XLU vs VNQ — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Utilities vs Real Estate (REIT) — backtested 2005–2024
XLU wins$53,001 vs $37,027 on $10,000 over 20 years
XLUUtilities
Final value$53,001
CAGR+8.7%
Max drawdown-29.0%
Best year+29% (2014)
Years won11 of 20
VNQReal Estate (REIT)
Final value$37,027
CAGR+6.8%
Max drawdown-47.3%
Best year+41% (2021)
Years won9 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024XLUVNQ
XLU$53,001
VNQ$37,027
50/50 mix$47,059
50/50 blend: $47,059 (+8.1%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLU and VNQ would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLU but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLU vs VNQ
| Year | XLU | VNQ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.4% | +4.8% | XLU |
| 2023 | -10.2% | +11.8% | VNQ |
| 2022 | -0.9% | -26.2% | XLU |
| 2021 | +17.7% | +40.5% | VNQ |
| 2020 | -0.6% | -4.7% | XLU |
| 2019 | +26.3% | +28.9% | VNQ |
| 2018 | +4.4% | -6.0% | XLU |
| 2017 | +12.1% | +4.9% | XLU |
| 2016 | +16.3% | +8.6% | XLU |
| 2015 | -4.8% | +2.4% | VNQ |
| 2014 | +29.0% | +30.4% | VNQ |
| 2013 | +13.2% | +2.3% | XLU |
| 2012 | +1.4% | +17.6% | VNQ |
| 2011 | +20.0% | +8.6% | XLU |
| 2010 | +5.5% | +28.4% | VNQ |
| 2009 | +11.5% | +30.1% | VNQ |
| 2008 | -29.0% | -37.0% | XLU |
| 2007 | +20.2% | -16.3% | XLU |
| 2006 | +21.3% | +35.2% | VNQ |
| 2005 | +16.5% | +11.6% | XLU |
More comparisons
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