XLU vs VTI — 24-Year Performance Comparison
Utilities vs Total US Market — backtested 2001–2024
VTI wins$73,022 vs $41,092 on $10,000 over 24 years
XLUUtilities
Final value$41,092
CAGR+6.1%
Max drawdown-48.7%
Best year+29% (2014)
Years won10 of 24
VTITotal US Market
Final value$73,022
CAGR+8.6%
Max drawdown-37.0%
Best year+34% (2013)
Years won14 of 24
Growth of $10,000
2001–2024XLUVTI
XLU$41,092
VTI$73,022
50/50 mix$58,010
50/50 blend: $58,010 (+7.6%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLU and VTI would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than VTI but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLU vs VTI
| Year | XLU | VTI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.4% | +23.8% | VTI |
| 2023 | -10.2% | +26.1% | VTI |
| 2022 | -0.9% | -19.5% | XLU |
| 2021 | +17.7% | +25.7% | VTI |
| 2020 | -0.6% | +21.1% | VTI |
| 2019 | +26.3% | +30.7% | VTI |
| 2018 | +4.4% | -5.2% | XLU |
| 2017 | +12.1% | +21.2% | VTI |
| 2016 | +16.3% | +12.7% | XLU |
| 2015 | -4.8% | +0.4% | VTI |
| 2014 | +29.0% | +12.6% | XLU |
| 2013 | +13.2% | +33.5% | VTI |
| 2012 | +1.4% | +16.4% | VTI |
| 2011 | +20.0% | +1.1% | XLU |
| 2010 | +5.5% | +17.3% | VTI |
| 2009 | +11.5% | +28.8% | VTI |
| 2008 | -29.0% | -37.0% | XLU |
| 2007 | +20.2% | +5.5% | XLU |
| 2006 | +21.3% | +15.7% | XLU |
| 2005 | +16.5% | +5.9% | XLU |
| 2004 | +23.9% | +12.5% | XLU |
| 2003 | +21.9% | +31.4% | VTI |
| 2002 | -29.0% | -21.5% | VTI |
| 2001 | -27.7% | -11.0% | VTI |
More comparisons
Build your portfolio
Mix XLU + VTI with custom allocations
Try a 70/30 or 40/60 split — or add up to 3 more ETFs. See exactly how your custom portfolio would have performed.
Open Portfolio Builder →Past performance does not guarantee future results.