WSO vs. MSFT
WSO (Watsco, Inc.) and MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) are both stocks. WSO operates in Industrial Distribution (Industrials), while MSFT operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology). Over the past 10 years, WSO returned 14.53%/yr vs 24.39%/yr for MSFT. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
WSO vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, WSO achieves a 14.72% return, which is significantly higher than MSFT's -18.85% return. Over the past 10 years, WSO has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 14.53%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.39% annualized return.
WSO
- 1D
- -1.01%
- 1M
- -5.63%
- YTD
- 14.72%
- 6M
- 9.01%
- 1Y
- -9.19%
- 3Y*
- 4.25%
- 5Y*
- 8.92%
- 10Y*
- 14.53%
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%
WSO vs. MSFT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WSO Watsco, Inc. | 14.72% | -27.02% | 13.22% | 77.00% | -17.74% | 42.09% | 30.57% | 34.99% | -15.54% | 18.36% |
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 WSO and MSFT is -0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 13, 1986 | 0.22 |
The correlation between WSO and MSFT shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (1 year) to 0.32 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
WSO:
$14.44B
MSFT:
$2.91T
WSO:
$13.08
MSFT:
$16.79
WSO:
29.09
MSFT:
23.27
WSO:
5.65
MSFT:
1.63
WSO:
1.99
MSFT:
9.16
WSO:
4.49
MSFT:
7.02
WSO:
$7.24B
MSFT:
$318.27B
WSO:
$2.05B
MSFT:
$217.41B
WSO:
$778.38M
MSFT:
$200.96B
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Return for Risk
WSO vs. MSFT — Risk / Return Rank
WSO
MSFT
WSO vs. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Watsco, Inc. (WSO) 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.
| WSO | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.53 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.96 | 0.89 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.34 | -0.53 | +0.18 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.58 | -1.08 | +0.50 |
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Drawdowns
WSO vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum WSO drawdown since its inception was -64.30%, smaller than the maximum MSFT drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSO and MSFT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| WSO | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.30% | -69.38% | +5.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -33.42% | -33.91% | +0.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.62% | -33.91% | -7.71% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -41.62% | -37.15% | -4.47% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.62% | -37.15% | -4.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.24% | -27.46% | -2.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.06% | -21.78% | +3.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.82% | 16.48% | +3.34% |
Volatility
WSO vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Watsco, Inc. (WSO) is 9.05%, while Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has a volatility of 10.52%. This indicates that WSO 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
| WSO | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.05% | 10.52% | -1.47% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.53% | 22.31% | +0.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 31.53% | 25.42% | +6.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.20% | 26.66% | +3.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.83% | 27.06% | +0.77% |
Dividends
WSO vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison
WSO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.23%, 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% |
WSO Watsco, Inc. | 3.23% | 3.47% | 2.23% | 2.29% | 3.43% | 2.44% | 3.06% | 3.55% | 4.02% | 2.71% | 2.43% | 2.39% |
Financials
WSO vs. MSFT - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Watsco, Inc. 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
WSO vs. MSFT - Profitability Comparison
WSO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Watsco, Inc. reported a gross profit of 427.56M and revenue of 1.53B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 27.9%.
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%.
WSO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Watsco, Inc. reported an operating income of 110.18M and revenue of 1.53B, resulting in an operating margin of 7.2%.
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%.
WSO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Watsco, Inc. reported a net income of 79.07M and revenue of 1.53B, resulting in a net margin of 5.2%.
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
WSO and MSFT have a correlation of -0.01, 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 WSO (9.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WSO dropped -64.30% vs MSFT's -69.38%.
WSO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.37 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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