DXC Technology vs S&P 500: A Five-Year Performance Deep Dive
Summary: Curious how DXC Technology’s stock has fared against the S&P 500 in the past five years? This article walks you through the actual performance numbers, shows you how to check them yourself, shares insights from seasoned investors, and even brings in some official data and a real-life case study. If you’re weighing DXC as an investment, or just want to understand how a big IT services firm stacks up against the market, read on.
What’s the Problem Here?
Lots of investors hear about the S&P 500 as a benchmark, but when you’re looking at a specific company like DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), it’s not always obvious how to compare the two. People want to know, “Has DXC outperformed the index? Is it a hidden gem, or a laggard?”
I’ve run into this myself. Years ago, a friend asked me if she should put some of her retirement savings into DXC after reading a bullish analyst report. I told her, “Let’s not just take their word for it. Let’s pull up the hard data and see how DXC’s stock has actually done compared to the S&P 500.” This article goes through exactly how to do that, complete with screenshots, mistakes I made along the way, and what I learned.
How to Compare DXC and the S&P 500: Step-by-Step (With Screenshots)
Step 1: Get the Historical Price Data
The easiest way to do this is via Yahoo Finance or Google Finance. Here’s what I did:
- Searched for “DXC Technology” on Yahoo Finance.
- Clicked on the “Chart” tab.
- Set the time range to “5Y” (five years).
- For comparison, I typed “S&P 500” or symbol “^GSPC” into the “Compare” box.
- The site automatically overlaid the S&P 500 chart on top of DXC’s.
Screenshot Example:
Source: Yahoo Finance, 2024
This visual makes it immediately obvious if DXC is trending above or below the market.
Step 2: Calculate Actual Returns (Total Return Matters!)
It’s important to look at total return—meaning, not just stock price change, but also dividends. For DXC, dividend payouts have been minimal since 2019, so for practical purposes, price return and total return are nearly identical.
When I pulled the numbers (June 2019 to June 2024):
- DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC): Down about -55% over five years. It started near $54/share in June 2019, recently hovering around $24/share in June 2024. (Source: Morningstar)
- S&P 500 Index (^GSPC): Up about +85% in the same period. From roughly 2950 to 5450 points. (Source: Yahoo Finance)
I’ll admit, the first time I checked, I thought maybe I’d made a mistake—DXC looked like it had dropped off a cliff compared to the index. But after double-checking several sources, that’s the harsh reality. (You can see the data in the Slickcharts S&P 500 total return table too.)
Step 3: Why the Underperformance? (Expert Viewpoints)
To get a real sense of what’s going on, I reached out to an IT services analyst at Forrester (I’ll call him Mark, since he didn’t want his full name published). He told me:
“DXC’s challenges are pretty well documented. After the merger of CSC and HPE’s services arm, the integration was bumpy. They lost some big clients, struggled with declining legacy business, and had a hard time shifting to high-growth digital services. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has benefited from massive gains in technology and consumer stocks. It’s not a fair fight.”
If you want something more official, check out DXC’s own filings with the SEC, where they detail operational headwinds and restructuring (see 2023 Annual Report, SEC).
Step 4: Case Study—A Real Portfolio Example
Let’s say you invested $10,000 in each in June 2019:
- DXC: $10,000 would now be worth roughly $4,500 (ignoring tiny dividends and taxes).
- S&P 500 ETF (SPY): $10,000 would now be worth about $18,500 (total return, including dividends).
That’s a huge difference. I actually made this mistake myself in 2020—bought some DXC thinking it was a turnaround play. Ended up selling after a 35% loss. Sometimes the market is telling you something for a reason.
Step 5: What Do the Official Numbers Say?
The SEC, FINRA, and major investment research firms all recommend using total return and not just price return when comparing assets (Investor.gov: Understanding Stock Market Indexes). The S&P 500 index is widely considered the key benchmark for US equities, tracked by S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P Global: S&P 500).
DXC’s performance is also tracked by institutional databases like Morningstar and Bloomberg. All show the same general result: DXC has underperformed the S&P 500 by a wide margin in the past five years.
Quick Comparison Table (DXC vs S&P 500, June 2019 - June 2024)
| Name | Ticker | 5-Year Return | Dividends? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DXC Technology | DXC | -55% | Negligible | Morningstar |
| S&P 500 Index | ^GSPC | +85% | Yes | Slickcharts |
A Broader Angle: “Verified Trade” Standard Differences Table
Since this question touches on standards and verification (at least metaphorically), here’s a sample table showing how different countries approach “verified trade” standards, based on WTO and OECD documents.
| Country/Region | Standard Name | Legal Basis | Enforcement Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) | Trade Act of 2002 | CBP (Customs & Border Protection) |
| European Union | Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) | EU Customs Code | National Customs Authorities |
| China | AEO China | General Administration of Customs Order No. 237 | GACC (General Administration of Customs) |
Sources: WTO Trade Facilitation, OECD: Trade Facilitation
Case Study: A vs B—Trade Certification Dispute
Here’s a story I heard at an industry conference: Company A in Germany (AEO certified) ships to Company B in the US (C-TPAT certified). One shipment is delayed because US Customs questions the AEO paperwork. Each side insists their “verified trade” status should be recognized, but the standards are slightly different. Eventually, they resolve it by using the WTO’s recommended mutual recognition framework (WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement).
This reminds me a lot of comparing stocks: two systems that look similar, but the details (and the results) can be worlds apart.
Conclusion and Reflections
To wrap up, the data is clear: DXC Technology’s stock has significantly underperformed the S&P 500 over the past five years, with a roughly 55% loss versus an 85% gain for the index. This is not just a blip—it reflects deep operational and strategic challenges. If you’re a long-term investor, this comparison shows why using a broad-market ETF as your benchmark is so powerful.
I have to admit, when I first started digging into this, I thought maybe DXC was just having a rough patch. But the numbers don’t lie. There’s no shame in following the evidence and changing your mind—something I wish I’d done sooner.
My advice: If you’re ever unsure about a stock, do this exact exercise. Pull up the charts, crunch the numbers, read the filings, and if possible, talk to an expert or two. The S&P 500 isn’t perfect, but it’s a tough benchmark to beat. And always, always check the real data—don’t just trust the headlines.
Next Steps:
- Compare other stocks or funds the same way—don’t assume past performance predicts the future.
- Use multiple sources for data: Yahoo Finance, Morningstar, SEC filings.
- For deeper analysis, look at total return calculators (e.g. Dividend Channel DRIP Return Calculator).
- When evaluating “verified” standards (in trade or investing), look at the details—legal basis, enforcement, and practical execution.
Got questions or a different take? I’d love to hear your real-life results or mistakes in the comments.