XLC vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jun 19, 2018 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did XLC beat QQQ?
No — measured from Jun 19, 2018 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, QQQ came out ahead: $42,892 versus $24,534 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 19.8% annual return against 11.8%.
What would $10,000 in XLC be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) on Jun 19, 2018 would be worth about $24,534 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 145.3% (11.8% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $42,892.
Which was riskier — XLC or QQQ?
XLC swung with an annualized volatility of 22.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -46.7%; QQQ ran at 24.1% volatility with a -35.1% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.44 for XLC vs 0.74 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jun 19, 2018 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 XLC vs QQQ. 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.