XLB vs VNQ — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Materials vs Real Estate (REIT) — backtested 2005–2024
XLB wins$50,514 vs $37,027 on $10,000 over 20 years
XLBMaterials
Final value$50,514
CAGR+8.4%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won9 of 20
VNQReal Estate (REIT)
Final value$37,027
CAGR+6.8%
Max drawdown-47.3%
Best year+41% (2021)
Years won11 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024XLBVNQ
XLB$50,514
VNQ$37,027
50/50 mix$45,759
50/50 blend: $45,759 (+7.9%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLB and VNQ would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLB but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLB vs VNQ
| Year | XLB | VNQ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +6.5% | +4.8% | XLB |
| 2023 | +11.9% | +11.8% | XLB |
| 2022 | -13.8% | -26.2% | XLB |
| 2021 | +27.3% | +40.5% | VNQ |
| 2020 | +20.6% | -4.7% | XLB |
| 2019 | +24.5% | +28.9% | VNQ |
| 2018 | -14.7% | -6.0% | VNQ |
| 2017 | +22.1% | +4.9% | XLB |
| 2016 | +17.4% | +8.6% | XLB |
| 2015 | -8.0% | +2.4% | VNQ |
| 2014 | +6.9% | +30.4% | VNQ |
| 2013 | +25.6% | +2.3% | XLB |
| 2012 | +15.4% | +17.6% | VNQ |
| 2011 | -9.8% | +8.6% | VNQ |
| 2010 | +20.5% | +28.4% | VNQ |
| 2009 | +47.6% | +30.1% | XLB |
| 2008 | -44.9% | -37.0% | VNQ |
| 2007 | +22.9% | -16.3% | XLB |
| 2006 | +22.4% | +35.2% | VNQ |
| 2005 | +11.0% | +11.6% | VNQ |
More comparisons
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