ALC vs. XPH
ALC (Alcon Inc.) is a stock, while XPH (SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF) is Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index. Over the past 5 years, ALC returned 0.26%/yr vs 7.00%/yr for XPH. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
ALC vs. XPH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ALC achieves a -11.49% return, which is significantly lower than XPH's 19.55% return.
ALC
- 1D
- 1.75%
- 1M
- 3.22%
- 6M
- -13.73%
- YTD
- -11.49%
- 1Y
- -20.26%
- 3Y*
- -5.99%
- 5Y*
- 0.26%
- 10Y*
- —
XPH
- 1D
- -2.37%
- 1M
- 10.98%
- 6M
- 20.41%
- YTD
- 19.55%
- 1Y
- 59.80%
- 3Y*
- 18.81%
- 5Y*
- 7.00%
- 10Y*
- 5.22%
ALC vs. XPH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALC Alcon Inc. | -11.49% | -6.50% | 9.02% | 14.32% | -21.09% | 32.23% | 16.63% | -2.38% |
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF | 19.55% | 31.60% | 4.94% | 2.97% | -9.83% | -10.54% | 14.68% | 8.67% |
Correlation
The correlation between ALC and XPH is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2019 | 0.47 |
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Return for Risk
ALC vs. XPH — Risk / Return Rank
ALC
XPH
ALC vs. XPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alcon Inc. (ALC) and SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH). 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.
| ALC | XPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.89 | 1.43 | -0.54 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.64 | 5.02 | -5.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.15 | 17.95 | -19.10 |
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Drawdowns
ALC vs. XPH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ALC drawdown since its inception was -37.33%, smaller than the maximum XPH drawdown of -48.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALC and XPH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ALC | XPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.33% | -48.03% | +10.70% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -32.01% | -11.97% | -20.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -37.33% | -23.57% | -13.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.33% | -31.63% | -5.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.97% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.28% | -4.61% | -25.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.98% | -17.17% | +5.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 17.70% | 3.34% | +14.36% |
Volatility
ALC vs. XPH - Volatility Comparison
Alcon Inc. (ALC) and SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) have volatilities of 7.26% and 7.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ALC | XPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.26% | 7.24% | +0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.80% | 17.37% | +4.43% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 29.05% | 22.49% | +6.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.18% | 21.10% | +6.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.87% | 22.10% | +5.77% |
Dividends
ALC vs. XPH - Dividend Comparison
ALC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than XPH's 0.50% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALC Alcon Inc. | 1.17% | 0.84% | 0.31% | 0.30% | 0.30% | 0.13% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF | 0.50% | 0.83% | 1.58% | 1.28% | 1.64% | 0.95% | 0.47% | 0.64% | 0.65% | 0.67% | 0.63% | 7.15% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ALC and XPH have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ALC has higher volatility (7.26%) compared to XPH (7.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALC dropped -37.33% vs XPH's -48.03%.
XPH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs -0.70), 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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