SPY vs XLP — 26-Year Performance Comparison
S&P 500 vs Consumer Staples — backtested 1999–2024
SPY wins$76,190 vs $66,700 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 won17 of 26
XLPConsumer Staples
Final value$66,700
CAGR+7.6%
Max drawdown-15.4%
Best year+28% (2019)
Years won9 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024SPYXLP
SPY$76,190
XLP$66,700
50/50 mix$75,658
50/50 blend: $75,658 (+8.1%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between SPY and XLP would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than SPY but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: SPY vs XLP
| Year | SPY | XLP | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.3% | +14.7% | SPY |
| 2023 | +26.3% | -1.3% | SPY |
| 2022 | -18.2% | -3.2% | XLP |
| 2021 | +28.7% | +18.6% | SPY |
| 2020 | +18.4% | +10.7% | SPY |
| 2019 | +31.5% | +27.6% | SPY |
| 2018 | -4.4% | -8.5% | SPY |
| 2017 | +21.8% | +13.7% | SPY |
| 2016 | +12.0% | -2.4% | SPY |
| 2015 | +1.4% | +7.0% | XLP |
| 2014 | +13.7% | +16.0% | XLP |
| 2013 | +32.4% | +26.1% | SPY |
| 2012 | +16.0% | +10.8% | SPY |
| 2011 | +2.1% | +14.0% | XLP |
| 2010 | +15.1% | +14.1% | SPY |
| 2009 | +26.5% | +14.9% | SPY |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -15.4% | XLP |
| 2007 | +5.5% | +14.3% | XLP |
| 2006 | +15.8% | +14.3% | SPY |
| 2005 | +4.9% | +3.1% | SPY |
| 2004 | +10.9% | +5.6% | SPY |
| 2003 | +28.7% | +12.6% | SPY |
| 2002 | -22.1% | -5.6% | XLP |
| 2001 | -11.9% | +1.2% | XLP |
| 2000 | -9.1% | +17.2% | XLP |
| 1999 | +21.0% | -9.0% | SPY |
More comparisons
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