COST vs VXX: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, Costco (COST) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) carry a correlation of -0.23, a negative link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are COST and VXX?
Over the past 3 years, COST and VXX moved with a correlation of -0.23, which is negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. The link has tightened recently: the 1-year correlation (0.11) runs above the 3-year figure (-0.23). Over 5 years the correlation is -0.28, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is -278.6 %².
VXX is close to the least connected end of COST's tracked universe, ranking #29 of 33. The last year tells two different stories: COST led by 48.7 percentage points, -1.0% for COST against -49.7% for VXX. Risk is not evenly split, since VXX carries 3.1 times the volatility of the other side.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
COST vs VXX: side by side
| COST (Costco) | VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | -1.0% | -49.7% |
| 5-year return | +116.3% | -95.6% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 19.8% | 60.9% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.45 | -3.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -20.7% | -83.3% |
| Market cap | $414.5B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 48.1 | – |
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.00% |
| Sector / category | Consumer Staples | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | COST | VXX |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -19.0% | -23.8% |
| 2023 | +49.0% | -72.5% |
| 2024 | +39.6% | -26.2% |
| 2025 | -5.4% | -42.2% |
| 2026 | +8.9% | -31.6% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are COST and VXX good diversifiers for each other?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.23 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
FAQ
What is the correlation between COST and VXX?
The COST/VXX correlation stands at -0.23 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.11, 5 years: -0.28), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is VXX a good diversifier for COST?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.23 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
What does a correlation of -0.23 mean?
Correlation ranges from −1 to +1. Values near +1 mean two assets move together, near 0 that they move independently, and negative values that they tend to move in opposite directions. It measures co-movement, not performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/cost-vs-vxx.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/cost-vs-vxx/)
Free with attribution; caching and terms are described in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: COST correlations · VXX correlations
