^VIX vs. AAPL
^VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) is an index, while AAPL (Apple Inc) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ^VIX returned 1.81%/yr vs 29.23%/yr for AAPL. Their -0.39 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past.
Performance
^VIX vs. AAPL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ^VIX achieves a 6.96% return, which is significantly lower than AAPL's 13.84% return. Over the past 10 years, ^VIX has underperformed AAPL with an annualized return of 1.81%, while AAPL has yielded a comparatively higher 29.23% annualized return.
^VIX
- 1D
- -6.44%
- 1M
- -0.99%
- 6M
- -8.31%
- YTD
- 6.96%
- 1Y
- -21.54%
- 3Y*
- 4.70%
- 5Y*
- -2.60%
- 10Y*
- 1.81%
- ALL TIME*
- -0.21%
AAPL
- 1D
- -7.35%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- 6M
- 19.27%
- YTD
- 13.84%
- 1Y
- 53.24%
- 3Y*
- 16.99%
- 5Y*
- 16.79%
- 10Y*
- 29.23%
- ALL TIME*
- 19.30%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
AAPL Apple Inc | $19.18B | $17.68B | $17.20B |
^VIX vs. AAPL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
^VIX CBOE Volatility Index | 6.96% | -13.83% | 39.36% | -42.55% | 25.84% | -24.31% | 65.09% | -45.79% | 130.25% | -21.37% |
AAPL Apple Inc | 13.84% | 9.05% | 30.71% | 49.01% | -26.40% | 34.65% | 82.31% | 88.96% | -5.39% | 48.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between ^VIX and AAPL is -0.39, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.52 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.52 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1990 | -0.39 |
The correlation between ^VIX and AAPL shifts across timeframes, from -0.52 (10 years) to -0.39 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
^VIX vs. AAPL — Risk / Return Rank
^VIX
AAPL
^VIX vs. AAPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX) and Apple Inc (AAPL). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ^VIX | AAPL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 1.35 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.08 | 3.60 | -3.68 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.13 | 8.56 | -8.69 |
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Drawdowns
^VIX vs. AAPL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ^VIX drawdown since its inception was -88.70%, which is greater than AAPL's maximum drawdown of -81.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^VIX and AAPL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ^VIX | AAPL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -88.70% | -81.80% | -6.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -51.59% | -13.80% | -37.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -74.26% | -33.36% | -40.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -74.26% | -33.36% | -40.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -85.66% | -38.52% | -47.14% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -80.66% | -9.17% | -71.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -64.12% | -29.52% | -34.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 33.86% | 5.79% | +28.07% |
Volatility
^VIX vs. AAPL - Volatility Comparison
CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX) has a higher volatility of 37.09% compared to Apple Inc (AAPL) at 11.52%. This indicates that ^VIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ^VIX | AAPL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 37.09% | 11.52% | +25.57% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 92.23% | 20.71% | +71.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 127.66% | 25.91% | +101.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 127.54% | 28.02% | +99.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 136.71% | 29.12% | +107.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
^VIX and AAPL have a correlation of -0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
^VIX has higher volatility (37.09%) compared to AAPL (11.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^VIX dropped -88.70% vs AAPL's -81.80%.
AAPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs -0.03), 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.
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