GSK vs. BCS
GSK (GlaxoSmithKline plc) and BCS (Barclays PLC) are both stocks. GSK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare), while BCS operates in Banks - Diversified (Financial Services). Over the past 10 years, GSK returned 5.35%/yr vs 14.35%/yr for BCS. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
GSK vs. BCS - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSK achieves a 9.89% return, which is significantly higher than BCS's 1.28% return. Over the past 10 years, GSK has underperformed BCS with an annualized return of 5.35%, while BCS has yielded a comparatively higher 14.35% annualized return.
GSK
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 4.84%
- YTD
- 9.89%
- 6M
- 10.40%
- 1Y
- 29.34%
- 3Y*
- 19.84%
- 5Y*
- 5.34%
- 10Y*
- 5.35%
BCS
- 1D
- 2.91%
- 1M
- 11.51%
- YTD
- 1.28%
- 6M
- 8.12%
- 1Y
- 46.32%
- 3Y*
- 52.43%
- 5Y*
- 24.10%
- 10Y*
- 14.35%
GSK vs. BCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSK GlaxoSmithKline plc | 9.89% | 51.23% | -5.14% | 9.71% | -33.41% | 26.74% | -17.72% | 29.24% | 13.79% | -2.97% |
BCS Barclays PLC | 1.28% | 96.49% | 76.26% | 6.01% | -21.90% | 31.71% | -12.84% | 31.90% | -29.25% | 0.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSK and BCS is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 1986 | 0.30 |
The correlation between GSK and BCS shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (3 years) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
GSK:
$108.04B
BCS:
$87.41B
GSK:
£2.85
BCS:
£2.06
GSK:
13.90
BCS:
9.23
GSK:
0.93
BCS:
1.67
GSK:
2.47
BCS:
2.32
GSK:
3.42
BCS:
0.85
GSK:
£32.78B
BCS:
£28.57B
GSK:
£23.87B
BCS:
£26.96B
GSK:
£11.30B
BCS:
£9.15B
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
GSK vs. BCS — Risk / Return Rank
GSK
BCS
GSK vs. BCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Barclays PLC (BCS). 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.
| GSK | BCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.56 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.27 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.58 | 1.78 | -0.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.92 | 5.03 | -1.11 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
GSK vs. BCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSK drawdown since its inception was -55.70%, smaller than the maximum BCS drawdown of -94.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSK and BCS.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| GSK | BCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.70% | -94.36% | +38.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.63% | -26.20% | +7.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.46% | -26.20% | -2.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.10% | -48.14% | -1.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.10% | -66.10% | +16.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.92% | -24.68% | +12.76% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.87% | -38.42% | +19.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.28% | 9.23% | -0.95% |
Volatility
GSK vs. BCS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) is 6.81%, while Barclays PLC (BCS) has a volatility of 10.56%. This indicates that GSK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BCS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| GSK | BCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.81% | 10.56% | -3.75% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.49% | 24.06% | -5.57% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.06% | 29.37% | -2.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.08% | 34.06% | -8.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.89% | 37.71% | -14.82% |
Dividends
GSK vs. BCS - Dividend Comparison
GSK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, more than BCS's 1.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BCS Barclays PLC | 1.83% | 1.70% | 3.13% | 4.86% | 4.18% | 1.61% | 3.91% | 3.68% | 3.21% | 1.37% | 2.26% | 2.95% |
GSK GlaxoSmithKline plc | 3.26% | 3.42% | 4.60% | 3.75% | 5.47% | 4.99% | 5.59% | 4.35% | 5.65% | 5.83% | 6.86% | 5.93% |
Financials
GSK vs. BCS - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between GlaxoSmithKline plc and Barclays PLC. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
GSK vs. BCS - Profitability Comparison
GSK - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, GlaxoSmithKline plc reported a gross profit of 5.75B and revenue of 7.63B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 75.4%.
BCS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Barclays PLC reported a gross profit of 8.16B and revenue of 8.16B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 100.0%.
GSK - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, GlaxoSmithKline plc reported an operating income of 2.29B and revenue of 7.63B, resulting in an operating margin of 30.1%.
BCS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Barclays PLC reported an operating income of 2.81B and revenue of 8.16B, resulting in an operating margin of 34.5%.
GSK - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, GlaxoSmithKline plc reported a net income of 1.74B and revenue of 7.63B, resulting in a net margin of 22.8%.
BCS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Barclays PLC reported a net income of 2.18B and revenue of 8.16B, resulting in a net margin of 26.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions
GSK and BCS have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BCS has higher volatility (10.56%) compared to GSK (6.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSK dropped -55.70% vs BCS's -94.36%.
BCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.09), 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.
Find the right allocation for GSK and BCS
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer