QQQ vs XLU — 25-Year Performance Comparison
Nasdaq 100 vs Utilities — backtested 2000–2024
QQQ wins$66,328 vs $62,254 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
XLUUtilities
Final value$62,254
CAGR+7.6%
Max drawdown-48.7%
Best year+52% (2000)
Years won13 of 25
Growth of $10,000
2000–2024QQQXLU
QQQ$66,328
XLU$62,254
50/50 mix$80,249
50/50 blend: $80,249 (+8.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between QQQ and XLU would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: QQQ vs XLU
| Year | QQQ | XLU | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +25.6% | +23.4% | QQQ |
| 2023 | +54.9% | -10.2% | QQQ |
| 2022 | -32.6% | -0.9% | XLU |
| 2021 | +27.4% | +17.7% | QQQ |
| 2020 | +48.6% | -0.6% | QQQ |
| 2019 | +39.0% | +26.3% | QQQ |
| 2018 | -0.1% | +4.4% | XLU |
| 2017 | +32.7% | +12.1% | QQQ |
| 2016 | +7.1% | +16.3% | XLU |
| 2015 | +9.4% | -4.8% | QQQ |
| 2014 | +19.2% | +29.0% | XLU |
| 2013 | +36.6% | +13.2% | QQQ |
| 2012 | +18.1% | +1.4% | QQQ |
| 2011 | +3.0% | +20.0% | XLU |
| 2010 | +20.0% | +5.5% | QQQ |
| 2009 | +54.7% | +11.5% | QQQ |
| 2008 | -41.7% | -29.0% | XLU |
| 2007 | +19.7% | +20.2% | XLU |
| 2006 | +7.0% | +21.3% | XLU |
| 2005 | +2.2% | +16.5% | XLU |
| 2004 | +10.4% | +23.9% | XLU |
| 2003 | +50.3% | +21.9% | QQQ |
| 2002 | -37.6% | -29.0% | XLU |
| 2001 | -32.6% | -27.7% | XLU |
| 2000 | -36.8% | +51.5% | XLU |
More comparisons
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