WDC vs. AMLP

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

WDC (Western Digital Corporation) is a stock, while AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) is MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Over the past 10 years, WDC returned 29.72%/yr vs 6.80%/yr for AMLP. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WDC vs. AMLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Digital Corporation (WDC) and Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WDC achieves a 171.18% return, which is significantly higher than AMLP's 19.32% return. Over the past 10 years, WDC has outperformed AMLP with an annualized return of 29.72%, while AMLP has yielded a comparatively lower 6.80% annualized return.

WDC

• 1D: -9.15%
• 1M: -31.46%
• 6M: 110.34%
• YTD: 171.18%
• 1Y: 603.55%
• 3Y*: 151.20%
• 5Y*: 57.41%
• 10Y*: 29.72%

AMLP

• 1D: 1.41%
• 1M: 5.83%
• 6M: 14.27%
• YTD: 19.32%
• 1Y: 20.19%
• 3Y*: 19.61%
• 5Y*: 19.03%
• 10Y*: 6.80%

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

WDC vs. AMLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WDC Western Digital Corporation	171.18%	283.68%	13.86%	65.99%	-51.62%	17.73%	-10.89%	77.14%	-51.90%	19.83%
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	19.32%	5.78%	22.76%	21.40%	25.47%	39.09%	-32.26%	5.99%	-12.67%	-7.89%

Correlation

The correlation between WDC and AMLP is -0.14, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2010	0.32

The correlation between WDC and AMLP shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (1 year) to 0.32 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WDC vs. AMLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

WDC

WDC Risk / Return Rank: 99
WDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
WDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
WDC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
WDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
WDC Martin Ratio Rank: 100

AMLP

AMLP Risk / Return Rank: 56
AMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
AMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
AMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
AMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

WDC vs. AMLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Digital Corporation (WDC) and Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP). 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.

	WDC	AMLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	8.21	1.61	+6.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.99	2.26	+2.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.28	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	16.27	2.27	+14.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	71.46	6.33	+65.13

WDC vs. AMLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WDC Sharpe Ratio is 8.21, which is higher than the AMLP Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WDC and AMLP, 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

WDC vs. AMLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WDC drawdown since its inception was -96.20%, which is greater than AMLP's maximum drawdown of -77.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WDC and AMLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	WDC	AMLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.20%	-77.19%	-19.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-37.44%	-8.94%	-28.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-49.65%	-14.27%	-35.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.06%	-20.92%	-35.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.49%	-72.62%	+2.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.44%	-1.62%	-35.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.99%	-17.31%	-34.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.51%	3.20%	+5.31%

Volatility

WDC vs. AMLP - Volatility Comparison

Western Digital Corporation (WDC) has a higher volatility of 31.50% compared to Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) at 5.08%. This indicates that WDC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AMLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WDC	AMLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.50%	5.08%	+26.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	59.15%	9.66%	+49.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	74.24%	12.59%	+61.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.16%	19.68%	+31.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.52%	27.64%	+21.88%

Dividends

WDC vs. AMLP - Dividend Comparison

WDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than AMLP's 7.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	7.45%	8.36%	7.70%	7.86%	7.70%	8.55%	12.31%	9.12%	9.29%	7.97%	8.09%	9.84%
WDC Western Digital Corporation	0.11%	0.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.81%	2.36%	5.41%	2.51%	2.94%	3.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WDC and AMLP in my portfolio?

WDC and AMLP have a correlation of -0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WDC or AMLP?

WDC has higher volatility (31.50%) compared to AMLP (5.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WDC dropped -96.20% vs AMLP's -77.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WDC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.21 vs 1.61), 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.