XLK vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 22, 1998 to Aug 28, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did XLK beat SPY?
Yes — measured from Dec 22, 1998 to Aug 28, 2026 with dividends reinvested, XLK came out ahead: $155,923 versus $102,828 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.4% annual return against 8.8%.
What would $10,000 in XLK be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) on Dec 22, 1998 would be worth about $155,923 as of Aug 28, 2026, a total return of 1459.2% (10.4% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $102,828.
Which was riskier — XLK or SPY?
XLK swung with an annualized volatility of 26.0% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -82.0%; SPY ran at 19.2% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.32 for XLK vs 0.35 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 22, 1998 through Aug 28, 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 XLK vs SPY. 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.