XLE vs XLK — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Energy vs Technology — backtested 1999–2024
XLK wins$104,919 vs $86,578 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
XLKTechnology
Final value$104,919
CAGR+9.5%
Max drawdown-74.3%
Best year+62% (2009)
Years won13 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLEXLK
XLE$86,578
XLK$104,919
50/50 mix$135,166
50/50 blend: $135,166 (+10.5%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLE and XLK would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLE vs XLK
| Year | XLE | XLK | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +5.4% | +24.0% | XLK |
| 2023 | +2.2% | +57.8% | XLK |
| 2022 | +64.2% | -28.2% | XLE |
| 2021 | +53.4% | +34.5% | XLE |
| 2020 | -31.8% | +43.9% | XLK |
| 2019 | +11.8% | +50.3% | XLK |
| 2018 | -18.2% | -1.6% | XLK |
| 2017 | -1.0% | +38.8% | XLK |
| 2016 | +27.4% | +13.9% | XLE |
| 2015 | -21.1% | +4.3% | XLK |
| 2014 | -7.8% | +19.8% | XLK |
| 2013 | +25.1% | +27.7% | XLK |
| 2012 | +4.6% | +14.0% | XLK |
| 2011 | +14.9% | +2.7% | XLE |
| 2010 | +20.6% | +11.1% | XLE |
| 2009 | +13.3% | +61.7% | XLK |
| 2008 | -37.6% | -42.3% | XLE |
| 2007 | +35.0% | +16.4% | XLE |
| 2006 | +24.4% | +12.2% | XLE |
| 2005 | +40.2% | +1.6% | XLE |
| 2004 | +31.4% | +3.7% | XLE |
| 2003 | +26.1% | +49.6% | XLK |
| 2002 | -10.1% | -37.5% | XLE |
| 2001 | -8.1% | -31.2% | XLE |
| 2000 | +5.1% | -40.2% | XLE |
| 1999 | +28.4% | +61.0% | XLK |
More comparisons
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