TLT vs XLB — 21-Year Performance Comparison
Long-Term Treasuries vs Materials — backtested 2004–2024
XLB wins$57,081 vs $20,150 on $10,000 over 21 years
TLTLong-Term Treasuries
Final value$20,150
CAGR+3.4%
Max drawdown-38.0%
Best year+34% (2011)
Years won5 of 21
XLBMaterials
Final value$57,081
CAGR+8.6%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won16 of 21
Growth of $10,000
2004–2024TLTXLB
TLT$20,150
XLB$57,081
50/50 mix$42,419
50/50 blend: $42,419 (+7.1%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between TLT and XLB would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLB but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: TLT vs XLB
| Year | TLT | XLB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -8.1% | +6.5% | XLB |
| 2023 | +2.8% | +11.9% | XLB |
| 2022 | -31.2% | -13.8% | XLB |
| 2021 | -4.6% | +27.3% | XLB |
| 2020 | +18.1% | +20.6% | XLB |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +24.5% | XLB |
| 2018 | -1.6% | -14.7% | TLT |
| 2017 | +9.2% | +22.1% | XLB |
| 2016 | +1.2% | +17.4% | XLB |
| 2015 | -1.8% | -8.0% | TLT |
| 2014 | +27.3% | +6.9% | TLT |
| 2013 | -13.4% | +25.6% | XLB |
| 2012 | +2.6% | +15.4% | XLB |
| 2011 | +34.0% | -9.8% | TLT |
| 2010 | +9.1% | +20.5% | XLB |
| 2009 | -21.8% | +47.6% | XLB |
| 2008 | +33.9% | -44.9% | TLT |
| 2007 | +10.3% | +22.9% | XLB |
| 2006 | +0.7% | +22.4% | XLB |
| 2005 | +8.8% | +11.0% | XLB |
| 2004 | +7.9% | +13.0% | XLB |
More comparisons
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