COST vs VXZ: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, Costco (COST) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXZ) carry a correlation of -0.28, a negative link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are COST and VXZ?
Over the past 3 years, COST and VXZ moved with a correlation of -0.28, which is negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. The past 12 months show a tighter link (0.01) than the 3-year average (-0.28). Over 5 years the correlation is -0.33, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is -143.7 %².
Among the 33 assets we track against COST, VXZ sits near the bottom by co-movement, at rank #33. The last year tells two different stories: COST led by 15.1 percentage points, -1.0% for COST against -16.1% for VXZ.
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 VXZ: side by side
| COST (Costco) | VXZ (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | -1.0% | -16.1% |
| 5-year return | +116.3% | -53.1% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 19.8% | 25.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.45 | -1.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -20.7% | -36.4% |
| Market cap | $414.5B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 48.1 | – |
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | – |
| Sector / category | Consumer Staples | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | COST | VXZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -19.0% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | +49.0% | -44.0% |
| 2024 | +39.6% | -12.7% |
| 2025 | -5.4% | +5.7% |
| 2026 | +8.9% | -10.5% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are COST and VXZ good diversifiers for each other?
Yes: at -0.28, the two have gone their own ways historically, which is what genuine diversification looks like.
FAQ
What is the correlation between COST and VXZ?
The COST/VXZ correlation stands at -0.28 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.01, 5 years: -0.33), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is VXZ a good diversifier for COST?
Yes: at -0.28, the two have gone their own ways historically, which is what genuine diversification looks like.
What does a correlation of -0.28 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-vxz.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/cost-vs-vxz/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: COST correlations · VXZ correlations
