AAL vs. SLX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AAL (American Airlines Group Inc.) is a stock, while SLX (VanEck Vectors Steel ETF) is Materials fund tracking the NYSE Arca Steel Index. Over the past 10 years, AAL returned -4.65%/yr vs 18.83%/yr for SLX. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AAL vs. SLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) and VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAL achieves a 5.28% return, which is significantly lower than SLX's 19.94% return. Over the past 10 years, AAL has underperformed SLX with an annualized return of -4.65%, while SLX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.83% annualized return.

AAL

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 16.53%
• YTD: 5.28%
• 6M: 3.46%
• 1Y: 48.07%
• 3Y*: -0.25%
• 5Y*: -6.30%
• 10Y*: -4.65%

SLX

• 1D: -2.86%
• 1M: -4.58%
• YTD: 19.94%
• 6M: 19.56%
• 1Y: 60.79%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 14.70%
• 10Y*: 18.83%

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

AAL vs. SLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAL American Airlines Group Inc.	5.28%	-12.05%	26.86%	8.02%	-29.18%	13.89%	-44.81%	-9.57%	-37.69%	12.40%
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	19.94%	47.45%	-17.94%	31.25%	14.28%	27.69%	20.57%	12.01%	-19.27%	24.59%

Correlation

The correlation between AAL and SLX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2006	0.34

Return for Risk

AAL vs. SLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAL

AAL Risk / Return Rank: 68
AAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
AAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
AAL Omega Ratio Rank: 66
AAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
AAL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

SLX

SLX Risk / Return Rank: 75
SLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
SLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SLX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
SLX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

AAL vs. SLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) and VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX). 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.

	AAL	SLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	2.43	-1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	3.15	-1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.40	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	3.74	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.02	12.59	-9.57

AAL vs. SLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAL Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is lower than the SLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAL and SLX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAL vs. SLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAL drawdown since its inception was -97.20%, which is greater than SLX's maximum drawdown of -82.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAL and SLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAL	SLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.20%	-82.14%	-15.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-37.39%	-16.35%	-21.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-51.76%	-27.39%	-24.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.25%	-33.62%	-25.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-84.14%	-61.64%	-22.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-72.80%	-10.38%	-62.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-60.45%	-38.63%	-21.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.96%	4.84%	+11.12%

Volatility

AAL vs. SLX - Volatility Comparison

American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) has a higher volatility of 15.04% compared to VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (SLX) at 9.40%. This indicates that AAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAL	SLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.04%	9.40%	+5.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.28%	19.29%	+15.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.13%	25.19%	+23.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.34%	27.84%	+20.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.97%	30.90%	+22.07%

Dividends

AAL vs. SLX - Dividend Comparison

AAL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAL American Airlines Group Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.63%	1.39%	1.25%	0.77%	0.86%	0.94%
SLX VanEck Vectors Steel ETF	1.29%	1.55%	3.56%	2.80%	4.97%	7.07%	1.87%	3.44%	6.26%	2.50%	1.06%	5.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAL and SLX in my portfolio?

AAL and SLX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAL or SLX?

AAL has higher volatility (15.04%) compared to SLX (9.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAL dropped -97.20% vs SLX's -82.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 0.98), 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.