DUK vs XEL: which was the better investment?
Duke Energy Corporation against Xcel Energy Inc. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Mar 17, 1980 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did DUK beat XEL?
Yes — measured from Mar 17, 1980 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, DUK came out ahead: $1,705,298 versus $1,175,560 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 11.7% annual return against 10.8%.
What would $10,000 in DUK be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) on Mar 17, 1980 would be worth about $1,705,298 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 16953.0% (11.7% per year). The same $10,000 in XEL would be worth $1,175,560.
Which was riskier — DUK or XEL?
DUK swung with an annualized volatility of 21.3% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -71.9%; XEL ran at 22.6% volatility with a -80.6% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.46 for DUK vs 0.39 for XEL.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Mar 17, 1980 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 DUK 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.