VNQ vs XLU — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Real Estate (REIT) vs Utilities — backtested 2005–2024
XLU wins$53,001 vs $37,027 on $10,000 over 20 years
VNQReal Estate (REIT)
Final value$37,027
CAGR+6.8%
Max drawdown-47.3%
Best year+41% (2021)
Years won9 of 20
XLUUtilities
Final value$53,001
CAGR+8.7%
Max drawdown-29.0%
Best year+29% (2014)
Years won11 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024VNQXLU
VNQ$37,027
XLU$53,001
50/50 mix$47,059
50/50 blend: $47,059 (+8.1%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between VNQ and XLU would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLU but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: VNQ vs XLU
| Year | VNQ | XLU | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +4.8% | +23.4% | XLU |
| 2023 | +11.8% | -10.2% | VNQ |
| 2022 | -26.2% | -0.9% | XLU |
| 2021 | +40.5% | +17.7% | VNQ |
| 2020 | -4.7% | -0.6% | XLU |
| 2019 | +28.9% | +26.3% | VNQ |
| 2018 | -6.0% | +4.4% | XLU |
| 2017 | +4.9% | +12.1% | XLU |
| 2016 | +8.6% | +16.3% | XLU |
| 2015 | +2.4% | -4.8% | VNQ |
| 2014 | +30.4% | +29.0% | VNQ |
| 2013 | +2.3% | +13.2% | XLU |
| 2012 | +17.6% | +1.4% | VNQ |
| 2011 | +8.6% | +20.0% | XLU |
| 2010 | +28.4% | +5.5% | VNQ |
| 2009 | +30.1% | +11.5% | VNQ |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -29.0% | XLU |
| 2007 | -16.3% | +20.2% | XLU |
| 2006 | +35.2% | +21.3% | VNQ |
| 2005 | +11.6% | +16.5% | XLU |
More comparisons
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