MSFT vs. GOOGL
MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) and GOOGL (Alphabet Inc. Class A) are both stocks. MSFT operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology), while GOOGL operates in Internet Content & Information (Communication Services). Over the past 10 years, MSFT returned 25.26%/yr vs 24.66%/yr for GOOGL. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
MSFT vs. GOOGL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSFT achieves a 1.24% return, which is significantly lower than GOOGL's 15.94% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MSFT having a 25.26% annualized return and GOOGL not far behind at 24.66%.
MSFT
- 1D
- -1.09%
- 1M
- 26.04%
- 6M
- 18.21%
- YTD
- 1.24%
- 1Y
- -6.90%
- 3Y*
- 15.04%
- 5Y*
- 11.90%
- 10Y*
- 25.26%
- ALL TIME*
- 25.30%
GOOGL
- 1D
- -4.03%
- 1M
- -1.10%
- 6M
- 8.97%
- YTD
- 15.94%
- 1Y
- 86.71%
- 3Y*
- 41.85%
- 5Y*
- 21.92%
- 10Y*
- 24.66%
- ALL TIME*
- 25.49%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $13.20B | $11.00B | $12.02B | |
| $21.56B | $16.11B | $16.89B |
MSFT vs. GOOGL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | 1.24% | 15.58% | 12.93% | 58.19% | -28.02% | 52.48% | 42.53% | 57.56% | 20.80% | 40.73% |
GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A | 15.94% | 65.99% | 36.01% | 58.32% | -39.09% | 65.30% | 30.85% | 28.18% | -0.80% | 32.93% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSFT and GOOGL is 0.21, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.60 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2004 | 0.53 |
Over the past year, the correlation between MSFT and GOOGL has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
MSFT:
$3.62T
GOOGL:
$4.39T
MSFT:
$17.94
GOOGL:
$19.94
MSFT:
27.17
GOOGL:
18.17
MSFT:
1.57
GOOGL:
0.89
MSFT:
10.95
GOOGL:
9.95
MSFT:
8.21
GOOGL:
7.17
MSFT:
$331.84B
GOOGL:
$445.93B
MSFT:
$225.47B
GOOGL:
$271.59B
MSFT:
$207.52B
GOOGL:
$325.74B
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Return for Risk
MSFT vs. GOOGL — Risk / Return Rank
MSFT
GOOGL
MSFT vs. GOOGL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL). 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.
| MSFT | GOOGL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.90 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.45 | -0.47 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.20 | 4.14 | -4.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.36 | 11.67 | -12.03 |
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Drawdowns
MSFT vs. GOOGL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSFT drawdown since its inception was -69.38%, which is greater than GOOGL's maximum drawdown of -65.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSFT and GOOGL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSFT | GOOGL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.38% | -65.29% | -4.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -34.50% | -21.05% | -13.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.50% | -29.81% | -4.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.15% | -44.32% | +7.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.15% | -44.32% | +7.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.50% | -9.93% | +0.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.80% | -13.01% | -8.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.33% | 7.46% | +11.87% |
Volatility
MSFT vs. GOOGL - Volatility Comparison
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has a higher volatility of 16.44% compared to Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL) at 14.46%. This indicates that MSFT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GOOGL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSFT | GOOGL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 16.44% | 14.46% | +1.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 26.64% | 25.52% | +1.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 31.98% | 32.47% | -0.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.10% | 32.06% | -3.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.66% | 29.51% | -1.85% |
Dividends
MSFT vs. GOOGL - Dividend Comparison
MSFT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, more than GOOGL's 0.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A | 0.23% | 0.27% | 0.32% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | 0.73% | 0.70% | 0.73% | 0.74% | 1.06% | 0.68% | 0.94% | 1.20% | 1.69% | 1.86% | 2.37% | 2.33% |
Financials
MSFT vs. GOOGL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Microsoft Corporation and Alphabet Inc. Class A. 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
MSFT vs. GOOGL - Profitability Comparison
MSFT - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported a gross profit of 60.48B and revenue of 90.01B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.2%.
GOOGL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Alphabet Inc. Class A reported a gross profit of 73.85B and revenue of 119.80B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 61.7%.
MSFT - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported an operating income of 40.60B and revenue of 90.01B, resulting in an operating margin of 45.1%.
GOOGL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Alphabet Inc. Class A reported an operating income of 40.77B and revenue of 119.80B, resulting in an operating margin of 34.0%.
MSFT - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported a net income of 35.77B and revenue of 90.01B, resulting in a net margin of 39.7%.
GOOGL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Alphabet Inc. Class A reported a net income of 112.19B and revenue of 119.80B, resulting in a net margin of 93.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSFT and GOOGL have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSFT has higher volatility (16.44%) compared to GOOGL (14.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSFT dropped -69.38% vs GOOGL's -65.29%.
GOOGL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs -0.22), 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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