SPY vs XLK — 26-Year Performance Comparison
S&P 500 vs Technology — backtested 1999–2024
XLK wins$104,919 vs $76,190 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 won11 of 26
XLKTechnology
Final value$104,919
CAGR+9.5%
Max drawdown-74.3%
Best year+62% (2009)
Years won15 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024SPYXLK
SPY$76,190
XLK$104,919
50/50 mix$96,618
50/50 blend: $96,618 (+9.1%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between SPY and XLK would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLK but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: SPY vs XLK
| Year | SPY | XLK | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.3% | +24.0% | XLK |
| 2023 | +26.3% | +57.8% | XLK |
| 2022 | -18.2% | -28.2% | SPY |
| 2021 | +28.7% | +34.5% | XLK |
| 2020 | +18.4% | +43.9% | XLK |
| 2019 | +31.5% | +50.3% | XLK |
| 2018 | -4.4% | -1.6% | XLK |
| 2017 | +21.8% | +38.8% | XLK |
| 2016 | +12.0% | +13.9% | XLK |
| 2015 | +1.4% | +4.3% | XLK |
| 2014 | +13.7% | +19.8% | XLK |
| 2013 | +32.4% | +27.7% | SPY |
| 2012 | +16.0% | +14.0% | SPY |
| 2011 | +2.1% | +2.7% | XLK |
| 2010 | +15.1% | +11.1% | SPY |
| 2009 | +26.5% | +61.7% | XLK |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -42.3% | SPY |
| 2007 | +5.5% | +16.4% | XLK |
| 2006 | +15.8% | +12.2% | SPY |
| 2005 | +4.9% | +1.6% | SPY |
| 2004 | +10.9% | +3.7% | SPY |
| 2003 | +28.7% | +49.6% | XLK |
| 2002 | -22.1% | -37.5% | SPY |
| 2001 | -11.9% | -31.2% | SPY |
| 2000 | -9.1% | -40.2% | SPY |
| 1999 | +21.0% | +61.0% | XLK |
More comparisons
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