IWM vs XLP — 25-Year Performance Comparison
US Small-Cap vs Consumer Staples — backtested 2000–2024
XLP wins$73,296 vs $66,766 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 won13 of 25
XLPConsumer Staples
Final value$73,296
CAGR+8.3%
Max drawdown-15.4%
Best year+28% (2019)
Years won12 of 25
Growth of $10,000
2000–2024IWMXLP
IWM$66,766
XLP$73,296
50/50 mix$73,797
50/50 blend: $73,797 (+8.3%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between IWM and XLP would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: IWM vs XLP
| Year | IWM | XLP | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +11.4% | +14.7% | XLP |
| 2023 | +16.8% | -1.3% | IWM |
| 2022 | -20.5% | -3.2% | XLP |
| 2021 | +14.5% | +18.6% | XLP |
| 2020 | +20.0% | +10.7% | IWM |
| 2019 | +25.4% | +27.6% | XLP |
| 2018 | -11.1% | -8.5% | XLP |
| 2017 | +14.6% | +13.7% | IWM |
| 2016 | +21.6% | -2.4% | IWM |
| 2015 | -4.5% | +7.0% | XLP |
| 2014 | +5.0% | +16.0% | XLP |
| 2013 | +38.7% | +26.1% | IWM |
| 2012 | +16.7% | +10.8% | IWM |
| 2011 | -4.4% | +14.0% | XLP |
| 2010 | +26.9% | +14.1% | IWM |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +14.9% | IWM |
| 2008 | -34.2% | -15.4% | XLP |
| 2007 | -1.8% | +14.3% | XLP |
| 2006 | +18.3% | +14.3% | IWM |
| 2005 | +4.5% | +3.1% | IWM |
| 2004 | +18.1% | +5.6% | IWM |
| 2003 | +47.9% | +12.6% | IWM |
| 2002 | -20.4% | -5.6% | XLP |
| 2001 | +1.8% | +1.2% | IWM |
| 2000 | +5.6% | +17.2% | XLP |
More comparisons
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