XLP vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Mar 10, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did XLP beat QQQ?
No — measured from Mar 10, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, QQQ came out ahead: $166,319 versus $59,502 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.8% annual return against 6.7%.
What would $10,000 in XLP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) on Mar 10, 1999 would be worth about $59,502 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 495.0% (6.7% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $166,319.
Which was riskier — XLP or QQQ?
XLP swung with an annualized volatility of 15.2% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -35.9%; QQQ ran at 26.9% volatility with a -83.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.31 for XLP vs 0.33 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Mar 10, 1999 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 XLP 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.