VRSN vs. UPWK

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VRSN (VeriSign, Inc.) and UPWK (Upwork Inc.) are both stocks. VRSN operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology), while UPWK operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials). Over the past 5 years, VRSN returned 5.15%/yr vs -30.02%/yr for UPWK. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VRSN vs. UPWK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VeriSign, Inc. (VRSN) and Upwork Inc. (UPWK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRSN achieves a 15.94% return, which is significantly higher than UPWK's -57.16% return.

VRSN

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -5.69%
• YTD: 15.94%
• 6M: 16.40%
• 1Y: 1.24%
• 3Y*: 8.34%
• 5Y*: 5.15%
• 10Y*: 12.83%

UPWK

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 5.07%
• YTD: -57.16%
• 6M: -61.32%
• 1Y: -38.61%
• 3Y*: -3.10%
• 5Y*: -30.02%
• 10Y*: —

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

VRSN vs. UPWK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VRSN VeriSign, Inc.	15.94%	18.41%	0.49%	0.25%	-19.06%	17.29%	12.31%	29.93%	-5.86%
UPWK Upwork Inc.	-57.16%	21.22%	9.95%	42.43%	-69.44%	-1.04%	223.52%	-41.08%	-21.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VRSN and UPWK is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2018	0.29

The correlation between VRSN and UPWK shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.32 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap VRSN : $25.69B UPWK : $1.15B
EPS VRSN : $9.04 UPWK : $0.79
PE Ratio VRSN : 30.95 UPWK : 10.79
PEG Ratio VRSN : 4.54 UPWK : 0.07
PS Ratio VRSN : 15.46 UPWK : 1.98
Total Revenue (TTM) VRSN : $1.68B UPWK : $595.10M
Gross Profit (TTM) VRSN : $1.49B UPWK : $612.97M
EBITDA (TTM) VRSN : $1.18B UPWK : $152.42M

Return for Risk

VRSN vs. UPWK — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRSN

VRSN Risk / Return Rank: 41
VRSN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VRSN Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VRSN Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VRSN Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VRSN Martin Ratio Rank: 43

UPWK

UPWK Risk / Return Rank: 15
UPWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
UPWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
UPWK Omega Ratio Rank: 16
UPWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
UPWK Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

VRSN vs. UPWK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VeriSign, Inc. (VRSN) and Upwork Inc. (UPWK). 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.

	VRSN	UPWK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.02	-0.70	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.22	-0.82	+1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	0.90	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.02	-0.65	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.04	-1.33	+1.37

VRSN vs. UPWK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRSN Sharpe Ratio is 0.02, which is higher than the UPWK Sharpe Ratio of -0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRSN and UPWK, 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

VRSN vs. UPWK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRSN drawdown since its inception was -98.37%, which is greater than UPWK's maximum drawdown of -87.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRSN and UPWK.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRSN	UPWK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.37%	-87.48%	-10.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.21%	-63.46%	+33.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.21%	-63.46%	+33.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.85%	-87.48%	+48.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.71%	-86.01%	+76.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-56.97%	-56.45%	-0.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.19%	31.15%	-15.96%

Volatility

VRSN vs. UPWK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VeriSign, Inc. (VRSN) is 9.36%, while Upwork Inc. (UPWK) has a volatility of 14.92%. This indicates that VRSN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UPWK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRSN	UPWK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.36%	14.92%	-5.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.91%	46.56%	-25.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.93%	58.92%	-30.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.14%	63.38%	-38.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.25%	64.76%	-38.51%

Dividends

VRSN vs. UPWK - Dividend Comparison

VRSN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, while UPWK has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
UPWK Upwork Inc.	0.00%	0.00%
VRSN VeriSign, Inc.	1.13%	0.95%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRSN and UPWK in my portfolio?

VRSN and UPWK have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRSN or UPWK?

UPWK has higher volatility (14.92%) compared to VRSN (9.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRSN dropped -98.37% vs UPWK's -87.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRSN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.02 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.