XLP vs DIA: which was the better investment?
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund against SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 22, 1998 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did XLP beat DIA?
No — measured from Dec 22, 1998 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, DIA came out ahead: $103,724 versus $60,901 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 8.9% annual return against 6.8%.
What would $10,000 in XLP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) on Dec 22, 1998 would be worth about $60,901 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 509.0% (6.8% per year). The same $10,000 in DIA would be worth $103,724.
Which was riskier — XLP or DIA?
XLP swung with an annualized volatility of 15.2% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -35.9%; DIA ran at 18.4% volatility with a -51.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.31 for XLP vs 0.37 for DIA.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 22, 1998 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 XLP vs DIA. 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.