IWM vs XLB — 25-Year Performance Comparison
US Small-Cap vs Materials — backtested 2000–2024
IWM wins$66,766 vs $49,993 on $10,000 over 25 years
IWMUS Small-Cap
Final value$66,766
CAGR+7.9%
Max drawdown-35.3%
Best year+48% (2003)
Years won15 of 25
XLBMaterials
Final value$49,993
CAGR+6.6%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won10 of 25
Growth of $10,000
2000–2024IWMXLB
IWM$66,766
XLB$49,993
50/50 mix$59,775
50/50 blend: $59,775 (+7.4%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between IWM and XLB would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than IWM but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: IWM vs XLB
| Year | IWM | XLB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +11.4% | +6.5% | IWM |
| 2023 | +16.8% | +11.9% | IWM |
| 2022 | -20.5% | -13.8% | XLB |
| 2021 | +14.5% | +27.3% | XLB |
| 2020 | +20.0% | +20.6% | XLB |
| 2019 | +25.4% | +24.5% | IWM |
| 2018 | -11.1% | -14.7% | IWM |
| 2017 | +14.6% | +22.1% | XLB |
| 2016 | +21.6% | +17.4% | IWM |
| 2015 | -4.5% | -8.0% | IWM |
| 2014 | +5.0% | +6.9% | XLB |
| 2013 | +38.7% | +25.6% | IWM |
| 2012 | +16.7% | +15.4% | IWM |
| 2011 | -4.4% | -9.8% | IWM |
| 2010 | +26.9% | +20.5% | IWM |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +47.6% | XLB |
| 2008 | -34.2% | -44.9% | IWM |
| 2007 | -1.8% | +22.9% | XLB |
| 2006 | +18.3% | +22.4% | XLB |
| 2005 | +4.5% | +11.0% | XLB |
| 2004 | +18.1% | +13.0% | IWM |
| 2003 | +47.9% | +22.7% | IWM |
| 2002 | -20.4% | -7.4% | XLB |
| 2001 | +1.8% | -9.1% | IWM |
| 2000 | +5.6% | -15.2% | IWM |
More comparisons
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