HYG vs XLB — 18-Year Performance Comparison
High Yield Bonds vs Materials — backtested 2007–2024
XLB wins$37,180 vs $22,983 on $10,000 over 18 years
HYGHigh Yield Bonds
Final value$22,983
CAGR+4.7%
Max drawdown-17.5%
Best year+29% (2009)
Years won6 of 18
XLBMaterials
Final value$37,180
CAGR+7.6%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won12 of 18
Growth of $10,000
2007–2024HYGXLB
HYG$22,983
XLB$37,180
50/50 mix$30,714
50/50 blend: $30,714 (+6.4%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between HYG and XLB would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLB but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: HYG vs XLB
| Year | HYG | XLB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +8.0% | +6.5% | HYG |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +11.9% | XLB |
| 2022 | -11.0% | -13.8% | HYG |
| 2021 | +3.8% | +27.3% | XLB |
| 2020 | +4.5% | +20.6% | XLB |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +24.5% | XLB |
| 2018 | -2.0% | -14.7% | HYG |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +22.1% | XLB |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +17.4% | XLB |
| 2015 | -5.0% | -8.0% | HYG |
| 2014 | +1.9% | +6.9% | XLB |
| 2013 | +5.8% | +25.6% | XLB |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +15.4% | XLB |
| 2011 | +6.8% | -9.8% | HYG |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +20.5% | XLB |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +47.6% | XLB |
| 2008 | -17.6% | -44.9% | HYG |
| 2007 | +1.6% | +22.9% | XLB |
More comparisons
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