S&P 500: $1 in 1950 → $2,823.93 in 2023

$

Stock market returns between 1950 and 2023

If you invested $1 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1950, you would have about $2,823.93 at the end of 2023, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 282,293.29%, or 11.34% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 22,235.51% cumulatively, or 7.58% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $2,198.22.

The graph below shows the performance of $1 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 $1 is $2,822.93, or 282,293.29%. This means by 2023 you would have $2,823.93 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 1950 was 24.100 and the CPI in 2023 was 304.702.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 73 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $2,823.93 nominal end value of the original $1 investment would have a real return of roughly $222.36 in 1950 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 22,235.51% as opposed to the original 282,293.29%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1950.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $1 investment, including gains and losses over the 888-month period between 1950 and 2023.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
195012.52%1.0323.50
195021.38%1.0423.50
195033.39%1.0723.60
195043.91%1.1223.60
195052.16%1.1423.70
19506-6.72%1.0623.80
195076.64%1.1324.10
195084.11%1.1824.30
195094.72%1.2424.40
1950100.38%1.2424.60
1950110.19%1.2424.70
1950128.01%1.3425.00
195114.31%1.4025.40
19512-1.11%1.3925.70
195131.93%1.4125.80
195140.63%1.4225.80
19515-1.15%1.4125.90
195162.37%1.4425.90
195174.97%1.5125.90
195183.14%1.5625.90
195190.03%1.5626.10
195110-2.25%1.5226.20
1951113.61%1.5826.40
1951123.83%1.6426.50
19521-1.33%1.6226.50
195220.75%1.6326.30
195230.20%1.6326.30
195240.46%1.6426.40
195253.24%1.6926.40
195263.37%1.7526.50
195270.88%1.7726.70
19528-1.11%1.7526.70
19529-1.61%1.7226.70
1952103.67%1.7826.70
1952114.51%1.8626.70
1952120.99%1.8826.70
19531-0.77%1.8626.60
195320.96%1.8826.50
19533-4.47%1.8026.60
195341.00%1.8226.60
19535-3.11%1.7626.70
195361.91%1.7926.80
195370.90%1.8126.80
19538-4.11%1.7426.90
195393.52%1.8026.90
1953102.71%1.8427.00
1953111.84%1.8826.90
1953123.02%1.9426.90
195412.68%1.9926.90
195422.58%2.0426.90
195434.45%2.1326.90
195444.42%2.2226.80
195451.22%2.2526.90
195464.46%2.3526.90
195472.39%2.4126.90
195482.74%2.4726.90
195492.71%2.5426.80
1954104.30%2.6526.80
1954114.95%2.7826.80
1954122.17%2.8426.70
195513.70%2.9526.70
19552-0.44%2.9326.70
195533.81%3.0526.70
19554-0.08%3.0426.70
195556.15%3.2326.70
195567.64%3.4826.70
19557-0.30%3.4726.80
195584.82%3.6326.80
19559-4.72%3.4626.90
1955107.07%3.7126.90
1955111.24%3.7526.90
195512-2.39%3.6626.80
195610.95%3.7026.80
195627.21%3.9626.80
195631.48%4.0226.80
19564-2.84%3.9126.90
19565-0.26%3.9027.00
195665.75%4.1227.20
19567-0.28%4.1127.40
19568-3.09%3.9827.30
19569-0.95%3.9527.40
195610-0.71%3.9227.50
1956111.81%3.9927.50
195612-1.86%3.9127.60
19571-4.00%3.7627.60
195721.62%3.8227.70
195732.64%3.9227.80
195744.16%4.0827.90
195751.95%4.1628.00
195762.32%4.2628.10
19577-5.21%4.0428.30
19578-3.74%3.8928.30
19579-5.90%3.6628.30
195710-1.80%3.5928.30
1957110.32%3.6028.40
1957122.33%3.6928.40
195810.70%3.7128.60
195822.42%3.8028.60
195830.90%3.8428.80
195843.56%3.9728.90
195852.74%4.0828.90
195863.07%4.2128.90
195874.05%4.3829.00
195882.94%4.5128.90
195894.36%4.7028.90
1958103.33%4.8628.90
1958112.16%4.9629.00
1958124.25%5.1828.90
19591-1.27%5.1129.00
195922.81%5.2528.90
195931.94%5.3628.90
195941.77%5.4529.00
19595-0.61%5.4229.00
195964.23%5.6529.10
19597-0.32%5.6329.20
19598-3.70%5.4229.20
195990.18%5.4329.30
1959100.67%5.4729.40
1959113.46%5.6529.40
195912-1.49%5.5729.40
19601-3.61%5.3729.30
19602-1.08%5.3129.40
196031.58%5.4029.40
19604-0.62%5.3629.50
196053.99%5.5829.50
19606-2.20%5.4529.60
196071.49%5.5329.60
19608-2.72%5.3829.60
19609-1.67%5.2929.60
1960103.54%5.4829.80
1960112.69%5.6329.80
1960125.43%5.9329.80
196114.37%6.1929.80
196123.40%6.4029.80
196132.92%6.5929.80
196141.26%6.6729.80
19615-1.08%6.6029.80
19616-0.03%6.6029.80
196173.84%6.8530.00
19618-0.54%6.8229.90
196191.34%6.9130.00
1961104.77%7.2430.00
1961111.16%7.3230.00
196112-3.49%7.0730.00
196211.91%7.2030.00
196220.34%7.2330.10
19623-2.94%7.0130.10
19624-7.19%6.5130.20
19625-11.41%5.7730.20
196262.72%5.9230.20
196273.02%6.1030.30
19628-0.59%6.0730.30
19629-2.86%5.8930.40
1962107.20%6.3230.40
1962114.62%6.6130.40
1962124.15%6.8830.40
196311.60%6.9930.40
19632-0.11%6.9930.40
196334.98%7.3330.50
196342.27%7.5030.50
196350.22%7.5230.50
19636-1.22%7.4230.60
196373.03%7.6530.70
196382.89%7.8730.70
196390.50%7.9130.70
196310-0.31%7.8930.80
1963112.39%8.0730.80
1963123.33%8.3430.90
196411.48%8.4730.90
196422.07%8.6430.90
196431.69%8.7930.90
196441.22%8.9030.90
19645-0.35%8.8630.90
196463.96%9.2231.00
19647-1.23%9.1031.10
196481.97%9.2831.00
196491.97%9.4631.10
1964100.94%9.5531.10
196411-1.49%9.4131.20
1964122.82%9.6831.20
196510.98%9.7731.20
196520.34%9.8031.20
196531.56%9.9631.30
196541.73%10.1331.40
19655-4.51%9.6731.40
196560.10%9.6831.60
196572.12%9.8931.60
196583.60%10.2431.60
196592.50%10.5031.60
1965101.08%10.6131.70
196511-0.21%10.5931.70
1965121.98%10.8031.80
19661-0.43%10.7531.80
19662-3.86%10.3432.00
196633.32%10.6832.10
19664-5.01%10.1532.30
19665-0.56%10.0932.30
196660.02%10.0932.40
19667-5.77%9.5132.50
19668-3.22%9.2032.70
19669-0.56%9.1532.70
1966105.32%9.6432.90
1966110.72%9.7132.90
1966124.13%10.1132.90
196713.73%10.4832.90
196722.63%10.7632.90
196731.99%10.9733.00
196742.06%11.2033.10
19675-0.99%11.0933.20
196761.99%11.3133.30
196771.85%11.5233.40
196781.65%11.7133.50
196790.10%11.7233.60
196710-2.88%11.3833.70
1967113.11%11.7433.80
196712-0.02%11.7433.90
19681-4.26%11.2434.10
19682-1.56%11.0634.20
196837.66%11.9134.30
196842.56%12.2134.40
196852.94%12.5734.50
196860.05%12.5834.70
19687-1.93%12.3334.90
196883.51%12.7735.00
196892.72%13.1135.10
1968101.79%13.3535.30
1968111.29%13.5235.40
196812-3.99%12.9835.50
19691-0.24%12.9535.60
19692-1.91%12.7035.80
196932.27%12.9936.10
196943.51%13.4536.30
19695-4.97%12.7836.40
19696-4.21%12.2436.60
19697-0.28%12.2136.80
196980.63%12.2837.00
196991.35%12.4537.10
1969101.00%12.5737.30
196911-5.03%11.9437.50
196912-0.59%11.8737.70
19701-3.20%11.4937.80
197022.01%11.7238.00
19703-2.75%11.4038.20
19704-11.20%10.1238.50
19705-0.27%10.1038.60
197060.52%10.1538.80
197073.26%10.4839.00
197086.32%11.1439.00
197092.49%11.4239.20
1970100.21%11.4439.40
1970117.16%12.2639.60
1970124.11%12.7739.80
197114.15%13.3039.80
197122.83%13.6739.90
197133.67%14.1740.00
19714-1.11%14.0240.10
19715-1.60%13.7940.30
19716-0.46%13.7340.60
19717-1.52%13.5240.70
197182.49%13.8640.80
19719-1.86%13.6040.80
197110-4.37%13.0140.90
1971117.16%13.9440.90
1971124.42%14.5541.10
197212.09%14.8641.10
197222.62%15.2541.30
197231.26%15.4441.40
19724-0.78%15.3241.50
197250.52%15.4041.60
19726-0.50%15.3241.70
197273.78%15.9041.90
19728-1.21%15.7142.00
197290.42%15.7742.10
1972105.25%16.6042.30
1972112.31%16.9942.40
1972120.99%17.1542.50
19731-3.33%16.5842.60
19732-1.35%16.3642.90
19733-1.63%16.0943.30
19734-2.57%15.6843.60
19735-1.99%15.3743.90
197361.21%15.5544.20
19737-1.64%15.3044.30
197382.00%15.6045.10
197394.24%16.2645.20
197310-6.85%15.1545.60
197311-6.81%14.1245.90
1973121.70%14.3646.20
19741-2.47%14.0046.60
197424.57%14.6447.20
19743-4.82%13.9447.80
19744-2.71%13.5648.00
197450.46%13.6248.60
19746-11.35%12.0849.00
19747-3.76%11.6249.40
19748-10.01%10.4650.00
197492.38%10.7150.60
1974103.74%11.1151.10
197411-6.09%10.4351.50
1974128.63%11.3351.90
1975110.81%12.5652.10
197524.97%13.1852.50
197531.49%13.3852.70
197546.71%14.2852.90
197552.89%14.6953.20
197560.43%14.7553.60
19757-7.00%13.7254.20
19758-0.85%13.6054.30
197594.97%14.2854.60
1975102.04%14.5754.90
197511-1.18%14.4055.30
1975129.55%15.7755.50
197614.18%16.4355.60
197620.80%16.5755.80
197631.10%16.7555.90
19764-0.38%16.6856.10
197650.90%16.8356.50
197662.67%17.2856.80
19767-0.56%17.1857.10
197682.44%17.6057.40
19769-3.11%17.0657.60
197610-0.37%16.9957.90
1976113.79%17.6458.00
197612-0.54%17.5458.20
19771-2.37%17.1358.50
19772-0.05%17.1259.10
19773-1.19%16.9159.50
197740.06%16.9260.00
197750.90%17.0860.30
197761.28%17.3060.70
19777-2.08%16.9461.00
19778-1.18%16.7461.20
19779-2.20%16.3761.40
1977100.98%16.5361.60
197711-0.08%16.5261.90
197712-3.39%15.9662.10
19781-0.97%15.8062.50
197820.27%15.8462.90
197834.83%16.6163.40
197845.50%17.5263.90
197850.67%17.6464.50
19786-0.06%17.6365.20
197877.33%18.9265.70
197880.40%19.0066.00
19789-2.77%18.4766.50
197810-5.44%17.4767.10
1978111.92%17.8067.40
1978124.19%18.5567.70
19791-1.06%18.3568.30
197922.34%18.7869.10
197932.43%19.2469.80
19794-1.89%18.8770.60
197952.42%19.3371.50
197961.42%19.6072.30
197975.01%20.5973.10
197981.54%20.9073.80
19799-3.35%20.2074.60
197910-0.32%20.1475.20
1979114.40%21.0375.90
1979123.31%21.7276.70
198014.40%22.6877.80
19802-8.78%20.6978.90
19803-1.16%20.4580.10
198045.04%21.4881.00
198056.86%22.9581.80
198064.97%24.0982.70
198073.50%24.9382.70
198082.84%25.6483.30
198093.32%26.4984.00
1980104.61%27.7284.80
198011-1.24%27.3785.50
1980120.01%27.3786.30
19811-3.07%26.5387.00
198124.14%27.6387.90
198131.29%27.9988.50
19814-1.62%27.5489.10
198150.86%27.7789.80
19816-2.02%27.2190.60
198170.80%27.4391.60
19818-8.30%25.1592.30
198191.73%25.5993.20
1981103.04%26.3793.40
1981111.18%26.6893.70
198112-4.80%25.4094.00
19821-1.91%24.9194.30
19822-2.74%24.2394.60
198235.47%25.5594.50
198240.57%25.7094.90
19825-5.27%24.3495.80
198260.24%24.4097.00
198270.79%24.6097.50
1982812.10%27.5797.70
198298.88%30.0297.90
1982104.50%31.3798.20
1982111.36%31.8098.00
1982123.93%33.0597.60
198312.13%33.7597.80
198323.87%35.0597.90
198334.20%36.5297.90
198344.42%38.1498.60
198351.75%38.8199.20
198360.71%39.0899.50
19837-2.41%38.1499.90
198383.31%39.41100.20
198390.65%39.66100.70
198310-1.14%39.21101.00
198311-0.13%39.16101.20
1983121.58%39.78101.30
19841-5.11%37.74101.90
198420.44%37.91102.40
198430.51%38.10102.60
19844-0.25%38.01103.10
19845-1.85%37.30103.40
19846-0.91%36.97103.70
198479.21%40.37104.10
198481.41%40.94104.50
19849-0.41%40.77105.00
1984101.29%41.29105.30
198411-0.71%41.00105.30
1984124.70%42.93105.30
198515.79%45.41105.50
19852-0.48%45.19106.00
198531.02%45.66106.40
198542.74%46.90106.90
198552.51%48.08107.30
198562.25%49.16107.60
19857-1.85%48.26107.80
19858-1.88%47.35108.00
198591.50%48.05108.30
1985106.42%51.14108.70
1985115.29%53.85109.00
1985120.75%54.25109.30
198615.70%57.34109.60
198626.18%60.89109.30
198632.74%62.56108.80
198640.49%62.87108.60
198653.13%64.84108.90
19866-1.80%63.67109.50
198672.28%65.12109.50
19868-2.46%63.52109.70
19869-0.09%63.46110.20
1986103.53%65.70110.30
1986111.71%66.83110.40
1986126.67%71.29110.50
198716.46%75.89111.20
198724.38%79.21111.60
19873-0.86%78.53112.10
198740.17%78.67112.70
198754.50%82.21113.10
198763.12%84.78113.50
198776.45%90.25113.80
19878-3.03%87.51114.40
19879-11.85%77.14115.00
198710-12.30%67.65115.30
198711-1.33%66.75115.40
1987124.25%69.58115.40
198813.33%71.90115.70
198823.23%74.22116.00
19883-0.89%73.56116.50
19884-2.19%71.95117.10
198856.00%76.27117.50
19886-0.31%76.03118.00
19887-1.72%74.73118.50
198881.93%76.17119.00
198893.80%79.06119.80
198810-2.02%77.47120.20
1988112.33%79.27120.30
1988123.51%82.05120.50
198913.30%84.76121.10
19892-0.16%84.62121.60
198933.56%87.64122.30
198944.12%91.25123.10
198953.39%94.34123.80
198962.80%96.98124.10
198974.69%101.53124.40
198980.46%101.99124.60
198990.29%102.29125.00
198910-1.81%100.43125.60
1989112.74%103.18125.90
198912-2.21%100.90126.10
19901-2.53%98.35127.40
199022.71%101.01128.00
199030.20%101.21128.70
199043.85%105.11128.90
199053.17%108.44129.20
199060.17%108.62129.90
19907-7.86%100.08130.40
19908-4.34%95.74131.60
19909-2.32%93.52132.70
1990102.98%96.31133.50
1990114.59%100.73133.80
199012-0.69%100.04133.80
1991111.61%111.65134.60
199123.04%115.05134.80
199132.26%117.65135.00
19914-0.18%117.44135.20
199150.35%117.85135.60
199160.78%118.77136.00
199172.68%121.95136.20
19918-0.30%121.58136.60
199190.18%121.80137.20
1991100.02%121.82137.40
1991110.94%122.96137.80
1991127.36%132.00137.90
19921-0.60%131.21138.10
19922-1.01%129.88138.60
199230.26%130.23139.30
199242.07%132.92139.50
19925-1.33%131.15139.70
199261.91%133.66140.20
199270.94%134.92140.50
199280.38%135.43140.90
19929-1.18%133.83141.30
1992102.76%137.52141.80
1992113.27%142.02142.00
1992120.14%142.22141.90
199311.72%144.67142.60
199322.15%147.78143.10
19933-1.34%145.80143.60
199340.72%146.86144.00
199350.87%148.13144.20
199360.06%148.22144.40
199371.76%150.83144.40
199381.35%152.87144.80
199391.24%154.77145.10
1993100.01%154.78145.70
1993110.89%156.16145.80
1993121.74%158.87145.80
19941-0.08%158.75146.20
19942-1.42%156.49146.70
19943-3.35%151.25147.20
199441.06%152.85147.40
199451.11%154.54147.50
19946-0.52%153.74148.00
199473.08%158.48148.40
199480.82%159.78149.00
19949-0.44%159.07149.40
199410-0.37%158.48149.50
199411-1.03%156.85149.70
1994122.45%160.70149.70
199513.82%166.84150.30
199522.56%171.10150.90
199533.22%176.61151.40
199543.35%182.52151.90
199553.18%188.32152.20
199563.55%195.00152.50
199570.51%196.00152.50
199583.72%203.29152.90
199590.91%205.14153.20
1995102.36%209.98153.70
1995113.39%217.10153.60
1995120.16%217.45153.50
199615.90%230.29154.40
19962-0.20%229.83154.90
199630.20%230.28155.70
199642.35%235.70156.30
199651.28%238.72156.60
19966-3.48%230.42156.70
199673.08%237.50157.00
199682.02%242.31157.30
199694.12%252.29157.80
1996105.05%265.04158.30
1996111.20%268.21158.60
1996123.26%276.95158.60
199714.36%289.03159.10
19972-0.62%287.23159.60
19973-3.41%277.45160.00
199749.22%303.02160.20
199755.34%319.19160.10
199765.74%337.50160.30
199770.35%338.67160.50
199781.19%342.71160.80
199791.65%348.35161.20
199710-1.15%344.34161.60
1997112.63%353.41161.50
1997120.24%354.25161.30
199816.40%376.93161.60
199825.31%396.95161.90
199833.41%410.47162.20
19984-0.22%409.56162.50
199850.12%410.04162.80
199864.47%428.36163.00
19987-6.97%398.50163.20
19988-4.90%378.98163.40
199891.29%383.87163.60
19981010.97%425.99164.00
1998114.10%443.48164.00
1998125.05%465.86163.90
19991-0.07%465.55164.30
199922.92%479.16164.50
199934.25%499.53165.00
19994-0.10%499.03166.20
19995-0.61%495.98166.20
199964.52%518.41166.20
19997-3.77%498.84166.70
19998-0.60%495.86167.10
19999-1.27%489.55167.90
1999107.11%524.34168.20
1999112.81%539.07168.30
199912-0.12%538.42168.30
20001-2.48%525.08168.80
200023.94%545.78169.80
200031.42%553.55171.20
20004-2.84%537.84171.30
200053.16%554.85171.50
200060.85%559.57172.40
200070.94%564.83172.80
20008-1.08%558.73172.80
20009-5.21%529.60173.70
200010-0.77%525.50174.00
200011-3.32%508.06174.10
2000120.46%510.37174.00
20011-2.14%499.47175.10
20012-9.08%454.12175.80
200130.45%456.15176.20
200146.88%487.53176.90
20015-2.39%475.89177.70
20016-2.66%463.23178.00
20017-2.05%453.75177.50
20018-11.25%402.72177.50
200193.18%415.54178.30
2001105.05%436.54177.70
2001111.47%442.94177.40
200112-0.30%441.62176.70
20021-3.35%426.81177.10
200224.95%447.92177.80
20023-3.51%432.18178.80
20024-2.82%419.99179.80
20025-5.92%395.12179.80
20026-10.76%352.61179.90
200271.14%356.63180.10
20028-4.76%339.66180.70
20029-1.37%335.02181.00
2002106.63%357.21181.30
200211-1.04%353.52181.30
200212-0.22%352.73180.90
20031-6.41%330.10181.70
200321.31%334.42183.10
200335.29%352.10184.20
200345.31%370.80183.80
200355.70%391.95183.50
200360.60%394.29183.70
20037-0.17%393.63183.90
200383.16%406.07184.60
200392.03%414.31185.20
2003101.21%419.32185.00
2003113.06%432.17184.50
2003124.93%453.50184.30
200411.09%458.43185.20
20042-1.57%451.25186.20
200430.97%455.62187.40
20044-2.56%443.94188.00
200452.86%456.62189.10
20046-2.24%446.40189.70
20047-1.39%440.21189.40
200482.78%452.46189.50
200490.10%452.92189.90
2004104.77%474.54190.90
2004112.73%487.49191.00
200412-1.35%480.91190.30
200511.68%488.99190.70
20052-0.26%487.74191.80
20053-2.41%475.99193.30
200541.34%482.35194.60
200552.18%492.87194.40
200561.81%501.78194.50
200570.31%503.34195.40
200580.28%504.75196.40
20059-2.62%491.50198.80
2005103.96%510.97199.20
2005112.14%521.93197.60
2005121.47%529.58196.80
20061-0.02%529.49198.30
200621.49%537.36198.70
200630.80%541.65199.80
20064-0.79%537.39201.50
20065-2.71%522.85202.50
200660.72%526.62202.90
200672.29%538.68203.50
200682.53%552.32203.90
200693.62%572.29202.90
2006102.00%583.75201.80
2006112.15%596.29201.50
2006120.69%600.42201.80
200711.60%610.00202.42
20072-2.47%594.91203.50
200734.18%619.78205.35
200743.39%640.80206.69
200750.34%643.01207.95
200760.57%646.71208.35
20077-4.20%619.54208.30
200783.07%638.59207.92
200792.99%657.69208.49
200710-4.81%626.08208.94
2007111.24%633.83210.18
200712-6.64%591.78210.04
20081-1.56%582.52211.08
20082-2.63%567.22211.69
200834.24%591.29213.53
200842.56%606.44214.82
20085-4.25%580.69216.63
20086-6.08%545.39218.82
200872.11%556.90219.96
20088-4.85%529.91219.09
20089-20.19%422.90218.78
200810-8.61%386.51216.57
200811-0.35%385.15212.43
200812-1.10%380.93210.23
20091-6.70%355.40211.14
20092-5.69%335.19212.19
2009312.32%376.49212.71
200946.66%401.56213.24
200952.87%413.08213.86
200961.28%418.36215.69
200978.12%452.33215.35
200983.65%468.84215.83
200992.40%480.11215.97
2009102.09%490.17216.18
2009112.23%501.08216.33
2009121.36%507.88215.95
20101-2.90%493.16216.69
201025.94%522.46216.74
201034.09%543.82217.63
20104-5.88%511.83218.01
20105-3.54%493.69218.18
20106-0.16%492.91217.97
201070.86%497.17218.01
201083.37%513.93218.31
201094.58%537.45218.44
2010102.49%550.84218.71
2010113.71%571.30218.80
2010123.46%591.07219.18
201113.15%609.70220.22
20112-1.11%602.92221.31
201132.22%616.31223.47
201140.66%620.37224.91
20115-3.66%597.65225.96
201163.10%616.19225.72
20117-10.40%552.10225.92
20118-0.79%547.74226.55
201193.02%564.28226.89
2011101.77%574.25226.42
2011111.55%583.18226.23
2011124.78%611.07225.67
201214.16%636.50226.67
201222.88%654.86227.66
20123-0.04%654.61229.39
20124-3.09%634.37230.09
20125-1.15%627.06229.82
201262.92%645.38229.48
201273.39%667.24229.10
201283.02%687.40230.38
20129-0.22%685.91231.41
201210-2.84%666.45231.32
2012112.18%680.95230.22
2012124.27%710.01229.60
201312.33%726.58230.28
201322.72%746.36232.17
201331.45%757.21232.77
201344.57%791.85232.53
20135-1.12%783.00232.95
201363.25%808.48233.50
201370.25%810.52233.60
201381.19%820.19233.88
201392.12%837.55234.15
2013103.86%869.88233.55
2013111.52%883.12233.07
2013120.97%891.67233.05
20141-0.13%890.51233.92
201422.72%914.75234.78
201430.20%916.59236.29
201441.53%930.64237.07
201453.20%960.38237.90
201461.50%974.75238.34
20147-0.43%970.59238.25
201481.78%987.84237.85
20149-2.65%961.70238.03
2014105.71%1,016.57237.43
2014110.63%1,023.02236.15
201412-1.11%1,011.66234.81
201512.83%1,040.26233.71
201520.06%1,040.84234.72
201530.88%1,049.98236.12
201540.98%1,060.26236.60
20155-0.44%1,055.64237.81
20156-0.08%1,054.80238.64
20157-2.42%1,029.23238.65
20158-4.51%982.84238.32
201594.32%1,025.27237.95
2015102.93%1,055.34237.84
201511-1.10%1,043.70237.34
201512-6.42%976.70236.53
20161-0.55%971.33236.92
201626.36%1,033.13237.11
201632.83%1,062.38238.13
20164-0.30%1,059.15239.26
201651.07%1,070.44240.23
201663.30%1,105.74241.02
201671.20%1,119.00240.63
20168-0.44%1,114.09240.85
20169-0.51%1,108.45241.43
2016101.20%1,121.77241.73
2016113.95%1,166.03241.35
2016121.44%1,182.80241.43
201712.58%1,213.27242.84
201721.75%1,234.49243.60
20173-0.15%1,232.59243.80
201741.69%1,253.45244.52
201751.78%1,275.72244.73
201760.99%1,288.32244.96
201770.25%1,291.51244.79
201781.65%1,312.87245.52
201792.73%1,348.77246.82
2017101.59%1,370.21246.66
2017112.88%1,409.72246.67
2017124.86%1,478.26246.52
20181-2.89%1,435.59247.87
201820.06%1,436.51248.99
20183-1.66%1,412.61249.55
201841.96%1,440.32250.55
201852.11%1,470.75251.59
201861.58%1,494.00251.99
201872.45%1,530.62252.01
201881.68%1,556.33252.15
20189-3.85%1,496.42252.44
201810-2.08%1,465.36252.89
201811-5.56%1,383.85252.04
2018121.74%1,407.86251.23
201915.83%1,489.93251.71
201921.95%1,518.95252.78
201933.72%1,575.51254.20
20194-1.53%1,551.37255.55
201951.40%1,573.17256.09
201963.83%1,633.38256.14
20197-3.13%1,582.18256.57
201983.09%1,630.99256.56
201990.01%1,631.15256.76
2019104.43%1,703.47257.35
2019112.47%1,745.54257.21
2019123.35%1,803.95256.97
202010.12%1,806.15257.97
20202-18.92%1,464.47258.68
202034.32%1,527.71258.12
202045.89%1,617.66256.39
202056.51%1,722.94256.39
202063.48%1,782.83257.80
202075.89%1,887.91259.10
20208-0.63%1,876.07259.92
202091.73%1,908.45260.28
2020103.95%1,983.91260.39
2020114.26%2,068.43260.23
2020122.80%2,126.25260.47
202112.49%2,179.22261.58
202120.82%2,197.12263.01
202136.02%2,329.42264.88
202140.76%2,347.13267.05
202151.81%2,389.62269.20
202163.07%2,462.94271.70
202172.19%2,516.76273.00
20218-0.08%2,514.63273.57
202190.45%2,526.01274.31
2021104.74%2,645.86276.59
2021110.27%2,652.88277.95
202112-2.05%2,598.44278.80
20221-2.90%2,523.02281.15
20222-0.89%2,500.50283.72
202230.12%2,503.46287.50
20224-7.87%2,306.37289.11
20225-3.37%2,228.66292.30
202260.46%2,239.02296.31
202276.45%2,383.37296.28
20228-7.28%2,209.93296.17
20229-3.09%2,141.61296.81
2022105.29%2,254.80298.01
2022110.01%2,255.04297.71
2022121.38%2,286.08296.80
202313.15%2,358.03299.17
20232-2.59%2,297.06300.84
202334.00%2,388.86301.84
202340.74%2,406.48303.36
202354.94%2,525.41304.13
202363.88%2,623.30305.11
20237-1.00%2,597.13305.69
20238-0.95%2,572.36307.03
20239-3.04%2,494.23307.79
2023104.60%2,609.01307.67
2023115.18%2,744.03307.05
2023122.91%2,823.93306.75
Click to show 870 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 $1.00 up-front. Instead, the capital is invested over a period of time.

Consider a strategy in which $1.00 was invested in the S&P 500 over a period of no more than 24 months beginning in 1950. This would result in a final amount of $2,198.22, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $2,823.93).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
195010.040.04
195020.040.08
195030.040.13
195040.040.17
195050.040.22
195060.040.24
195070.040.30
195080.040.35
195090.040.41
1950100.040.45
1950110.040.49
1950120.040.57
195110.040.64
195120.040.67
195130.040.73
195140.040.77
195150.040.80
195160.040.86
195170.040.94
195180.041.02
195190.041.06
1951100.041.07
1951110.041.15
1951120.041.24
195210.041.26
19522-1.27
19523-1.27
19524-1.28
19525-1.32
19526-1.36
19527-1.37
19528-1.36
19529-1.34
195210-1.39
195211-1.45
195212-1.46
19531-1.45
19532-1.47
19533-1.40
19534-1.41
19535-1.37
19536-1.40
19537-1.41
19538-1.35
19539-1.40
195310-1.44
195311-1.46
195312-1.51
19541-1.55
19542-1.59
19543-1.66
19544-1.73
19545-1.75
19546-1.83
19547-1.87
19548-1.93
19549-1.98
195410-2.06
195411-2.16
195412-2.21
19551-2.29
19552-2.28
19553-2.37
19554-2.37
19555-2.51
19556-2.71
19557-2.70
19558-2.83
19559-2.69
195510-2.89
195511-2.92
195512-2.85
19561-2.88
19562-3.09
19563-3.13
19564-3.04
19565-3.03
19566-3.21
19567-3.20
19568-3.10
19569-3.07
195610-3.05
195611-3.10
195612-3.05
19571-2.93
19572-2.97
19573-3.05
19574-3.18
19575-3.24
19576-3.32
19577-3.14
19578-3.03
19579-2.85
195710-2.80
195711-2.80
195712-2.87
19581-2.89
19582-2.96
19583-2.99
19584-3.09
19585-3.18
19586-3.27
19587-3.41
19588-3.51
19589-3.66
195810-3.78
195811-3.86
195812-4.03
19591-3.98
19592-4.09
19593-4.17
19594-4.24
19595-4.22
19596-4.39
19597-4.38
19598-4.22
19599-4.23
195910-4.25
195911-4.40
195912-4.34
19601-4.18
19602-4.13
19603-4.20
19604-4.17
19605-4.34
19606-4.25
19607-4.31
19608-4.19
19609-4.12
196010-4.27
196011-4.38
196012-4.62
19611-4.82
19612-4.99
19613-5.13
19614-5.20
19615-5.14
19616-5.14
19617-5.34
19618-5.31
19619-5.38
196110-5.63
196111-5.70
196112-5.50
19621-5.61
19622-5.63
19623-5.46
19624-5.07
19625-4.49
19626-4.61
19627-4.75
19628-4.72
19629-4.59
196210-4.92
196211-5.15
196212-5.36
19631-5.44
19632-5.44
19633-5.71
19634-5.84
19635-5.85
19636-5.78
19637-5.95
19638-6.13
19639-6.16
196310-6.14
196311-6.29
196312-6.49
19641-6.59
19642-6.73
19643-6.84
19644-6.92
19645-6.90
19646-7.17
19647-7.09
19648-7.23
19649-7.37
196410-7.44
196411-7.33
196412-7.53
19651-7.61
19652-7.63
19653-7.75
19654-7.88
19655-7.53
19656-7.54
19657-7.70
19658-7.97
19659-8.17
196510-8.26
196511-8.24
196512-8.41
19661-8.37
19662-8.05
19663-8.31
19664-7.90
19665-7.85
19666-7.85
19667-7.40
19668-7.16
19669-7.12
196610-7.50
196611-7.55
196612-7.87
19671-8.16
19672-8.38
19673-8.54
19674-8.72
19675-8.63
19676-8.80
19677-8.97
19678-9.11
19679-9.12
196710-8.86
196711-9.14
196712-9.13
19681-8.75
19682-8.61
19683-9.27
19684-9.51
19685-9.79
19686-9.79
19687-9.60
19688-9.94
19689-10.21
196810-10.39
196811-10.52
196812-10.10
19691-10.08
19692-9.89
19693-10.11
19694-10.47
19695-9.95
19696-9.53
19697-9.50
19698-9.56
19699-9.69
196910-9.79
196911-9.30
196912-9.24
19701-8.95
19702-9.13
19703-8.87
19704-7.88
19705-7.86
19706-7.90
19707-8.16
19708-8.67
19709-8.89
197010-8.91
197011-9.55
197012-9.94
19711-10.35
19712-10.64
19713-11.03
19714-10.91
19715-10.74
19716-10.69
19717-10.53
19718-10.79
19719-10.59
197110-10.12
197111-10.85
197112-11.33
19721-11.57
19722-11.87
19723-12.02
19724-11.92
19725-11.99
19726-11.93
19727-12.38
19728-12.23
19729-12.28
197210-12.92
197211-13.22
197212-13.35
19731-12.91
19732-12.73
19733-12.53
19734-12.20
19735-11.96
19736-12.11
19737-11.91
19738-12.15
19739-12.66
197310-11.79
197311-10.99
197312-11.18
19741-10.90
19742-11.40
19743-10.85
19744-10.56
19745-10.61
19746-9.40
19747-9.05
19748-8.14
19749-8.34
197410-8.65
197411-8.12
197412-8.82
19751-9.78
19752-10.26
19753-10.41
19754-11.11
19755-11.43
19756-11.48
19757-10.68
19758-10.59
19759-11.12
197510-11.34
197511-11.21
197512-12.28
19761-12.79
19762-12.89
19763-13.04
19764-12.99
19765-13.10
19766-13.45
19767-13.38
19768-13.70
19769-13.28
197610-13.23
197611-13.73
197612-13.66
19771-13.33
19772-13.32
19773-13.17
19774-13.17
19775-13.29
19776-13.46
19777-13.18
19778-13.03
19779-12.74
197710-12.87
197711-12.86
197712-12.42
19781-12.30
19782-12.33
19783-12.93
19784-13.64
19785-13.73
19786-13.72
19787-14.73
19788-14.79
19789-14.38
197810-13.60
197811-13.86
197812-14.44
19791-14.29
19792-14.62
19793-14.97
19794-14.69
19795-15.05
19796-15.26
19797-16.03
19798-16.27
19799-15.73
197910-15.68
197911-16.37
197912-16.91
19801-17.65
19802-16.10
19803-15.92
19804-16.72
19805-17.86
19806-18.75
19807-19.41
19808-19.96
19809-20.62
198010-21.57
198011-21.31
198012-21.31
19811-20.65
19812-21.51
19813-21.79
19814-21.44
19815-21.62
19816-21.18
19817-21.35
19818-19.58
19819-19.92
198110-20.53
198111-20.77
198112-19.77
19821-19.39
19822-18.86
19823-19.89
19824-20.00
19825-18.95
19826-19.00
19827-19.15
19828-21.46
19829-23.37
198210-24.42
198211-24.75
198212-25.72
19831-26.27
19832-27.29
19833-28.43
19834-29.69
19835-30.21
19836-30.42
19837-29.69
19838-30.68
19839-30.87
198310-30.52
198311-30.48
198312-30.96
19841-29.38
19842-29.51
19843-29.66
19844-29.59
19845-29.04
19846-28.77
19847-31.42
19848-31.87
19849-31.73
198410-32.14
198411-31.92
198412-33.41
19851-35.35
19852-35.18
19853-35.54
19854-36.51
19855-37.43
19856-38.27
19857-37.56
19858-36.86
19859-37.41
198510-39.81
198511-41.92
198512-42.23
19861-44.64
19862-47.40
19863-48.70
19864-48.94
19865-50.47
19866-49.56
19867-50.69
19868-49.44
19869-49.40
198610-51.14
198611-52.02
198612-55.49
19871-59.08
19872-61.66
19873-61.13
19874-61.24
19875-63.99
19876-65.99
19877-70.25
19878-68.12
19879-60.05
198710-52.66
198711-51.96
198712-54.16
19881-55.97
19882-57.77
19883-57.26
19884-56.01
19885-59.37
19886-59.19
19887-58.17
19888-59.29
19889-61.54
198810-60.30
198811-61.70
198812-63.87
19891-65.98
19892-65.87
19893-68.22
19894-71.03
19895-73.44
19896-75.49
19897-79.04
19898-79.40
19899-79.62
198910-78.18
198911-80.32
198912-78.54
19901-76.56
19902-78.63
19903-78.78
19904-81.82
19905-84.41
19906-84.55
19907-77.91
19908-74.53
19909-72.80
199010-74.97
199011-78.41
199012-77.87
19911-86.91
19912-89.56
19913-91.58
19914-91.42
19915-91.73
19916-92.45
19917-94.93
19918-94.64
19919-94.81
199110-94.83
199111-95.71
199112-102.76
19921-102.14
19922-101.10
19923-101.37
19924-103.47
19925-102.09
19926-104.05
19927-105.02
19928-105.42
19929-104.18
199210-107.05
199211-110.55
199212-110.71
19931-112.62
19932-115.04
19933-113.49
19934-114.32
19935-115.31
19936-115.38
19937-117.41
19938-119.00
19939-120.48
199310-120.49
199311-121.56
199312-123.67
19941-123.57
19942-121.81
19943-117.74
19944-118.98
19945-120.30
19946-119.68
19947-123.37
19948-124.37
19949-123.82
199410-123.36
199411-122.10
199412-125.09
19951-129.87
19952-133.19
19953-137.47
19954-142.08
19955-146.59
19956-151.79
19957-152.57
19958-158.24
19959-159.69
199510-163.45
199511-168.99
199512-169.27
19961-179.26
19962-178.90
19963-179.26
19964-183.48
19965-185.82
19966-179.36
19967-184.88
19968-188.62
19969-196.39
199610-206.31
199611-208.78
199612-215.59
19971-224.99
19972-223.58
19973-215.97
19974-235.88
19975-248.47
19976-262.72
19977-263.63
19978-266.78
19979-271.16
199710-268.04
199711-275.10
199712-275.75
19981-293.41
19982-309.00
19983-319.52
19984-318.81
19985-319.18
19986-333.44
19987-310.20
19988-295.00
19989-298.81
199810-331.61
199811-345.21
199812-362.64
19991-362.40
19992-372.99
19993-388.85
19994-388.46
19995-386.08
19996-403.54
19997-388.31
19998-385.99
19999-381.08
199910-408.16
199911-419.62
199912-419.12
20001-408.74
20002-424.85
20003-430.90
20004-418.67
20005-431.91
20006-435.58
20007-439.68
20008-434.93
20009-412.25
200010-409.07
200011-395.48
200012-397.28
20011-388.80
20012-353.49
20013-355.08
20014-379.51
20015-370.44
20016-360.59
20017-353.21
20018-313.48
20019-323.47
200110-339.81
200111-344.79
200112-343.77
20021-332.24
20022-348.67
20023-336.42
20024-326.93
20025-307.57
20026-274.48
20027-277.61
20028-264.40
20029-260.79
200210-278.06
200211-275.19
200212-274.57
20031-256.96
20032-260.32
20033-274.08
20034-288.64
20035-305.11
20036-306.92
20037-306.41
20038-316.10
20039-322.51
200310-326.41
200311-336.41
200312-353.02
20041-356.85
20042-351.27
20043-354.67
20044-345.57
20045-355.45
20046-347.49
20047-342.67
20048-352.20
20049-352.57
200410-369.40
200411-379.47
200412-374.35
20051-380.65
20052-379.67
20053-370.53
20054-375.48
20055-383.66
20056-390.60
20057-391.81
20058-392.91
20059-382.60
200510-397.75
200511-406.28
200512-412.24
20061-412.17
20062-418.30
20063-421.64
20064-418.32
20065-407.00
20066-409.93
20067-419.33
20068-429.94
20069-445.49
200610-454.40
200611-464.16
200612-467.38
20071-474.84
20072-463.09
20073-482.45
20074-498.82
20075-500.54
20076-503.41
20077-482.26
20078-497.09
20079-511.96
200710-487.36
200711-493.39
200712-460.65
20081-453.45
20082-441.54
20083-460.28
20084-472.07
20085-452.02
20086-424.55
20087-433.51
20088-412.49
20089-329.20
200810-300.87
200811-299.81
200812-296.53
20091-276.65
20092-260.92
20093-293.07
20094-312.59
20095-321.55
20096-325.66
20097-352.11
20098-364.96
20099-373.73
200910-381.56
200911-390.05
200912-395.34
20101-383.88
20102-406.70
20103-423.32
20104-398.42
20105-384.30
20106-383.69
20107-387.01
20108-400.05
20109-418.37
201010-428.79
201011-444.71
201012-460.11
20111-474.60
20112-469.33
20113-479.75
20114-482.91
20115-465.22
20116-479.65
20117-429.77
20118-426.38
20119-439.25
201110-447.01
201111-453.96
201112-475.67
20121-495.47
20122-509.76
20123-509.56
20124-493.81
20125-488.12
20126-502.38
20127-519.40
20128-535.09
20129-533.93
201210-518.78
201211-530.07
201212-552.69
20131-565.59
20132-580.99
20133-589.43
20134-616.39
20135-609.50
20136-629.34
20137-630.93
20138-638.45
20139-651.97
201310-677.14
201311-687.44
201312-694.10
20141-693.19
20142-712.06
20143-713.50
20144-724.43
20145-747.59
20146-758.77
20147-755.53
20148-768.96
20149-748.61
201410-791.33
201411-796.34
201412-787.50
20151-809.77
20152-810.22
20153-817.33
20154-825.33
20155-821.74
20156-821.09
20157-801.18
20158-765.07
20159-798.10
201510-821.50
201511-812.44
201512-760.29
20161-756.10
20162-804.21
20163-826.98
20164-824.47
20165-833.26
20166-860.74
20167-871.06
20168-867.24
20169-862.85
201610-873.21
201611-907.67
201612-920.72
20171-944.44
20172-960.96
20173-959.48
20174-975.72
20175-993.05
20176-1,002.86
20177-1,005.35
20178-1,021.97
20179-1,049.92
201710-1,066.61
201711-1,097.36
201712-1,150.71
20181-1,117.50
20182-1,118.22
20183-1,099.61
20184-1,121.18
20185-1,144.87
20186-1,162.97
20187-1,191.47
20188-1,211.48
20189-1,164.86
201810-1,140.67
201811-1,077.22
201812-1,095.92
20191-1,159.80
20192-1,182.39
20193-1,226.41
20194-1,207.63
20195-1,224.59
20196-1,271.46
20197-1,231.61
20198-1,269.61
20199-1,269.73
201910-1,326.03
201911-1,358.77
201912-1,404.24
20201-1,405.96
20202-1,139.98
20203-1,189.21
20204-1,259.23
20205-1,341.18
20206-1,387.80
20207-1,469.59
20208-1,460.38
20209-1,485.59
202010-1,544.33
202011-1,610.12
202012-1,655.13
20211-1,696.36
20212-1,710.30
20213-1,813.28
20214-1,827.07
20215-1,860.14
20216-1,917.22
20217-1,959.11
20218-1,957.46
20219-1,966.31
202110-2,059.60
202111-2,065.07
202112-2,022.70
20221-1,963.99
20222-1,946.46
20223-1,948.76
20224-1,795.34
20225-1,734.85
20226-1,742.91
20227-1,855.28
20228-1,720.26
20229-1,667.09
202210-1,755.19
202211-1,755.38
202212-1,779.55
20231-1,835.55
20232-1,788.09
20233-1,859.55
20234-1,873.27
20235-1,965.85
20236-2,042.04
20237-2,021.67
20238-2,002.39
20239-1,941.57
202310-2,030.92
202311-2,136.02
202312-2,198.22
Click to show 870 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 1950 to 2023
Start Value
Average monthly close
$16.88
End Value
Average monthly close
$3,960.66
Change in price+23,363.60%
+7.76% / yr
Change incl. dividends+282,293.29%
+11.34% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+22,235.51%
+7.58% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($1 base)
$2,823.93
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($1 base)
$223.36