XLU vs VTI: which was the better investment?
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund against Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jun 15, 2001 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Daily total-return data — dividends reinvested. Monthly additions buy on the first trading day.
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Frequently asked questions
Did XLU beat VTI?
No — measured from Jun 15, 2001 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VTI came out ahead: $103,982 versus $70,691 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.8% annual return against 8.1%.
What would $10,000 in XLU be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) on Jun 15, 2001 would be worth about $70,691 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 606.9% (8.1% per year). The same $10,000 in VTI would be worth $103,982.
Which was riskier — XLU or VTI?
XLU swung with an annualized volatility of 19.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -50.3%; VTI ran at 19.1% volatility with a -55.5% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.32 for XLU vs 0.41 for VTI.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jun 15, 2001 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 XLU vs VTI. 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.