XLK vs XLU — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Technology vs Utilities — backtested 1999–2024
XLK wins$104,919 vs $53,539 on $10,000 over 26 years
XLKTechnology
Final value$104,919
CAGR+9.5%
Max drawdown-74.3%
Best year+62% (2009)
Years won13 of 26
XLUUtilities
Final value$53,539
CAGR+6.7%
Max drawdown-48.7%
Best year+52% (2000)
Years won13 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLKXLU
XLK$104,919
XLU$53,539
50/50 mix$99,162
50/50 blend: $99,162 (+9.2%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLK and XLU would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLK but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLK vs XLU
| Year | XLK | XLU | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +24.0% | +23.4% | XLK |
| 2023 | +57.8% | -10.2% | XLK |
| 2022 | -28.2% | -0.9% | XLU |
| 2021 | +34.5% | +17.7% | XLK |
| 2020 | +43.9% | -0.6% | XLK |
| 2019 | +50.3% | +26.3% | XLK |
| 2018 | -1.6% | +4.4% | XLU |
| 2017 | +38.8% | +12.1% | XLK |
| 2016 | +13.9% | +16.3% | XLU |
| 2015 | +4.3% | -4.8% | XLK |
| 2014 | +19.8% | +29.0% | XLU |
| 2013 | +27.7% | +13.2% | XLK |
| 2012 | +14.0% | +1.4% | XLK |
| 2011 | +2.7% | +20.0% | XLU |
| 2010 | +11.1% | +5.5% | XLK |
| 2009 | +61.7% | +11.5% | XLK |
| 2008 | -42.3% | -29.0% | XLU |
| 2007 | +16.4% | +20.2% | XLU |
| 2006 | +12.2% | +21.3% | XLU |
| 2005 | +1.6% | +16.5% | XLU |
| 2004 | +3.7% | +23.9% | XLU |
| 2003 | +49.6% | +21.9% | XLK |
| 2002 | -37.5% | -29.0% | XLU |
| 2001 | -31.2% | -27.7% | XLU |
| 2000 | -40.2% | +51.5% | XLU |
| 1999 | +61.0% | -14.0% | XLK |
More comparisons
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