ALB vs SQM: which was the better investment?
Albemarle Corporation against Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Feb 22, 1994 to Aug 28, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did ALB beat SQM?
No — measured from Feb 22, 1994 to Aug 28, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SQM came out ahead: $618,723 versus $324,787 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 13.5% annual return against 11.3%.
What would $10,000 in ALB be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Albemarle Corporation (ALB) on Feb 22, 1994 would be worth about $324,787 as of Aug 28, 2026, a total return of 3147.9% (11.3% per year). The same $10,000 in SQM would be worth $618,723.
Which was riskier — ALB or SQM?
ALB swung with an annualized volatility of 39.9% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -83.9%; SQM ran at 40.5% volatility with a -77.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.23 for ALB vs 0.28 for SQM.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Feb 22, 1994 through Aug 28, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with ALB vs SQM. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.