XLB vs XLU — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Materials vs Utilities — backtested 1999–2024
XLB wins$59,591 vs $53,539 on $10,000 over 26 years
XLBMaterials
Final value$59,591
CAGR+7.1%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won15 of 26
XLUUtilities
Final value$53,539
CAGR+6.7%
Max drawdown-48.7%
Best year+52% (2000)
Years won11 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLBXLU
XLB$59,591
XLU$53,539
50/50 mix$64,478
50/50 blend: $64,478 (+7.4%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLB and XLU would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLB vs XLU
| Year | XLB | XLU | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +6.5% | +23.4% | XLU |
| 2023 | +11.9% | -10.2% | XLB |
| 2022 | -13.8% | -0.9% | XLU |
| 2021 | +27.3% | +17.7% | XLB |
| 2020 | +20.6% | -0.6% | XLB |
| 2019 | +24.5% | +26.3% | XLU |
| 2018 | -14.7% | +4.4% | XLU |
| 2017 | +22.1% | +12.1% | XLB |
| 2016 | +17.4% | +16.3% | XLB |
| 2015 | -8.0% | -4.8% | XLU |
| 2014 | +6.9% | +29.0% | XLU |
| 2013 | +25.6% | +13.2% | XLB |
| 2012 | +15.4% | +1.4% | XLB |
| 2011 | -9.8% | +20.0% | XLU |
| 2010 | +20.5% | +5.5% | XLB |
| 2009 | +47.6% | +11.5% | XLB |
| 2008 | -44.9% | -29.0% | XLU |
| 2007 | +22.9% | +20.2% | XLB |
| 2006 | +22.4% | +21.3% | XLB |
| 2005 | +11.0% | +16.5% | XLU |
| 2004 | +13.0% | +23.9% | XLU |
| 2003 | +22.7% | +21.9% | XLB |
| 2002 | -7.4% | -29.0% | XLB |
| 2001 | -9.1% | -27.7% | XLB |
| 2000 | -15.2% | +51.5% | XLU |
| 1999 | +19.2% | -14.0% | XLB |
More comparisons
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