SYF vs. MSFT
SYF (Synchrony Financial) and MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) are both stocks. SYF operates in Credit Services (Financial Services), while MSFT operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology). Over the past 10 years, SYF returned 13.36%/yr vs 24.39%/yr for MSFT. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
SYF vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SYF achieves a -11.35% return, which is significantly higher than MSFT's -18.85% return. Over the past 10 years, SYF has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 13.36%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.39% annualized return.
SYF
- 1D
- 1.42%
- 1M
- 2.77%
- YTD
- -11.35%
- 6M
- -12.19%
- 1Y
- 24.64%
- 3Y*
- 31.82%
- 5Y*
- 10.68%
- 10Y*
- 13.36%
MSFT
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -7.19%
- YTD
- -18.85%
- 6M
- -17.98%
- 1Y
- -17.07%
- 3Y*
- 6.16%
- 5Y*
- 9.56%
- 10Y*
- 24.39%
SYF vs. MSFT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SYF Synchrony Financial | -11.35% | 30.64% | 74.01% | 19.76% | -27.43% | 36.40% | -0.08% | 57.48% | -37.84% | 8.35% |
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | -18.85% | 15.58% | 12.93% | 58.19% | -28.02% | 52.48% | 42.53% | 57.56% | 20.80% | 40.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between SYF and MSFT is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2014 | 0.32 |
Fundamentals
SYF:
$25.38B
MSFT:
$2.91T
SYF:
$9.85
MSFT:
$16.79
SYF:
7.45
MSFT:
23.27
SYF:
0.71
MSFT:
1.63
SYF:
1.35
MSFT:
9.16
SYF:
1.66
MSFT:
7.02
SYF:
$19.92B
MSFT:
$318.27B
SYF:
$12.16B
MSFT:
$217.41B
SYF:
$4.94B
MSFT:
$200.96B
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Return for Risk
SYF vs. MSFT — Risk / Return Rank
SYF
MSFT
SYF vs. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Synchrony Financial (SYF) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). 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.
| SYF | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.94 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 0.89 | +0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.78 | -0.53 | +1.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.72 | -1.08 | +2.80 |
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Drawdowns
SYF vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SYF drawdown since its inception was -66.37%, roughly equal to the maximum MSFT drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYF and MSFT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SYF | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.37% | -69.38% | +3.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -27.61% | -33.91% | +6.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -37.75% | -33.91% | -3.84% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.65% | -37.15% | -9.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.37% | -37.15% | -29.22% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -16.40% | -27.46% | +11.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.99% | -21.78% | +4.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.48% | 16.48% | -4.00% |
Volatility
SYF vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Synchrony Financial (SYF) is 9.32%, while Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has a volatility of 10.52%. This indicates that SYF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSFT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SYF | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.32% | 10.52% | -1.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.51% | 22.31% | +1.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 29.58% | 25.42% | +4.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.81% | 26.66% | +10.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 39.55% | 27.06% | +12.49% |
Dividends
SYF vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison
SYF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, more than MSFT's 0.91% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | 0.91% | 0.70% | 0.73% | 0.74% | 1.06% | 0.68% | 0.94% | 1.20% | 1.69% | 1.86% | 2.37% | 2.33% |
SYF Synchrony Financial | 1.64% | 1.38% | 1.54% | 2.51% | 2.74% | 1.90% | 2.54% | 2.39% | 3.07% | 1.45% | 0.72% | 0.00% |
Financials
SYF vs. MSFT - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Synchrony Financial and Microsoft Corporation. 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
SYF vs. MSFT - Profitability Comparison
SYF - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Synchrony Financial reported a gross profit of 4.64B and revenue of 5.60B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 82.7%.
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%.
SYF - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Synchrony Financial reported an operating income of 914.00M and revenue of 5.60B, resulting in an operating margin of 16.3%.
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%.
SYF - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Synchrony Financial reported a net income of 805.00M and revenue of 5.60B, resulting in a net margin of 14.4%.
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%.
Frequently Asked Questions
SYF and MSFT have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSFT has higher volatility (10.52%) compared to SYF (9.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYF dropped -66.37% vs MSFT's -69.38%.
SYF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.73 vs -0.70), 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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