S&P 500: $1000 in 1942 → $7,565,742.93 in 2021

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Stock market returns between 1942 and 2021

If you invested $1000 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1942, you would have about $7,565,742.93 at the end of 2021, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 756,474.29%, or 11.81% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 45,411.14% cumulatively, or 7.95% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $6,409,224.70.

The graph below shows the performance of $1000 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 $1000 is $7,564,742.93, or 756,474.29%. This means by 2021 you would have $7,565,742.93 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 1942 was 16.300 and the CPI in 2021 was 270.970.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 79 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $7,565,742.93 nominal end value of the original $1000 investment would have a real return of roughly $454,111.39 in 1942 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 45,411.14% as opposed to the original 756,474.29%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1942.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $1000 investment, including gains and losses over the 960-month period between 1942 and 2021.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
19421-2.48%975.2115.70
19422-4.76%928.7715.80
19423-3.45%896.6916.00
194241.87%913.4616.10
194255.75%965.9716.30
194264.38%1,008.3016.30
194270.05%1,008.7516.40
194281.66%1,025.5216.50
194297.97%1,107.2416.50
1942102.15%1,131.1016.70
1942111.06%1,143.0416.80
1942126.50%1,217.3816.90
194316.43%1,295.7116.90
194324.01%1,347.7316.90
194333.79%1,398.7617.20
194344.36%1,459.7917.40
194352.18%1,491.6117.50
194362.47%1,528.4917.50
19437-4.54%1,459.1117.40
194382.55%1,496.3617.30
19439-0.50%1,488.8717.40
194310-4.21%1,426.2517.40
1943111.77%1,451.4917.40
1943123.67%1,504.7017.40
19441-0.24%1,501.0317.40
194423.24%1,549.6717.40
19443-1.31%1,529.3917.40
194442.20%1,563.0917.50
194455.14%1,643.4717.50
194463.02%1,693.0817.60
19447-1.06%1,675.2117.70
19448-1.23%1,654.6917.70
194492.88%1,702.4017.70
194410-0.28%1,697.5717.70
1944112.60%1,741.7017.70
1944123.38%1,800.6517.80
194513.73%1,867.8717.80
194520.31%1,873.7517.80
194532.90%1,928.1217.80
194544.16%2,008.3417.80
194552.19%2,052.2717.90
19456-1.70%2,017.4818.10
194570.71%2,031.7318.10
194587.18%2,177.6018.10
194594.51%2,275.9018.10
1945103.61%2,357.9718.10
1945112.02%2,405.7118.10
1945124.30%2,509.1318.20
194610.59%2,523.8218.20
19462-2.68%2,456.2418.10
194636.77%2,622.5118.30
194640.52%2,636.1018.40
19465-0.34%2,627.1718.50
19466-2.55%2,560.2418.70
19467-1.62%2,518.6719.80
19468-14.42%2,155.4220.20
19469-1.87%2,115.0720.40
194610-0.01%2,114.7920.80
1946113.39%2,186.5721.30
1946120.92%2,206.6821.50
194714.27%2,300.9021.50
19472-3.67%2,216.4021.50
19473-3.30%2,143.3021.90
19474-1.36%2,114.1021.90
194753.92%2,196.9921.90
194766.69%2,344.0522.00
19477-1.56%2,307.5122.20
19478-2.17%2,257.5022.50
194793.03%2,325.8323.00
194710-0.73%2,308.8623.00
194711-1.12%2,282.9423.10
194712-0.86%2,263.2023.40
19481-4.45%2,162.5223.70
194821.92%2,204.0123.50
194838.19%2,384.4723.40
194845.33%2,511.5623.80
194854.59%2,626.7723.90
19486-1.96%2,575.3724.10
19487-2.49%2,511.2824.40
19488-0.68%2,494.2624.50
194893.19%2,573.7824.50
194810-5.10%2,442.5024.40
194811-0.16%2,438.6424.20
1948121.63%2,478.3724.10
19491-3.33%2,395.9024.00
194921.49%2,431.6423.80
194930.41%2,441.6923.80
19494-0.18%2,437.2323.90
19495-4.91%2,317.4923.80
194966.26%2,462.6523.90
194974.17%2,565.3523.70
194981.87%2,613.3523.80
194993.14%2,695.4623.90
1949101.95%2,747.9523.70
1949113.24%2,837.0323.80
1949122.63%2,911.6423.60
195012.52%2,985.1023.50
195021.38%3,026.1523.50
195033.39%3,128.6223.60
195043.91%3,251.0823.60
195052.16%3,321.4623.70
19506-6.72%3,098.1423.80
195076.64%3,303.7824.10
195084.11%3,439.5224.30
195094.72%3,601.9124.40
1950100.38%3,615.4624.60
1950110.19%3,622.5024.70
1950128.01%3,912.7525.00
195114.31%4,081.3525.40
19512-1.11%4,035.9525.70
195131.93%4,113.6925.80
195140.63%4,139.5525.80
19515-1.15%4,092.1525.90
195162.37%4,188.9925.90
195174.97%4,396.9925.90
195183.14%4,534.8725.90
195190.03%4,536.1526.10
195110-2.25%4,433.9426.20
1951113.61%4,594.1426.40
1951123.83%4,770.2826.50
19521-1.33%4,706.7326.50
195220.75%4,742.0226.30
195230.20%4,751.6526.30
195240.46%4,773.5026.40
195253.24%4,928.3926.40
195263.37%5,094.3226.50
195270.88%5,139.1826.70
19528-1.11%5,082.2026.70
19529-1.61%5,000.3326.70
1952103.67%5,183.7226.70
1952114.51%5,417.4526.70
1952120.99%5,471.0226.70
19531-0.77%5,428.7126.60
195320.96%5,480.6626.50
19533-4.47%5,235.5226.60
195341.00%5,288.0226.60
19535-3.11%5,123.6826.70
195361.91%5,221.7426.80
195370.90%5,268.6726.80
19538-4.11%5,052.3026.90
195393.52%5,229.9726.90
1953102.71%5,371.6127.00
1953111.84%5,470.2726.90
1953123.02%5,635.6926.90
195412.68%5,786.5226.90
195422.58%5,935.9526.90
195434.45%6,200.1326.90
195444.42%6,474.3326.80
195451.22%6,553.5226.90
195464.46%6,845.6226.90
195472.39%7,009.5326.90
195482.74%7,201.5726.90
195492.71%7,396.7826.80
1954104.30%7,715.0126.80
1954114.95%8,097.1626.80
1954122.17%8,272.7526.70
195513.70%8,579.2326.70
19552-0.44%8,541.7926.70
195533.81%8,867.0826.70
19554-0.08%8,860.1026.70
195556.15%9,404.5626.70
195567.64%10,123.4626.70
19557-0.30%10,093.1626.80
195584.82%10,579.2926.80
19559-4.72%10,079.4326.90
1955107.07%10,791.6626.90
1955111.24%10,925.1726.90
195512-2.39%10,664.3026.80
195610.95%10,765.5526.80
195627.21%11,541.3326.80
195631.48%11,712.4626.80
19564-2.84%11,380.0026.90
19565-0.26%11,350.1827.00
195665.75%12,002.6927.20
19567-0.28%11,968.5127.40
19568-3.09%11,598.8327.30
19569-0.95%11,488.2227.40
195610-0.71%11,406.3727.50
1956111.81%11,612.7127.50
195612-1.86%11,396.4127.60
19571-4.00%10,941.0327.60
195721.62%11,118.3327.70
195732.64%11,412.3127.80
195744.16%11,887.0827.90
195751.95%12,119.3828.00
195762.32%12,400.8028.10
19577-5.21%11,755.3328.30
19578-3.74%11,315.7428.30
19579-5.90%10,648.5028.30
195710-1.80%10,456.7828.30
1957110.32%10,490.0328.40
1957122.33%10,734.3228.40
195810.70%10,809.6628.60
195822.42%11,071.1428.60
195830.90%11,170.3828.80
195843.56%11,567.8128.90
195852.74%11,884.2128.90
195863.07%12,249.1528.90
195874.05%12,745.7629.00
195882.94%13,120.9728.90
195894.36%13,692.9128.90
1958103.33%14,148.3728.90
1958112.16%14,454.3229.00
1958124.25%15,069.3028.90
19591-1.27%14,878.6729.00
195922.81%15,296.2028.90
195931.94%15,592.4028.90
195941.77%15,867.6729.00
19595-0.61%15,771.4729.00
195964.23%16,438.2229.10
19597-0.32%16,385.8629.20
19598-3.70%15,779.0529.20
195990.18%15,806.9429.30
1959100.67%15,912.7129.40
1959113.46%16,463.7829.40
195912-1.49%16,219.1729.40
19601-3.61%15,633.7829.30
19602-1.08%15,465.2329.40
196031.58%15,710.2429.40
19604-0.62%15,612.1229.50
196053.99%16,234.7529.50
19606-2.20%15,878.2129.60
196071.49%16,114.9329.60
19608-2.72%15,676.4829.60
19609-1.67%15,414.0729.60
1960103.54%15,959.8629.80
1960112.69%16,389.2829.80
1960125.43%17,278.7129.80
196114.37%18,034.5029.80
196123.40%18,647.1529.80
196132.92%19,191.4629.80
196141.26%19,433.9129.80
19615-1.08%19,223.9929.80
19616-0.03%19,218.6229.80
196173.84%19,956.4130.00
19618-0.54%19,848.3129.90
196191.34%20,114.8830.00
1961104.77%21,074.7830.00
1961111.16%21,319.8830.00
196112-3.49%20,576.4230.00
196211.91%20,969.3330.00
196220.34%21,040.8330.10
19623-2.94%20,421.1930.10
19624-7.19%18,953.9230.20
19625-11.41%16,790.7530.20
196262.72%17,247.0230.20
196273.02%17,768.4030.30
19628-0.59%17,662.9730.30
19629-2.86%17,158.4630.40
1962107.20%18,394.0230.40
1962114.62%19,244.5230.40
1962124.15%20,042.5330.40
196311.60%20,362.3230.40
19632-0.11%20,340.2730.40
196334.98%21,352.8430.50
196342.27%21,837.4630.50
196350.22%21,884.7630.50
19636-1.22%21,617.3630.60
196373.03%22,272.6130.70
196382.89%22,917.0930.70
196390.50%23,031.6530.70
196310-0.31%22,961.0430.80
1963112.39%23,510.5830.80
1963123.33%24,293.5330.90
196411.48%24,653.0530.90
196422.07%25,163.6330.90
196431.69%25,589.6730.90
196441.22%25,901.9630.90
19645-0.35%25,811.1330.90
196463.96%26,833.5231.00
19647-1.23%26,504.6331.10
196481.97%27,025.5631.00
196491.97%27,558.0231.10
1964100.94%27,816.2231.10
196411-1.49%27,401.6731.20
1964122.82%28,174.6131.20
196510.98%28,449.3331.20
196520.34%28,544.8031.20
196531.56%28,989.4331.30
196541.73%29,491.7031.40
19655-4.51%28,162.4031.40
196560.10%28,191.3831.60
196572.12%28,788.6431.60
196583.60%29,823.9131.60
196592.50%30,568.5631.60
1965101.08%30,897.4731.70
196511-0.21%30,832.0931.70
1965121.98%31,442.7031.80
19661-0.43%31,307.3731.80
19662-3.86%30,098.1732.00
196633.32%31,097.7232.10
19664-5.01%29,540.4732.30
19665-0.56%29,375.1932.30
196660.02%29,380.5932.40
19667-5.77%27,685.4932.50
19668-3.22%26,792.6832.70
19669-0.56%26,641.4632.70
1966105.32%28,057.7332.90
1966110.72%28,258.5732.90
1966124.13%29,425.7332.90
196713.73%30,523.3232.90
196722.63%31,327.2232.90
196731.99%31,951.4133.00
196742.06%32,608.8633.10
19675-0.99%32,285.4433.20
196761.99%32,928.7033.30
196771.85%33,538.4333.40
196781.65%34,093.1233.50
196790.10%34,126.3333.60
196710-2.88%33,142.9033.70
1967113.11%34,174.2233.80
196712-0.02%34,168.2533.90
19681-4.26%32,713.7134.10
19682-1.56%32,203.6334.20
196837.66%34,670.9834.30
196842.56%35,557.7634.40
196852.94%36,603.4034.50
196860.05%36,621.3134.70
19687-1.93%35,913.0834.90
196883.51%37,172.8035.00
196892.72%38,182.8535.10
1968101.79%38,864.7035.30
1968111.29%39,364.2435.40
196812-3.99%37,795.5235.50
19691-0.24%37,705.3635.60
19692-1.91%36,983.7535.80
196932.27%37,824.8636.10
196943.51%39,153.8336.30
19695-4.97%37,207.3736.40
19696-4.21%35,642.6736.60
19697-0.28%35,541.5936.80
196980.63%35,764.9737.00
196991.35%36,246.5237.10
1969101.00%36,608.0737.30
196911-5.03%34,767.6037.50
196912-0.59%34,562.8137.70
19701-3.20%33,458.1537.80
197022.01%34,131.4238.00
19703-2.75%33,193.5938.20
19704-11.20%29,476.2338.50
19705-0.27%29,396.6838.60
197060.52%29,550.2938.80
197073.26%30,512.3939.00
197086.32%32,441.1739.00
197092.49%33,248.7939.20
1970100.21%33,317.5439.40
1970117.16%35,702.5239.60
1970124.11%37,170.1439.80
197114.15%38,713.0939.80
197122.83%39,809.3939.90
197133.67%41,271.9340.00
19714-1.11%40,814.6940.10
19715-1.60%40,163.3540.30
19716-0.46%39,977.4040.60
19717-1.52%39,370.9040.70
197182.49%40,349.8240.80
19719-1.86%39,597.8340.80
197110-4.37%37,866.8040.90
1971117.16%40,579.4240.90
1971124.42%42,374.0741.10
197212.09%43,258.4041.10
197222.62%44,391.6041.30
197231.26%44,950.4541.40
19724-0.78%44,601.6841.50
197250.52%44,831.8741.60
19726-0.50%44,605.9841.70
197273.78%46,293.7341.90
19728-1.21%45,733.3642.00
197290.42%45,924.2642.10
1972105.25%48,337.2242.30
1972112.31%49,454.5442.40
1972120.99%49,943.8342.50
19731-3.33%48,283.1342.60
19732-1.35%47,633.5642.90
19733-1.63%46,855.5643.30
19734-2.57%45,651.4843.60
19735-1.99%44,743.1143.90
197361.21%45,284.6144.20
19737-1.64%44,544.0244.30
197382.00%45,432.8045.10
197394.24%47,357.0345.20
197310-6.85%44,111.7145.60
197311-6.81%41,109.7945.90
1973121.70%41,808.8346.20
19741-2.47%40,774.9546.60
197424.57%42,640.2647.20
19743-4.82%40,586.4347.80
19744-2.71%39,488.3048.00
197450.46%39,668.8548.60
19746-11.35%35,167.6949.00
19747-3.76%33,843.7149.40
19748-10.01%30,454.7450.00
197492.38%31,178.6350.60
1974103.74%32,345.7851.10
197411-6.09%30,375.3351.50
1974128.63%32,997.5651.90
1975110.81%36,563.7852.10
197524.97%38,382.3452.50
197531.49%38,953.0952.70
197546.71%41,567.8752.90
197552.89%42,771.1053.20
197560.43%42,955.8853.60
19757-7.00%39,950.5754.20
19758-0.85%39,609.9254.30
197594.97%41,579.0454.60
1975102.04%42,427.9554.90
197511-1.18%41,927.4655.30
1975129.55%45,929.5555.50
197614.18%47,848.5555.60
197620.80%48,232.4955.80
197631.10%48,760.8655.90
19764-0.38%48,573.9756.10
197650.90%49,011.4256.50
197662.67%50,317.7556.80
19767-0.56%50,035.6557.10
197682.44%51,255.4757.40
19769-3.11%49,662.3457.60
197610-0.37%49,480.2557.90
1976113.79%51,353.8258.00
197612-0.54%51,077.9358.20
19771-2.37%49,868.0958.50
19772-0.05%49,841.0759.10
19773-1.19%49,246.1359.50
197740.06%49,277.9060.00
197750.90%49,721.2960.30
197761.28%50,358.9360.70
19777-2.08%49,312.1661.00
19778-1.18%48,732.5861.20
19779-2.20%47,661.5061.40
1977100.98%48,129.1361.60
197711-0.08%48,090.5661.90
197712-3.39%46,460.1262.10
19781-0.97%46,008.5362.50
197820.27%46,130.7662.90
197834.83%48,358.8763.40
197845.50%51,020.7063.90
197850.67%51,364.3564.50
19786-0.06%51,332.3665.20
197877.33%55,094.0765.70
197880.40%55,314.2766.00
19789-2.77%53,780.1366.50
197810-5.44%50,855.7567.10
1978111.92%51,833.6267.40
1978124.19%54,003.0267.70
19791-1.06%53,432.2368.30
197922.34%54,683.1769.10
197932.43%56,012.4669.80
19794-1.89%54,952.1370.60
197952.42%56,280.6871.50
197961.42%57,080.3472.30
197975.01%59,942.5473.10
197981.54%60,865.9273.80
19799-3.35%58,825.3874.60
197910-0.32%58,635.7175.20
1979114.40%61,218.0275.90
1979123.31%63,245.8576.70
198014.40%66,026.0477.80
19802-8.78%60,230.3978.90
19803-1.16%59,530.4880.10
198045.04%62,528.5281.00
198056.86%66,819.6581.80
198064.97%70,140.2382.70
198073.50%72,598.4282.70
198082.84%74,657.1783.30
198093.32%77,139.3584.00
1980104.61%80,699.1084.80
198011-1.24%79,694.5785.50
1980120.01%79,702.5386.30
19811-3.07%77,255.5287.00
198124.14%80,456.4587.90
198131.29%81,497.3988.50
19814-1.62%80,179.3689.10
198150.86%80,866.9789.80
19816-2.02%79,236.4990.60
198170.80%79,872.4191.60
19818-8.30%73,240.8692.30
198191.73%74,505.9193.20
1981103.04%76,773.6793.40
1981111.18%77,679.1193.70
198112-4.80%73,947.3294.00
19821-1.91%72,532.0494.30
19822-2.74%70,541.3794.60
198235.47%74,399.5094.50
198240.57%74,823.3194.90
19825-5.27%70,879.6695.80
198260.24%71,052.5097.00
198270.79%71,616.6497.50
1982812.10%80,279.6697.70
198298.88%87,409.6297.90
1982104.50%91,342.9898.20
1982111.36%92,581.1398.00
1982123.93%96,215.6397.60
198312.13%98,265.0497.80
198323.87%102,063.5997.90
198334.20%106,347.6097.90
198344.42%111,052.4398.60
198351.75%112,999.7399.20
198360.71%113,799.9299.50
19837-2.41%111,060.5599.90
198383.31%114,740.91100.20
198390.65%115,484.35100.70
198310-1.14%114,166.18101.00
198311-0.13%114,019.90101.20
1983121.58%115,816.78101.30
19841-5.11%109,896.02101.90
198420.44%110,382.15102.40
198430.51%110,942.01102.60
19844-0.25%110,661.80103.10
19845-1.85%108,616.44103.40
19846-0.91%107,629.71103.70
198479.21%117,538.71104.10
198481.41%119,192.44104.50
19849-0.41%118,700.89105.00
1984101.29%120,227.26105.30
198411-0.71%119,376.59105.30
1984124.70%124,984.38105.30
198515.79%132,217.68105.50
19852-0.48%131,585.26106.00
198531.02%132,933.63106.40
198542.74%136,570.21106.90
198552.51%139,999.44107.30
198562.25%143,145.54107.60
19857-1.85%140,504.06107.80
19858-1.88%137,855.57108.00
198591.50%139,917.28108.30
1985106.42%148,900.69108.70
1985115.29%156,784.26109.00
1985120.75%157,962.86109.30
198615.70%166,962.39109.60
198626.18%177,285.29109.30
198632.74%182,145.44108.80
198640.49%183,041.28108.60
198653.13%188,776.41108.90
19866-1.80%185,371.04109.50
198672.28%189,599.08109.50
19868-2.46%184,942.08109.70
19869-0.09%184,775.87110.20
1986103.53%191,303.91110.30
1986111.71%194,573.18110.40
1986126.67%207,557.77110.50
198716.46%220,969.90111.20
198724.38%230,640.44111.60
19873-0.86%228,665.22112.10
198740.17%229,060.42112.70
198754.50%239,364.57113.10
198763.12%246,837.77113.50
198776.45%262,768.71113.80
19878-3.03%254,805.69114.40
19879-11.85%224,601.32115.00
198710-12.30%196,967.69115.30
198711-1.33%194,338.77115.40
1987124.25%202,591.45115.40
198813.33%209,334.84115.70
198823.23%216,100.66116.00
19883-0.89%214,185.96116.50
19884-2.19%209,499.00117.10
198856.00%222,065.17117.50
19886-0.31%221,383.60118.00
19887-1.72%217,579.16118.50
198881.93%221,772.28119.00
198893.80%230,203.21119.80
198810-2.02%225,552.54120.20
1988112.33%230,798.78120.30
1988123.51%238,905.95120.50
198913.30%246,789.50121.10
19892-0.16%246,390.54121.60
198933.56%255,173.87122.30
198944.12%265,675.04123.10
198953.39%274,688.39123.80
198962.80%282,380.15124.10
198974.69%295,625.90124.40
198980.46%296,972.59124.60
198990.29%297,822.69125.00
198910-1.81%292,421.53125.60
1989112.74%300,424.24125.90
198912-2.21%293,781.19126.10
19901-2.53%286,356.80127.40
199022.71%294,108.95128.00
199030.20%294,685.36128.70
199043.85%306,033.48128.90
199053.17%315,734.61129.20
199060.17%316,270.48129.90
19907-7.86%291,407.74130.40
19908-4.34%278,757.56131.60
19909-2.32%272,302.17132.70
1990102.98%280,427.17133.50
1990114.59%293,289.25133.80
199012-0.69%291,279.72133.80
1991111.61%325,087.90134.60
199123.04%334,985.60134.80
199132.26%342,552.35135.00
19914-0.18%341,939.59135.20
199150.35%343,126.16135.60
199160.78%345,804.21136.00
199172.68%355,068.08136.20
19918-0.30%353,991.86136.60
199190.18%354,634.87137.20
1991100.02%354,690.89137.40
1991110.94%358,007.74137.80
1991127.36%384,350.05137.90
19921-0.60%382,040.69138.10
19922-1.01%378,173.00138.60
199230.26%379,172.52139.30
199242.07%387,015.14139.50
19925-1.33%381,871.23139.70
199261.91%389,173.12140.20
199270.94%392,838.04140.50
199280.38%394,323.71140.90
19929-1.18%389,662.58141.30
1992102.76%400,405.20141.80
1992113.27%413,503.25142.00
1992120.14%414,094.12141.90
199311.72%421,234.13142.60
199322.15%430,291.31143.10
19933-1.34%424,517.89143.60
199340.72%427,594.48144.00
199350.87%431,293.95144.20
199360.06%431,557.06144.40
199371.76%439,163.10144.40
199381.35%445,113.64144.80
199391.24%450,641.53145.10
1993100.01%450,675.53145.70
1993110.89%454,673.84145.80
1993121.74%462,566.43145.80
19941-0.08%462,216.26146.20
19942-1.42%455,635.14146.70
19943-3.35%440,387.87147.20
199441.06%445,048.24147.40
199451.11%449,979.79147.50
19946-0.52%447,644.95148.00
199473.08%461,441.72148.40
199480.82%465,213.85149.00
19949-0.44%463,148.27149.40
199410-0.37%461,435.16149.50
199411-1.03%456,702.19149.70
1994122.45%467,896.75149.70
199513.82%485,766.17150.30
199522.56%498,192.89150.90
199533.22%514,212.55151.40
199543.35%531,427.15151.90
199553.18%548,318.15152.20
199563.55%567,769.63152.50
199570.51%570,682.99152.50
199583.72%591,899.07152.90
199590.91%597,300.55153.20
1995102.36%611,387.19153.70
1995113.39%632,107.95153.60
1995120.16%633,135.63153.50
199615.90%670,518.45154.40
19962-0.20%669,172.74154.90
199630.20%670,491.29155.70
199642.35%686,280.19156.30
199651.28%695,054.92156.60
19966-3.48%670,890.89156.70
199673.08%691,525.83157.00
199682.02%705,520.43157.30
199694.12%734,584.33157.80
1996105.05%771,696.13158.30
1996111.20%780,942.80158.60
1996123.26%806,382.33158.60
199714.36%841,549.98159.10
19972-0.62%836,301.36159.60
19973-3.41%807,823.23160.00
199749.22%882,287.01160.20
199755.34%929,373.13160.10
199765.74%982,681.27160.30
199770.35%986,098.93160.50
199781.19%997,853.31160.80
199791.65%1,014,271.75161.20
199710-1.15%1,002,586.90161.60
1997112.63%1,029,001.22161.50
1997120.24%1,031,440.86161.30
199816.40%1,097,475.33161.60
199825.31%1,155,782.80161.90
199833.41%1,195,145.01162.20
19984-0.22%1,192,493.49162.50
199850.12%1,193,882.23162.80
199864.47%1,247,220.91163.00
19987-6.97%1,160,277.05163.20
19988-4.90%1,103,441.45163.40
199891.29%1,117,685.30163.60
19981010.97%1,240,344.38164.00
1998114.10%1,291,249.42164.00
1998125.05%1,356,427.65163.90
19991-0.07%1,355,522.77164.30
199922.92%1,395,151.61164.50
199934.25%1,454,445.87165.00
19994-0.10%1,453,008.41166.20
19995-0.61%1,444,119.38166.20
199964.52%1,509,428.06166.20
19997-3.77%1,452,456.42166.70
19998-0.60%1,443,770.49167.10
19999-1.27%1,425,398.92167.90
1999107.11%1,526,687.05168.20
1999112.81%1,569,567.58168.30
199912-0.12%1,567,700.85168.30
20001-2.48%1,528,852.02168.80
200023.94%1,589,103.36169.80
200031.42%1,611,742.77171.20
20004-2.84%1,565,988.71171.30
200053.16%1,615,528.45171.50
200060.85%1,629,265.98172.40
200070.94%1,644,576.37172.80
20008-1.08%1,626,820.69172.80
20009-5.21%1,541,994.52173.70
200010-0.77%1,530,081.63174.00
200011-3.32%1,479,281.79174.10
2000120.46%1,486,012.64174.00
20011-2.14%1,454,267.58175.10
20012-9.08%1,322,221.49175.80
200130.45%1,328,154.21176.20
200146.88%1,419,522.36176.90
20015-2.39%1,385,614.91177.70
20016-2.66%1,348,754.41178.00
20017-2.05%1,321,161.06177.50
20018-11.25%1,172,565.78177.50
200193.18%1,209,900.65178.30
2001105.05%1,271,038.70177.70
2001111.47%1,289,672.75177.40
200112-0.30%1,285,833.53176.70
20021-3.35%1,242,722.50177.10
200224.95%1,304,178.49177.80
20023-3.51%1,258,344.03178.80
20024-2.82%1,222,854.05179.80
20025-5.92%1,150,449.37179.80
20026-10.76%1,026,678.28179.90
200271.14%1,038,370.00180.10
20028-4.76%988,967.16180.70
20029-1.37%975,447.56181.00
2002106.63%1,040,076.58181.30
200211-1.04%1,029,311.15181.30
200212-0.22%1,027,020.75180.90
20031-6.41%961,139.06181.70
200321.31%973,709.78183.10
200335.29%1,025,178.70184.20
200345.31%1,079,638.37183.80
200355.70%1,141,222.93183.50
200360.60%1,148,023.49183.70
20037-0.17%1,146,114.05183.90
200383.16%1,182,344.79184.60
200392.03%1,206,320.72185.20
2003101.21%1,220,924.27185.00
2003113.06%1,258,331.08184.50
2003124.93%1,320,429.23184.30
200411.09%1,334,777.83185.20
20042-1.57%1,313,885.93186.20
200430.97%1,326,606.15187.40
20044-2.56%1,292,588.61188.00
200452.86%1,329,526.61189.10
20046-2.24%1,299,761.44189.70
20047-1.39%1,281,726.34189.40
200482.78%1,317,391.97189.50
200490.10%1,318,743.55189.90
2004104.77%1,381,699.00190.90
2004112.73%1,419,384.11191.00
200412-1.35%1,400,233.48190.30
200511.68%1,423,774.30190.70
20052-0.26%1,420,135.30191.80
20053-2.41%1,385,925.40193.30
200541.34%1,404,439.57194.60
200552.18%1,435,066.14194.40
200561.81%1,461,009.14194.50
200570.31%1,465,538.53195.40
200580.28%1,469,637.51196.40
20059-2.62%1,431,070.99198.80
2005103.96%1,487,763.47199.20
2005112.14%1,519,663.07197.60
2005121.47%1,541,953.04196.80
20061-0.02%1,541,696.46198.30
200621.49%1,564,608.19198.70
200630.80%1,577,098.95199.80
20064-0.79%1,564,692.93201.50
20065-2.71%1,522,355.58202.50
200660.72%1,533,317.16202.90
200672.29%1,568,457.09203.50
200682.53%1,608,157.46203.90
200693.62%1,666,307.04202.90
2006102.00%1,699,660.56201.80
2006112.15%1,736,173.77201.50
2006120.69%1,748,202.44201.80
200711.60%1,776,104.59202.42
20072-2.47%1,732,165.70203.50
200734.18%1,804,574.73205.35
200743.39%1,865,781.45206.69
200750.34%1,872,216.56207.95
200760.57%1,882,974.68208.35
20077-4.20%1,803,868.89208.30
200783.07%1,859,333.23207.92
200792.99%1,914,957.65208.49
200710-4.81%1,822,918.85208.94
2007111.24%1,845,490.61210.18
200712-6.64%1,723,038.66210.04
20081-1.56%1,696,090.93211.08
20082-2.63%1,651,540.80211.69
200834.24%1,721,628.93213.53
200842.56%1,765,747.47214.82
20085-4.25%1,690,763.55216.63
20086-6.08%1,587,990.97218.82
200872.11%1,621,506.07219.96
20088-4.85%1,542,902.98219.09
20089-20.19%1,231,335.55218.78
200810-8.61%1,125,374.84216.57
200811-0.35%1,121,422.33212.43
200812-1.10%1,109,136.52210.23
20091-6.70%1,034,796.57211.14
20092-5.69%975,943.17212.19
2009312.32%1,096,196.45212.71
200946.66%1,169,201.18213.24
200952.87%1,202,743.94213.86
200961.28%1,218,110.70215.69
200978.12%1,317,030.37215.35
200983.65%1,365,106.50215.83
200992.40%1,397,911.48215.97
2009102.09%1,427,188.30216.18
2009112.23%1,458,955.48216.33
2009121.36%1,478,753.04215.95
20101-2.90%1,435,891.78216.69
201025.94%1,521,227.34216.74
201034.09%1,583,414.05217.63
20104-5.88%1,490,271.35218.01
20105-3.54%1,437,462.63218.18
20106-0.16%1,435,176.02217.97
201070.86%1,447,570.36218.01
201083.37%1,496,370.20218.31
201094.58%1,564,865.59218.44
2010102.49%1,603,845.06218.71
2010113.71%1,663,407.63218.80
2010123.46%1,720,998.02219.18
201113.15%1,775,224.32220.22
20112-1.11%1,755,475.64221.31
201132.22%1,794,464.46223.47
201140.66%1,806,294.19224.91
20115-3.66%1,740,136.86225.96
201163.10%1,794,111.30225.72
20117-10.40%1,607,512.12225.92
20118-0.79%1,594,824.91226.55
201193.02%1,642,971.18226.89
2011101.77%1,672,004.49226.42
2011111.55%1,698,000.00226.23
2011124.78%1,779,207.83225.67
201214.16%1,853,269.29226.67
201222.88%1,906,714.56227.66
20123-0.04%1,905,986.00229.39
20124-3.09%1,847,072.88230.09
20125-1.15%1,825,787.01229.82
201262.92%1,879,119.83229.48
201273.39%1,942,778.79229.10
201283.02%2,001,473.36230.38
20129-0.22%1,997,127.47231.41
201210-2.84%1,940,459.10231.32
2012112.18%1,982,674.47230.22
2012124.27%2,067,310.11229.60
201312.33%2,115,540.91230.28
201322.72%2,173,135.54232.17
201331.45%2,204,728.40232.77
201344.57%2,305,578.62232.53
20135-1.12%2,279,807.44232.95
201363.25%2,354,003.25233.50
201370.25%2,359,947.77233.60
201381.19%2,388,089.38233.88
201392.12%2,438,658.36234.15
2013103.86%2,532,790.43233.55
2013111.52%2,571,330.93233.07
2013120.97%2,596,216.47233.05
20141-0.13%2,592,840.46233.92
201422.72%2,663,424.56234.78
201430.20%2,668,797.32236.29
201441.53%2,709,684.23237.07
201453.20%2,796,294.35237.90
201461.50%2,838,121.93238.34
20147-0.43%2,826,004.55238.25
201481.78%2,876,251.86237.85
20149-2.65%2,800,129.45238.03
2014105.71%2,959,895.10237.43
2014110.63%2,978,657.51236.15
201412-1.11%2,945,593.05234.81
201512.83%3,028,876.69233.71
201520.06%3,030,553.59234.72
201530.88%3,057,174.26236.12
201540.98%3,087,101.06236.60
20155-0.44%3,073,656.73237.81
20156-0.08%3,071,209.18238.64
20157-2.42%2,996,750.86238.65
20158-4.51%2,861,684.44238.32
201594.32%2,985,226.77237.95
2015102.93%3,072,767.65237.84
201511-1.10%3,038,875.94237.34
201512-6.42%2,843,791.60236.53
20161-0.55%2,828,153.34236.92
201626.36%3,008,101.03237.11
201632.83%3,093,268.19238.13
20164-0.30%3,083,853.36239.26
201651.07%3,116,742.36240.23
201663.30%3,219,515.03241.02
201671.20%3,258,125.29240.63
20168-0.44%3,243,832.83240.85
20169-0.51%3,227,419.66241.43
2016101.20%3,266,186.15241.73
2016113.95%3,395,068.67241.35
2016121.44%3,443,877.36241.43
201712.58%3,532,606.98242.84
201721.75%3,594,401.35243.60
20173-0.15%3,588,865.82243.80
201741.69%3,649,602.83244.52
201751.78%3,714,435.39244.73
201760.99%3,751,129.71244.96
201770.25%3,760,425.21244.79
201781.65%3,822,594.93245.52
201792.73%3,927,135.22246.82
2017101.59%3,989,559.74246.66
2017112.88%4,104,598.15246.67
2017124.86%4,304,159.54246.52
20181-2.89%4,179,911.95247.87
201820.06%4,182,611.26248.99
20183-1.66%4,113,013.78249.55
201841.96%4,193,695.53250.55
201852.11%4,282,307.05251.59
201861.58%4,349,999.27251.99
201872.45%4,456,609.27252.01
201881.68%4,531,469.06252.15
20189-3.85%4,357,053.45252.44
201810-2.08%4,266,596.30252.89
201811-5.56%4,029,266.36252.04
2018121.74%4,099,199.77251.23
201915.83%4,338,138.13251.71
201921.95%4,422,646.02252.78
201933.72%4,587,310.84254.20
20194-1.53%4,517,042.94255.55
201951.40%4,580,496.06256.09
201963.83%4,755,807.40256.14
20197-3.13%4,606,740.70256.57
201983.09%4,748,869.13256.56
201990.01%4,749,334.65256.76
2019104.43%4,959,905.53257.35
2019112.47%5,082,381.46257.21
2019123.35%5,252,458.15256.97
202010.12%5,258,870.18257.97
20202-18.92%4,264,012.43258.68
202034.32%4,448,158.68258.12
202045.89%4,710,038.03256.39
202056.51%5,016,580.11256.39
202063.48%5,190,978.26257.80
202075.89%5,496,908.81259.10
20208-0.63%5,462,443.05259.92
202091.73%5,556,724.89260.28
2020103.95%5,776,444.27260.39
2020114.26%6,022,525.44260.23
2020122.80%6,190,873.08260.47
202112.49%6,345,120.45261.58
202120.82%6,397,236.59263.01
202136.02%6,782,445.30264.88
202140.76%6,834,007.59267.05
202151.81%6,957,732.02269.20
202163.07%7,171,209.25271.70
202172.19%7,327,911.78273.00
20218-0.08%7,321,719.78273.57
202190.45%7,354,826.85274.31
2021104.74%7,703,794.56276.59
2021110.27%7,724,240.71277.95
202112-2.05%7,565,742.93278.80
Click to show 942 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 $1,000.00 up-front. Instead, the capital is invested over a period of time.

Consider a strategy in which $1,000.00 was invested in the S&P 500 over a period of no more than 24 months beginning in 1942. This would result in a final amount of $6,409,224.70, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $7,565,742.93).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
1942141.6640.35
1942241.6677.83
1942341.66115.07
1942441.66159.36
1942541.66212.28
1942641.66264.79
1942741.66306.33
1942841.66353.52
1942941.66426.42
19421041.66477.94
19421141.66524.87
19421241.66603.16
1943141.66686.10
1943241.66756.79
1943341.66828.50
1943441.66907.94
1943541.66970.13
1943641.661,036.64
1943741.661,029.19
1943841.661,098.01
1943941.661,133.79
19431041.661,125.83
19431141.661,187.97
19431241.821,274.69
19441-1,271.58
19442-1,312.79
19443-1,295.61
19444-1,324.15
19445-1,392.24
19446-1,434.27
19447-1,419.13
19448-1,401.75
19449-1,442.17
194410-1,438.07
194411-1,475.46
194412-1,525.40
19451-1,582.34
19452-1,587.32
19453-1,633.38
19454-1,701.34
19455-1,738.56
19456-1,709.08
19457-1,721.16
19458-1,844.73
19459-1,928.00
194510-1,997.52
194511-2,037.97
194512-2,125.58
19461-2,138.03
19462-2,080.77
19463-2,221.63
19464-2,233.14
19465-2,225.57
19466-2,168.88
19467-2,133.66
19468-1,825.94
19469-1,791.75
194610-1,791.52
194611-1,852.32
194612-1,869.36
19471-1,949.18
19472-1,877.59
19473-1,815.67
19474-1,790.93
19475-1,861.15
19476-1,985.73
19477-1,954.77
19478-1,912.42
19479-1,970.30
194710-1,955.92
194711-1,933.97
194712-1,917.24
19481-1,831.95
19482-1,867.10
19483-2,019.97
19484-2,127.64
19485-2,225.24
19486-2,181.69
19487-2,127.40
19488-2,112.98
19489-2,180.35
194810-2,069.13
194811-2,065.86
194812-2,099.52
19491-2,029.66
19492-2,059.93
19493-2,068.45
19494-2,064.67
19495-1,963.23
19496-2,086.20
19497-2,173.20
19498-2,213.87
19499-2,283.43
194910-2,327.89
194911-2,403.35
194912-2,466.56
19501-2,528.79
19502-2,563.56
19503-2,650.37
19504-2,754.11
19505-2,813.73
19506-2,624.55
19507-2,798.76
19508-2,913.75
19509-3,051.31
195010-3,062.79
195011-3,068.75
195012-3,314.64
19511-3,457.46
19512-3,419.00
19513-3,484.86
19514-3,506.77
19515-3,466.61
19516-3,548.65
19517-3,724.85
19518-3,841.66
19519-3,842.75
195110-3,756.16
195111-3,891.87
195112-4,041.08
19521-3,987.25
19522-4,017.14
19523-4,025.30
19524-4,043.81
19525-4,175.02
19526-4,315.59
19527-4,353.59
19528-4,305.32
19529-4,235.97
195210-4,391.32
195211-4,589.33
195212-4,634.71
19531-4,598.86
19532-4,642.88
19533-4,435.21
19534-4,479.68
19535-4,340.47
19536-4,423.53
19537-4,463.29
19538-4,279.99
19539-4,430.50
195310-4,550.49
195311-4,634.07
195312-4,774.20
19541-4,901.97
19542-5,028.56
19543-5,252.36
19544-5,484.65
19545-5,551.73
19546-5,799.19
19547-5,938.03
19548-6,100.72
19549-6,266.09
195410-6,535.67
195411-6,859.41
195412-7,008.15
19551-7,267.79
19552-7,236.07
19553-7,511.64
19554-7,505.72
19555-7,966.96
19556-8,575.96
19557-8,550.29
19558-8,962.11
19559-8,538.66
195510-9,142.02
195511-9,255.12
195512-9,034.13
19561-9,119.90
19562-9,777.09
19563-9,922.06
19564-9,640.43
19565-9,615.17
19566-10,167.93
19567-10,138.98
19568-9,825.80
19569-9,732.10
195610-9,662.76
195611-9,837.56
195612-9,654.32
19571-9,268.56
19572-9,418.76
19573-9,667.79
19574-10,069.99
19575-10,266.78
19576-10,505.18
19577-9,958.38
19578-9,585.99
19579-9,020.74
195710-8,858.33
195711-8,886.50
195712-9,093.44
19581-9,157.27
19582-9,378.77
19583-9,462.85
19584-9,799.53
19585-10,067.56
19586-10,376.71
19587-10,797.41
19588-11,115.26
19589-11,599.78
195810-11,985.61
195811-12,244.80
195812-12,765.77
19591-12,604.28
19592-12,957.98
19593-13,208.90
19594-13,442.10
19595-13,360.60
19596-13,925.43
19597-13,881.08
19598-13,367.03
19599-13,390.65
195910-13,480.25
195911-13,947.09
195912-13,739.87
19601-13,243.96
19602-13,101.17
19603-13,308.73
19604-13,225.61
19605-13,753.06
19606-13,451.03
19607-13,651.56
19608-13,280.14
19609-13,057.83
196010-13,520.19
196011-13,883.97
196012-14,637.45
19611-15,277.71
19612-15,796.70
19613-16,257.80
19614-16,463.20
19615-16,285.36
19616-16,280.81
19617-16,905.83
19618-16,814.25
19619-17,040.07
196110-17,853.23
196111-18,060.87
196112-17,431.06
19621-17,763.91
19622-17,824.48
19623-17,299.56
19624-16,056.57
19625-14,224.08
19626-14,610.60
19627-15,052.28
19628-14,962.97
19629-14,535.58
196210-15,582.26
196211-16,302.75
196212-16,978.78
19631-17,249.68
19632-17,231.00
19633-18,088.79
19634-18,499.33
19635-18,539.40
19636-18,312.87
19637-18,867.96
19638-19,413.93
19639-19,510.98
196310-19,451.16
196311-19,916.70
196312-20,579.96
19641-20,884.52
19642-21,317.05
19643-21,677.97
19644-21,942.52
19645-21,865.58
19646-22,731.68
19647-22,453.06
19648-22,894.37
19649-23,345.43
196410-23,564.16
196411-23,212.98
196412-23,867.77
19651-24,100.50
19652-24,181.37
19653-24,558.03
19654-24,983.52
19655-23,857.43
19656-23,881.97
19657-24,387.93
19658-25,264.95
19659-25,895.77
196510-26,174.41
196511-26,119.02
196512-26,636.29
19661-26,521.64
19662-25,497.29
19663-26,344.04
19664-25,024.84
19665-24,884.82
19666-24,889.40
19667-23,453.42
19668-22,697.08
19669-22,568.98
196610-23,768.76
196611-23,938.90
196612-24,927.64
19671-25,857.45
19672-26,538.46
19673-27,067.24
19674-27,624.19
19675-27,350.21
19676-27,895.14
19677-28,411.66
19678-28,881.56
19679-28,909.70
196710-28,076.60
196711-28,950.27
196712-28,945.20
19681-27,713.01
19682-27,280.90
19683-29,371.09
19684-30,122.31
19685-31,008.12
19686-31,023.29
19687-30,423.32
19688-31,490.48
19689-32,346.13
196810-32,923.75
196811-33,346.92
196812-32,018.00
19691-31,941.62
19692-31,330.32
19693-32,042.86
19694-33,168.68
19695-31,519.76
19696-30,194.25
19697-30,108.61
19698-30,297.85
19699-30,705.79
196910-31,012.07
196911-29,452.94
196912-29,279.45
19701-28,343.65
19702-28,914.00
19703-28,119.53
19704-24,970.42
19705-24,903.03
19706-25,033.16
19707-25,848.19
19708-27,482.13
19709-28,166.30
197010-28,224.53
197011-30,244.95
197012-31,488.22
19711-32,795.32
19712-33,724.03
19713-34,963.00
19714-34,575.65
19715-34,023.88
19716-33,866.36
19717-33,352.57
19718-34,181.85
19719-33,544.80
197110-32,078.39
197111-34,376.35
197112-35,896.66
19721-36,645.81
19722-37,605.79
19723-38,079.21
19724-37,783.76
19725-37,978.76
19726-37,787.40
19727-39,217.15
19728-38,742.45
19729-38,904.17
197210-40,948.27
197211-41,894.80
197212-42,309.29
19731-40,902.45
19732-40,352.17
19733-39,693.10
19734-38,673.08
19735-37,903.57
19736-38,362.29
19737-37,734.91
19738-38,487.83
19739-40,117.91
197310-37,368.69
197311-34,825.64
197312-35,417.83
19741-34,541.99
19742-36,122.17
19743-34,382.29
19744-33,452.02
19745-33,604.97
19746-29,791.87
19747-28,670.27
19748-25,799.35
19749-26,412.58
197410-27,401.32
197411-25,732.08
197412-27,953.47
19751-30,974.55
19752-32,515.12
19753-32,998.63
19754-35,213.70
19755-36,233.01
19756-36,389.53
19757-33,843.63
19758-33,555.05
19759-35,223.16
197510-35,942.31
197511-35,518.32
197512-38,908.65
19761-40,534.30
19762-40,859.55
19763-41,307.15
19764-41,148.83
19765-41,519.41
19766-42,626.05
19767-42,387.08
19768-43,420.43
19769-42,070.83
197610-41,916.58
197611-43,503.75
197612-43,270.03
19771-42,245.13
19772-42,222.24
19773-41,718.25
19774-41,745.16
19775-42,120.77
19776-42,660.94
19777-41,774.18
19778-41,283.20
19779-40,375.85
197710-40,771.99
197711-40,739.32
197712-39,358.11
19781-38,975.55
19782-39,079.10
19783-40,966.61
19784-43,221.55
19785-43,512.67
19786-43,485.57
19787-46,672.25
19788-46,858.79
19789-45,559.17
197810-43,081.82
197811-43,910.21
197812-45,747.98
19791-45,264.45
19792-46,324.16
19793-47,450.26
19794-46,552.01
19795-47,677.47
19796-48,354.90
19797-50,779.57
19798-51,561.81
19799-49,833.19
197910-49,672.51
197911-51,860.08
197912-53,577.93
19801-55,933.14
19802-51,023.42
19803-50,430.50
19804-52,970.25
19805-56,605.44
19806-59,418.42
19807-61,500.85
19808-63,244.89
19809-65,347.64
198010-68,363.23
198011-67,512.26
198012-67,519.00
19811-65,446.05
19812-68,157.68
19813-69,039.50
19814-67,922.95
19815-68,505.44
19816-67,124.20
19817-67,662.92
19818-62,045.08
19819-63,116.75
198110-65,037.86
198111-65,804.89
198112-62,643.55
19821-61,444.61
19822-59,758.24
19823-63,026.61
19824-63,385.64
19825-60,044.82
19826-60,191.24
19827-60,669.14
19828-68,007.91
19829-74,047.96
198210-77,380.06
198211-78,428.95
198212-81,507.87
19831-83,244.00
19832-86,461.90
19833-90,091.04
19834-94,076.68
19835-95,726.31
19836-96,404.18
19837-94,083.56
19838-97,201.33
19839-97,831.12
198310-96,714.46
198311-96,590.54
198312-98,112.74
19841-93,097.04
19842-93,508.87
19843-93,983.14
19844-93,745.77
19845-92,013.06
19846-91,177.17
19847-99,571.45
19848-100,972.39
19849-100,555.97
198410-101,849.03
198411-101,128.39
198412-105,878.96
19851-112,006.56
19852-111,470.81
19853-112,613.07
19854-115,693.75
19855-118,598.78
19856-121,263.96
19857-119,026.26
19858-116,782.62
19859-118,529.18
198510-126,139.36
198511-132,817.83
198512-133,816.26
19861-141,440.10
19862-150,185.02
19863-154,302.23
19864-155,061.14
19865-159,919.58
19866-157,034.77
19867-160,616.50
19868-156,671.38
19869-156,530.57
198610-162,060.72
198611-164,830.24
198612-175,829.97
19871-187,191.89
19872-195,384.17
19873-193,710.88
19874-194,045.68
19875-202,774.71
19876-209,105.53
19877-222,601.23
19878-215,855.46
19879-190,268.20
198710-166,858.72
198711-164,631.67
198712-171,622.82
19881-177,335.40
19882-183,066.98
19883-181,444.96
19884-177,474.46
19885-188,119.74
19886-187,542.36
19887-184,319.47
19888-187,871.62
19889-195,013.78
198810-191,074.02
198811-195,518.31
198812-202,386.20
19891-209,064.64
19892-208,726.67
19893-216,167.36
19894-225,063.30
19895-232,698.84
19896-239,214.82
19897-250,435.80
19898-251,576.62
19899-252,296.78
198910-247,721.25
198911-254,500.65
198912-248,873.07
19901-242,583.59
19902-249,150.73
19903-249,639.03
19904-259,252.44
19905-267,470.63
19906-267,924.59
19907-246,862.43
19908-236,145.98
19909-230,677.39
199010-237,560.37
199011-248,456.33
199012-246,753.98
19911-275,394.16
19912-283,778.87
19913-290,188.94
19914-289,669.86
19915-290,675.04
19916-292,943.72
19917-300,791.49
19918-299,879.79
19919-300,424.51
199110-300,471.96
199111-303,281.79
199112-325,597.35
19921-323,641.01
19922-320,364.54
19923-321,211.27
19924-327,855.05
19925-323,497.45
19926-329,683.15
19927-332,787.84
19928-334,046.41
19929-330,097.79
199210-339,198.27
199211-350,294.12
199212-350,794.67
19931-356,843.24
19932-364,515.91
19933-359,625.04
19934-362,231.33
19935-365,365.29
19936-365,588.17
19937-372,031.54
19938-377,072.46
19939-381,755.35
199310-381,784.15
199311-385,171.27
199312-391,857.38
19941-391,560.74
19942-385,985.62
19943-373,069.09
19944-377,017.06
19945-381,194.76
19946-379,216.84
19947-390,904.60
19948-394,100.10
19949-392,350.27
199410-390,899.03
199411-386,889.56
199412-396,372.89
19951-411,510.75
19952-422,037.89
19953-435,608.74
19954-450,191.88
19955-464,500.88
19956-480,978.95
19957-483,446.97
19958-501,419.91
19959-505,995.70
199510-517,929.03
199511-535,482.36
199512-536,352.95
19961-568,021.34
19962-566,881.33
19963-567,998.33
19964-581,373.70
19965-588,807.10
19966-568,336.84
19967-585,817.48
19968-597,672.82
19969-622,293.94
199610-653,732.74
199611-661,565.95
199612-683,116.72
19971-712,908.56
19972-708,462.26
19973-684,337.37
19974-747,418.43
19975-787,306.85
19976-832,466.17
19977-835,361.40
19978-845,318.98
19979-859,227.65
199710-849,328.98
199711-871,705.54
199712-873,772.25
19981-929,712.53
19982-979,106.97
19983-1,012,452.18
19984-1,010,205.98
19985-1,011,382.43
19986-1,056,567.62
19987-982,914.22
19988-934,766.66
19989-946,833.15
199810-1,050,742.26
199811-1,093,865.83
199812-1,149,080.75
19991-1,148,314.20
19992-1,181,885.28
19993-1,232,115.66
19994-1,230,897.94
19995-1,223,367.71
19996-1,278,693.14
19997-1,230,430.33
19998-1,223,072.15
19999-1,207,508.91
199910-1,293,313.88
199911-1,329,639.59
199912-1,328,058.21
20001-1,295,147.90
20002-1,346,189.08
20003-1,365,367.77
20004-1,326,607.79
20005-1,368,574.77
20006-1,380,212.34
20007-1,393,182.35
20008-1,378,140.85
20009-1,306,281.42
200010-1,296,189.56
200011-1,253,155.11
200012-1,258,857.06
20011-1,231,964.63
20012-1,120,103.43
20013-1,125,129.27
20014-1,202,530.66
20015-1,173,806.38
20016-1,142,580.46
20017-1,119,205.10
20018-993,324.47
20019-1,024,952.23
200110-1,076,744.57
200111-1,092,530.18
200112-1,089,277.83
20021-1,052,756.86
20022-1,104,818.54
20023-1,065,990.44
20024-1,035,925.55
20025-974,588.83
20026-869,737.70
20027-879,642.19
20028-837,791.19
20029-826,338.22
200210-881,087.90
200211-871,968.10
200212-870,027.81
20031-814,216.96
20032-824,866.09
20033-868,467.34
20034-914,602.17
20035-966,772.77
20036-972,533.77
20037-970,916.21
20038-1,001,608.63
20039-1,021,919.54
200310-1,034,290.76
200311-1,065,979.47
200312-1,118,585.14
20041-1,130,740.38
20042-1,113,042.07
20043-1,123,817.84
20044-1,095,000.31
20045-1,126,291.88
20046-1,101,076.68
20047-1,085,798.47
20048-1,116,012.17
20049-1,117,157.14
200410-1,170,489.06
200411-1,202,413.54
200412-1,186,190.31
20051-1,206,132.63
20052-1,203,049.89
20053-1,174,069.40
20054-1,189,753.45
20055-1,215,698.37
20056-1,237,675.66
20057-1,241,512.68
20058-1,244,985.07
20059-1,212,313.93
200510-1,260,340.26
200511-1,287,363.61
200512-1,306,246.27
20061-1,306,028.91
20062-1,325,438.30
20063-1,336,019.69
20064-1,325,510.09
20065-1,289,644.53
20066-1,298,930.49
20067-1,328,698.85
20068-1,362,330.53
20069-1,411,591.21
200610-1,439,846.23
200611-1,470,777.94
200612-1,480,967.88
20071-1,504,604.84
20072-1,467,382.56
20073-1,528,722.96
20074-1,580,573.47
20075-1,586,024.89
20076-1,595,138.50
20077-1,528,125.01
20078-1,575,110.94
20079-1,622,232.47
200710-1,544,262.95
200711-1,563,384.34
200712-1,459,650.70
20081-1,436,822.26
20082-1,399,082.18
20083-1,458,456.46
20084-1,495,830.93
20085-1,432,309.24
20086-1,345,246.73
20087-1,373,638.63
20088-1,307,051.00
20089-1,043,110.55
200810-953,347.25
200811-949,998.93
200812-939,591.16
20091-876,615.00
20092-826,758.08
20093-928,629.14
20094-990,474.19
20095-1,018,889.52
20096-1,031,907.28
20097-1,115,705.84
20098-1,156,432.93
20099-1,184,223.27
200910-1,209,024.76
200911-1,235,935.93
200912-1,252,707.18
20101-1,216,397.80
20102-1,288,688.75
20103-1,341,369.45
20104-1,262,464.78
20105-1,217,728.53
20106-1,215,791.45
20107-1,226,291.17
20108-1,267,631.34
20109-1,325,656.36
201010-1,358,677.32
201011-1,409,135.01
201012-1,457,921.99
20111-1,503,859.13
20112-1,487,129.28
20113-1,520,158.17
20114-1,530,179.58
20115-1,474,135.22
20116-1,519,859.00
20117-1,361,783.83
20118-1,351,036.02
20119-1,391,822.53
201110-1,416,417.74
201111-1,438,439.51
201112-1,507,233.71
20121-1,569,973.95
20122-1,615,249.44
20123-1,614,632.25
20124-1,564,724.74
20125-1,546,692.68
20126-1,591,872.91
20127-1,645,800.81
20128-1,695,523.18
20129-1,691,841.61
201210-1,643,835.71
201211-1,679,597.93
201212-1,751,295.96
20131-1,792,154.08
20132-1,840,944.65
20133-1,867,708.14
20134-1,953,142.15
20135-1,931,310.42
20136-1,994,164.47
20137-1,999,200.30
20138-2,023,040.11
20139-2,065,879.00
201310-2,145,621.80
201311-2,178,270.91
201312-2,199,352.38
20141-2,196,492.43
20142-2,256,286.87
20143-2,260,838.35
20144-2,295,475.17
20145-2,368,845.86
20146-2,404,279.57
20147-2,394,014.48
20148-2,436,580.87
20149-2,372,094.72
201410-2,507,438.19
201411-2,523,332.53
201412-2,495,322.39
20151-2,565,875.09
20152-2,567,295.65
20153-2,589,847.02
20154-2,615,199.14
20155-2,603,809.94
20156-2,601,736.53
20157-2,538,660.09
20158-2,424,240.26
20159-2,528,897.60
201510-2,603,056.76
201511-2,574,345.83
201512-2,409,082.57
20161-2,395,834.80
20162-2,548,275.24
20163-2,620,423.55
20164-2,612,447.89
20165-2,640,309.39
20166-2,727,371.98
20167-2,760,080.18
20168-2,747,972.50
20169-2,734,068.28
201610-2,766,908.83
201611-2,876,090.05
201612-2,917,437.72
20171-2,992,603.91
20172-3,044,952.24
20173-3,040,262.89
20174-3,091,715.49
20175-3,146,637.59
20176-3,177,722.72
20177-3,185,597.28
20178-3,238,263.59
20179-3,326,823.59
201710-3,379,705.74
201711-3,477,159.10
201712-3,646,215.03
20181-3,540,960.24
20182-3,543,246.93
20183-3,484,288.30
20184-3,552,636.83
20185-3,627,702.97
20186-3,685,047.60
20187-3,775,360.92
20188-3,838,777.46
20189-3,691,023.45
201810-3,614,393.81
201811-3,413,342.71
201812-3,472,585.93
20191-3,674,999.58
20192-3,746,589.38
20193-3,886,083.13
20194-3,826,556.55
20195-3,880,310.07
20196-4,028,822.88
20197-3,902,542.89
20198-4,022,945.22
20199-4,023,339.58
201910-4,201,722.07
201911-4,305,476.03
201912-4,449,554.37
20201-4,454,986.24
20202-3,612,204.91
20203-3,768,202.11
20204-3,990,049.94
20205-4,249,733.24
20206-4,397,472.45
20207-4,656,637.70
20208-4,627,440.46
20209-4,707,310.14
202010-4,893,442.67
202011-5,101,907.27
202012-5,244,520.87
20211-5,375,189.60
20212-5,419,339.14
20213-5,745,663.89
20214-5,789,344.24
20215-5,894,155.85
20216-6,075,000.42
20217-6,207,749.01
20218-6,202,503.54
20219-6,230,549.78
202110-6,526,173.42
202111-6,543,494.12
202112-6,409,224.70
Click to show 942 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 1942 to 2021
Start Value
Average monthly close
$8.93
End Value
Average monthly close
$3,793.75
Change in price+42,383.19%
+7.96% / yr
Change incl. dividends+756,474.29%
+11.81% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+45,411.14%
+7.95% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($1000 base)
$7,565,742.93
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($1000 base)
$455,111.39