XLB vs XLF — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Materials vs Financials — backtested 1999–2024
XLB wins$59,591 vs $46,729 on $10,000 over 26 years
XLBMaterials
Final value$59,591
CAGR+7.1%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won11 of 26
XLFFinancials
Final value$46,729
CAGR+6.1%
Max drawdown-63.6%
Best year+36% (2013)
Years won15 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLBXLF
XLB$59,591
XLF$46,729
50/50 mix$56,752
50/50 blend: $56,752 (+6.9%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLB and XLF would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLB but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLB vs XLF
| Year | XLB | XLF | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +6.5% | +30.9% | XLF |
| 2023 | +11.9% | +12.2% | XLF |
| 2022 | -13.8% | -10.5% | XLF |
| 2021 | +27.3% | +35.0% | XLF |
| 2020 | +20.6% | -1.7% | XLB |
| 2019 | +24.5% | +32.1% | XLF |
| 2018 | -14.7% | -14.6% | XLF |
| 2017 | +22.1% | +22.2% | XLF |
| 2016 | +17.4% | +22.8% | XLF |
| 2015 | -8.0% | -1.5% | XLF |
| 2014 | +6.9% | +15.2% | XLF |
| 2013 | +25.6% | +35.6% | XLF |
| 2012 | +15.4% | +29.0% | XLF |
| 2011 | -9.8% | -17.1% | XLB |
| 2010 | +20.5% | +12.1% | XLB |
| 2009 | +47.6% | +17.5% | XLB |
| 2008 | -44.9% | -55.3% | XLB |
| 2007 | +22.9% | -18.6% | XLB |
| 2006 | +22.4% | +19.1% | XLB |
| 2005 | +11.0% | +6.1% | XLB |
| 2004 | +13.0% | +10.7% | XLB |
| 2003 | +22.7% | +29.1% | XLF |
| 2002 | -7.4% | -19.0% | XLB |
| 2001 | -9.1% | -6.3% | XLF |
| 2000 | -15.2% | +26.2% | XLF |
| 1999 | +19.2% | +16.0% | XLB |
More comparisons
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