HYG vs XLE — 18-Year Performance Comparison
High Yield Bonds vs Energy — backtested 2007–2024
XLE wins$26,871 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 won11 of 18
XLEEnergy
Final value$26,871
CAGR+5.6%
Max drawdown-42.8%
Best year+64% (2022)
Years won7 of 18
Growth of $10,000
2007–2024HYGXLE
HYG$22,983
XLE$26,871
50/50 mix$28,239
50/50 blend: $28,239 (+5.9%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between HYG and XLE would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: HYG vs XLE
| Year | HYG | XLE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +8.0% | +5.4% | HYG |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +2.2% | HYG |
| 2022 | -11.0% | +64.2% | XLE |
| 2021 | +3.8% | +53.4% | XLE |
| 2020 | +4.5% | -31.8% | HYG |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +11.8% | HYG |
| 2018 | -2.0% | -18.2% | HYG |
| 2017 | +6.1% | -1.0% | HYG |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +27.4% | XLE |
| 2015 | -5.0% | -21.1% | HYG |
| 2014 | +1.9% | -7.8% | HYG |
| 2013 | +5.8% | +25.1% | XLE |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +4.6% | HYG |
| 2011 | +6.8% | +14.9% | XLE |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +20.6% | XLE |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +13.3% | HYG |
| 2008 | -17.6% | -37.6% | HYG |
| 2007 | +1.6% | +35.0% | XLE |
More comparisons
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