XLV vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Health Care 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 Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did XLV beat SPY?
No — measured from Dec 22, 1998 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SPY came out ahead: $100,755 versus $94,974 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 8.7% annual return against 8.5%.
What would $10,000 in XLV be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) on Dec 22, 1998 would be worth about $94,974 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 849.7% (8.5% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $100,755.
Which was riskier — XLV or SPY?
XLV swung with an annualized volatility of 17.9% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -39.2%; SPY ran at 19.3% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.36 for XLV vs 0.35 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 22, 1998 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 XLV 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.