SPY vs XLI — 26-Year Performance Comparison
S&P 500 vs Industrials — backtested 1999–2024
SPY wins$76,190 vs $69,044 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 won16 of 26
XLIIndustrials
Final value$69,044
CAGR+7.7%
Max drawdown-39.9%
Best year+41% (2013)
Years won10 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024SPYXLI
SPY$76,190
XLI$69,044
50/50 mix$73,580
50/50 blend: $73,580 (+8.0%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between SPY and XLI would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than SPY but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: SPY vs XLI
| Year | SPY | XLI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.3% | +17.5% | SPY |
| 2023 | +26.3% | +18.0% | SPY |
| 2022 | -18.2% | -5.9% | XLI |
| 2021 | +28.7% | +21.1% | SPY |
| 2020 | +18.4% | +11.5% | SPY |
| 2019 | +31.5% | +29.4% | SPY |
| 2018 | -4.4% | -14.7% | SPY |
| 2017 | +21.8% | +21.0% | SPY |
| 2016 | +12.0% | +18.9% | XLI |
| 2015 | +1.4% | -2.5% | SPY |
| 2014 | +13.7% | +9.9% | SPY |
| 2013 | +32.4% | +40.7% | XLI |
| 2012 | +16.0% | +15.3% | SPY |
| 2011 | +2.1% | -0.6% | SPY |
| 2010 | +15.1% | +26.8% | XLI |
| 2009 | +26.5% | +20.9% | SPY |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -39.9% | SPY |
| 2007 | +5.5% | +12.2% | XLI |
| 2006 | +15.8% | +14.3% | SPY |
| 2005 | +4.9% | +10.0% | XLI |
| 2004 | +10.9% | +19.6% | XLI |
| 2003 | +28.7% | +23.0% | SPY |
| 2002 | -22.1% | -17.9% | XLI |
| 2001 | -11.9% | -8.0% | XLI |
| 2000 | -9.1% | -4.9% | XLI |
| 1999 | +21.0% | +4.0% | SPY |
More comparisons
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