XLE vs HYG — 18-Year Performance Comparison
Energy vs High Yield Bonds — backtested 2007–2024
XLE wins$26,871 vs $22,983 on $10,000 over 18 years
XLEEnergy
Final value$26,871
CAGR+5.6%
Max drawdown-42.8%
Best year+64% (2022)
Years won7 of 18
HYGHigh Yield Bonds
Final value$22,983
CAGR+4.7%
Max drawdown-17.5%
Best year+29% (2009)
Years won11 of 18
Growth of $10,000
2007–2024XLEHYG
XLE$26,871
HYG$22,983
50/50 mix$28,239
50/50 blend: $28,239 (+5.9%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLE and HYG would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLE vs HYG
| Year | XLE | HYG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +5.4% | +8.0% | HYG |
| 2023 | +2.2% | +11.5% | HYG |
| 2022 | +64.2% | -11.0% | XLE |
| 2021 | +53.4% | +3.8% | XLE |
| 2020 | -31.8% | +4.5% | HYG |
| 2019 | +11.8% | +14.1% | HYG |
| 2018 | -18.2% | -2.0% | HYG |
| 2017 | -1.0% | +6.1% | HYG |
| 2016 | +27.4% | +13.4% | XLE |
| 2015 | -21.1% | -5.0% | HYG |
| 2014 | -7.8% | +1.9% | HYG |
| 2013 | +25.1% | +5.8% | XLE |
| 2012 | +4.6% | +11.7% | HYG |
| 2011 | +14.9% | +6.8% | XLE |
| 2010 | +20.6% | +11.9% | XLE |
| 2009 | +13.3% | +28.5% | HYG |
| 2008 | -37.6% | -17.6% | HYG |
| 2007 | +35.0% | +1.6% | XLE |
More comparisons
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