TLT vs XLU — 21-Year Performance Comparison
Long-Term Treasuries vs Utilities — backtested 2004–2024
XLU wins$65,669 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 won7 of 21
XLUUtilities
Final value$65,669
CAGR+9.4%
Max drawdown-29.0%
Best year+29% (2014)
Years won14 of 21
Growth of $10,000
2004–2024TLTXLU
TLT$20,150
XLU$65,669
50/50 mix$41,312
50/50 blend: $41,312 (+7.0%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between TLT and XLU would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLU but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: TLT vs XLU
| Year | TLT | XLU | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -8.1% | +23.4% | XLU |
| 2023 | +2.8% | -10.2% | TLT |
| 2022 | -31.2% | -0.9% | XLU |
| 2021 | -4.6% | +17.7% | XLU |
| 2020 | +18.1% | -0.6% | TLT |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +26.3% | XLU |
| 2018 | -1.6% | +4.4% | XLU |
| 2017 | +9.2% | +12.1% | XLU |
| 2016 | +1.2% | +16.3% | XLU |
| 2015 | -1.8% | -4.8% | TLT |
| 2014 | +27.3% | +29.0% | XLU |
| 2013 | -13.4% | +13.2% | XLU |
| 2012 | +2.6% | +1.4% | TLT |
| 2011 | +34.0% | +20.0% | TLT |
| 2010 | +9.1% | +5.5% | TLT |
| 2009 | -21.8% | +11.5% | XLU |
| 2008 | +33.9% | -29.0% | TLT |
| 2007 | +10.3% | +20.2% | XLU |
| 2006 | +0.7% | +21.3% | XLU |
| 2005 | +8.8% | +16.5% | XLU |
| 2004 | +7.9% | +23.9% | XLU |
More comparisons
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