STE vs. ^SP500TR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

STE (STERIS plc) is a stock, while ^SP500TR (S&P 500 Total Return) is an index. Over the past 10 years, STE returned 12.72%/yr vs 15.68%/yr for ^SP500TR. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STE vs. ^SP500TR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in STERIS plc (STE) and S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STE achieves a -17.05% return, which is significantly lower than ^SP500TR's 11.72% return. Over the past 10 years, STE has underperformed ^SP500TR with an annualized return of 12.72%, while ^SP500TR has yielded a comparatively higher 15.68% annualized return.

STE

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: -2.16%
• YTD: -17.05%
• 6M: -18.90%
• 1Y: -12.48%
• 3Y*: 1.68%
• 5Y*: 2.92%
• 10Y*: 12.72%

^SP500TR

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.76%
• 3Y*: 22.77%
• 5Y*: 14.29%
• 10Y*: 15.68%

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

STE vs. ^SP500TR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STE STERIS plc	-17.05%	24.57%	-5.60%	20.19%	-23.43%	29.47%	25.50%	44.09%	23.66%	31.73%
^SP500TR S&P 500 Total Return	11.72%	17.88%	25.02%	26.29%	-18.11%	28.71%	18.40%	31.49%	-4.38%	21.83%

Correlation

The correlation between STE and ^SP500TR is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 1992	0.45

The correlation between STE and ^SP500TR shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (1 year) to 0.54 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

STE vs. ^SP500TR — Risk / Return Rank

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

STE

STE Risk / Return Rank: 16
STE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
STE Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
STE Omega Ratio Rank: 17
STE Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
STE Martin Ratio Rank: 8

^SP500TR

^SP500TR Risk / Return Rank: 84
^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
^SP500TR Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
^SP500TR Omega Ratio Rank: 83
^SP500TR Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
^SP500TR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

STE vs. ^SP500TR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for STERIS plc (STE) and S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR). 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.

	STE	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.53	2.52	-3.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.63	3.43	-4.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.46	-0.54
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.55	3.41	-3.96
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	15.97	-17.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STE vs. ^SP500TR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STE Sharpe Ratio is -0.53, which is lower than the ^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STE and ^SP500TR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	STE	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.53	2.52	-3.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.85	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.87	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.65	-0.24

Drawdowns

STE vs. ^SP500TR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STE drawdown since its inception was -77.22%, which is greater than ^SP500TR's maximum drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STE and ^SP500TR.

Drawdown Indicators

	STE	^SP500TR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.22%	-55.25%	-21.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.67%	-8.89%	-15.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.67%	-18.75%	-5.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.18%	-24.49%	-11.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.18%	-33.79%	-2.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.72%	0.00%	-21.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.32%	-8.17%	-10.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.00%	1.90%	+8.10%

Volatility

STE vs. ^SP500TR - Volatility Comparison

STERIS plc (STE) has a higher volatility of 7.80% compared to S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR) at 2.83%. This indicates that STE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^SP500TR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STE	^SP500TR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.80%	2.83%	+4.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.17%	8.98%	+9.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.71%	11.86%	+11.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.79%	16.90%	+8.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.07%	18.07%	+7.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STE and ^SP500TR in my portfolio?

STE and ^SP500TR have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STE or ^SP500TR?

STE has higher volatility (7.80%) compared to ^SP500TR (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STE dropped -77.22% vs ^SP500TR's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^SP500TR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -0.53), 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.