^SP500TR vs. SYK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

^SP500TR (S&P 500 Total Return) is an index, while SYK (Stryker Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ^SP500TR returned 15.68%/yr vs 11.18%/yr for SYK. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

^SP500TR vs. SYK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR) and Stryker Corporation (SYK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^SP500TR achieves a 11.72% return, which is significantly higher than SYK's -16.32% return. Over the past 10 years, ^SP500TR has outperformed SYK with an annualized return of 15.68%, while SYK has yielded a comparatively lower 11.18% annualized return.

^SP500TR

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.76%
• 3Y*: 22.77%
• 5Y*: 14.29%
• 10Y*: 15.68%

SYK

• 1D: -2.06%
• 1M: -0.49%
• YTD: -16.32%
• 6M: -19.60%
• 1Y: -22.25%
• 3Y*: 2.76%
• 5Y*: 4.34%
• 10Y*: 11.18%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^SP500TR vs. SYK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^SP500TR S&P 500 Total Return	11.72%	17.88%	25.02%	26.29%	-18.11%	28.71%	18.40%	31.49%	-4.38%	21.83%
SYK Stryker Corporation	-16.32%	-1.48%	21.34%	23.80%	-7.42%	10.22%	18.17%	35.33%	2.43%	30.84%

Correlation

The correlation between ^SP500TR and SYK is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 1988	0.47

Over the past year, the correlation between ^SP500TR and SYK has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

^SP500TR vs. SYK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^SP500TR

^SP500TR Risk / Return Rank: 84
^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
^SP500TR Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
^SP500TR Omega Ratio Rank: 83
^SP500TR Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
^SP500TR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

SYK

SYK Risk / Return Rank: 6
SYK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
SYK Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
SYK Omega Ratio Rank: 8
SYK Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
SYK Martin Ratio Rank: 1

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^SP500TR vs. SYK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR) and Stryker Corporation (SYK). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	^SP500TR	SYK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	-1.01	+3.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	-1.38	+4.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	0.84	+0.62
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	-0.77	+4.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.97	-1.92	+17.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^SP500TR vs. SYK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the SYK Sharpe Ratio of -1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^SP500TR and SYK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^SP500TR	SYK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	-1.01	+3.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.18	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.43	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.55	+0.09

Drawdowns

^SP500TR vs. SYK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^SP500TR drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, smaller than the maximum SYK drawdown of -58.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^SP500TR and SYK.

Drawdown Indicators

	^SP500TR	SYK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.25%	-58.63%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-29.45%	+20.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-29.45%	+10.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.49%	-31.68%	+7.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	-43.80%	+10.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-26.77%	+26.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.17%	-13.10%	+4.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	11.76%	-9.86%

Volatility

^SP500TR vs. SYK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR) is 2.83%, while Stryker Corporation (SYK) has a volatility of 8.61%. This indicates that ^SP500TR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SYK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^SP500TR	SYK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	8.61%	-5.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.98%	17.77%	-8.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.86%	22.03%	-10.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	24.13%	-7.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	26.31%	-8.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^SP500TR and SYK in my portfolio?

^SP500TR and SYK have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^SP500TR or SYK?

SYK has higher volatility (8.61%) compared to ^SP500TR (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^SP500TR dropped -55.25% vs SYK's -58.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^SP500TR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -1.01), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.