XLB vs XLP — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Materials vs Consumer Staples — backtested 1999–2024
XLP wins$66,700 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 won14 of 26
XLPConsumer Staples
Final value$66,700
CAGR+7.6%
Max drawdown-15.4%
Best year+28% (2019)
Years won12 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLBXLP
XLB$59,591
XLP$66,700
50/50 mix$68,311
50/50 blend: $68,311 (+7.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLB and XLP would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLB vs XLP
| Year | XLB | XLP | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +6.5% | +14.7% | XLP |
| 2023 | +11.9% | -1.3% | XLB |
| 2022 | -13.8% | -3.2% | XLP |
| 2021 | +27.3% | +18.6% | XLB |
| 2020 | +20.6% | +10.7% | XLB |
| 2019 | +24.5% | +27.6% | XLP |
| 2018 | -14.7% | -8.5% | XLP |
| 2017 | +22.1% | +13.7% | XLB |
| 2016 | +17.4% | -2.4% | XLB |
| 2015 | -8.0% | +7.0% | XLP |
| 2014 | +6.9% | +16.0% | XLP |
| 2013 | +25.6% | +26.1% | XLP |
| 2012 | +15.4% | +10.8% | XLB |
| 2011 | -9.8% | +14.0% | XLP |
| 2010 | +20.5% | +14.1% | XLB |
| 2009 | +47.6% | +14.9% | XLB |
| 2008 | -44.9% | -15.4% | XLP |
| 2007 | +22.9% | +14.3% | XLB |
| 2006 | +22.4% | +14.3% | XLB |
| 2005 | +11.0% | +3.1% | XLB |
| 2004 | +13.0% | +5.6% | XLB |
| 2003 | +22.7% | +12.6% | XLB |
| 2002 | -7.4% | -5.6% | XLP |
| 2001 | -9.1% | +1.2% | XLP |
| 2000 | -15.2% | +17.2% | XLP |
| 1999 | +19.2% | -9.0% | XLB |
More comparisons
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