SHEL vs XOM: which was the better investment?
Shell plc against Exxon Mobil Corporation on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Mar 12, 1984 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did SHEL beat XOM?
Yes — measured from Mar 12, 1984 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SHEL came out ahead: $2,282,170 versus $1,371,908 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 13.7% annual return against 12.3%.
What would $10,000 in SHEL be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Shell plc (SHEL) on Mar 12, 1984 would be worth about $2,282,170 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 22721.7% (13.7% per year). The same $10,000 in XOM would be worth $1,371,908.
Which was riskier — SHEL or XOM?
SHEL swung with an annualized volatility of 47.8% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -67.2%; XOM ran at 25.0% volatility with a -62.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.24 for SHEL vs 0.41 for XOM.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Mar 12, 1984 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 SHEL 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.