SPY vs XLY — 26-Year Performance Comparison
S&P 500 vs Consumer Discretionary — backtested 1999–2024
XLY wins$119,011 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 won10 of 26
XLYConsumer Discretionary
Final value$119,011
CAGR+10.0%
Max drawdown-37.0%
Best year+44% (2013)
Years won16 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024SPYXLY
SPY$76,190
XLY$119,011
50/50 mix$97,266
50/50 blend: $97,266 (+9.1%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between SPY and XLY would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLY but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: SPY vs XLY
| Year | SPY | XLY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.3% | +30.6% | XLY |
| 2023 | +26.3% | +41.1% | XLY |
| 2022 | -18.2% | -37.0% | SPY |
| 2021 | +28.7% | +24.1% | SPY |
| 2020 | +18.4% | +33.0% | XLY |
| 2019 | +31.5% | +27.9% | SPY |
| 2018 | -4.4% | -0.5% | XLY |
| 2017 | +21.8% | +22.9% | XLY |
| 2016 | +12.0% | +6.0% | SPY |
| 2015 | +1.4% | +10.1% | XLY |
| 2014 | +13.7% | +9.7% | SPY |
| 2013 | +32.4% | +43.6% | XLY |
| 2012 | +16.0% | +23.8% | XLY |
| 2011 | +2.1% | +6.8% | XLY |
| 2010 | +15.1% | +27.7% | XLY |
| 2009 | +26.5% | +41.6% | XLY |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -33.5% | XLY |
| 2007 | +5.5% | +1.2% | SPY |
| 2006 | +15.8% | +17.3% | XLY |
| 2005 | +4.9% | +1.0% | SPY |
| 2004 | +10.9% | +12.5% | XLY |
| 2003 | +28.7% | +28.4% | SPY |
| 2002 | -22.1% | -18.3% | XLY |
| 2001 | -11.9% | -4.4% | XLY |
| 2000 | -9.1% | -15.6% | SPY |
| 1999 | +21.0% | +19.0% | SPY |
More comparisons
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