SPY vs XLV — 26-Year Performance Comparison
S&P 500 vs Health Care — backtested 1999–2024
SPY wins$76,190 vs $67,678 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 won12 of 26
XLVHealth Care
Final value$67,678
CAGR+7.6%
Max drawdown-27.2%
Best year+41% (2013)
Years won14 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024SPYXLV
SPY$76,190
XLV$67,678
50/50 mix$75,823
50/50 blend: $75,823 (+8.1%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between SPY and XLV would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than SPY but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: SPY vs XLV
| Year | SPY | XLV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.3% | +2.6% | SPY |
| 2023 | +26.3% | +2.1% | SPY |
| 2022 | -18.2% | -2.1% | XLV |
| 2021 | +28.7% | +26.1% | SPY |
| 2020 | +18.4% | +13.4% | SPY |
| 2019 | +31.5% | +20.8% | SPY |
| 2018 | -4.4% | +6.5% | XLV |
| 2017 | +21.8% | +22.1% | XLV |
| 2016 | +12.0% | -2.7% | SPY |
| 2015 | +1.4% | +6.9% | XLV |
| 2014 | +13.7% | +25.3% | XLV |
| 2013 | +32.4% | +41.4% | XLV |
| 2012 | +16.0% | +17.4% | XLV |
| 2011 | +2.1% | +10.2% | XLV |
| 2010 | +15.1% | +3.2% | SPY |
| 2009 | +26.5% | +19.0% | SPY |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -22.8% | XLV |
| 2007 | +5.5% | +7.3% | XLV |
| 2006 | +15.8% | +6.6% | SPY |
| 2005 | +4.9% | +7.6% | XLV |
| 2004 | +10.9% | +1.6% | SPY |
| 2003 | +28.7% | +17.0% | SPY |
| 2002 | -22.1% | -17.7% | XLV |
| 2001 | -11.9% | -11.6% | XLV |
| 2000 | -9.1% | +28.4% | XLV |
| 1999 | +21.0% | -4.9% | SPY |
More comparisons
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