XLI vs XLU — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Industrials vs Utilities — backtested 1999–2024
XLI wins$69,044 vs $53,539 on $10,000 over 26 years
XLIIndustrials
Final value$69,044
CAGR+7.7%
Max drawdown-39.9%
Best year+41% (2013)
Years won15 of 26
XLUUtilities
Final value$53,539
CAGR+6.7%
Max drawdown-48.7%
Best year+52% (2000)
Years won11 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLIXLU
XLI$69,044
XLU$53,539
50/50 mix$66,171
50/50 blend: $66,171 (+7.5%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLI and XLU would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLI but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLI vs XLU
| Year | XLI | XLU | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +17.5% | +23.4% | XLU |
| 2023 | +18.0% | -10.2% | XLI |
| 2022 | -5.9% | -0.9% | XLU |
| 2021 | +21.1% | +17.7% | XLI |
| 2020 | +11.5% | -0.6% | XLI |
| 2019 | +29.4% | +26.3% | XLI |
| 2018 | -14.7% | +4.4% | XLU |
| 2017 | +21.0% | +12.1% | XLI |
| 2016 | +18.9% | +16.3% | XLI |
| 2015 | -2.5% | -4.8% | XLI |
| 2014 | +9.9% | +29.0% | XLU |
| 2013 | +40.7% | +13.2% | XLI |
| 2012 | +15.3% | +1.4% | XLI |
| 2011 | -0.6% | +20.0% | XLU |
| 2010 | +26.8% | +5.5% | XLI |
| 2009 | +20.9% | +11.5% | XLI |
| 2008 | -39.9% | -29.0% | XLU |
| 2007 | +12.2% | +20.2% | XLU |
| 2006 | +14.3% | +21.3% | XLU |
| 2005 | +10.0% | +16.5% | XLU |
| 2004 | +19.6% | +23.9% | XLU |
| 2003 | +23.0% | +21.9% | XLI |
| 2002 | -17.9% | -29.0% | XLI |
| 2001 | -8.0% | -27.7% | XLI |
| 2000 | -4.9% | +51.5% | XLU |
| 1999 | +4.0% | -14.0% | XLI |
More comparisons
Build your portfolio
Mix XLI + XLU 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.