STLD vs. FFIV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

STLD (Steel Dynamics, Inc.) and FFIV (F5 Networks, Inc.) are both stocks. STLD operates in Steel (Basic Materials), while FFIV operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology). Over the past 10 years, STLD returned 29.92%/yr vs 12.87%/yr for FFIV. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STLD vs. FFIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) 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, STLD achieves a 67.39% return, which is significantly higher than FFIV's 55.20% return. Over the past 10 years, STLD has outperformed FFIV with an annualized return of 29.92%, while FFIV has yielded a comparatively lower 12.87% annualized return.

STLD

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: 23.29%
• YTD: 67.39%
• 6M: 65.42%
• 1Y: 114.70%
• 3Y*: 40.23%
• 5Y*: 36.27%
• 10Y*: 29.92%

FFIV

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 9.26%
• YTD: 55.20%
• 6M: 50.82%
• 1Y: 38.22%
• 3Y*: 38.11%
• 5Y*: 15.50%
• 10Y*: 12.87%

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

STLD vs. FFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.	67.39%	50.70%	-1.99%	22.75%	60.14%	71.42%	12.46%	16.78%	-29.02%	23.34%
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 STLD and FFIV is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 1999	0.32

The correlation between STLD and FFIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.36 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap STLD : $40.94B FFIV : $22.70B
EPS STLD : $9.33 FFIV : $12.19
PE Ratio STLD : 30.30 FFIV : 32.50
PS Ratio STLD : 2.19 FFIV : 9.54
PB Ratio STLD : 4.47 FFIV : 6.22
Total Revenue (TTM) STLD : $19.01B FFIV : $2.41B
Gross Profit (TTM) STLD : $2.66B FFIV : $2.63B
EBITDA (TTM) STLD : $2.23B FFIV : $889.95M

Return for Risk

STLD vs. FFIV — Risk / Return Rank

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

STLD

STLD Risk / Return Rank: 95
STLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
STLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
STLD Omega Ratio Rank: 94
STLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
STLD Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

STLD vs. FFIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) 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.

	STLD	FFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.54	1.08	+2.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.17	1.58	+2.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.21	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.81	1.04	+4.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.49	2.28	+17.21

STLD vs. FFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STLD Sharpe Ratio is 3.54, which is higher than the FFIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STLD 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

STLD vs. FFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STLD drawdown since its inception was -87.05%, smaller than the maximum FFIV drawdown of -97.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STLD and FFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	STLD	FFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-87.05%	-97.59%	+10.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.33%	-34.73%	+14.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.66%	-34.73%	+6.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.20%	-47.42%	+15.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-68.46%	-54.59%	-13.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.17%	+3.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.27%	-40.16%	+6.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.04%	15.77%	-9.73%

Volatility

STLD vs. FFIV - Volatility Comparison

Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) has a higher volatility of 9.70% compared to F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV) at 8.89%. This indicates that STLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FFIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STLD	FFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.70%	8.89%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.96%	24.72%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.38%	33.48%	-0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.03%	29.97%	+8.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.31%	29.56%	+9.75%

Dividends

STLD vs. FFIV - Dividend Comparison

STLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, 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%
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.	0.72%	1.18%	1.61%	1.44%	1.39%	1.68%	2.71%	2.82%	2.50%	1.44%	1.57%	3.08%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STLD and FFIV in my portfolio?

STLD and FFIV have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STLD or FFIV?

STLD has higher volatility (9.70%) compared to FFIV (8.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STLD dropped -87.05% vs FFIV's -97.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.54 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.