MSFT vs. XEL
MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) and XEL (Xcel Energy Inc.) are both stocks. MSFT operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology), while XEL operates in Utilities - Regulated Electric (Utilities). Over the past 10 years, MSFT returned 24.64%/yr vs 9.46%/yr for XEL. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MSFT vs. XEL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSFT achieves a -14.48% return, which is significantly lower than XEL's 5.87% return. Over the past 10 years, MSFT has outperformed XEL with an annualized return of 24.64%, while XEL has yielded a comparatively lower 9.46% annualized return.
MSFT
- 1D
- -1.18%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- YTD
- -14.48%
- 6M
- -15.77%
- 1Y
- -11.77%
- 3Y*
- 8.85%
- 5Y*
- 11.09%
- 10Y*
- 24.64%
XEL
- 1D
- -1.80%
- 1M
- -2.23%
- YTD
- 5.87%
- 6M
- 4.05%
- 1Y
- 16.88%
- 3Y*
- 10.68%
- 5Y*
- 5.57%
- 10Y*
- 9.46%
MSFT vs. XEL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | -14.48% | 15.58% | 12.93% | 58.19% | -28.02% | 52.48% | 42.53% | 57.56% | 20.80% | 40.73% |
XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | 5.87% | 13.89% | 12.32% | -8.67% | 6.44% | 4.40% | 7.77% | 32.37% | 5.88% | 21.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSFT and XEL is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 1986 | 0.22 |
The correlation between MSFT and XEL shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (3 years) to 0.22 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MSFT:
$3.07T
XEL:
$48.59B
MSFT:
$16.79
XEL:
$3.50
MSFT:
24.52
XEL:
22.15
MSFT:
1.72
XEL:
5.71
MSFT:
9.65
XEL:
3.13
MSFT:
7.40
XEL:
2.04
MSFT:
$318.27B
XEL:
$14.78B
MSFT:
$217.41B
XEL:
$1.88B
MSFT:
$200.96B
XEL:
$6.26B
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Return for Risk
MSFT vs. XEL — Risk / Return Rank
MSFT
XEL
MSFT vs. XEL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL). 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.
| MSFT | XEL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.35 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.91 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.17 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.35 | 1.47 | -1.82 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.73 | 3.86 | -4.59 |
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
| MSFT | XEL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.47 | 0.89 | -1.35 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 | 0.27 | +0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.91 | 0.44 | +0.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.74 | 0.41 | +0.33 |
Drawdowns
MSFT vs. XEL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSFT drawdown since its inception was -69.38%, smaller than the maximum XEL drawdown of -80.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSFT and XEL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSFT | XEL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.38% | -80.64% | +11.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -33.91% | -11.50% | -22.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.91% | -24.42% | -9.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.15% | -34.41% | -2.74% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.15% | -34.41% | -2.74% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -23.56% | -6.81% | -16.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.78% | -11.32% | -10.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.13% | 4.39% | +11.74% |
Volatility
MSFT vs. XEL - Volatility Comparison
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has a higher volatility of 10.25% compared to Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) at 7.09%. This indicates that MSFT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XEL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSFT | XEL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.25% | 7.09% | +3.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.36% | 14.55% | +7.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.31% | 19.18% | +6.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.64% | 20.81% | +5.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.06% | 21.70% | +5.36% |
Dividends
MSFT vs. XEL - Dividend Comparison
MSFT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than XEL's 2.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | 0.86% | 0.70% | 0.73% | 0.74% | 1.06% | 0.68% | 0.94% | 1.20% | 1.69% | 1.86% | 2.37% | 2.33% |
XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | 2.97% | 3.83% | 2.43% | 3.36% | 2.78% | 2.70% | 2.58% | 2.55% | 3.09% | 2.99% | 3.34% | 3.56% |
Financials
MSFT vs. XEL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Microsoft Corporation and Xcel Energy 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
MSFT vs. XEL - Profitability Comparison
MSFT - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported a gross profit of 56.06B and revenue of 82.89B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.6%.
XEL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 4.02B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
MSFT - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported an operating income of 38.40B and revenue of 82.89B, resulting in an operating margin of 46.3%.
XEL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported an operating income of 754.00M and revenue of 4.02B, resulting in an operating margin of 18.8%.
MSFT - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported a net income of 31.78B and revenue of 82.89B, resulting in a net margin of 38.3%.
XEL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. reported a net income of 556.00M and revenue of 4.02B, resulting in a net margin of 13.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSFT and XEL have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSFT has higher volatility (10.25%) compared to XEL (7.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSFT dropped -69.38% vs XEL's -80.64%.
XEL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.89 vs -0.47), 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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