XLK vs LQD — 23-Year Performance Comparison
Technology vs Investment-Grade Corp Bonds — backtested 2002–2024
XLK wins$158,395 vs $26,647 on $10,000 over 23 years
XLKTechnology
Final value$158,395
CAGR+12.8%
Max drawdown-42.3%
Best year+62% (2009)
Years won18 of 23
LQDInvestment-Grade Corp Bonds
Final value$26,647
CAGR+4.4%
Max drawdown-19.4%
Best year+17% (2019)
Years won5 of 23
Growth of $10,000
2002–2024XLKLQD
XLK$158,395
LQD$26,647
50/50 mix$78,458
50/50 blend: $78,458 (+9.4%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLK and LQD would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLK but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLK vs LQD
| Year | XLK | LQD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +24.0% | +0.9% | XLK |
| 2023 | +57.8% | +9.4% | XLK |
| 2022 | -28.2% | -17.9% | LQD |
| 2021 | +34.5% | -1.8% | XLK |
| 2020 | +43.9% | +11.0% | XLK |
| 2019 | +50.3% | +17.4% | XLK |
| 2018 | -1.6% | -3.8% | XLK |
| 2017 | +38.8% | +7.1% | XLK |
| 2016 | +13.9% | +6.2% | XLK |
| 2015 | +4.3% | -1.3% | XLK |
| 2014 | +19.8% | +8.2% | XLK |
| 2013 | +27.7% | -2.0% | XLK |
| 2012 | +14.0% | +10.6% | XLK |
| 2011 | +2.7% | +9.7% | LQD |
| 2010 | +11.1% | +9.3% | XLK |
| 2009 | +61.7% | +8.4% | XLK |
| 2008 | -42.3% | +2.4% | LQD |
| 2007 | +16.4% | +3.7% | XLK |
| 2006 | +12.2% | +4.2% | XLK |
| 2005 | +1.6% | +1.2% | XLK |
| 2004 | +3.7% | +5.7% | LQD |
| 2003 | +49.6% | +7.3% | XLK |
| 2002 | -37.5% | +9.9% | LQD |
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