S&P 500: $0.25 in 1926 → $4,321.14 in 2024

$

Stock market returns between 1926 and 2024

If you invested $0.25 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1926, you would have about $4,321.14 at the end of 2024, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 1,728,357.64%, or 10.36% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 97,482.75% cumulatively, or 7.20% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $3,744.67.

The graph below shows the performance of $0.25 over time if invested in an S&P 500 index fund. The returns assume that all dividends are automatically reinvested.

This chart shows the rate of gains and loss by month, including dividends:

Adjusting stock market return for inflation

The nominal return on investment of $0.25 is $4,320.89, or 1,728,357.64%. This means by 2024 you would have $4,321.14 in your pocket.

However, it's important to take into account the effect of inflation when considering an investment and especially a long-term investment. You can convert S&P returns to their real (inflation-adjusted) value using an inflation calculation based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI).

In the case of the returns described above, the CPI in 1926 was 17.700 and the CPI in 2024 was 313.515.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 98 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $4,321.14 nominal end value of the original $0.25 investment would have a real return of roughly $243.71 in 1926 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 97,482.75% as opposed to the original 1,728,357.64%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1926.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $0.25 investment, including gains and losses over the 1188-month period between 1926 and 2024.

Note that data shown is the monthly average closing price. Returns include dividends.

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
192610.56%0.2517.90
19262-6.38%0.2417.90
19263-2.35%0.2317.80
192641.15%0.2317.90
192655.22%0.2417.80
192664.66%0.2617.70
192674.39%0.2717.50
192681.94%0.2717.40
19269-1.83%0.2717.50
1926101.74%0.2717.60
1926112.71%0.2817.70
192612-0.24%0.2817.70
192712.37%0.2917.50
192721.97%0.2917.40
192732.88%0.3017.30
192743.87%0.3117.30
192751.70%0.3217.40
192762.62%0.3217.60
192775.73%0.3417.30
192786.06%0.3617.20
19279-1.17%0.3617.30
1927102.66%0.3717.40
1927112.72%0.3817.30
1927120.77%0.3817.30
19281-0.83%0.3817.30
192825.75%0.4017.10
192836.66%0.4317.10
192843.44%0.4417.10
19285-4.57%0.4217.20
192861.09%0.4317.10
192873.59%0.4417.10
192887.37%0.4717.10
192892.36%0.4917.30
1928107.08%0.5217.20
1928110.70%0.5217.20
1928127.69%0.5617.10
192910.81%0.5717.10
192922.05%0.5817.10
19293-0.30%0.5817.00
192941.80%0.5916.90
192952.20%0.6017.00
192969.20%0.6617.10
192975.96%0.7017.30
192984.24%0.7317.30
19299-10.32%0.6517.30
192910-26.19%0.4817.30
1929114.37%0.5017.30
1929121.83%0.5117.20
193016.64%0.5417.10
193024.12%0.5717.00
193036.69%0.6016.90
19304-5.65%0.5717.00
19305-9.77%0.5116.90
19306-1.76%0.5116.80
19307-0.90%0.5016.60
193080.34%0.5016.50
19309-13.37%0.4416.60
193010-6.80%0.4116.50
193011-6.19%0.3816.40
1930123.56%0.3916.10
193118.14%0.4315.90
193122.38%0.4415.70
19313-9.08%0.4015.60
19314-9.16%0.3615.50
19315-2.68%0.3515.30
193163.86%0.3615.10
19317-2.49%0.3615.10
19318-14.37%0.3015.10
19319-12.75%0.2715.00
1931102.05%0.2714.90
193111-18.10%0.2214.70
193112-0.85%0.2214.60
19321-0.05%0.2214.30
193221.14%0.2214.10
19323-23.22%0.1714.00
19324-11.31%0.1513.90
19325-12.39%0.1313.70
193266.18%0.1413.60
1932751.35%0.2113.60
1932810.37%0.2413.50
19329-13.22%0.2013.40
193210-0.34%0.2013.30
193211-2.64%0.2013.20
1932124.57%0.2113.10
19331-11.27%0.1812.90
193320.33%0.1812.70
1933311.24%0.2112.60
1933429.32%0.2712.60
1933517.58%0.3112.60
193368.46%0.3412.70
19337-4.64%0.3213.10
19338-0.48%0.3213.20
19339-9.38%0.2913.20
1933102.80%0.3013.20
1933112.32%0.3113.20
1933126.08%0.3313.20
193417.75%0.3513.20
19342-4.80%0.3313.30
193432.02%0.3413.30
19344-9.83%0.3113.30
193451.70%0.3113.30
19346-4.36%0.3013.40
19347-3.51%0.2913.40
19348-2.01%0.2813.40
193491.21%0.2913.60
1934103.21%0.2913.50
1934111.06%0.3013.50
1934120.40%0.3013.40
19351-2.62%0.2913.60
19352-5.93%0.2713.70
193537.94%0.3013.70
193548.27%0.3213.80
193554.17%0.3313.80
193565.60%0.3513.70
193577.10%0.3813.70
193582.43%0.3913.70
193592.99%0.4013.70
1935109.71%0.4413.70
1935110.29%0.4413.80
1935125.82%0.4613.80
193616.03%0.4913.80
193622.41%0.5013.80
193630.41%0.5113.70
19364-5.02%0.4813.70
193654.57%0.5013.70
193666.23%0.5313.80
193672.30%0.5513.90
193681.44%0.5514.00
193695.55%0.5814.00
1936103.10%0.6014.00
193611-1.40%0.5914.00
1936123.46%0.6114.00
193713.30%0.6314.10
193720.23%0.6414.10
19373-5.62%0.6014.20
19374-4.09%0.5814.30
19375-3.34%0.5614.40
193766.39%0.5914.40
193771.44%0.6014.50
19378-13.76%0.5214.50
19379-14.10%0.4414.60
193710-8.27%0.4114.60
193711-1.02%0.4014.50
1937123.24%0.4214.40
19381-1.80%0.4114.20
19382-6.02%0.3814.10
19383-3.44%0.3714.10
193841.56%0.3814.20
193852.93%0.3914.10
1938620.49%0.4714.10
193871.06%0.4714.10
19388-4.08%0.4514.10
1938911.62%0.5114.10
1938100.47%0.5114.00
193811-2.55%0.5014.00
193812-1.16%0.4914.00
19391-0.46%0.4914.00
193920.27%0.4913.90
19393-12.24%0.4313.90
193944.10%0.4513.80
193952.17%0.4613.80
193962.84%0.4713.80
19397-1.07%0.4613.80
1939811.06%0.5213.80
193991.38%0.5214.10
193910-1.41%0.5214.00
193911-1.97%0.5114.00
193912-0.15%0.5014.00
19401-0.23%0.5013.90
19402-0.15%0.5014.00
194031.42%0.5114.00
19404-13.34%0.4414.00
19405-8.09%0.4114.00
194063.87%0.4214.10
194072.65%0.4314.00
194084.76%0.4514.00
194091.47%0.4614.00
1940102.85%0.4714.00
194011-3.59%0.4614.00
1940120.72%0.4614.10
19411-5.72%0.4314.10
194121.18%0.4414.10
19413-2.55%0.4314.20
19414-1.59%0.4214.30
194154.11%0.4414.40
194165.71%0.4614.70
194170.08%0.4614.70
194180.86%0.4714.90
19419-3.43%0.4515.10
194110-4.08%0.4315.30
194111-5.88%0.4115.40
1941122.62%0.4215.50
19421-2.48%0.4115.70
19422-4.76%0.3915.80
19423-3.45%0.3716.00
194241.87%0.3816.10
194255.75%0.4016.30
194264.38%0.4216.30
194270.05%0.4216.40
194281.66%0.4316.50
194297.97%0.4616.50
1942102.15%0.4716.70
1942111.06%0.4816.80
1942126.50%0.5116.90
194316.43%0.5416.90
194324.01%0.5616.90
194333.79%0.5817.20
194344.36%0.6117.40
194352.18%0.6217.50
194362.47%0.6417.50
19437-4.54%0.6117.40
194382.55%0.6317.30
19439-0.50%0.6217.40
194310-4.21%0.6017.40
1943111.77%0.6117.40
1943123.67%0.6317.40
19441-0.24%0.6317.40
194423.24%0.6517.40
19443-1.31%0.6417.40
194442.20%0.6517.50
194455.14%0.6917.50
194463.02%0.7117.60
19447-1.06%0.7017.70
19448-1.23%0.6917.70
194492.88%0.7117.70
194410-0.28%0.7117.70
1944112.60%0.7317.70
1944123.38%0.7517.80
194513.73%0.7817.80
194520.31%0.7817.80
194532.90%0.8117.80
194544.16%0.8417.80
194552.19%0.8617.90
19456-1.70%0.8418.10
194570.71%0.8518.10
194587.18%0.9118.10
194594.51%0.9518.10
1945103.61%0.9818.10
1945112.02%1.0018.10
1945124.30%1.0518.20
194610.59%1.0518.20
19462-2.68%1.0318.10
194636.77%1.1018.30
194640.52%1.1018.40
19465-0.34%1.1018.50
19466-2.55%1.0718.70
19467-1.62%1.0519.80
19468-14.42%0.9020.20
19469-1.87%0.8820.40
194610-0.01%0.8820.80
1946113.39%0.9121.30
1946120.92%0.9221.50
194714.27%0.9621.50
19472-3.67%0.9321.50
19473-3.30%0.9021.90
19474-1.36%0.8821.90
194753.92%0.9221.90
194766.69%0.9822.00
19477-1.56%0.9622.20
19478-2.17%0.9422.50
194793.03%0.9723.00
194710-0.73%0.9623.00
194711-1.12%0.9523.10
194712-0.86%0.9523.40
19481-4.45%0.9023.70
194821.92%0.9223.50
194838.19%1.0023.40
194845.33%1.0523.80
194854.59%1.1023.90
19486-1.96%1.0824.10
19487-2.49%1.0524.40
19488-0.68%1.0424.50
194893.19%1.0824.50
194810-5.10%1.0224.40
194811-0.16%1.0224.20
1948121.63%1.0424.10
19491-3.33%1.0024.00
194921.49%1.0223.80
194930.41%1.0223.80
19494-0.18%1.0223.90
19495-4.91%0.9723.80
194966.26%1.0323.90
194974.17%1.0723.70
194981.87%1.0923.80
194993.14%1.1323.90
1949101.95%1.1523.70
1949113.24%1.1923.80
1949122.63%1.2223.60
195012.52%1.2523.50
195021.38%1.2623.50
195033.39%1.3123.60
195043.91%1.3623.60
195052.16%1.3923.70
19506-6.72%1.2923.80
195076.64%1.3824.10
195084.11%1.4424.30
195094.72%1.5024.40
1950100.38%1.5124.60
1950110.19%1.5124.70
1950128.01%1.6325.00
195114.31%1.7025.40
19512-1.11%1.6925.70
195131.93%1.7225.80
195140.63%1.7325.80
19515-1.15%1.7125.90
195162.37%1.7525.90
195174.97%1.8425.90
195183.14%1.8925.90
195190.03%1.8926.10
195110-2.25%1.8526.20
1951113.61%1.9226.40
1951123.83%1.9926.50
19521-1.33%1.9726.50
195220.75%1.9826.30
195230.20%1.9826.30
195240.46%1.9926.40
195253.24%2.0626.40
195263.37%2.1326.50
195270.88%2.1526.70
19528-1.11%2.1226.70
19529-1.61%2.0926.70
1952103.67%2.1726.70
1952114.51%2.2626.70
1952120.99%2.2926.70
19531-0.77%2.2726.60
195320.96%2.2926.50
19533-4.47%2.1926.60
195341.00%2.2126.60
19535-3.11%2.1426.70
195361.91%2.1826.80
195370.90%2.2026.80
19538-4.11%2.1126.90
195393.52%2.1826.90
1953102.71%2.2427.00
1953111.84%2.2926.90
1953123.02%2.3526.90
195412.68%2.4226.90
195422.58%2.4826.90
195434.45%2.5926.90
195444.42%2.7026.80
195451.22%2.7426.90
195464.46%2.8626.90
195472.39%2.9326.90
195482.74%3.0126.90
195492.71%3.0926.80
1954104.30%3.2226.80
1954114.95%3.3826.80
1954122.17%3.4626.70
195513.70%3.5826.70
19552-0.44%3.5726.70
195533.81%3.7026.70
19554-0.08%3.7026.70
195556.15%3.9326.70
195567.64%4.2326.70
19557-0.30%4.2226.80
195584.82%4.4226.80
19559-4.72%4.2126.90
1955107.07%4.5126.90
1955111.24%4.5626.90
195512-2.39%4.4526.80
195610.95%4.5026.80
195627.21%4.8226.80
195631.48%4.8926.80
19564-2.84%4.7526.90
19565-0.26%4.7427.00
195665.75%5.0127.20
19567-0.28%5.0027.40
19568-3.09%4.8527.30
19569-0.95%4.8027.40
195610-0.71%4.7627.50
1956111.81%4.8527.50
195612-1.86%4.7627.60
19571-4.00%4.5727.60
195721.62%4.6427.70
195732.64%4.7727.80
195744.16%4.9727.90
195751.95%5.0628.00
195762.32%5.1828.10
19577-5.21%4.9128.30
19578-3.74%4.7328.30
19579-5.90%4.4528.30
195710-1.80%4.3728.30
1957110.32%4.3828.40
1957122.33%4.4828.40
195810.70%4.5228.60
195822.42%4.6228.60
195830.90%4.6728.80
195843.56%4.8328.90
195852.74%4.9628.90
195863.07%5.1228.90
195874.05%5.3229.00
195882.94%5.4828.90
195894.36%5.7228.90
1958103.33%5.9128.90
1958112.16%6.0429.00
1958124.25%6.2928.90
19591-1.27%6.2229.00
195922.81%6.3928.90
195931.94%6.5128.90
195941.77%6.6329.00
19595-0.61%6.5929.00
195964.23%6.8729.10
19597-0.32%6.8429.20
19598-3.70%6.5929.20
195990.18%6.6029.30
1959100.67%6.6529.40
1959113.46%6.8829.40
195912-1.49%6.7829.40
19601-3.61%6.5329.30
19602-1.08%6.4629.40
196031.58%6.5629.40
19604-0.62%6.5229.50
196053.99%6.7829.50
19606-2.20%6.6329.60
196071.49%6.7329.60
19608-2.72%6.5529.60
19609-1.67%6.4429.60
1960103.54%6.6729.80
1960112.69%6.8529.80
1960125.43%7.2229.80
196114.37%7.5329.80
196123.40%7.7929.80
196132.92%8.0229.80
196141.26%8.1229.80
19615-1.08%8.0329.80
19616-0.03%8.0329.80
196173.84%8.3430.00
19618-0.54%8.2929.90
196191.34%8.4030.00
1961104.77%8.8030.00
1961111.16%8.9130.00
196112-3.49%8.6030.00
196211.91%8.7630.00
196220.34%8.7930.10
19623-2.94%8.5330.10
19624-7.19%7.9230.20
19625-11.41%7.0130.20
196262.72%7.2030.20
196273.02%7.4230.30
19628-0.59%7.3830.30
19629-2.86%7.1730.40
1962107.20%7.6830.40
1962114.62%8.0430.40
1962124.15%8.3730.40
196311.60%8.5130.40
19632-0.11%8.5030.40
196334.98%8.9230.50
196342.27%9.1230.50
196350.22%9.1430.50
19636-1.22%9.0330.60
196373.03%9.3030.70
196382.89%9.5730.70
196390.50%9.6230.70
196310-0.31%9.5930.80
1963112.39%9.8230.80
1963123.33%10.1530.90
196411.48%10.3030.90
196422.07%10.5130.90
196431.69%10.6930.90
196441.22%10.8230.90
19645-0.35%10.7830.90
196463.96%11.2131.00
19647-1.23%11.0731.10
196481.97%11.2931.00
196491.97%11.5131.10
1964100.94%11.6231.10
196411-1.49%11.4531.20
1964122.82%11.7731.20
196510.98%11.8831.20
196520.34%11.9231.20
196531.56%12.1131.30
196541.73%12.3231.40
19655-4.51%11.7631.40
196560.10%11.7831.60
196572.12%12.0331.60
196583.60%12.4631.60
196592.50%12.7731.60
1965101.08%12.9131.70
196511-0.21%12.8831.70
1965121.98%13.1331.80
19661-0.43%13.0831.80
19662-3.86%12.5732.00
196633.32%12.9932.10
19664-5.01%12.3432.30
19665-0.56%12.2732.30
196660.02%12.2732.40
19667-5.77%11.5632.50
19668-3.22%11.1932.70
19669-0.56%11.1332.70
1966105.32%11.7232.90
1966110.72%11.8032.90
1966124.13%12.2932.90
196713.73%12.7532.90
196722.63%13.0932.90
196731.99%13.3533.00
196742.06%13.6233.10
19675-0.99%13.4933.20
196761.99%13.7633.30
196771.85%14.0133.40
196781.65%14.2433.50
196790.10%14.2633.60
196710-2.88%13.8433.70
1967113.11%14.2833.80
196712-0.02%14.2733.90
19681-4.26%13.6734.10
19682-1.56%13.4534.20
196837.66%14.4834.30
196842.56%14.8534.40
196852.94%15.2934.50
196860.05%15.3034.70
19687-1.93%15.0034.90
196883.51%15.5335.00
196892.72%15.9535.10
1968101.79%16.2335.30
1968111.29%16.4435.40
196812-3.99%15.7935.50
19691-0.24%15.7535.60
19692-1.91%15.4535.80
196932.27%15.8036.10
196943.51%16.3636.30
19695-4.97%15.5436.40
19696-4.21%14.8936.60
19697-0.28%14.8536.80
196980.63%14.9437.00
196991.35%15.1437.10
1969101.00%15.2937.30
196911-5.03%14.5237.50
196912-0.59%14.4437.70
19701-3.20%13.9837.80
197022.01%14.2638.00
19703-2.75%13.8738.20
19704-11.20%12.3138.50
19705-0.27%12.2838.60
197060.52%12.3438.80
197073.26%12.7539.00
197086.32%13.5539.00
197092.49%13.8939.20
1970100.21%13.9239.40
1970117.16%14.9139.60
1970124.11%15.5339.80
197114.15%16.1739.80
197122.83%16.6339.90
197133.67%17.2440.00
19714-1.11%17.0540.10
19715-1.60%16.7840.30
19716-0.46%16.7040.60
19717-1.52%16.4540.70
197182.49%16.8640.80
19719-1.86%16.5440.80
197110-4.37%15.8240.90
1971117.16%16.9540.90
1971124.42%17.7041.10
197212.09%18.0741.10
197222.62%18.5441.30
197231.26%18.7841.40
19724-0.78%18.6341.50
197250.52%18.7341.60
19726-0.50%18.6341.70
197273.78%19.3441.90
19728-1.21%19.1042.00
197290.42%19.1842.10
1972105.25%20.1942.30
1972112.31%20.6642.40
1972120.99%20.8642.50
19731-3.33%20.1742.60
19732-1.35%19.9042.90
19733-1.63%19.5743.30
19734-2.57%19.0743.60
19735-1.99%18.6943.90
197361.21%18.9244.20
19737-1.64%18.6144.30
197382.00%18.9845.10
197394.24%19.7845.20
197310-6.85%18.4345.60
197311-6.81%17.1745.90
1973121.70%17.4646.20
19741-2.47%17.0346.60
197424.57%17.8147.20
19743-4.82%16.9547.80
19744-2.71%16.5048.00
197450.46%16.5748.60
19746-11.35%14.6949.00
19747-3.76%14.1449.40
19748-10.01%12.7250.00
197492.38%13.0250.60
1974103.74%13.5151.10
197411-6.09%12.6951.50
1974128.63%13.7851.90
1975110.81%15.2752.10
197524.97%16.0352.50
197531.49%16.2752.70
197546.71%17.3652.90
197552.89%17.8753.20
197560.43%17.9453.60
19757-7.00%16.6954.20
19758-0.85%16.5554.30
197594.97%17.3754.60
1975102.04%17.7254.90
197511-1.18%17.5155.30
1975129.55%19.1955.50
197614.18%19.9955.60
197620.80%20.1555.80
197631.10%20.3755.90
19764-0.38%20.2956.10
197650.90%20.4756.50
197662.67%21.0256.80
19767-0.56%20.9057.10
197682.44%21.4157.40
19769-3.11%20.7557.60
197610-0.37%20.6757.90
1976113.79%21.4558.00
197612-0.54%21.3458.20
19771-2.37%20.8358.50
19772-0.05%20.8259.10
19773-1.19%20.5759.50
197740.06%20.5860.00
197750.90%20.7760.30
197761.28%21.0460.70
19777-2.08%20.6061.00
19778-1.18%20.3661.20
19779-2.20%19.9161.40
1977100.98%20.1061.60
197711-0.08%20.0961.90
197712-3.39%19.4162.10
19781-0.97%19.2262.50
197820.27%19.2762.90
197834.83%20.2063.40
197845.50%21.3163.90
197850.67%21.4664.50
19786-0.06%21.4465.20
197877.33%23.0165.70
197880.40%23.1166.00
19789-2.77%22.4766.50
197810-5.44%21.2467.10
1978111.92%21.6567.40
1978124.19%22.5667.70
19791-1.06%22.3268.30
197922.34%22.8469.10
197932.43%23.4069.80
19794-1.89%22.9570.60
197952.42%23.5171.50
197961.42%23.8472.30
197975.01%25.0473.10
197981.54%25.4373.80
19799-3.35%24.5774.60
197910-0.32%24.4975.20
1979114.40%25.5775.90
1979123.31%26.4276.70
198014.40%27.5877.80
19802-8.78%25.1678.90
19803-1.16%24.8780.10
198045.04%26.1281.00
198056.86%27.9181.80
198064.97%29.3082.70
198073.50%30.3382.70
198082.84%31.1983.30
198093.32%32.2284.00
1980104.61%33.7184.80
198011-1.24%33.2985.50
1980120.01%33.2986.30
19811-3.07%32.2787.00
198124.14%33.6187.90
198131.29%34.0488.50
19814-1.62%33.4989.10
198150.86%33.7889.80
19816-2.02%33.1090.60
198170.80%33.3691.60
19818-8.30%30.5992.30
198191.73%31.1293.20
1981103.04%32.0793.40
1981111.18%32.4593.70
198112-4.80%30.8994.00
19821-1.91%30.3094.30
19822-2.74%29.4794.60
198235.47%31.0894.50
198240.57%31.2694.90
19825-5.27%29.6195.80
198260.24%29.6897.00
198270.79%29.9297.50
1982812.10%33.5397.70
198298.88%36.5197.90
1982104.50%38.1698.20
1982111.36%38.6798.00
1982123.93%40.1997.60
198312.13%41.0597.80
198323.87%42.6397.90
198334.20%44.4297.90
198344.42%46.3998.60
198351.75%47.2099.20
198360.71%47.5499.50
19837-2.41%46.3999.90
198383.31%47.93100.20
198390.65%48.24100.70
198310-1.14%47.69101.00
198311-0.13%47.63101.20
1983121.58%48.38101.30
19841-5.11%45.91101.90
198420.44%46.11102.40
198430.51%46.34102.60
19844-0.25%46.23103.10
19845-1.85%45.37103.40
19846-0.91%44.96103.70
198479.21%49.10104.10
198481.41%49.79104.50
19849-0.41%49.58105.00
1984101.29%50.22105.30
198411-0.71%49.87105.30
1984124.70%52.21105.30
198515.79%55.23105.50
19852-0.48%54.97106.00
198531.02%55.53106.40
198542.74%57.05106.90
198552.51%58.48107.30
198562.25%59.80107.60
19857-1.85%58.69107.80
19858-1.88%57.59108.00
198591.50%58.45108.30
1985106.42%62.20108.70
1985115.29%65.49109.00
1985120.75%65.99109.30
198615.70%69.74109.60
198626.18%74.06109.30
198632.74%76.09108.80
198640.49%76.46108.60
198653.13%78.86108.90
19866-1.80%77.43109.50
198672.28%79.20109.50
19868-2.46%77.26109.70
19869-0.09%77.19110.20
1986103.53%79.91110.30
1986111.71%81.28110.40
1986126.67%86.70110.50
198716.46%92.30111.20
198724.38%96.34111.60
19873-0.86%95.52112.10
198740.17%95.68112.70
198754.50%99.99113.10
198763.12%103.11113.50
198776.45%109.77113.80
19878-3.03%106.44114.40
19879-11.85%93.82115.00
198710-12.30%82.28115.30
198711-1.33%81.18115.40
1987124.25%84.63115.40
198813.33%87.44115.70
198823.23%90.27116.00
19883-0.89%89.47116.50
19884-2.19%87.51117.10
198856.00%92.76117.50
19886-0.31%92.48118.00
19887-1.72%90.89118.50
198881.93%92.64119.00
198893.80%96.16119.80
198810-2.02%94.22120.20
1988112.33%96.41120.30
1988123.51%99.80120.50
198913.30%103.09121.10
19892-0.16%102.92121.60
198933.56%106.59122.30
198944.12%110.98123.10
198953.39%114.74123.80
198962.80%117.96124.10
198974.69%123.49124.40
198980.46%124.05124.60
198990.29%124.41125.00
198910-1.81%122.15125.60
1989112.74%125.49125.90
198912-2.21%122.72126.10
19901-2.53%119.62127.40
199022.71%122.86128.00
199030.20%123.10128.70
199043.85%127.84128.90
199053.17%131.89129.20
199060.17%132.11129.90
19907-7.86%121.73130.40
19908-4.34%116.44131.60
19909-2.32%113.75132.70
1990102.98%117.14133.50
1990114.59%122.51133.80
199012-0.69%121.67133.80
1991111.61%135.80134.60
199123.04%139.93134.80
199132.26%143.09135.00
19914-0.18%142.84135.20
199150.35%143.33135.60
199160.78%144.45136.00
199172.68%148.32136.20
19918-0.30%147.87136.60
199190.18%148.14137.20
1991100.02%148.16137.40
1991110.94%149.55137.80
1991127.36%160.55137.90
19921-0.60%159.59138.10
19922-1.01%157.97138.60
199230.26%158.39139.30
199242.07%161.67139.50
19925-1.33%159.52139.70
199261.91%162.57140.20
199270.94%164.10140.50
199280.38%164.72140.90
19929-1.18%162.77141.30
1992102.76%167.26141.80
1992113.27%172.73142.00
1992120.14%172.98141.90
199311.72%175.96142.60
199322.15%179.74143.10
19933-1.34%177.33143.60
199340.72%178.62144.00
199350.87%180.16144.20
199360.06%180.27144.40
199371.76%183.45144.40
199381.35%185.94144.80
199391.24%188.24145.10
1993100.01%188.26145.70
1993110.89%189.93145.80
1993121.74%193.23145.80
19941-0.08%193.08146.20
19942-1.42%190.33146.70
19943-3.35%183.96147.20
199441.06%185.91147.40
199451.11%187.97147.50
19946-0.52%186.99148.00
199473.08%192.76148.40
199480.82%194.33149.00
19949-0.44%193.47149.40
199410-0.37%192.75149.50
199411-1.03%190.78149.70
1994122.45%195.45149.70
199513.82%202.92150.30
199522.56%208.11150.90
199533.22%214.80151.40
199543.35%221.99151.90
199553.18%229.05152.20
199563.55%237.17152.50
199570.51%238.39152.50
199583.72%247.25152.90
199590.91%249.51153.20
1995102.36%255.39153.70
1995113.39%264.05153.60
1995120.16%264.48153.50
199615.90%280.09154.40
19962-0.20%279.53154.90
199630.20%280.08155.70
199642.35%286.68156.30
199651.28%290.34156.60
19966-3.48%280.25156.70
199673.08%288.87157.00
199682.02%294.71157.30
199694.12%306.85157.80
1996105.05%322.36158.30
1996111.20%326.22158.60
1996123.26%336.85158.60
199714.36%351.54159.10
19972-0.62%349.34159.60
19973-3.41%337.45160.00
199749.22%368.55160.20
199755.34%388.22160.10
199765.74%410.49160.30
199770.35%411.92160.50
199781.19%416.83160.80
199791.65%423.69161.20
199710-1.15%418.81161.60
1997112.63%429.84161.50
1997120.24%430.86161.30
199816.40%458.44161.60
199825.31%482.80161.90
199833.41%499.24162.20
19984-0.22%498.13162.50
199850.12%498.71162.80
199864.47%521.00163.00
19987-6.97%484.68163.20
19988-4.90%460.94163.40
199891.29%466.89163.60
19981010.97%518.12164.00
1998114.10%539.39164.00
1998125.05%566.61163.90
19991-0.07%566.24164.30
199922.92%582.79164.50
199934.25%607.56165.00
19994-0.10%606.96166.20
19995-0.61%603.25166.20
199964.52%630.53166.20
19997-3.77%606.73166.70
19998-0.60%603.10167.10
19999-1.27%595.43167.90
1999107.11%637.74168.20
1999112.81%655.65168.30
199912-0.12%654.87168.30
20001-2.48%638.64168.80
200023.94%663.81169.80
200031.42%673.27171.20
20004-2.84%654.15171.30
200053.16%674.85171.50
200060.85%680.59172.40
200070.94%686.98172.80
20008-1.08%679.56172.80
20009-5.21%644.13173.70
200010-0.77%639.15174.00
200011-3.32%617.93174.10
2000120.46%620.75174.00
20011-2.14%607.48175.10
20012-9.08%552.33175.80
200130.45%554.80176.20
200146.88%592.97176.90
20015-2.39%578.81177.70
20016-2.66%563.41178.00
20017-2.05%551.88177.50
20018-11.25%489.81177.50
200193.18%505.41178.30
2001105.05%530.95177.70
2001111.47%538.73177.40
200112-0.30%537.13176.70
20021-3.35%519.12177.10
200224.95%544.79177.80
20023-3.51%525.64178.80
20024-2.82%510.82179.80
20025-5.92%480.57179.80
20026-10.76%428.87179.90
200271.14%433.75180.10
20028-4.76%413.12180.70
20029-1.37%407.47181.00
2002106.63%434.47181.30
200211-1.04%429.97181.30
200212-0.22%429.01180.90
20031-6.41%401.49181.70
200321.31%406.74183.10
200335.29%428.24184.20
200345.31%450.99183.80
200355.70%476.72183.50
200360.60%479.56183.70
20037-0.17%478.76183.90
200383.16%493.90184.60
200392.03%503.91185.20
2003101.21%510.01185.00
2003113.06%525.64184.50
2003124.93%551.58184.30
200411.09%557.57185.20
20042-1.57%548.84186.20
200430.97%554.16187.40
20044-2.56%539.95188.00
200452.86%555.38189.10
20046-2.24%542.94189.70
20047-1.39%535.41189.40
200482.78%550.31189.50
200490.10%550.87189.90
2004104.77%577.17190.90
2004112.73%592.91191.00
200412-1.35%584.91190.30
200511.68%594.75190.70
20052-0.26%593.23191.80
20053-2.41%578.94193.30
200541.34%586.67194.60
200552.18%599.46194.40
200561.81%610.30194.50
200570.31%612.19195.40
200580.28%613.90196.40
20059-2.62%597.79198.80
2005103.96%621.48199.20
2005112.14%634.80197.60
2005121.47%644.11196.80
20061-0.02%644.01198.30
200621.49%653.58198.70
200630.80%658.79199.80
20064-0.79%653.61201.50
20065-2.71%635.93202.50
200660.72%640.51202.90
200672.29%655.18203.50
200682.53%671.77203.90
200693.62%696.06202.90
2006102.00%709.99201.80
2006112.15%725.24201.50
2006120.69%730.27201.80
200711.60%741.92202.42
20072-2.47%723.57203.50
200734.18%753.82205.35
200743.39%779.38206.69
200750.34%782.07207.95
200760.57%786.57208.35
20077-4.20%753.52208.30
200783.07%776.69207.92
200792.99%799.93208.49
200710-4.81%761.48208.94
2007111.24%770.91210.18
200712-6.64%719.76210.04
20081-1.56%708.50211.08
20082-2.63%689.89211.69
200834.24%719.17213.53
200842.56%737.60214.82
20085-4.25%706.27216.63
20086-6.08%663.34218.82
200872.11%677.34219.96
20088-4.85%644.51219.09
20089-20.19%514.36218.78
200810-8.61%470.10216.57
200811-0.35%468.45212.43
200812-1.10%463.31210.23
20091-6.70%432.26211.14
20092-5.69%407.68212.19
2009312.32%457.91212.71
200946.66%488.40213.24
200952.87%502.42213.86
200961.28%508.84215.69
200978.12%550.16215.35
200983.65%570.24215.83
200992.40%583.94215.97
2009102.09%596.17216.18
2009112.23%609.44216.33
2009121.36%617.71215.95
20101-2.90%599.81216.69
201025.94%635.46216.74
201034.09%661.43217.63
20104-5.88%622.52218.01
20105-3.54%600.46218.18
20106-0.16%599.51217.97
201070.86%604.69218.01
201083.37%625.07218.31
201094.58%653.68218.44
2010102.49%669.97218.71
2010113.71%694.85218.80
2010123.46%718.90219.18
201113.15%741.56220.22
20112-1.11%733.31221.31
201132.22%749.59223.47
201140.66%754.53224.91
20115-3.66%726.90225.96
201163.10%749.45225.72
20117-10.40%671.50225.92
20118-0.79%666.20226.55
201193.02%686.31226.89
2011101.77%698.44226.42
2011111.55%709.30226.23
2011124.78%743.22225.67
201214.16%774.16226.67
201222.88%796.48227.66
20123-0.04%796.18229.39
20124-3.09%771.57230.09
20125-1.15%762.68229.82
201262.92%784.96229.48
201273.39%811.55229.10
201283.02%836.07230.38
20129-0.22%834.25231.41
201210-2.84%810.58231.32
2012112.18%828.21230.22
2012124.27%863.57229.60
201312.33%883.72230.28
201322.72%907.77232.17
201331.45%920.97232.77
201344.57%963.10232.53
20135-1.12%952.33232.95
201363.25%983.33233.50
201370.25%985.81233.60
201381.19%997.57233.88
201392.12%1,018.69234.15
2013103.86%1,058.01233.55
2013111.52%1,074.11233.07
2013120.97%1,084.51233.05
20141-0.13%1,083.10233.92
201422.72%1,112.58234.78
201430.20%1,114.82236.29
201441.53%1,131.90237.07
201453.20%1,168.08237.90
201461.50%1,185.56238.34
20147-0.43%1,180.49238.25
201481.78%1,201.48237.85
20149-2.65%1,169.69238.03
2014105.71%1,236.42237.43
2014110.63%1,244.26236.15
201412-1.11%1,230.45234.81
201512.83%1,265.24233.71
201520.06%1,265.94234.72
201530.88%1,277.06236.12
201540.98%1,289.56236.60
20155-0.44%1,283.94237.81
20156-0.08%1,282.92238.64
20157-2.42%1,251.82238.65
20158-4.51%1,195.40238.32
201594.32%1,247.00237.95
2015102.93%1,283.57237.84
201511-1.10%1,269.42237.34
201512-6.42%1,187.92236.53
20161-0.55%1,181.39236.92
201626.36%1,256.56237.11
201632.83%1,292.14238.13
20164-0.30%1,288.20239.26
201651.07%1,301.94240.23
201663.30%1,344.87241.02
201671.20%1,361.00240.63
20168-0.44%1,355.03240.85
20169-0.51%1,348.18241.43
2016101.20%1,364.37241.73
2016113.95%1,418.21241.35
2016121.44%1,438.59241.43
201712.58%1,475.66242.84
201721.75%1,501.47243.60
20173-0.15%1,499.16243.80
201741.69%1,524.53244.52
201751.78%1,551.61244.73
201760.99%1,566.94244.96
201770.25%1,570.83244.79
201781.65%1,596.79245.52
201792.73%1,640.46246.82
2017101.59%1,666.54246.66
2017112.88%1,714.59246.67
2017124.86%1,797.96246.52
20181-2.89%1,746.06247.87
201820.06%1,747.18248.99
20183-1.66%1,718.11249.55
201841.96%1,751.81250.55
201852.11%1,788.83251.59
201861.58%1,817.11251.99
201872.45%1,861.64252.01
201881.68%1,892.91252.15
20189-3.85%1,820.05252.44
201810-2.08%1,782.27252.89
201811-5.56%1,683.13252.04
2018121.74%1,712.34251.23
201915.83%1,812.15251.71
201921.95%1,847.45252.78
201933.72%1,916.24254.20
20194-1.53%1,886.88255.55
201951.40%1,913.39256.09
201963.83%1,986.62256.14
20197-3.13%1,924.35256.57
201983.09%1,983.72256.56
201990.01%1,983.92256.76
2019104.43%2,071.88257.35
2019112.47%2,123.04257.21
2019123.35%2,194.09256.97
202010.12%2,196.76257.97
20202-18.92%1,781.19258.68
202034.32%1,858.11258.12
202045.89%1,967.50256.39
202056.51%2,095.55256.39
202063.48%2,168.40257.80
202075.89%2,296.20259.10
20208-0.63%2,281.80259.92
202091.73%2,321.18260.28
2020103.95%2,412.97260.39
2020114.26%2,515.76260.23
2020122.80%2,586.08260.47
202112.49%2,650.52261.58
202120.82%2,672.29263.01
202136.02%2,833.20264.88
202140.76%2,854.74267.05
202151.81%2,906.42269.20
202163.07%2,995.60271.70
202172.19%3,061.05273.00
20218-0.08%3,058.47273.57
202190.45%3,072.30274.31
2021104.74%3,218.07276.59
2021110.27%3,226.61277.95
202112-2.05%3,160.40278.80
20221-2.90%3,068.67281.15
20222-0.89%3,041.28283.72
202230.12%3,044.88287.50
20224-7.87%2,805.16289.11
20225-3.37%2,710.65292.30
202260.46%2,723.24296.31
202276.45%2,898.82296.28
20228-7.28%2,687.86296.17
20229-3.09%2,604.77296.81
2022105.29%2,742.44298.01
2022110.01%2,742.74297.71
2022121.38%2,780.49296.80
202313.15%2,867.99299.17
20232-2.59%2,793.84300.84
202334.00%2,905.49301.84
202340.74%2,926.92303.36
202354.94%3,071.58304.13
202363.88%3,190.63305.11
20237-1.00%3,158.80305.69
20238-0.95%3,128.68307.03
20239-3.04%3,033.65307.79
2023104.60%3,173.25307.67
2023115.18%3,337.48307.05
2023122.91%3,434.66306.75
202414.20%3,578.89308.42
202423.28%3,696.35310.33
20243-1.01%3,659.05312.33
202442.52%3,751.14313.55
202453.55%3,884.33314.07
202462.38%3,976.76314.18
20247-0.97%3,938.16314.54
202482.72%4,045.36314.80
202493.15%4,172.87315.30
2024102.48%4,276.43315.66
2024111.47%4,339.31315.49
202412-0.42%4,321.14315.61
Click to show 1170 more rows

Remember, returns are based on the average closing price across the entire month. Some losses are offset by dividend returns.

Dollar-cost averaging

Dollar-cost averaging is an alternative to investing the full lump-sum of $0.25 up-front. Instead, the capital is invested over a period of time.

Consider a strategy in which $0.25 was invested in the S&P 500 over a period of no more than 24 months beginning in 1926. This would result in a final amount of $3,744.67, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $4,321.14).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
192610.010.01
192620.010.02
192630.010.03
192640.010.04
192650.010.05
192660.010.06
192670.010.08
192680.010.09
192690.010.10
1926100.010.11
1926110.010.12
1926120.010.13
192710.010.14
192720.010.16
192730.010.17
192740.010.19
192750.010.20
192760.010.22
192770.010.24
192780.010.27
192790.010.27
1927100.010.29
1927110.010.31
1927120.010.32
192810.010.33
19282-0.35
19283-0.37
19284-0.38
19285-0.37
19286-0.37
19287-0.38
19288-0.41
19289-0.42
192810-0.45
192811-0.45
192812-0.49
19291-0.49
19292-0.50
19293-0.50
19294-0.51
19295-0.52
19296-0.57
19297-0.60
19298-0.63
19299-0.56
192910-0.42
192911-0.43
192912-0.44
19301-0.47
19302-0.49
19303-0.52
19304-0.49
19305-0.45
19306-0.44
19307-0.43
19308-0.44
19309-0.38
193010-0.35
193011-0.33
193012-0.34
19311-0.37
19312-0.38
19313-0.34
19314-0.31
19315-0.30
19316-0.32
19317-0.31
19318-0.26
19319-0.23
193110-0.23
193111-0.19
193112-0.19
19321-0.19
19322-0.19
19323-0.15
19324-0.13
19325-0.12
19326-0.12
19327-0.18
19328-0.20
19329-0.18
193210-0.18
193211-0.17
193212-0.18
19331-0.16
19332-0.16
19333-0.18
19334-0.23
19335-0.27
19336-0.29
19337-0.28
19338-0.28
19339-0.25
193310-0.26
193311-0.27
193312-0.28
19341-0.30
19342-0.29
19343-0.29
19344-0.27
19345-0.27
19346-0.26
19347-0.25
19348-0.24
19349-0.25
193410-0.26
193411-0.26
193412-0.26
19351-0.25
19352-0.24
19353-0.26
19354-0.28
19355-0.29
19356-0.31
19357-0.33
19358-0.33
19359-0.34
193510-0.38
193511-0.38
193512-0.40
19361-0.43
19362-0.44
19363-0.44
19364-0.42
19365-0.43
19366-0.46
19367-0.47
19368-0.48
19369-0.51
193610-0.52
193611-0.51
193612-0.53
19371-0.55
19372-0.55
19373-0.52
19374-0.50
19375-0.48
19376-0.51
19377-0.52
19378-0.45
19379-0.39
193710-0.35
193711-0.35
193712-0.36
19381-0.35
19382-0.33
19383-0.32
19384-0.33
19385-0.34
19386-0.41
19387-0.41
19388-0.39
19389-0.44
193810-0.44
193811-0.43
193812-0.42
19391-0.42
19392-0.42
19393-0.37
19394-0.39
19395-0.40
19396-0.41
19397-0.40
19398-0.45
19399-0.45
193910-0.45
193911-0.44
193912-0.44
19401-0.44
19402-0.44
19403-0.44
19404-0.38
19405-0.35
19406-0.37
19407-0.38
19408-0.39
19409-0.40
194010-0.41
194011-0.40
194012-0.40
19411-0.38
19412-0.38
19413-0.37
19414-0.36
19415-0.38
19416-0.40
19417-0.40
19418-0.40
19419-0.39
194110-0.37
194111-0.35
194112-0.36
19421-0.35
19422-0.34
19423-0.32
19424-0.33
19425-0.35
19426-0.37
19427-0.37
19428-0.37
19429-0.40
194210-0.41
194211-0.41
194212-0.44
19431-0.47
19432-0.49
19433-0.51
19434-0.53
19435-0.54
19436-0.55
19437-0.53
19438-0.54
19439-0.54
194310-0.52
194311-0.53
194312-0.54
19441-0.54
19442-0.56
19443-0.55
19444-0.57
19445-0.59
19446-0.61
19447-0.61
19448-0.60
19449-0.62
194410-0.61
194411-0.63
194412-0.65
19451-0.68
19452-0.68
19453-0.70
19454-0.73
19455-0.74
19456-0.73
19457-0.74
19458-0.79
19459-0.82
194510-0.85
194511-0.87
194512-0.91
19461-0.91
19462-0.89
19463-0.95
19464-0.95
19465-0.95
19466-0.93
19467-0.91
19468-0.78
19469-0.77
194610-0.77
194611-0.79
194612-0.80
19471-0.83
19472-0.80
19473-0.78
19474-0.77
19475-0.80
19476-0.85
19477-0.84
19478-0.82
19479-0.84
194710-0.84
194711-0.83
194712-0.82
19481-0.78
19482-0.80
19483-0.86
19484-0.91
19485-0.95
19486-0.93
19487-0.91
19488-0.90
19489-0.93
194810-0.88
194811-0.88
194812-0.90
19491-0.87
19492-0.88
19493-0.88
19494-0.88
19495-0.84
19496-0.89
19497-0.93
19498-0.95
19499-0.98
194910-0.99
194911-1.03
194912-1.05
19501-1.08
19502-1.10
19503-1.13
19504-1.18
19505-1.20
19506-1.12
19507-1.20
19508-1.25
19509-1.30
195010-1.31
195011-1.31
195012-1.42
19511-1.48
19512-1.46
19513-1.49
19514-1.50
19515-1.48
19516-1.52
19517-1.59
19518-1.64
19519-1.64
195110-1.61
195111-1.66
195112-1.73
19521-1.70
19522-1.72
19523-1.72
19524-1.73
19525-1.78
19526-1.84
19527-1.86
19528-1.84
19529-1.81
195210-1.88
195211-1.96
195212-1.98
19531-1.97
19532-1.98
19533-1.90
19534-1.91
19535-1.85
19536-1.89
19537-1.91
19538-1.83
19539-1.89
195310-1.94
195311-1.98
195312-2.04
19541-2.09
19542-2.15
19543-2.24
19544-2.34
19545-2.37
19546-2.48
19547-2.54
19548-2.61
19549-2.68
195410-2.79
195411-2.93
195412-2.99
19551-3.11
19552-3.09
19553-3.21
19554-3.21
19555-3.40
19556-3.66
19557-3.65
19558-3.83
19559-3.65
195510-3.91
195511-3.95
195512-3.86
19561-3.90
19562-4.18
19563-4.24
19564-4.12
19565-4.11
19566-4.34
19567-4.33
19568-4.20
19569-4.16
195610-4.13
195611-4.20
195612-4.13
19571-3.96
19572-4.02
19573-4.13
19574-4.30
19575-4.39
19576-4.49
19577-4.26
19578-4.10
19579-3.85
195710-3.79
195711-3.80
195712-3.89
19581-3.91
19582-4.01
19583-4.04
19584-4.19
19585-4.30
19586-4.43
19587-4.61
19588-4.75
19589-4.96
195810-5.12
195811-5.23
195812-5.46
19591-5.39
19592-5.54
19593-5.64
19594-5.74
19595-5.71
19596-5.95
19597-5.93
19598-5.71
19599-5.72
195910-5.76
195911-5.96
195912-5.87
19601-5.66
19602-5.60
19603-5.69
19604-5.65
19605-5.88
19606-5.75
19607-5.83
19608-5.67
19609-5.58
196010-5.78
196011-5.93
196012-6.25
19611-6.53
19612-6.75
19613-6.95
19614-7.04
19615-6.96
19616-6.96
19617-7.22
19618-7.19
19619-7.28
196110-7.63
196111-7.72
196112-7.45
19621-7.59
19622-7.62
19623-7.39
19624-6.86
19625-6.08
19626-6.24
19627-6.43
19628-6.39
19629-6.21
196210-6.66
196211-6.97
196212-7.26
19631-7.37
19632-7.36
19633-7.73
19634-7.91
19635-7.92
19636-7.83
19637-8.06
19638-8.30
19639-8.34
196310-8.31
196311-8.51
196312-8.79
19641-8.92
19642-9.11
19643-9.26
19644-9.38
19645-9.34
19646-9.71
19647-9.59
19648-9.78
19649-9.98
196410-10.07
196411-9.92
196412-10.20
19651-10.30
19652-10.33
19653-10.49
19654-10.68
19655-10.19
19656-10.21
19657-10.42
19658-10.80
19659-11.07
196510-11.18
196511-11.16
196512-11.38
19661-11.33
19662-10.90
19663-11.26
19664-10.69
19665-10.63
19666-10.64
19667-10.02
19668-9.70
19669-9.64
196610-10.16
196611-10.23
196612-10.65
19671-11.05
19672-11.34
19673-11.57
19674-11.80
19675-11.69
19676-11.92
19677-12.14
19678-12.34
19679-12.35
196710-12.00
196711-12.37
196712-12.37
19681-11.84
19682-11.66
19683-12.55
19684-12.87
19685-13.25
19686-13.26
19687-13.00
19688-13.46
19689-13.82
196810-14.07
196811-14.25
196812-13.68
19691-13.65
19692-13.39
19693-13.69
19694-14.17
19695-13.47
19696-12.90
19697-12.87
19698-12.95
19699-13.12
196910-13.25
196911-12.59
196912-12.51
19701-12.11
19702-12.36
19703-12.02
19704-10.67
19705-10.64
19706-10.70
19707-11.05
19708-11.74
19709-12.04
197010-12.06
197011-12.92
197012-13.46
19711-14.01
19712-14.41
19713-14.94
19714-14.77
19715-14.54
19716-14.47
19717-14.25
19718-14.61
19719-14.33
197110-13.71
197111-14.69
197112-15.34
19721-15.66
19722-16.07
19723-16.27
19724-16.15
19725-16.23
19726-16.15
19727-16.76
19728-16.56
19729-16.62
197210-17.50
197211-17.90
197212-18.08
19731-17.48
19732-17.24
19733-16.96
19734-16.53
19735-16.20
19736-16.39
19737-16.12
19738-16.45
19739-17.14
197310-15.97
197311-14.88
197312-15.13
19741-14.76
19742-15.44
19743-14.69
19744-14.29
19745-14.36
19746-12.73
19747-12.25
19748-11.02
19749-11.29
197410-11.71
197411-11.00
197412-11.95
19751-13.24
19752-13.89
19753-14.10
19754-15.05
19755-15.48
19756-15.55
19757-14.46
19758-14.34
19759-15.05
197510-15.36
197511-15.18
197512-16.63
19761-17.32
19762-17.46
19763-17.65
19764-17.58
19765-17.74
19766-18.21
19767-18.11
19768-18.55
19769-17.98
197610-17.91
197611-18.59
197612-18.49
19771-18.05
19772-18.04
19773-17.83
19774-17.84
19775-18.00
19776-18.23
19777-17.85
19778-17.64
19779-17.25
197710-17.42
197711-17.41
197712-16.82
19781-16.65
19782-16.70
19783-17.51
19784-18.47
19785-18.59
19786-18.58
19787-19.94
19788-20.02
19789-19.47
197810-18.41
197811-18.76
197812-19.55
19791-19.34
19792-19.80
19793-20.28
19794-19.89
19795-20.37
19796-20.66
19797-21.70
19798-22.03
19799-21.29
197910-21.23
197911-22.16
197912-22.89
19801-23.90
19802-21.80
19803-21.55
19804-22.64
19805-24.19
19806-25.39
19807-26.28
19808-27.03
19809-27.92
198010-29.21
198011-28.85
198012-28.85
19811-27.97
19812-29.13
19813-29.50
19814-29.02
19815-29.27
19816-28.68
19817-28.91
19818-26.51
19819-26.97
198110-27.79
198111-28.12
198112-26.77
19821-26.26
19822-25.54
19823-26.93
19824-27.09
19825-25.66
19826-25.72
19827-25.93
19828-29.06
19829-31.64
198210-33.07
198211-33.51
198212-34.83
19831-35.57
19832-36.95
19833-38.50
19834-40.20
19835-40.91
19836-41.20
19837-40.20
19838-41.54
19839-41.81
198310-41.33
198311-41.27
198312-41.93
19841-39.78
19842-39.96
19843-40.16
19844-40.06
19845-39.32
19846-38.96
19847-42.55
19848-43.15
19849-42.97
198410-43.52
198411-43.21
198412-45.24
19851-47.86
19852-47.63
19853-48.12
19854-49.44
19855-50.68
19856-51.82
19857-50.86
19858-49.90
19859-50.65
198510-53.90
198511-56.76
198512-57.18
19861-60.44
19862-64.18
19863-65.94
19864-66.26
19865-68.34
19866-67.10
19867-68.63
19868-66.95
19869-66.89
198610-69.25
198611-70.43
198612-75.14
19871-79.99
19872-83.49
19873-82.78
19874-82.92
19875-86.65
19876-89.35
19877-95.12
19878-92.24
19879-81.31
198710-71.30
198711-70.35
198712-73.34
19881-75.78
19882-78.23
19883-77.53
19884-75.84
19885-80.39
19886-80.14
19887-78.76
19888-80.28
19889-83.33
198810-81.65
198811-83.55
198812-86.48
19891-89.34
19892-89.19
19893-92.37
19894-96.17
19895-99.44
19896-102.22
19897-107.02
19898-107.50
19899-107.81
198910-105.86
198911-108.75
198912-106.35
19901-103.66
19902-106.47
19903-106.68
19904-110.78
19905-114.30
19906-114.49
19907-105.49
19908-100.91
19909-98.57
199010-101.51
199011-106.17
199012-105.44
19911-117.68
19912-121.26
19913-124.00
19914-123.78
19915-124.21
19916-125.18
19917-128.53
19918-128.14
19919-128.38
199110-128.40
199111-129.60
199112-139.13
19921-138.30
19922-136.90
19923-137.26
19924-140.10
19925-138.24
19926-140.88
19927-142.21
19928-142.74
19929-141.06
199210-144.95
199211-149.69
199212-149.90
19931-152.49
19932-155.76
19933-153.67
19934-154.79
19935-156.13
19936-156.22
19937-158.98
19938-161.13
19939-163.13
199310-163.14
199311-164.59
199312-167.45
19941-167.32
19942-164.94
19943-159.42
19944-161.11
19945-162.89
19946-162.05
19947-167.04
19948-168.41
19949-167.66
199410-167.04
199411-165.33
199412-169.38
19951-175.85
19952-180.34
19953-186.14
19954-192.38
19955-198.49
19956-205.53
19957-206.59
19958-214.27
19959-216.22
199510-221.32
199511-228.82
199512-229.19
19961-242.73
19962-242.24
19963-242.72
19964-248.43
19965-251.61
19966-242.86
19967-250.33
19968-255.40
19969-265.92
199610-279.35
199611-282.70
199612-291.91
19971-304.64
19972-302.74
19973-292.43
19974-319.39
19975-336.43
19976-355.73
19977-356.97
19978-361.22
19979-367.16
199710-362.93
199711-372.50
199712-373.38
19981-397.28
19982-418.39
19983-432.64
19984-431.68
19985-432.18
19986-451.49
19987-420.02
19988-399.44
19989-404.60
199810-449.00
199811-467.43
199812-491.02
19991-490.70
19992-505.04
19993-526.51
19994-525.99
19995-522.77
19996-546.41
19997-525.79
19998-522.64
19999-515.99
199910-552.66
199911-568.18
199912-567.50
20001-553.44
20002-575.25
20003-583.45
20004-566.88
20005-584.82
20006-589.79
20007-595.33
20008-588.90
20009-558.20
200010-553.89
200011-535.50
200012-537.93
20011-526.44
20012-478.64
20013-480.79
20014-513.86
20015-501.59
20016-488.25
20017-478.26
20018-424.47
20019-437.98
200110-460.11
200111-466.86
200112-465.47
20021-449.86
20022-472.11
20023-455.52
20024-442.67
20025-416.46
20026-371.65
20027-375.89
20028-358.00
20029-353.11
200210-376.51
200211-372.61
200212-371.78
20031-347.93
20032-352.48
20033-371.11
20034-390.83
20035-413.12
20036-415.58
20037-414.89
20038-428.01
20039-436.69
200310-441.97
200311-455.51
200312-477.99
20041-483.19
20042-475.62
20043-480.23
20044-467.91
20045-481.29
20046-470.51
20047-463.98
20048-476.89
20049-477.38
200410-500.17
200411-513.81
200412-506.88
20051-515.40
20052-514.09
20053-501.70
20054-508.40
20055-519.49
20056-528.88
20057-530.52
20058-532.01
20059-518.04
200510-538.57
200511-550.11
200512-558.18
20061-558.09
20062-566.38
20063-570.91
20064-566.41
20065-551.09
20066-555.06
20067-567.78
20068-582.15
20069-603.20
200610-615.27
200611-628.49
200612-632.84
20071-642.95
20072-627.04
20073-653.25
20074-675.41
20075-677.74
20076-681.63
20077-653.00
20078-673.07
20079-693.21
200710-659.89
200711-668.06
200712-623.74
20081-613.98
20082-597.85
20083-623.23
20084-639.20
20085-612.05
20086-574.85
20087-586.98
20088-558.53
20089-445.74
200810-407.38
200811-405.95
200812-401.50
20091-374.59
20092-353.29
20093-396.82
20094-423.25
20095-435.39
20096-440.95
20097-476.76
20098-494.17
20099-506.04
200910-516.64
200911-528.14
200912-535.30
20101-519.79
20102-550.68
20103-573.19
20104-539.47
20105-520.36
20106-519.53
20107-524.02
20108-541.68
20109-566.48
201010-580.59
201011-602.15
201012-623.00
20111-642.63
20112-635.48
20113-649.59
20114-653.87
20115-629.93
20116-649.46
20117-581.92
20118-577.32
20119-594.75
201110-605.26
201111-614.67
201112-644.07
20121-670.88
20122-690.23
20123-689.96
20124-668.64
20125-660.93
20126-680.24
20127-703.28
20128-724.53
20129-722.96
201210-702.44
201211-717.72
201212-748.36
20131-765.82
20132-786.67
20133-798.11
20134-834.61
20135-825.28
20136-852.14
20137-854.30
20138-864.48
20139-882.79
201310-916.86
201311-930.82
201312-939.82
20141-938.60
20142-964.15
20143-966.10
20144-980.90
20145-1,012.25
20146-1,027.39
20147-1,023.01
20148-1,041.20
20149-1,013.64
201410-1,071.47
201411-1,078.27
201412-1,066.30
20151-1,096.45
20152-1,097.05
20153-1,106.69
20154-1,117.52
20155-1,112.66
20156-1,111.77
20157-1,084.82
20158-1,035.92
20159-1,080.64
201510-1,112.33
201511-1,100.07
201512-1,029.45
20161-1,023.78
20162-1,088.92
20163-1,119.76
20164-1,116.35
20165-1,128.25
20166-1,165.46
20167-1,179.43
20168-1,174.26
20169-1,168.32
201610-1,182.35
201611-1,229.01
201612-1,246.67
20171-1,278.79
20172-1,301.16
20173-1,299.16
20174-1,321.15
20175-1,344.62
20176-1,357.90
20177-1,361.26
20178-1,383.77
20179-1,421.61
201710-1,444.21
201711-1,485.85
201712-1,558.09
20181-1,513.12
20182-1,514.09
20183-1,488.90
20184-1,518.11
20185-1,550.18
20186-1,574.69
20187-1,613.28
20188-1,640.38
20189-1,577.24
201810-1,544.50
201811-1,458.58
201812-1,483.90
20191-1,570.39
20192-1,600.99
20193-1,660.59
20194-1,635.16
20195-1,658.13
20196-1,721.59
20197-1,667.63
20198-1,719.08
20199-1,719.25
201910-1,795.47
201911-1,839.81
201912-1,901.38
20201-1,903.70
20202-1,543.56
20203-1,610.22
20204-1,705.02
20205-1,815.99
20206-1,879.12
20207-1,989.87
20208-1,977.39
20209-2,011.52
202010-2,091.06
202011-2,180.14
202012-2,241.08
20211-2,296.92
20212-2,315.78
20213-2,455.23
20214-2,473.89
20215-2,518.68
20216-2,595.96
20217-2,652.69
20218-2,650.44
20219-2,662.43
202110-2,788.75
202111-2,796.16
202112-2,738.78
20221-2,659.28
20222-2,635.55
20223-2,638.67
20224-2,430.93
20225-2,349.02
20226-2,359.94
20227-2,512.09
20228-2,329.28
20229-2,257.28
202210-2,376.58
202211-2,376.83
202212-2,409.55
20231-2,485.38
20232-2,421.12
20233-2,517.87
20234-2,536.45
20235-2,661.80
20236-2,764.98
20237-2,737.39
20238-2,711.29
20239-2,628.94
202310-2,749.91
202311-2,892.23
202312-2,976.45
20241-3,101.44
20242-3,203.23
20243-3,170.90
20244-3,250.71
20245-3,366.12
20246-3,446.23
20247-3,412.78
20248-3,505.68
20249-3,616.17
202410-3,705.92
202411-3,760.41
202412-3,744.67
Click to show 1170 more rows

Data Sources

The information on this page is derived from Robert Shiller's book, Irrational Exuberance and the accompanying dataset, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly CPI logs.

Note that S&P index value for the current quarter is based on a moving average of closing prices, per Robert Shiller's methodology. The inflation data used is based on annual CPI averages.


Ian Webster

About the author

Ian Webster is an engineer and data expert based in San Mateo, California. He has worked for Google, NASA, and consulted for governments around the world on data pipelines and data analysis. Disappointed by the lack of clear resources on the impacts of inflation on economic indicators, Ian believes this website serves as a valuable public tool. Ian earned his degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College.

Email · LinkedIn · Twitter


S&P 500 from 1926 to 2024
Start Value
Average monthly close
$12.65
End Value
Average monthly close
$4,815.61
Change in price+37,968.09%
+6.25% / yr
Change incl. dividends+1,728,357.64%
+10.36% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+97,482.75%
+7.20% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($0.25 base)
$4,321.14
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($0.25 base)
$243.96