XLU vs XLY — 26-Year Performance Comparison
Utilities vs Consumer Discretionary — backtested 1999–2024
XLY wins$119,011 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 won11 of 26
XLYConsumer Discretionary
Final value$119,011
CAGR+10.0%
Max drawdown-37.0%
Best year+44% (2013)
Years won15 of 26
Growth of $10,000
1999–2024XLUXLY
XLU$53,539
XLY$119,011
50/50 mix$94,779
50/50 blend: $94,779 (+9.0%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between XLU and XLY would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than XLY but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: XLU vs XLY
| Year | XLU | XLY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.4% | +30.6% | XLY |
| 2023 | -10.2% | +41.1% | XLY |
| 2022 | -0.9% | -37.0% | XLU |
| 2021 | +17.7% | +24.1% | XLY |
| 2020 | -0.6% | +33.0% | XLY |
| 2019 | +26.3% | +27.9% | XLY |
| 2018 | +4.4% | -0.5% | XLU |
| 2017 | +12.1% | +22.9% | XLY |
| 2016 | +16.3% | +6.0% | XLU |
| 2015 | -4.8% | +10.1% | XLY |
| 2014 | +29.0% | +9.7% | XLU |
| 2013 | +13.2% | +43.6% | XLY |
| 2012 | +1.4% | +23.8% | XLY |
| 2011 | +20.0% | +6.8% | XLU |
| 2010 | +5.5% | +27.7% | XLY |
| 2009 | +11.5% | +41.6% | XLY |
| 2008 | -29.0% | -33.5% | XLU |
| 2007 | +20.2% | +1.2% | XLU |
| 2006 | +21.3% | +17.3% | XLU |
| 2005 | +16.5% | +1.0% | XLU |
| 2004 | +23.9% | +12.5% | XLU |
| 2003 | +21.9% | +28.4% | XLY |
| 2002 | -29.0% | -18.3% | XLY |
| 2001 | -27.7% | -4.4% | XLY |
| 2000 | +51.5% | -15.6% | XLU |
| 1999 | -14.0% | +19.0% | XLY |
More comparisons
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