SPY vs XLB — 26-Year Performance Comparison
S&P 500 vs Materials — backtested 1999–2024
SPY wins$76,190 vs $59,591 on $10,000 over 26 years
SPYS&P 500
Final value$76,190
CAGR+8.1%
Max drawdown-37.6%
Best year+32% (2013)
Years won14 of 26
XLBMaterials
Final value$59,591
CAGR+7.1%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won12 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024SPYXLB
SPY$76,190
XLB$59,591
50/50 mix$69,095
50/50 blend: $69,095 (+7.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between SPY and XLB would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than SPY but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: SPY vs XLB
| Year | SPY | XLB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.3% | +6.5% | SPY |
| 2023 | +26.3% | +11.9% | SPY |
| 2022 | -18.2% | -13.8% | XLB |
| 2021 | +28.7% | +27.3% | SPY |
| 2020 | +18.4% | +20.6% | XLB |
| 2019 | +31.5% | +24.5% | SPY |
| 2018 | -4.4% | -14.7% | SPY |
| 2017 | +21.8% | +22.1% | XLB |
| 2016 | +12.0% | +17.4% | XLB |
| 2015 | +1.4% | -8.0% | SPY |
| 2014 | +13.7% | +6.9% | SPY |
| 2013 | +32.4% | +25.6% | SPY |
| 2012 | +16.0% | +15.4% | SPY |
| 2011 | +2.1% | -9.8% | SPY |
| 2010 | +15.1% | +20.5% | XLB |
| 2009 | +26.5% | +47.6% | XLB |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -44.9% | SPY |
| 2007 | +5.5% | +22.9% | XLB |
| 2006 | +15.8% | +22.4% | XLB |
| 2005 | +4.9% | +11.0% | XLB |
| 2004 | +10.9% | +13.0% | XLB |
| 2003 | +28.7% | +22.7% | SPY |
| 2002 | -22.1% | -7.4% | XLB |
| 2001 | -11.9% | -9.1% | XLB |
| 2000 | -9.1% | -15.2% | SPY |
| 1999 | +21.0% | +19.2% | SPY |
More comparisons
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