LQD vs XLF — 23-Year Performance Comparison
Investment-Grade Corp Bonds vs Financials — backtested 2002–2024
XLF wins$34,066 vs $26,647 on $10,000 over 23 years
LQDInvestment-Grade Corp Bonds
Final value$26,647
CAGR+4.4%
Max drawdown-19.4%
Best year+17% (2019)
Years won7 of 23
XLFFinancials
Final value$34,066
CAGR+5.5%
Max drawdown-63.6%
Best year+36% (2013)
Years won16 of 23
Growth of $10,000
2002–2024LQDXLF
LQD$26,647
XLF$34,066
50/50 mix$35,681
50/50 blend: $35,681 (+5.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between LQD and XLF would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: LQD vs XLF
| Year | LQD | XLF | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +0.9% | +30.9% | XLF |
| 2023 | +9.4% | +12.2% | XLF |
| 2022 | -17.9% | -10.5% | XLF |
| 2021 | -1.8% | +35.0% | XLF |
| 2020 | +11.0% | -1.7% | LQD |
| 2019 | +17.4% | +32.1% | XLF |
| 2018 | -3.8% | -14.6% | LQD |
| 2017 | +7.1% | +22.2% | XLF |
| 2016 | +6.2% | +22.8% | XLF |
| 2015 | -1.3% | -1.5% | LQD |
| 2014 | +8.2% | +15.2% | XLF |
| 2013 | -2.0% | +35.6% | XLF |
| 2012 | +10.6% | +29.0% | XLF |
| 2011 | +9.7% | -17.1% | LQD |
| 2010 | +9.3% | +12.1% | XLF |
| 2009 | +8.4% | +17.5% | XLF |
| 2008 | +2.4% | -55.3% | LQD |
| 2007 | +3.7% | -18.6% | LQD |
| 2006 | +4.2% | +19.1% | XLF |
| 2005 | +1.2% | +6.1% | XLF |
| 2004 | +5.7% | +10.7% | XLF |
| 2003 | +7.3% | +29.1% | XLF |
| 2002 | +9.9% | -19.0% | LQD |
More comparisons
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