XLB vs GLD — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Materials vs Gold — backtested 2005–2024
GLD wins$55,289 vs $50,514 on $10,000 over 20 years
XLBMaterials
Final value$50,514
CAGR+8.4%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won10 of 20
GLDGold
Final value$55,289
CAGR+8.9%
Max drawdown-37.4%
Best year+31% (2007)
Years won10 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024XLBGLD
XLB$50,514
GLD$55,289
50/50 mix$59,746
50/50 blend: $59,746 (+9.3%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLB and GLD would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLB vs GLD
| Year | XLB | GLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +6.5% | +26.7% | GLD |
| 2023 | +11.9% | +12.7% | GLD |
| 2022 | -13.8% | -0.8% | GLD |
| 2021 | +27.3% | -4.2% | XLB |
| 2020 | +20.6% | +24.8% | GLD |
| 2019 | +24.5% | +17.9% | XLB |
| 2018 | -14.7% | -1.9% | GLD |
| 2017 | +22.1% | +12.8% | XLB |
| 2016 | +17.4% | +8.0% | XLB |
| 2015 | -8.0% | -10.7% | XLB |
| 2014 | +6.9% | -2.2% | XLB |
| 2013 | +25.6% | -28.3% | XLB |
| 2012 | +15.4% | +6.6% | XLB |
| 2011 | -9.8% | +9.6% | GLD |
| 2010 | +20.5% | +29.3% | GLD |
| 2009 | +47.6% | +24.0% | XLB |
| 2008 | -44.9% | +5.0% | GLD |
| 2007 | +22.9% | +30.6% | GLD |
| 2006 | +22.4% | +22.2% | XLB |
| 2005 | +11.0% | +18.0% | GLD |
More comparisons
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