DOW vs. ^SP500TR

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

DOW (Dow Inc.) is a stock, while ^SP500TR (S&P 500 Total Return) is an index. Over the past 5 years, DOW returned -8.71%/yr vs 14.02%/yr for ^SP500TR. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

DOW vs. ^SP500TR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DOW achieves a 48.51% return, which is significantly higher than ^SP500TR's 11.36% return.

DOW

• 1D: -2.36%
• 1M: -10.87%
• YTD: 48.51%
• 6M: 51.23%
• 1Y: 26.85%
• 3Y*: -8.39%
• 5Y*: -8.71%
• 10Y*: —

^SP500TR

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 4.61%
• YTD: 11.36%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.58%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.02%
• 10Y*: 15.58%

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

DOW vs. ^SP500TR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DOW Dow Inc.	48.51%	-37.38%	-22.79%	14.71%	-6.65%	6.81%	7.88%	14.82%
^SP500TR S&P 500 Total Return	11.36%	17.88%	25.02%	26.29%	-18.11%	28.71%	18.40%	16.16%

Correlation

The correlation between DOW and ^SP500TR is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2019	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between DOW and ^SP500TR has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DOW vs. ^SP500TR — Risk / Return Rank

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

DOW

DOW Risk / Return Rank: 58
DOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
DOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
DOW Omega Ratio Rank: 55
DOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
DOW Martin Ratio Rank: 57

^SP500TR

^SP500TR Risk / Return Rank: 84
^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
^SP500TR Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
^SP500TR Omega Ratio Rank: 83
^SP500TR Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
^SP500TR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

DOW vs. ^SP500TR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dow Inc. (DOW) and S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR). 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.

	DOW	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.55	2.42	-1.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.07	3.30	-2.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.44	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	3.23	-2.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.59	15.09	-13.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DOW vs. ^SP500TR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DOW Sharpe Ratio is 0.55, which is lower than the ^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DOW and ^SP500TR, 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

	DOW	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55	2.42	-1.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.26	0.83	-1.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.65	-0.64

Drawdowns

DOW vs. ^SP500TR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DOW drawdown since its inception was -64.37%, which is greater than ^SP500TR's maximum drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DOW and ^SP500TR.

Drawdown Indicators

	DOW	^SP500TR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.37%	-55.25%	-9.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.02%	-8.89%	-23.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.16%	-18.75%	-43.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.37%	-24.49%	-39.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.98%	-0.32%	-38.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.74%	-8.16%	-14.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.89%	1.90%	+14.99%

Volatility

DOW vs. ^SP500TR - Volatility Comparison

Dow Inc. (DOW) has a higher volatility of 9.76% compared to S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR) at 2.87%. This indicates that DOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^SP500TR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DOW	^SP500TR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.76%	2.87%	+6.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.27%	9.00%	+24.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.42%	11.88%	+37.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.51%	16.90%	+16.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.66%	18.06%	+20.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

DOW and ^SP500TR have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DOW or ^SP500TR?

DOW has higher volatility (9.76%) compared to ^SP500TR (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DOW dropped -64.37% vs ^SP500TR's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^SP500TR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 0.55), 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.