PRLB vs VXZ: Correlation
How closely do Proto Labs, Inc. (PRLB) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXZ) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of -0.40, which is negative.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are PRLB and VXZ?
On 3 years of weekly data the PRLB/VXZ correlation comes out at -0.40, negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. Lately the two have moved closer together, with the 1-year correlation at -0.29 versus -0.40 over 3 years. The 5-year figure is -0.36, and annualized covariance runs at -513.8 %².
Out of 17 assets tracked against PRLB, VXZ lands near the bottom at #16. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with PRLB ahead by 73.7 points (+57.6% versus -16.1%). Risk is not evenly split, since PRLB carries 2.0 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.
PRLB vs VXZ: side by side
| PRLB (Proto Labs, Inc.) | VXZ (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +57.6% | -16.1% |
| 5-year return | +10.1% | -53.1% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 50.3% | 25.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 1.52 | -1.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -33.6% | -36.4% |
| Market cap | $1.9B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 62.6 | – |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | – |
| Sector / category | US Listed | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | PRLB | VXZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -50.3% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | +52.6% | -44.0% |
| 2024 | +0.3% | -12.7% |
| 2025 | +29.4% | +5.7% |
| 2026 | +58.3% | -10.5% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are PRLB and VXZ good diversifiers for each other?
Yes. With a correlation of -0.40, PRLB and VXZ have moved largely independently, which makes them a genuinely diversifying pair by historical standards.
FAQ
What is the correlation between PRLB and VXZ?
As of 2026-08-27, the correlation of weekly returns between PRLB and VXZ is -0.40 over 3 years, -0.29 over 1 year and -0.36 over 5 years.
Is VXZ a good diversifier for PRLB?
Yes. With a correlation of -0.40, PRLB and VXZ have moved largely independently, which makes them a genuinely diversifying pair by historical standards.
What does a correlation of -0.40 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/prlb-vs-vxz.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/prlb-vs-vxz/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: PRLB correlations · VXZ correlations
