GSK vs. UL
GSK (GlaxoSmithKline plc) and UL (The Unilever Group) are both stocks. GSK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare), while UL operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive). Over the past 10 years, GSK returned 4.64%/yr vs 4.43%/yr for UL. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
GSK vs. UL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSK achieves a 4.91% return, which is significantly higher than UL's -12.75% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GSK having a 4.64% annualized return and UL not far behind at 4.43%.
GSK
- 1D
- -1.71%
- 1M
- 1.25%
- YTD
- 4.91%
- 6M
- 6.15%
- 1Y
- 27.36%
- 3Y*
- 17.87%
- 5Y*
- 4.68%
- 10Y*
- 4.64%
UL
- 1D
- -1.11%
- 1M
- -3.03%
- YTD
- -12.75%
- 6M
- -8.37%
- 1Y
- -18.21%
- 3Y*
- 3.46%
- 5Y*
- -0.18%
- 10Y*
- 4.43%
GSK vs. UL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSK GlaxoSmithKline plc | 4.91% | 51.23% | -5.14% | 9.71% | -33.41% | 26.74% | -17.72% | 29.24% | 13.79% | -2.97% |
UL The Unilever Group | -12.75% | 5.96% | 20.90% | -0.17% | -2.82% | -7.61% | 9.04% | 12.88% | -2.34% | 40.15% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSK and UL is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1988 | 0.40 |
Fundamentals
GSK:
$103.15B
UL:
$123.13B
GSK:
$2.85
UL:
$5.06
GSK:
17.78
UL:
11.08
GSK:
1.19
UL:
2.17
GSK:
3.16
UL:
1.20
GSK:
4.38
UL:
7.93
GSK:
$32.78B
UL:
$109.27B
GSK:
$23.87B
UL:
$90.89B
GSK:
$11.30B
UL:
$24.12B
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Return for Risk
GSK vs. UL — Risk / Return Rank
GSK
UL
GSK vs. UL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and The Unilever Group (UL). 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.
| GSK | UL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.88 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.69 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 0.87 | +0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.48 | -0.73 | +2.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.38 | -1.53 | +4.91 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GSK | UL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.02 | -0.86 | +1.88 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 | -0.01 | +0.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.20 | 0.21 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.39 | -0.07 |
Drawdowns
GSK vs. UL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSK drawdown since its inception was -55.70%, roughly equal to the maximum UL drawdown of -53.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSK and UL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSK | UL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.70% | -53.55% | -2.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.63% | -25.09% | +6.46% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.46% | -25.09% | -3.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.10% | -26.53% | -23.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.10% | -30.13% | -19.97% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.91% | -23.50% | +7.59% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.87% | -10.60% | -8.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.11% | 11.93% | -3.82% |
Volatility
GSK vs. UL - Volatility Comparison
GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) has a higher volatility of 6.42% compared to The Unilever Group (UL) at 5.63%. This indicates that GSK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GSK | UL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.42% | 5.63% | +0.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.51% | 18.17% | +0.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.94% | 21.26% | +5.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.06% | 20.83% | +4.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.89% | 21.62% | +1.27% |
Dividends
GSK vs. UL - Dividend Comparison
GSK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, less than UL's 4.07% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSK GlaxoSmithKline plc | 3.41% | 3.42% | 4.60% | 3.75% | 5.47% | 4.99% | 5.59% | 4.35% | 5.65% | 5.83% | 6.86% | 5.93% |
UL The Unilever Group | 4.07% | 3.51% | 3.29% | 3.83% | 3.57% | 3.77% | 3.07% | 3.18% | 3.49% | 2.80% | 3.42% | 3.02% |
Financials
GSK vs. UL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between GlaxoSmithKline plc and The Unilever Group. 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. UL - 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%.
UL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Unilever Group reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 18.38B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
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%.
UL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Unilever Group reported an operating income of 4.13B and revenue of 18.38B, resulting in an operating margin of 22.5%.
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%.
UL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Unilever Group reported a net income of 2.56B and revenue of 18.38B, resulting in a net margin of 14.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions
GSK and UL have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSK has higher volatility (6.42%) compared to UL (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSK dropped -55.70% vs UL's -53.55%.
GSK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.02 vs -0.86), 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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