+28.9%+27.0%+17.8%+12.5%—————————————
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated2 of 5−17.8%−10.1%+41.8%−23.3%+19.6%————————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How ROP 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 ROP's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents ROP's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1992, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

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

DuringROP fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−59.0%−9.9%Jun 1998Oct 19984 monthsJun 19998 months
2008 financial crisis−50.0%−50.2%Oct 2007Nov 200813 monthsOct 201023 months
Dot-com bust−47.8%−29.6%Mar 2002Mar 200312 monthsNov 20038 months
No named crash−46.5%+18.5%Mar 2025Feb 202611 monthsNot yet—
No named crash−43.7%+3.3%Oct 1993Jan 199515 monthsSep 19958 months

How did ROP do in stock market crashes?

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

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

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
ROP This pageRoper Technologies, Inc.—−1.0%−25.8%−34.4%−19.2%−9.0%−18.3%−24.3%−0.9%−50.0%−46.8%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF5 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.1 of 6−4.6%−40.0%−26.7%−26.5%−9.5%−28.9%————
PTC PTC Inc.2 of 10−4.3%−20.4%−45.3%−27.8%−4.9%−24.9%−33.9%−3.0%−66.1%−94.5%
MANH Manhattan Associates, Inc.1 of 10−4.2%−26.5%−54.1%−30.4%−21.1%−40.5%−16.4%−2.5%−54.1%−84.7%
SSNC SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.1 of 8−7.1%−44.3%−47.2%−26.7%−3.3%−26.4%−30.9%−0.9%——
APPF AppFolio Inc.1 of 6−8.7%−34.2%−41.3%−34.0%−4.5%−35.1%————
GWRE Guidewire Software, Inc.1 of 6−6.4%−49.9%−38.0%−26.5%−3.5%−30.4%————
AME AMETEK, Inc.2 of 10−3.7%−26.4%−42.0%−22.1%−6.7%−21.9%−30.3%−1.2%−53.3%−34.9%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.3 of 10−2.9%−28.0%−37.9%−19.3%−8.4%−14.0%−29.0%−1.1%−54.9%−30.8%
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.4 of 10−1.8%−24.3%−32.1%−14.1%−10.4%−19.3%−21.4%−4.6%−88.2%−72.3%
DHR Danaher Corporation7 of 10−3.2%−22.8%−25.9%−13.4%−9.8%−14.0%−21.8%−0.6%−45.7%−33.7%
HON Honeywell International Inc.3 of 10−1.4%−22.7%−42.2%−22.1%−6.8%−14.4%−25.3%−1.8%−62.2%−65.8%
FTV Fortive Corporation1 of 5−4.7%−27.4%−45.3%−26.8%−8.2%—————
SNPS Synopsys, Inc.3 of 10−3.7%−29.3%−34.3%−20.3%−8.4%−22.8%−13.7%−1.9%−49.1%−48.0%
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation3 of 10−2.5%−34.8%−50.9%−25.4%−7.8%−16.0%−32.8%−0.6%−75.1%−45.8%
ADSK Autodesk, Inc.1 of 10−5.1%−40.9%−35.5%−24.2%−6.9%−34.7%−36.9%−1.6%−76.9%−63.6%
INTU Intuit Inc.3 of 10−6.0%−42.7%−36.3%−20.8%−6.5%−24.8%−18.0%−3.4%−38.3%−66.0%
TYL Tyler Technologies, Inc.4 of 10−5.2%−41.7%−22.5%−29.3%−4.6%−27.1%−14.5%−3.5%−35.9%−86.0%
VRSK Verisk Analytics, Inc.4 of 8−2.6%−28.4%−28.5%−17.4%−6.6%−19.1%−8.0%−1.0%——
BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated0 of 2−4.3%−39.8%————————
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How closely does ROP 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 ROP with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than ROP's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
ROP This pageRoper Technologies, Inc.79%107%0.740.91
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.132%83%1.581.09
APPF AppFolio Inc.137%108%1.270.97
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc.113%89%1.260.87
SNPS Synopsys, Inc.124%108%1.161.17
AME AMETEK, Inc.111%101%1.101.15
DHR Danaher Corporation84%84%1.010.75
VRSK Verisk Analytics, Inc.63%73%0.870.73
FICO Fair Isaac Corporation137%159%0.861.31
PTC PTC Inc.105%127%0.831.12
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.94%116%0.811.04
INTU Intuit Inc.99%126%0.791.03
MANH Manhattan Associates, Inc.129%166%0.781.44
HON Honeywell International Inc.90%118%0.771.00
TYL Tyler Technologies, Inc.65%87%0.750.75
SSNC SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.113%153%0.741.32
ADSK Autodesk, Inc.130%179%0.731.34
GWRE Guidewire Software, Inc.116%166%0.701.15
FTV Fortive Corporation88%133%0.661.10
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What diversifies ROP?

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

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202420222016200820022000199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ROP Roper Technologies, Inc. (this page)1.00−7.5%0.05−13.9%−4.1%−11.6%−2.9%−30.2%−25.4%−11.8%−27.1%23.9%−4.2%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.37+119%1.48+27.1%+15.9%+3.8%—————19.9%+0.1%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.10+225%1.34+32.8%+29.8%+6.0%+1.1%−20.8%———19.5%+2.0%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.42+83.6%0.95+23.1%+13.4%−5.1%+6.3%————20.1%−0.4%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.09+304%0.94+49.2%+39.1%−33.5%+35.6%−44.7%−47.0%——20.9%+4.4%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.34+178%0.94+7.9%+5.6%+64.4%+28.0%−39.0%−14.8%+24.4%—21.4%+1.5%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.03+120%0.93+63.7%+26.7%−0.8%+8.0%+4.9%———19.5%+0.7%
DFIV InternationalDimensional - International Value ETF0.39+99.4%0.93+45.4%+7.2%−3.7%—————20.5%−0.1%
VLUE Broad MarketiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF0.27+112%0.91+32.7%+7.2%−14.2%+15.3%————20.6%+0.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2025202420222016200820022000199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ROP Roper Technologies, Inc. (this page)1.00−7.5%0.05−13.9%−4.1%−11.6%−2.9%−30.2%−25.4%−11.8%−27.1%23.9%−4.2%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.26+471%1.54+76.3%+19.0%+54.1%−17.5%−39.6%−8.3%+108%+51.7%21.1%+3.9%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.10+2,780%1.43+220%+215%+1.3%+7.4%−20.5%−65.1%−2.3%—23.4%+15.5%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.30+397%1.41+44.5%+23.7%+51.8%−28.3%−40.4%−27.2%+61.2%+46.9%21.2%+3.3%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.09+1,452%1.41+121%+107%+17.0%+18.3%−15.2%−9.4%−71.1%−9.5%21.8%+12.0%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.30+660%1.39+19.2%−4.0%+86.6%+0.7%————21.9%+5.7%
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Common questions

What was ROP's worst drawdown?

ROP's deepest decline since it began trading in 1992 was 59.0%, from June to October 1998. It took eight months from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were ROP's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, ROP's best year was 1999, when it returned 87.4%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -30.2%.

Is there a better investment than ROP?

Among ROP's popular alternatives, ITW earned more than ROP with less volatility over the past 5 years: 7.0% a year at 21.4% volatility, against a loss of 1.5% a year at 23.1%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, IHAK (cybersecurity) earned more for the risk it took than ROP over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 34.4%, against 46.5% for ROP.

Is ROP more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ROP's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.1%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ROP's return lands within 23.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is ROP's Sharpe ratio?

ROP's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.05, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so ROP 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 ROP with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, ROP's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.50 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ROP instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ROP holding.

What are the best alternatives to ROP?

Of the 19 popular alternatives we compared, six outperformed ROP in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: VEEV, PTC and MANH.

Did ROP outperform the S&P 500?

ROP finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 18 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -13.8%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did ROP do in stock market crashes?

ROP fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in four of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in five. The clearest case was the 2011 euro debt crisis, when ROP fell 24.3% and the S&P 500 fell 17.9%.

What diversifies ROP?

These had a low correlation with ROP over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.37), DXJ (correlation 0.10) and DBEF (correlation 0.42); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.26), CLS (correlation 0.10) and MCK (correlation 0.30). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to ROP

Other stocks and ETFs