VNQ vs XLY — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Real Estate (REIT) vs Consumer Discretionary — backtested 2005–2024
XLY wins$105,027 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
XLYConsumer Discretionary
Final value$105,027
CAGR+12.5%
Max drawdown-37.0%
Best year+44% (2013)
Years won11 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024VNQXLY
VNQ$37,027
XLY$105,027
50/50 mix$66,472
50/50 blend: $66,472 (+9.9%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between VNQ and XLY would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLY but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: VNQ vs XLY
| Year | VNQ | XLY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +4.8% | +30.6% | XLY |
| 2023 | +11.8% | +41.1% | XLY |
| 2022 | -26.2% | -37.0% | VNQ |
| 2021 | +40.5% | +24.1% | VNQ |
| 2020 | -4.7% | +33.0% | XLY |
| 2019 | +28.9% | +27.9% | VNQ |
| 2018 | -6.0% | -0.5% | XLY |
| 2017 | +4.9% | +22.9% | XLY |
| 2016 | +8.6% | +6.0% | VNQ |
| 2015 | +2.4% | +10.1% | XLY |
| 2014 | +30.4% | +9.7% | VNQ |
| 2013 | +2.3% | +43.6% | XLY |
| 2012 | +17.6% | +23.8% | XLY |
| 2011 | +8.6% | +6.8% | VNQ |
| 2010 | +28.4% | +27.7% | VNQ |
| 2009 | +30.1% | +41.6% | XLY |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -33.5% | XLY |
| 2007 | -16.3% | +1.2% | XLY |
| 2006 | +35.2% | +17.3% | VNQ |
| 2005 | +11.6% | +1.0% | VNQ |
More comparisons
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