XOM vs OXY: which was the better investment?
Exxon Mobil Corporation against Occidental Petroleum Corporation on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 31, 1981 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did XOM beat OXY?
Yes — measured from Dec 31, 1981 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, XOM came out ahead: $2,223,879 versus $335,159 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.9% annual return against 8.2%.
What would $10,000 in XOM be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) on Dec 31, 1981 would be worth about $2,223,879 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 22138.8% (12.9% per year). The same $10,000 in OXY would be worth $335,159.
Which was riskier — XOM or OXY?
XOM swung with an annualized volatility of 24.8% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -62.4%; OXY ran at 35.7% volatility with a -88.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.44 for XOM vs 0.17 for OXY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 31, 1981 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 XOM vs OXY. 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.