COP vs XOM: which was the better investment?
ConocoPhillips against Exxon Mobil Corporation on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 31, 1981 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did COP beat XOM?
No — measured from Dec 31, 1981 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, XOM came out ahead: $2,223,879 versus $1,155,942 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.9% annual return against 11.3%.
What would $10,000 in COP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in ConocoPhillips (COP) on Dec 31, 1981 would be worth about $1,155,942 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 11459.4% (11.3% per year). The same $10,000 in XOM would be worth $2,223,879.
Which was riskier — COP or XOM?
COP swung with an annualized volatility of 32.8% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -70.7%; XOM ran at 24.8% volatility with a -62.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.28 for COP vs 0.44 for XOM.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 31, 1981 through Jul 13, 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 COP vs XOM. 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.