AEP vs XEL: which was the better investment?
American Electric Power Company, Inc. against Xcel Energy Inc. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Feb 21, 1973 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AEP beat XEL?
Yes — measured from Feb 21, 1973 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, AEP came out ahead: $1,499,425 versus $793,315 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.8% annual return against 8.5%.
What would $10,000 in AEP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) on Feb 21, 1973 would be worth about $1,499,425 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 14894.3% (9.8% per year). The same $10,000 in XEL would be worth $793,315.
Which was riskier — AEP or XEL?
AEP swung with an annualized volatility of 21.0% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -62.8%; XEL ran at 22.2% volatility with a -80.6% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.37 for AEP vs 0.29 for XEL.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Feb 21, 1973 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with AEP vs XEL. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.