XLB vs XLK — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Materials vs Technology — backtested 1999–2024
XLK wins$104,919 vs $59,591 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
XLKTechnology
Final value$104,919
CAGR+9.5%
Max drawdown-74.3%
Best year+62% (2009)
Years won15 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLBXLK
XLB$59,591
XLK$104,919
50/50 mix$87,954
50/50 blend: $87,954 (+8.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLB and XLK would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLK but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLB vs XLK
| Year | XLB | XLK | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +6.5% | +24.0% | XLK |
| 2023 | +11.9% | +57.8% | XLK |
| 2022 | -13.8% | -28.2% | XLB |
| 2021 | +27.3% | +34.5% | XLK |
| 2020 | +20.6% | +43.9% | XLK |
| 2019 | +24.5% | +50.3% | XLK |
| 2018 | -14.7% | -1.6% | XLK |
| 2017 | +22.1% | +38.8% | XLK |
| 2016 | +17.4% | +13.9% | XLB |
| 2015 | -8.0% | +4.3% | XLK |
| 2014 | +6.9% | +19.8% | XLK |
| 2013 | +25.6% | +27.7% | XLK |
| 2012 | +15.4% | +14.0% | XLB |
| 2011 | -9.8% | +2.7% | XLK |
| 2010 | +20.5% | +11.1% | XLB |
| 2009 | +47.6% | +61.7% | XLK |
| 2008 | -44.9% | -42.3% | XLK |
| 2007 | +22.9% | +16.4% | XLB |
| 2006 | +22.4% | +12.2% | XLB |
| 2005 | +11.0% | +1.6% | XLB |
| 2004 | +13.0% | +3.7% | XLB |
| 2003 | +22.7% | +49.6% | XLK |
| 2002 | -7.4% | -37.5% | XLB |
| 2001 | -9.1% | -31.2% | XLB |
| 2000 | -15.2% | -40.2% | XLB |
| 1999 | +19.2% | +61.0% | XLK |
More comparisons
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