XLE vs XLI — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Energy vs Industrials — backtested 1999–2024
XLE wins$86,578 vs $69,044 on $10,000 over 26 years
XLEEnergy
Final value$86,578
CAGR+8.7%
Max drawdown-42.8%
Best year+64% (2022)
Years won13 of 26
XLIIndustrials
Final value$69,044
CAGR+7.7%
Max drawdown-39.9%
Best year+41% (2013)
Years won13 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLEXLI
XLE$86,578
XLI$69,044
50/50 mix$87,627
50/50 blend: $87,627 (+8.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLE and XLI would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLE vs XLI
| Year | XLE | XLI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +5.4% | +17.5% | XLI |
| 2023 | +2.2% | +18.0% | XLI |
| 2022 | +64.2% | -5.9% | XLE |
| 2021 | +53.4% | +21.1% | XLE |
| 2020 | -31.8% | +11.5% | XLI |
| 2019 | +11.8% | +29.4% | XLI |
| 2018 | -18.2% | -14.7% | XLI |
| 2017 | -1.0% | +21.0% | XLI |
| 2016 | +27.4% | +18.9% | XLE |
| 2015 | -21.1% | -2.5% | XLI |
| 2014 | -7.8% | +9.9% | XLI |
| 2013 | +25.1% | +40.7% | XLI |
| 2012 | +4.6% | +15.3% | XLI |
| 2011 | +14.9% | -0.6% | XLE |
| 2010 | +20.6% | +26.8% | XLI |
| 2009 | +13.3% | +20.9% | XLI |
| 2008 | -37.6% | -39.9% | XLE |
| 2007 | +35.0% | +12.2% | XLE |
| 2006 | +24.4% | +14.3% | XLE |
| 2005 | +40.2% | +10.0% | XLE |
| 2004 | +31.4% | +19.6% | XLE |
| 2003 | +26.1% | +23.0% | XLE |
| 2002 | -10.1% | -17.9% | XLE |
| 2001 | -8.1% | -8.0% | XLI |
| 2000 | +5.1% | -4.9% | XLE |
| 1999 | +28.4% | +4.0% | XLE |
More comparisons
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