QQQ vs XLE — 25-Year Performance Comparison
Nasdaq 100 vs Energy — backtested 2000–2024
XLE wins$67,428 vs $66,328 on $10,000 over 25 years
QQQNasdaq 100
Final value$66,328
CAGR+7.9%
Max drawdown-73.4%
Best year+55% (2023)
Years won12 of 25
XLEEnergy
Final value$67,428
CAGR+7.9%
Max drawdown-42.8%
Best year+64% (2022)
Years won13 of 25
Growth of $10,000
2000–2024QQQXLE
QQQ$66,328
XLE$67,428
50/50 mix$94,775
50/50 blend: $94,775 (+9.4%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between QQQ and XLE would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: QQQ vs XLE
| Year | QQQ | XLE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +25.6% | +5.4% | QQQ |
| 2023 | +54.9% | +2.2% | QQQ |
| 2022 | -32.6% | +64.2% | XLE |
| 2021 | +27.4% | +53.4% | XLE |
| 2020 | +48.6% | -31.8% | QQQ |
| 2019 | +39.0% | +11.8% | QQQ |
| 2018 | -0.1% | -18.2% | QQQ |
| 2017 | +32.7% | -1.0% | QQQ |
| 2016 | +7.1% | +27.4% | XLE |
| 2015 | +9.4% | -21.1% | QQQ |
| 2014 | +19.2% | -7.8% | QQQ |
| 2013 | +36.6% | +25.1% | QQQ |
| 2012 | +18.1% | +4.6% | QQQ |
| 2011 | +3.0% | +14.9% | XLE |
| 2010 | +20.0% | +20.6% | XLE |
| 2009 | +54.7% | +13.3% | QQQ |
| 2008 | -41.7% | -37.6% | XLE |
| 2007 | +19.7% | +35.0% | XLE |
| 2006 | +7.0% | +24.4% | XLE |
| 2005 | +2.2% | +40.2% | XLE |
| 2004 | +10.4% | +31.4% | XLE |
| 2003 | +50.3% | +26.1% | QQQ |
| 2002 | -37.6% | -10.1% | XLE |
| 2001 | -32.6% | -8.1% | XLE |
| 2000 | -36.8% | +5.1% | XLE |
More comparisons
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