NDSN vs. FFIV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NDSN (Nordson Corporation) and FFIV (F5 Networks, Inc.) are both stocks. NDSN operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials), while FFIV operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology). Over the past 10 years, NDSN returned 14.17%/yr vs 12.87%/yr for FFIV. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NDSN vs. FFIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nordson Corporation (NDSN) and F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NDSN achieves a 20.24% return, which is significantly lower than FFIV's 55.20% return. Over the past 10 years, NDSN has outperformed FFIV with an annualized return of 14.17%, while FFIV has yielded a comparatively lower 12.87% annualized return.

NDSN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 20.24%
• 6M: 23.21%
• 1Y: 34.03%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 14.17%

FFIV

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 10.84%
• YTD: 55.20%
• 6M: 50.82%
• 1Y: 35.83%
• 3Y*: 38.11%
• 5Y*: 15.50%
• 10Y*: 12.87%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

NDSN vs. FFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NDSN Nordson Corporation	20.24%	17.03%	-20.15%	12.39%	-5.93%	28.09%	24.45%	37.88%	-17.65%	31.83%
FFIV F5 Networks, Inc.	55.20%	1.51%	40.50%	24.72%	-41.36%	39.09%	25.99%	-13.81%	23.48%	-9.33%

Correlation

The correlation between NDSN and FFIV 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	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 1999	0.40

The correlation between NDSN and FFIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (1 year) to 0.50 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap NDSN : $16.17B FFIV : $22.70B
EPS NDSN : $9.36 FFIV : $12.19
PE Ratio NDSN : 30.79 FFIV : 32.50
PEG Ratio NDSN : 12.07 FFIV : 1.42
PS Ratio NDSN : 5.60 FFIV : 9.54
PB Ratio NDSN : 5.05 FFIV : 6.22
Total Revenue (TTM) NDSN : $2.90B FFIV : $2.41B
Gross Profit (TTM) NDSN : $1.60B FFIV : $2.63B
EBITDA (TTM) NDSN : $744.50M FFIV : $889.95M

Return for Risk

NDSN vs. FFIV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

NDSN

NDSN Risk / Return Rank: 82
NDSN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
NDSN Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
NDSN Omega Ratio Rank: 78
NDSN Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
NDSN Martin Ratio Rank: 84

FFIV

FFIV Risk / Return Rank: 69
FFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

NDSN vs. FFIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nordson Corporation (NDSN) and F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV). 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.

	NDSN	FFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.08	+0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	1.58	+0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.21	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	1.04	+1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.81	2.28	+5.54

NDSN vs. FFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NDSN Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is higher than the FFIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NDSN and FFIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NDSN vs. FFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NDSN drawdown since its inception was -73.62%, smaller than the maximum FFIV drawdown of -97.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NDSN and FFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	NDSN	FFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.62%	-97.59%	+23.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.15%	-34.73%	+20.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.15%	-34.73%	-4.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.15%	-47.42%	+8.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.24%	-54.59%	+10.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.41%	-3.17%	-0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.24%	-40.16%	+26.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.37%	15.77%	-11.40%

Volatility

NDSN vs. FFIV - Volatility Comparison

Nordson Corporation (NDSN) and F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV) have volatilities of 8.59% and 8.89%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NDSN	FFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.59%	8.89%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.87%	24.72%	-8.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.26%	33.48%	-12.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.78%	29.97%	-5.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.47%	29.56%	-1.09%

Dividends

NDSN vs. FFIV - Dividend Comparison

NDSN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, while FFIV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFIV F5 Networks, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NDSN Nordson Corporation	1.12%	1.66%	1.02%	1.01%	0.98%	0.71%	0.77%	0.90%	1.09%	0.78%	0.91%	1.43%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NDSN and FFIV in my portfolio?

NDSN and FFIV 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.

Which is riskier, NDSN or FFIV?

FFIV has higher volatility (8.89%) compared to NDSN (8.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NDSN dropped -73.62% vs FFIV's -97.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NDSN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.08), 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.