XLB vs XLV — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Materials vs Health Care — backtested 1999–2024
XLV wins$67,678 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 won17 of 26
XLVHealth Care
Final value$67,678
CAGR+7.6%
Max drawdown-27.2%
Best year+41% (2013)
Years won9 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLBXLV
XLB$59,591
XLV$67,678
50/50 mix$69,220
50/50 blend: $69,220 (+7.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLB and XLV would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLB vs XLV
| Year | XLB | XLV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +6.5% | +2.6% | XLB |
| 2023 | +11.9% | +2.1% | XLB |
| 2022 | -13.8% | -2.1% | XLV |
| 2021 | +27.3% | +26.1% | XLB |
| 2020 | +20.6% | +13.4% | XLB |
| 2019 | +24.5% | +20.8% | XLB |
| 2018 | -14.7% | +6.5% | XLV |
| 2017 | +22.1% | +22.1% | XLV |
| 2016 | +17.4% | -2.7% | XLB |
| 2015 | -8.0% | +6.9% | XLV |
| 2014 | +6.9% | +25.3% | XLV |
| 2013 | +25.6% | +41.4% | XLV |
| 2012 | +15.4% | +17.4% | XLV |
| 2011 | -9.8% | +10.2% | XLV |
| 2010 | +20.5% | +3.2% | XLB |
| 2009 | +47.6% | +19.0% | XLB |
| 2008 | -44.9% | -22.8% | XLV |
| 2007 | +22.9% | +7.3% | XLB |
| 2006 | +22.4% | +6.6% | XLB |
| 2005 | +11.0% | +7.6% | XLB |
| 2004 | +13.0% | +1.6% | XLB |
| 2003 | +22.7% | +17.0% | XLB |
| 2002 | -7.4% | -17.7% | XLB |
| 2001 | -9.1% | -11.6% | XLB |
| 2000 | -15.2% | +28.4% | XLV |
| 1999 | +19.2% | -4.9% | XLB |
More comparisons
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