XLU vs GLD — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Utilities vs Gold — backtested 2005–2024
GLD wins$55,289 vs $53,001 on $10,000 over 20 years
XLUUtilities
Final value$53,001
CAGR+8.7%
Max drawdown-29.0%
Best year+29% (2014)
Years won8 of 20
GLDGold
Final value$55,289
CAGR+8.9%
Max drawdown-37.4%
Best year+31% (2007)
Years won12 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024XLUGLD
XLU$53,001
GLD$55,289
50/50 mix$58,861
50/50 blend: $58,861 (+9.3%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLU and GLD would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLU vs GLD
| Year | XLU | GLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.4% | +26.7% | GLD |
| 2023 | -10.2% | +12.7% | GLD |
| 2022 | -0.9% | -0.8% | GLD |
| 2021 | +17.7% | -4.2% | XLU |
| 2020 | -0.6% | +24.8% | GLD |
| 2019 | +26.3% | +17.9% | XLU |
| 2018 | +4.4% | -1.9% | XLU |
| 2017 | +12.1% | +12.8% | GLD |
| 2016 | +16.3% | +8.0% | XLU |
| 2015 | -4.8% | -10.7% | XLU |
| 2014 | +29.0% | -2.2% | XLU |
| 2013 | +13.2% | -28.3% | XLU |
| 2012 | +1.4% | +6.6% | GLD |
| 2011 | +20.0% | +9.6% | XLU |
| 2010 | +5.5% | +29.3% | GLD |
| 2009 | +11.5% | +24.0% | GLD |
| 2008 | -29.0% | +5.0% | GLD |
| 2007 | +20.2% | +30.6% | GLD |
| 2006 | +21.3% | +22.2% | GLD |
| 2005 | +16.5% | +18.0% | GLD |
More comparisons
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