SYY vs. CAT
SYY (Sysco Corporation) and CAT (Caterpillar Inc.) are both stocks. SYY operates in Food Distribution (Consumer Defensive), while CAT operates in Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, SYY returned 7.84%/yr vs 31.08%/yr for CAT. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
SYY vs. CAT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SYY achieves a 9.69% return, which is significantly lower than CAT's 57.36% return. Over the past 10 years, SYY has underperformed CAT with an annualized return of 7.84%, while CAT has yielded a comparatively higher 31.08% annualized return.
SYY
- 1D
- 1.40%
- 1M
- 9.13%
- YTD
- 9.69%
- 6M
- 8.89%
- 1Y
- 9.62%
- 3Y*
- 6.17%
- 5Y*
- 2.61%
- 10Y*
- 7.84%
CAT
- 1D
- 4.84%
- 1M
- -1.59%
- YTD
- 57.36%
- 6M
- 44.09%
- 1Y
- 149.86%
- 3Y*
- 58.05%
- 5Y*
- 34.78%
- 10Y*
- 31.08%
SYY vs. CAT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SYY Sysco Corporation | 9.69% | -0.98% | 7.41% | -1.70% | -0.33% | 8.29% | -10.40% | 39.64% | 5.48% | 12.47% |
CAT Caterpillar Inc. | 57.36% | 60.30% | 24.66% | 25.95% | 18.60% | 15.95% | 26.97% | 19.51% | -17.56% | 75.03% |
Correlation
The correlation between SYY and CAT is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 1973 | 0.27 |
The correlation between SYY and CAT shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.35 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
SYY:
$38.32B
CAT:
$418.12B
SYY:
$3.61
CAT:
$20.07
SYY:
22.08
CAT:
44.72
SYY:
0.45
CAT:
2.96
SYY:
0.46
CAT:
5.95
SYY:
16.68
CAT:
22.41
SYY:
$83.57B
CAT:
$70.76B
SYY:
$15.49B
CAT:
$23.01B
SYY:
$3.74B
CAT:
$15.31B
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Return for Risk
SYY vs. CAT — Risk / Return Rank
SYY
CAT
SYY vs. CAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sysco Corporation (SYY) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). 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.
| SYY | CAT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.93 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.63 | -0.53 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.40 | 10.86 | -10.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.99 | 35.61 | -34.63 |
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Drawdowns
SYY vs. CAT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SYY drawdown since its inception was -69.98%, roughly equal to the maximum CAT drawdown of -73.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYY and CAT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SYY | CAT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.98% | -73.43% | +3.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -23.98% | -13.88% | -10.10% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.98% | -34.05% | +10.07% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.33% | -34.05% | +6.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -63.40% | -43.36% | -20.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.98% | -4.56% | -7.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.60% | -19.73% | +7.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.78% | 4.23% | +5.55% |
Volatility
SYY vs. CAT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Sysco Corporation (SYY) is 6.08%, while Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) has a volatility of 13.12%. This indicates that SYY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SYY | CAT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.08% | 13.12% | -7.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.27% | 28.52% | -4.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.95% | 35.18% | -8.23% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.98% | 30.79% | -6.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 30.34% | 30.98% | -0.64% |
Dividends
SYY vs. CAT - Dividend Comparison
SYY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, more than CAT's 0.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAT Caterpillar Inc. | 0.67% | 1.02% | 1.49% | 1.69% | 1.93% | 2.07% | 2.26% | 2.56% | 2.58% | 1.97% | 3.32% | 4.33% |
SYY Sysco Corporation | 2.71% | 2.85% | 2.64% | 2.71% | 2.51% | 2.34% | 2.42% | 1.82% | 2.30% | 2.17% | 2.24% | 2.20% |
Financials
SYY vs. CAT - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Sysco Corporation and Caterpillar Inc.. 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
SYY vs. CAT - Profitability Comparison
SYY - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sysco Corporation reported a gross profit of 3.81B and revenue of 20.52B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 18.6%.
CAT - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Caterpillar Inc. reported a gross profit of 6.11B and revenue of 17.42B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 35.1%.
SYY - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sysco Corporation reported an operating income of 619.00M and revenue of 20.52B, resulting in an operating margin of 3.0%.
CAT - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Caterpillar Inc. reported an operating income of 3.09B and revenue of 17.42B, resulting in an operating margin of 17.7%.
SYY - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sysco Corporation reported a net income of 340.00M and revenue of 20.52B, resulting in a net margin of 1.7%.
CAT - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Caterpillar Inc. reported a net income of 2.55B and revenue of 17.42B, resulting in a net margin of 14.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions
SYY and CAT have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CAT has higher volatility (13.12%) compared to SYY (6.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYY dropped -69.98% vs CAT's -73.43%.
CAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 vs 0.36), 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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