Over the past decade, the S&P 500 has seen a total return of 252.2% (12/31/09 through 12/17/19), which translates to a compound annual total return rate of 13.5%. Over that time two new sectors were added to the index. The real estate sector was separated from the financials sector and the communication services sector was created by removing the telecommunications services sector and pulling constituents from the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors.

The information technology sector posted the greatest compound annual total return of 17.3%. Within the sector, the software & services (17.8%) and semiconductors & semiconductor equipment (17.3%) industry groups have the largest compound annual total return. Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) (2,010.5%) and NVIDIA Corp (NVDA) (1,226.9%) hit the largest total returns within the sector, while Juniper Networks Inc (JNPR) (1.5%) and HP Inc (HPQ) (11.0%) saw the weakest total returns.

The consumer discretionary sector posted the second biggest compound annual total return of 17.1%. Within the sector, the retailing (20.8%) and consumer services (15.8%) industry groups have the largest compound annual total return. Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA) (1,325.4%) and Amazon.com Inc (AMZN) (1,231.1%) hit the largest total returns within the sector, while Tapestry Inc. (TPR) (-6.9%) and Under Armour Inc (UA) (-54.6%) saw the weakest total returns.

The energy sector posted the worst compound annual total return of 3.1%. Within the sector, the energy equipment & services industry saw a total decline of 2.9%, while the oil, gas & consumable fuels industry managed a total return of 4.1%. Apache Corp (APA) (-74.5%) and Devon Energy Corp (DVN) (-62.7%) had the worst total returns, while Valero Energy Corp (VLO) (721.7%) and HollyFrontier Corp (HFC) (526.9%) had the best.

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