XLU vs XLP — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Utilities vs Consumer Staples — backtested 1999–2024
XLP wins$66,700 vs $53,539 on $10,000 over 26 years
XLUUtilities
Final value$53,539
CAGR+6.7%
Max drawdown-48.7%
Best year+52% (2000)
Years won12 of 26
XLPConsumer Staples
Final value$66,700
CAGR+7.6%
Max drawdown-15.4%
Best year+28% (2019)
Years won14 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLUXLP
XLU$53,539
XLP$66,700
50/50 mix$63,412
50/50 blend: $63,412 (+7.4%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLU and XLP would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLP but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLU vs XLP
| Year | XLU | XLP | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.4% | +14.7% | XLU |
| 2023 | -10.2% | -1.3% | XLP |
| 2022 | -0.9% | -3.2% | XLU |
| 2021 | +17.7% | +18.6% | XLP |
| 2020 | -0.6% | +10.7% | XLP |
| 2019 | +26.3% | +27.6% | XLP |
| 2018 | +4.4% | -8.5% | XLU |
| 2017 | +12.1% | +13.7% | XLP |
| 2016 | +16.3% | -2.4% | XLU |
| 2015 | -4.8% | +7.0% | XLP |
| 2014 | +29.0% | +16.0% | XLU |
| 2013 | +13.2% | +26.1% | XLP |
| 2012 | +1.4% | +10.8% | XLP |
| 2011 | +20.0% | +14.0% | XLU |
| 2010 | +5.5% | +14.1% | XLP |
| 2009 | +11.5% | +14.9% | XLP |
| 2008 | -29.0% | -15.4% | XLP |
| 2007 | +20.2% | +14.3% | XLU |
| 2006 | +21.3% | +14.3% | XLU |
| 2005 | +16.5% | +3.1% | XLU |
| 2004 | +23.9% | +5.6% | XLU |
| 2003 | +21.9% | +12.6% | XLU |
| 2002 | -29.0% | -5.6% | XLP |
| 2001 | -27.7% | +1.2% | XLP |
| 2000 | +51.5% | +17.2% | XLU |
| 1999 | -14.0% | -9.0% | XLP |
More comparisons
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