LQD vs XLV — 23-Year Performance Comparison
Investment-Grade Corp Bonds vs Health Care — backtested 2002–2024
XLV wins$62,697 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 won6 of 23
XLVHealth Care
Final value$62,697
CAGR+8.3%
Max drawdown-22.8%
Best year+41% (2013)
Years won17 of 23
Growth of $10,000
2002–2024LQDXLV
LQD$26,647
XLV$62,697
50/50 mix$43,454
50/50 blend: $43,454 (+6.6%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between LQD and XLV would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLV but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: LQD vs XLV
| Year | LQD | XLV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +0.9% | +2.6% | XLV |
| 2023 | +9.4% | +2.1% | LQD |
| 2022 | -17.9% | -2.1% | XLV |
| 2021 | -1.8% | +26.1% | XLV |
| 2020 | +11.0% | +13.4% | XLV |
| 2019 | +17.4% | +20.8% | XLV |
| 2018 | -3.8% | +6.5% | XLV |
| 2017 | +7.1% | +22.1% | XLV |
| 2016 | +6.2% | -2.7% | LQD |
| 2015 | -1.3% | +6.9% | XLV |
| 2014 | +8.2% | +25.3% | XLV |
| 2013 | -2.0% | +41.4% | XLV |
| 2012 | +10.6% | +17.4% | XLV |
| 2011 | +9.7% | +10.2% | XLV |
| 2010 | +9.3% | +3.2% | LQD |
| 2009 | +8.4% | +19.0% | XLV |
| 2008 | +2.4% | -22.8% | LQD |
| 2007 | +3.7% | +7.3% | XLV |
| 2006 | +4.2% | +6.6% | XLV |
| 2005 | +1.2% | +7.6% | XLV |
| 2004 | +5.7% | +1.6% | LQD |
| 2003 | +7.3% | +17.0% | XLV |
| 2002 | +9.9% | -17.7% | LQD |
More comparisons
Build your portfolio
Mix LQD + XLV with custom allocations
Try a 70/30 or 40/60 split — or add up to 3 more ETFs. See exactly how your custom portfolio would have performed.
Open Portfolio Builder →Past performance does not guarantee future results.