XLI vs XLB — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Industrials vs Materials — backtested 1999–2024
XLI wins$69,044 vs $59,591 on $10,000 over 26 years
XLIIndustrials
Final value$69,044
CAGR+7.7%
Max drawdown-39.9%
Best year+41% (2013)
Years won16 of 26
XLBMaterials
Final value$59,591
CAGR+7.1%
Max drawdown-44.9%
Best year+48% (2009)
Years won10 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLIXLB
XLI$69,044
XLB$59,591
50/50 mix$65,517
50/50 blend: $65,517 (+7.5%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLI and XLB would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLI but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLI vs XLB
| Year | XLI | XLB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +17.5% | +6.5% | XLI |
| 2023 | +18.0% | +11.9% | XLI |
| 2022 | -5.9% | -13.8% | XLI |
| 2021 | +21.1% | +27.3% | XLB |
| 2020 | +11.5% | +20.6% | XLB |
| 2019 | +29.4% | +24.5% | XLI |
| 2018 | -14.7% | -14.7% | XLB |
| 2017 | +21.0% | +22.1% | XLB |
| 2016 | +18.9% | +17.4% | XLI |
| 2015 | -2.5% | -8.0% | XLI |
| 2014 | +9.9% | +6.9% | XLI |
| 2013 | +40.7% | +25.6% | XLI |
| 2012 | +15.3% | +15.4% | XLB |
| 2011 | -0.6% | -9.8% | XLI |
| 2010 | +26.8% | +20.5% | XLI |
| 2009 | +20.9% | +47.6% | XLB |
| 2008 | -39.9% | -44.9% | XLI |
| 2007 | +12.2% | +22.9% | XLB |
| 2006 | +14.3% | +22.4% | XLB |
| 2005 | +10.0% | +11.0% | XLB |
| 2004 | +19.6% | +13.0% | XLI |
| 2003 | +23.0% | +22.7% | XLI |
| 2002 | -17.9% | -7.4% | XLB |
| 2001 | -8.0% | -9.1% | XLI |
| 2000 | -4.9% | -15.2% | XLI |
| 1999 | +4.0% | +19.2% | XLB |
More comparisons
Build your portfolio
Mix XLI + XLB with custom allocations
Try a 70/30 or 40/60 split — or add up to 3 more ETFs. See exactly how your custom portfolio would have performed.
Open Portfolio Builder →Past performance does not guarantee future results.