PCAR vs. PLUG

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PCAR (PACCAR Inc) and PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Industrials sector — PCAR in Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery, PLUG in Electrical Equipment & Parts. Over the past 10 years, PCAR returned 17.43%/yr vs 5.02%/yr for PLUG. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PCAR vs. PLUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PACCAR Inc (PCAR) and Plug Power Inc. (PLUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCAR achieves a 10.32% return, which is significantly lower than PLUG's 41.62% return. Over the past 10 years, PCAR has outperformed PLUG with an annualized return of 17.43%, while PLUG has yielded a comparatively lower 5.02% annualized return.

PCAR

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 9.85%
• YTD: 10.32%
• 6M: 7.09%
• 1Y: 35.36%
• 3Y*: 19.59%
• 5Y*: 19.83%
• 10Y*: 17.43%

PLUG

• 1D: -2.11%
• 1M: -26.19%
• YTD: 41.62%
• 6M: 32.23%
• 1Y: 151.35%
• 3Y*: -32.82%
• 5Y*: -39.29%
• 10Y*: 5.02%

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

PCAR vs. PLUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCAR PACCAR Inc	10.32%	8.03%	10.81%	55.01%	17.00%	5.63%	11.74%	45.05%	-15.32%	14.82%
PLUG Plug Power Inc.	41.62%	-7.51%	-52.67%	-63.62%	-56.18%	-16.75%	973.10%	154.84%	-47.46%	96.67%

Correlation

The correlation between PCAR and PLUG is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 1999	0.26

Fundamentals

Market Cap PCAR : $63.35B PLUG : $3.88B
EPS PCAR : $4.70 PLUG : -$1.39
PS Ratio PCAR : 2.32 PLUG : 4.56
Total Revenue (TTM) PCAR : $27.24B PLUG : $739.76M
Gross Profit (TTM) PCAR : $4.12B PLUG : -$189.79M
EBITDA (TTM) PCAR : $3.38B PLUG : -$745.89M

Return for Risk

PCAR vs. PLUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCAR

PCAR Risk / Return Rank: 77
PCAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
PCAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
PCAR Omega Ratio Rank: 73
PCAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
PCAR Martin Ratio Rank: 79

PLUG

PLUG Risk / Return Rank: 80
PLUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PLUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PLUG Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PLUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PLUG Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

PCAR vs. PLUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PACCAR Inc (PCAR) and Plug Power Inc. (PLUG). 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.

	PCAR	PLUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.43	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	2.67	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.28	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.69	-0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.75	4.52	+1.23

PCAR vs. PLUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the PLUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCAR and PLUG, 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

PCAR vs. PLUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCAR drawdown since its inception was -66.16%, smaller than the maximum PLUG drawdown of -99.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCAR and PLUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCAR	PLUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.16%	-99.99%	+33.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.29%	-56.66%	+41.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.75%	-94.69%	+66.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.75%	-98.43%	+70.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.84%	-99.04%	+61.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.94%	-99.81%	+92.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.41%	-96.22%	+81.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.16%	33.63%	-27.47%

Volatility

PCAR vs. PLUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PACCAR Inc (PCAR) is 9.55%, while Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) has a volatility of 26.41%. This indicates that PCAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCAR	PLUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.55%	26.41%	-16.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.56%	64.01%	-44.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.15%	106.91%	-79.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.85%	94.43%	-68.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.29%	89.56%	-63.27%

Dividends

PCAR vs. PLUG - Dividend Comparison

PCAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.28%, while PLUG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCAR PACCAR Inc	2.28%	2.48%	4.01%	4.34%	4.23%	3.22%	2.29%	4.53%	5.41%	3.08%	2.44%	4.89%
PLUG Plug Power 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%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCAR and PLUG in my portfolio?

PCAR and PLUG have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCAR or PLUG?

PLUG has higher volatility (26.41%) compared to PCAR (9.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCAR dropped -66.16% vs PLUG's -99.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.31), 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.