KMB vs. XYL
KMB (Kimberly-Clark Corporation) and XYL (Xylem Inc.) are both stocks. KMB operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive), while XYL operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, KMB returned 0.95%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for XYL. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
KMB vs. XYL - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, KMB achieves a 4.05% return, which is significantly higher than XYL's -18.57% return. Over the past 10 years, KMB has underperformed XYL with an annualized return of 0.95%, while XYL has yielded a comparatively higher 10.54% annualized return.
KMB
- 1D
- 0.74%
- 1M
- 6.86%
- YTD
- 4.05%
- 6M
- 1.77%
- 1Y
- -19.86%
- 3Y*
- -4.95%
- 5Y*
- -0.92%
- 10Y*
- 0.95%
XYL
- 1D
- 0.94%
- 1M
- 1.38%
- YTD
- -18.57%
- 6M
- -19.12%
- 1Y
- -12.41%
- 3Y*
- 1.00%
- 5Y*
- -0.21%
- 10Y*
- 10.54%
KMB vs. XYL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 4.05% | -19.86% | 11.79% | -7.08% | -1.58% | 9.66% | 0.95% | 24.57% | -2.06% | 9.04% |
XYL Xylem Inc. | -18.57% | 18.78% | 2.57% | 4.77% | -6.60% | 18.94% | 30.90% | 19.59% | -1.01% | 39.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between KMB and XYL is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2011 | 0.25 |
Fundamentals
KMB:
$34.08B
XYL:
$26.79B
KMB:
$5.93
XYL:
$4.02
KMB:
17.26
XYL:
27.36
KMB:
2.98
XYL:
1.72
KMB:
2.06
XYL:
3.85
KMB:
18.98
XYL:
2.44
KMB:
$16.54B
XYL:
$6.97B
KMB:
$5.93B
XYL:
$2.71B
KMB:
$3.07B
XYL:
$1.41B
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
KMB vs. XYL — Risk / Return Rank
KMB
XYL
KMB vs. XYL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) and Xylem Inc. (XYL). 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.
| KMB | XYL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.87 | 0.93 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.67 | -0.41 | -0.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.03 | -0.92 | -0.11 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
KMB vs. XYL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum KMB drawdown since its inception was -36.97%, smaller than the maximum XYL drawdown of -46.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KMB and XYL.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| KMB | XYL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.97% | -46.69% | +9.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -29.60% | -30.04% | +0.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.06% | -30.04% | -4.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.06% | -46.69% | +12.63% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.06% | -46.69% | +12.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.52% | -27.30% | +0.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.85% | -10.40% | +1.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.43% | 13.54% | +5.89% |
Volatility
KMB vs. XYL - Volatility Comparison
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) has a higher volatility of 8.42% compared to Xylem Inc. (XYL) at 6.01%. This indicates that KMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XYL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| KMB | XYL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.42% | 6.01% | +2.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.67% | 19.34% | -2.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.77% | 24.52% | +1.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.19% | 26.08% | -5.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.07% | 27.30% | -6.23% |
Dividends
KMB vs. XYL - Dividend Comparison
KMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than XYL's 1.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 4.97% | 5.00% | 3.72% | 3.88% | 3.42% | 3.19% | 3.17% | 3.00% | 3.51% | 3.22% | 3.22% | 2.77% |
XYL Xylem Inc. | 1.51% | 1.17% | 1.24% | 1.15% | 1.09% | 0.93% | 1.02% | 1.22% | 1.26% | 1.06% | 1.25% | 1.54% |
Financials
KMB vs. XYL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Xylem Inc.. 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
Frequently Asked Questions
KMB and XYL have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
KMB has higher volatility (8.42%) compared to XYL (6.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KMB dropped -36.97% vs XYL's -46.69%.
XYL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.51 vs -0.77), 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 KMB and XYL
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