XLU vs EFA — 24-Year Performance Comparison
Utilities vs International Developed — backtested 2001–2024
XLU wins$41,092 vs $33,507 on $10,000 over 24 years
XLUUtilities
Final value$41,092
CAGR+6.1%
Max drawdown-48.7%
Best year+29% (2014)
Years won12 of 24
EFAInternational Developed
Final value$33,507
CAGR+5.2%
Max drawdown-41.0%
Best year+40% (2003)
Years won12 of 24
Growth of $10,000
2001–2024XLUEFA
XLU$41,092
EFA$33,507
50/50 mix$40,114
50/50 blend: $40,114 (+6.0%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLU and EFA would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLU but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLU vs EFA
| Year | XLU | EFA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.4% | +3.5% | XLU |
| 2023 | -10.2% | +18.4% | EFA |
| 2022 | -0.9% | -14.4% | XLU |
| 2021 | +17.7% | +11.4% | XLU |
| 2020 | -0.6% | +7.6% | EFA |
| 2019 | +26.3% | +22.0% | XLU |
| 2018 | +4.4% | -13.8% | XLU |
| 2017 | +12.1% | +25.1% | EFA |
| 2016 | +16.3% | +1.4% | XLU |
| 2015 | -4.8% | -1.0% | EFA |
| 2014 | +29.0% | -6.2% | XLU |
| 2013 | +13.2% | +21.4% | EFA |
| 2012 | +1.4% | +18.8% | EFA |
| 2011 | +20.0% | -12.2% | XLU |
| 2010 | +5.5% | +8.2% | EFA |
| 2009 | +11.5% | +27.0% | EFA |
| 2008 | -29.0% | -41.0% | XLU |
| 2007 | +20.2% | +9.9% | XLU |
| 2006 | +21.3% | +25.8% | EFA |
| 2005 | +16.5% | +13.3% | XLU |
| 2004 | +23.9% | +19.0% | XLU |
| 2003 | +21.9% | +40.3% | EFA |
| 2002 | -29.0% | -15.4% | EFA |
| 2001 | -27.7% | -5.2% | EFA |
More comparisons
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