XLE vs XLF — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Energy vs Financials — backtested 1999–2024
XLE wins$86,578 vs $46,729 on $10,000 over 26 years
XLEEnergy
Final value$86,578
CAGR+8.7%
Max drawdown-42.8%
Best year+64% (2022)
Years won12 of 26
XLFFinancials
Final value$46,729
CAGR+6.1%
Max drawdown-63.6%
Best year+36% (2013)
Years won14 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLEXLF
XLE$86,578
XLF$46,729
50/50 mix$76,081
50/50 blend: $76,081 (+8.1%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLE and XLF would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLE but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLE vs XLF
| Year | XLE | XLF | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +5.4% | +30.9% | XLF |
| 2023 | +2.2% | +12.2% | XLF |
| 2022 | +64.2% | -10.5% | XLE |
| 2021 | +53.4% | +35.0% | XLE |
| 2020 | -31.8% | -1.7% | XLF |
| 2019 | +11.8% | +32.1% | XLF |
| 2018 | -18.2% | -14.6% | XLF |
| 2017 | -1.0% | +22.2% | XLF |
| 2016 | +27.4% | +22.8% | XLE |
| 2015 | -21.1% | -1.5% | XLF |
| 2014 | -7.8% | +15.2% | XLF |
| 2013 | +25.1% | +35.6% | XLF |
| 2012 | +4.6% | +29.0% | XLF |
| 2011 | +14.9% | -17.1% | XLE |
| 2010 | +20.6% | +12.1% | XLE |
| 2009 | +13.3% | +17.5% | XLF |
| 2008 | -37.6% | -55.3% | XLE |
| 2007 | +35.0% | -18.6% | XLE |
| 2006 | +24.4% | +19.1% | XLE |
| 2005 | +40.2% | +6.1% | XLE |
| 2004 | +31.4% | +10.7% | XLE |
| 2003 | +26.1% | +29.1% | XLF |
| 2002 | -10.1% | -19.0% | XLE |
| 2001 | -8.1% | -6.3% | XLF |
| 2000 | +5.1% | +26.2% | XLF |
| 1999 | +28.4% | +16.0% | XLE |
More comparisons
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