S&P 500: $100 in 1950 → $212,624.72 in 2020

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Stock market returns between 1950 and 2020

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1950, you would have about $212,624.72 at the end of 2020, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 212,524.72%, or 11.40% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 19,699.17% cumulatively, or 7.73% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $166,975.40.

The graph below shows the performance of $100 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 $100 is $212,524.72, or 212,524.72%. This means by 2020 you would have $212,624.72 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 2020 was 258.812.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 70 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $212,624.72 nominal end value of the original $100 investment would have a real return of roughly $19,699.17 in 1950 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 19,699.17% as opposed to the original 212,524.72%.

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 $100 investment, including gains and losses over the 852-month period between 1950 and 2020.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
195012.52%102.5223.50
195021.38%103.9323.50
195033.39%107.4523.60
195043.91%111.6623.60
195052.16%114.0823.70
19506-6.72%106.4123.80
195076.64%113.4724.10
195084.11%118.1324.30
195094.72%123.7124.40
1950100.38%124.1724.60
1950110.19%124.4124.70
1950128.01%134.3825.00
195114.31%140.1725.40
19512-1.11%138.6125.70
195131.93%141.2825.80
195140.63%142.1725.80
19515-1.15%140.5425.90
195162.37%143.8725.90
195174.97%151.0125.90
195183.14%155.7525.90
195190.03%155.7926.10
195110-2.25%152.2826.20
1951113.61%157.7926.40
1951123.83%163.8326.50
19521-1.33%161.6526.50
195220.75%162.8626.30
195230.20%163.1926.30
195240.46%163.9526.40
195253.24%169.2626.40
195263.37%174.9626.50
195270.88%176.5026.70
19528-1.11%174.5526.70
19529-1.61%171.7426.70
1952103.67%178.0326.70
1952114.51%186.0626.70
1952120.99%187.9026.70
19531-0.77%186.4526.60
195320.96%188.2326.50
19533-4.47%179.8126.60
195341.00%181.6226.60
19535-3.11%175.9726.70
195361.91%179.3426.80
195370.90%180.9526.80
19538-4.11%173.5226.90
195393.52%179.6226.90
1953102.71%184.4927.00
1953111.84%187.8826.90
1953123.02%193.5626.90
195412.68%198.7426.90
195422.58%203.8726.90
195434.45%212.9426.90
195444.42%222.3626.80
195451.22%225.0826.90
195464.46%235.1126.90
195472.39%240.7426.90
195482.74%247.3426.90
195492.71%254.0426.80
1954104.30%264.9726.80
1954114.95%278.1026.80
1954122.17%284.1326.70
195513.70%294.6526.70
19552-0.44%293.3726.70
195533.81%304.5426.70
19554-0.08%304.3026.70
195556.15%323.0026.70
195567.64%347.6926.70
19557-0.30%346.6526.80
195584.82%363.3426.80
19559-4.72%346.1826.90
1955107.07%370.6426.90
1955111.24%375.2226.90
195512-2.39%366.2626.80
195610.95%369.7426.80
195627.21%396.3926.80
195631.48%402.2626.80
19564-2.84%390.8426.90
19565-0.26%389.8227.00
195665.75%412.2327.20
19567-0.28%411.0627.40
19568-3.09%398.3627.30
19569-0.95%394.5627.40
195610-0.71%391.7527.50
1956111.81%398.8427.50
195612-1.86%391.4127.60
19571-4.00%375.7727.60
195721.62%381.8627.70
195732.64%391.9527.80
195744.16%408.2627.90
195751.95%416.2428.00
195762.32%425.9028.10
19577-5.21%403.7428.30
19578-3.74%388.6428.30
19579-5.90%365.7228.30
195710-1.80%359.1428.30
1957110.32%360.2828.40
1957122.33%368.6728.40
195810.70%371.2628.60
195822.42%380.2428.60
195830.90%383.6528.80
195843.56%397.2928.90
195852.74%408.1628.90
195863.07%420.7028.90
195874.05%437.7529.00
195882.94%450.6428.90
195894.36%470.2828.90
1958103.33%485.9228.90
1958112.16%496.4329.00
1958124.25%517.5528.90
19591-1.27%511.0129.00
195922.81%525.3528.90
195931.94%535.5228.90
195941.77%544.9729.00
19595-0.61%541.6729.00
195964.23%564.5729.10
19597-0.32%562.7729.20
19598-3.70%541.9329.20
195990.18%542.8929.30
1959100.67%546.5229.40
1959113.46%565.4529.40
195912-1.49%557.0529.40
19601-3.61%536.9429.30
19602-1.08%531.1529.40
196031.58%539.5729.40
19604-0.62%536.2029.50
196053.99%557.5829.50
19606-2.20%545.3429.60
196071.49%553.4729.60
19608-2.72%538.4129.60
19609-1.67%529.3929.60
1960103.54%548.1429.80
1960112.69%562.8929.80
1960125.43%593.4429.80
196114.37%619.3929.80
196123.40%640.4329.80
196132.92%659.1329.80
196141.26%667.4629.80
19615-1.08%660.2529.80
19616-0.03%660.0629.80
196173.84%685.4030.00
19618-0.54%681.6929.90
196191.34%690.8430.00
1961104.77%723.8130.00
1961111.16%732.2330.00
196112-3.49%706.6930.00
196211.91%720.1930.00
196220.34%722.6430.10
19623-2.94%701.3630.10
19624-7.19%650.9730.20
19625-11.41%576.6830.20
196262.72%592.3530.20
196273.02%610.2530.30
19628-0.59%606.6330.30
19629-2.86%589.3130.40
1962107.20%631.7430.40
1962114.62%660.9530.40
1962124.15%688.3630.40
196311.60%699.3430.40
19632-0.11%698.5830.40
196334.98%733.3630.50
196342.27%750.0030.50
196350.22%751.6330.50
19636-1.22%742.4530.60
196373.03%764.9530.70
196382.89%787.0830.70
196390.50%791.0230.70
196310-0.31%788.5930.80
1963112.39%807.4730.80
1963123.33%834.3630.90
196411.48%846.7130.90
196422.07%864.2430.90
196431.69%878.8730.90
196441.22%889.6030.90
19645-0.35%886.4830.90
196463.96%921.5931.00
19647-1.23%910.3031.10
196481.97%928.1931.00
196491.97%946.4831.10
1964100.94%955.3431.10
196411-1.49%941.1131.20
1964122.82%967.6531.20
196510.98%977.0931.20
196520.34%980.3731.20
196531.56%995.6431.30
196541.73%1,012.8931.40
19655-4.51%967.2331.40
196560.10%968.2331.60
196572.12%988.7431.60
196583.60%1,024.3031.60
196592.50%1,049.8731.60
1965101.08%1,061.1731.70
196511-0.21%1,058.9231.70
1965121.98%1,079.9031.80
19661-0.43%1,075.2531.80
19662-3.86%1,033.7232.00
196633.32%1,068.0532.10
19664-5.01%1,014.5632.30
19665-0.56%1,008.8932.30
196660.02%1,009.0732.40
19667-5.77%950.8532.50
19668-3.22%920.1932.70
19669-0.56%915.0032.70
1966105.32%963.6432.90
1966110.72%970.5432.90
1966124.13%1,010.6232.90
196713.73%1,048.3232.90
196722.63%1,075.9332.90
196731.99%1,097.3733.00
196742.06%1,119.9533.10
19675-0.99%1,108.8433.20
196761.99%1,130.9333.30
196771.85%1,151.8733.40
196781.65%1,170.9233.50
196790.10%1,172.0633.60
196710-2.88%1,138.2933.70
1967113.11%1,173.7133.80
196712-0.02%1,173.5033.90
19681-4.26%1,123.5534.10
19682-1.56%1,106.0334.20
196837.66%1,190.7734.30
196842.56%1,221.2334.40
196852.94%1,257.1434.50
196860.05%1,257.7534.70
19687-1.93%1,233.4334.90
196883.51%1,276.6935.00
196892.72%1,311.3935.10
1968101.79%1,334.8035.30
1968111.29%1,351.9635.40
196812-3.99%1,298.0835.50
19691-0.24%1,294.9935.60
19692-1.91%1,270.2035.80
196932.27%1,299.0936.10
196943.51%1,344.7336.30
19695-4.97%1,277.8836.40
19696-4.21%1,224.1436.60
19697-0.28%1,220.6736.80
196980.63%1,228.3437.00
196991.35%1,244.8837.10
1969101.00%1,257.3037.30
196911-5.03%1,194.0937.50
196912-0.59%1,187.0637.70
19701-3.20%1,149.1237.80
197022.01%1,172.2438.00
19703-2.75%1,140.0338.20
19704-11.20%1,012.3638.50
19705-0.27%1,009.6338.60
197060.52%1,014.9038.80
197073.26%1,047.9439.00
197086.32%1,114.1939.00
197092.49%1,141.9339.20
1970100.21%1,144.2939.40
1970117.16%1,226.2039.60
1970124.11%1,276.6039.80
197114.15%1,329.6039.80
197122.83%1,367.2539.90
197133.67%1,417.4840.00
19714-1.11%1,401.7840.10
19715-1.60%1,379.4040.30
19716-0.46%1,373.0240.60
19717-1.52%1,352.1940.70
197182.49%1,385.8140.80
19719-1.86%1,359.9840.80
197110-4.37%1,300.5340.90
1971117.16%1,393.6940.90
1971124.42%1,455.3341.10
197212.09%1,485.7041.10
197222.62%1,524.6241.30
197231.26%1,543.8241.40
19724-0.78%1,531.8441.50
197250.52%1,539.7441.60
19726-0.50%1,531.9941.70
197273.78%1,589.9541.90
19728-1.21%1,570.7142.00
197290.42%1,577.2642.10
1972105.25%1,660.1442.30
1972112.31%1,698.5142.40
1972120.99%1,715.3142.50
19731-3.33%1,658.2842.60
19732-1.35%1,635.9742.90
19733-1.63%1,609.2543.30
19734-2.57%1,567.8943.60
19735-1.99%1,536.7043.90
197361.21%1,555.2944.20
19737-1.64%1,529.8644.30
197382.00%1,560.3845.10
197394.24%1,626.4745.20
197310-6.85%1,515.0145.60
197311-6.81%1,411.9145.90
1973121.70%1,435.9246.20
19741-2.47%1,400.4146.60
197424.57%1,464.4747.20
19743-4.82%1,393.9447.80
19744-2.71%1,356.2248.00
197450.46%1,362.4248.60
19746-11.35%1,207.8349.00
19747-3.76%1,162.3649.40
19748-10.01%1,045.9650.00
197492.38%1,070.8350.60
1974103.74%1,110.9151.10
197411-6.09%1,043.2451.50
1974128.63%1,133.3051.90
1975110.81%1,255.7852.10
197524.97%1,318.2452.50
197531.49%1,337.8452.70
197546.71%1,427.6452.90
197552.89%1,468.9753.20
197560.43%1,475.3153.60
19757-7.00%1,372.1054.20
19758-0.85%1,360.4054.30
197594.97%1,428.0354.60
1975102.04%1,457.1854.90
197511-1.18%1,439.9955.30
1975129.55%1,577.4455.50
197614.18%1,643.3555.60
197620.80%1,656.5455.80
197631.10%1,674.6955.90
19764-0.38%1,668.2756.10
197650.90%1,683.2956.50
197662.67%1,728.1656.80
19767-0.56%1,718.4757.10
197682.44%1,760.3657.40
19769-3.11%1,705.6557.60
197610-0.37%1,699.3957.90
1976113.79%1,763.7458.00
197612-0.54%1,754.2658.20
19771-2.37%1,712.7158.50
19772-0.05%1,711.7959.10
19773-1.19%1,691.3559.50
197740.06%1,692.4460.00
197750.90%1,707.6760.30
197761.28%1,729.5760.70
19777-2.08%1,693.6261.00
19778-1.18%1,673.7161.20
19779-2.20%1,636.9361.40
1977100.98%1,652.9961.60
197711-0.08%1,651.6661.90
197712-3.39%1,595.6762.10
19781-0.97%1,580.1662.50
197820.27%1,584.3562.90
197834.83%1,660.8863.40
197845.50%1,752.3063.90
197850.67%1,764.1064.50
19786-0.06%1,763.0065.20
197877.33%1,892.2065.70
197880.40%1,899.7666.00
19789-2.77%1,847.0766.50
197810-5.44%1,746.6367.10
1978111.92%1,780.2267.40
1978124.19%1,854.7367.70
19791-1.06%1,835.1268.30
197922.34%1,878.0969.10
197932.43%1,923.7469.80
19794-1.89%1,887.3270.60
197952.42%1,932.9571.50
197961.42%1,960.4272.30
197975.01%2,058.7273.10
197981.54%2,090.4373.80
19799-3.35%2,020.3574.60
197910-0.32%2,013.8475.20
1979114.40%2,102.5275.90
1979123.31%2,172.1776.70
198014.40%2,267.6677.80
19802-8.78%2,068.6078.90
19803-1.16%2,044.5780.10
198045.04%2,147.5381.00
198056.86%2,294.9181.80
198064.97%2,408.9682.70
198073.50%2,493.3882.70
198082.84%2,564.0983.30
198093.32%2,649.3484.00
1980104.61%2,771.6084.80
198011-1.24%2,737.1085.50
1980120.01%2,737.3786.30
19811-3.07%2,653.3387.00
198124.14%2,763.2787.90
198131.29%2,799.0288.50
19814-1.62%2,753.7589.10
198150.86%2,777.3789.80
19816-2.02%2,721.3790.60
198170.80%2,743.2191.60
19818-8.30%2,515.4592.30
198191.73%2,558.9093.20
1981103.04%2,636.7893.40
1981111.18%2,667.8893.70
198112-4.80%2,539.7194.00
19821-1.91%2,491.1094.30
19822-2.74%2,422.7394.60
198235.47%2,555.2494.50
198240.57%2,569.8094.90
19825-5.27%2,434.3595.80
198260.24%2,440.2997.00
198270.79%2,459.6697.50
1982812.10%2,757.1997.70
198298.88%3,002.0797.90
1982104.50%3,137.1698.20
1982111.36%3,179.6998.00
1982123.93%3,304.5197.60
198312.13%3,374.9097.80
198323.87%3,505.3697.90
198334.20%3,652.4997.90
198344.42%3,814.0898.60
198351.75%3,880.9699.20
198360.71%3,908.4499.50
19837-2.41%3,814.3699.90
198383.31%3,940.76100.20
198390.65%3,966.29100.70
198310-1.14%3,921.02101.00
198311-0.13%3,916.00101.20
1983121.58%3,977.71101.30
19841-5.11%3,774.36101.90
198420.44%3,791.06102.40
198430.51%3,810.29102.60
19844-0.25%3,800.67103.10
19845-1.85%3,730.42103.40
19846-0.91%3,696.53103.70
198479.21%4,036.85104.10
198481.41%4,093.65104.50
19849-0.41%4,076.77105.00
1984101.29%4,129.19105.30
198411-0.71%4,099.97105.30
1984124.70%4,292.57105.30
198515.79%4,541.00105.50
19852-0.48%4,519.28106.00
198531.02%4,565.59106.40
198542.74%4,690.49106.90
198552.51%4,808.26107.30
198562.25%4,916.31107.60
19857-1.85%4,825.59107.80
19858-1.88%4,734.63108.00
198591.50%4,805.44108.30
1985106.42%5,113.97108.70
1985115.29%5,384.73109.00
1985120.75%5,425.21109.30
198615.70%5,734.30109.60
198626.18%6,088.84109.30
198632.74%6,255.76108.80
198640.49%6,286.53108.60
198653.13%6,483.50108.90
19866-1.80%6,366.54109.50
198672.28%6,511.76109.50
19868-2.46%6,351.81109.70
19869-0.09%6,346.10110.20
1986103.53%6,570.31110.30
1986111.71%6,682.59110.40
1986126.67%7,128.54110.50
198716.46%7,589.18111.20
198724.38%7,921.32111.60
19873-0.86%7,853.48112.10
198740.17%7,867.05112.70
198754.50%8,220.94113.10
198763.12%8,477.61113.50
198776.45%9,024.76113.80
19878-3.03%8,751.27114.40
19879-11.85%7,713.90115.00
198710-12.30%6,764.83115.30
198711-1.33%6,674.54115.40
1987124.25%6,957.98115.40
198813.33%7,189.58115.70
198823.23%7,421.95116.00
19883-0.89%7,356.19116.50
19884-2.19%7,195.22117.10
198856.00%7,626.80117.50
19886-0.31%7,603.39118.00
19887-1.72%7,472.73118.50
198881.93%7,616.74119.00
198893.80%7,906.30119.80
198810-2.02%7,746.57120.20
1988112.33%7,926.75120.30
1988123.51%8,205.19120.50
198913.30%8,475.95121.10
19892-0.16%8,462.25121.60
198933.56%8,763.91122.30
198944.12%9,124.57123.10
198953.39%9,434.14123.80
198962.80%9,698.31124.10
198974.69%10,153.23124.40
198980.46%10,199.48124.60
198990.29%10,228.68125.00
198910-1.81%10,043.18125.60
1989112.74%10,318.03125.90
198912-2.21%10,089.88126.10
19901-2.53%9,834.89127.40
199022.71%10,101.13128.00
199030.20%10,120.93128.70
199043.85%10,510.68128.90
199053.17%10,843.86129.20
199060.17%10,862.27129.90
19907-7.86%10,008.36130.40
19908-4.34%9,573.89131.60
19909-2.32%9,352.18132.70
1990102.98%9,631.23133.50
1990114.59%10,072.98133.80
199012-0.69%10,003.96133.80
1991111.61%11,165.10134.60
199123.04%11,505.04134.80
199132.26%11,764.92135.00
19914-0.18%11,743.87135.20
199150.35%11,784.62135.60
199160.78%11,876.60136.00
199172.68%12,194.77136.20
19918-0.30%12,157.80136.60
199190.18%12,179.89137.20
1991100.02%12,181.81137.40
1991110.94%12,295.73137.80
1991127.36%13,200.45137.90
19921-0.60%13,121.14138.10
19922-1.01%12,988.30138.60
199230.26%13,022.63139.30
199242.07%13,291.98139.50
19925-1.33%13,115.32139.70
199261.91%13,366.10140.20
199270.94%13,491.97140.50
199280.38%13,543.00140.90
19929-1.18%13,382.91141.30
1992102.76%13,751.86141.80
1992113.27%14,201.71142.00
1992120.14%14,222.01141.90
199311.72%14,467.23142.60
199322.15%14,778.30143.10
19933-1.34%14,580.01143.60
199340.72%14,685.68144.00
199350.87%14,812.73144.20
199360.06%14,821.77144.40
199371.76%15,083.00144.40
199381.35%15,287.37144.80
199391.24%15,477.22145.10
1993100.01%15,478.39145.70
1993110.89%15,615.71145.80
1993121.74%15,886.78145.80
19941-0.08%15,874.76146.20
19942-1.42%15,648.73146.70
19943-3.35%15,125.06147.20
199441.06%15,285.12147.40
199451.11%15,454.50147.50
19946-0.52%15,374.31148.00
199473.08%15,848.16148.40
199480.82%15,977.71149.00
19949-0.44%15,906.77149.40
199410-0.37%15,847.93149.50
199411-1.03%15,685.38149.70
1994122.45%16,069.85149.70
199513.82%16,683.57150.30
199522.56%17,110.37150.90
199533.22%17,660.56151.40
199543.35%18,251.80151.90
199553.18%18,831.91152.20
199563.55%19,499.97152.50
199570.51%19,600.03152.50
199583.72%20,328.70152.90
199590.91%20,514.21153.20
1995102.36%20,998.01153.70
1995113.39%21,709.66153.60
1995120.16%21,744.96153.50
199615.90%23,028.87154.40
19962-0.20%22,982.65154.90
199630.20%23,027.93155.70
199642.35%23,570.20156.30
199651.28%23,871.57156.60
19966-3.48%23,041.66156.70
199673.08%23,750.36157.00
199682.02%24,231.01157.30
199694.12%25,229.20157.80
1996105.05%26,503.80158.30
1996111.20%26,821.38158.60
1996123.26%27,695.09158.60
199714.36%28,902.92159.10
19972-0.62%28,722.66159.60
19973-3.41%27,744.58160.00
199749.22%30,302.03160.20
199755.34%31,919.20160.10
199765.74%33,750.06160.30
199770.35%33,867.44160.50
199781.19%34,271.14160.80
199791.65%34,835.03161.20
199710-1.15%34,433.71161.60
1997112.63%35,340.91161.50
1997120.24%35,424.70161.30
199816.40%37,692.65161.60
199825.31%39,695.21161.90
199833.41%41,047.10162.20
19984-0.22%40,956.03162.50
199850.12%41,003.73162.80
199864.47%42,835.64163.00
19987-6.97%39,849.56163.20
19988-4.90%37,897.55163.40
199891.29%38,386.75163.60
19981010.97%42,599.46164.00
1998114.10%44,347.79164.00
1998125.05%46,586.33163.90
19991-0.07%46,555.25164.30
199922.92%47,916.30164.50
199934.25%49,952.75165.00
19994-0.10%49,903.38166.20
19995-0.61%49,598.09166.20
199964.52%51,841.11166.20
19997-3.77%49,884.42166.70
19998-0.60%49,586.11167.10
19999-1.27%48,955.14167.90
1999107.11%52,433.87168.20
1999112.81%53,906.59168.30
199912-0.12%53,842.48168.30
20001-2.48%52,508.22168.80
200023.94%54,577.55169.80
200031.42%55,355.09171.20
20004-2.84%53,783.68171.30
200053.16%55,485.11171.50
200060.85%55,956.93172.40
200070.94%56,482.76172.80
20008-1.08%55,872.94172.80
20009-5.21%52,959.60173.70
200010-0.77%52,550.45174.00
200011-3.32%50,805.74174.10
2000120.46%51,036.91174.00
20011-2.14%49,946.63175.10
20012-9.08%45,411.52175.80
200130.45%45,615.28176.20
200146.88%48,753.31176.90
20015-2.39%47,588.76177.70
20016-2.66%46,322.79178.00
20017-2.05%45,375.10177.50
20018-11.25%40,271.62177.50
200193.18%41,553.88178.30
2001105.05%43,653.66177.70
2001111.47%44,293.64177.40
200112-0.30%44,161.78176.70
20021-3.35%42,681.14177.10
200224.95%44,791.84177.80
20023-3.51%43,217.66178.80
20024-2.82%41,998.76179.80
20025-5.92%39,512.03179.80
20026-10.76%35,261.13179.90
200271.14%35,662.68180.10
20028-4.76%33,965.95180.70
20029-1.37%33,501.62181.00
2002106.63%35,721.29181.30
200211-1.04%35,351.56181.30
200212-0.22%35,272.89180.90
20031-6.41%33,010.19181.70
200321.31%33,441.93183.10
200335.29%35,209.63184.20
200345.31%37,080.04183.80
200355.70%39,195.15183.50
200360.60%39,428.72183.70
20037-0.17%39,363.14183.90
200383.16%40,607.48184.60
200392.03%41,430.93185.20
2003101.21%41,932.48185.00
2003113.06%43,217.21184.50
2003124.93%45,349.97184.30
200411.09%45,842.77185.20
20042-1.57%45,125.24186.20
200430.97%45,562.11187.40
20044-2.56%44,393.79188.00
200452.86%45,662.42189.10
20046-2.24%44,640.14189.70
20047-1.39%44,020.72189.40
200482.78%45,245.65189.50
200490.10%45,292.07189.90
2004104.77%47,454.27190.90
2004112.73%48,748.56191.00
200412-1.35%48,090.83190.30
200511.68%48,899.34190.70
20052-0.26%48,774.36191.80
20053-2.41%47,599.42193.30
200541.34%48,235.29194.60
200552.18%49,287.16194.40
200561.81%50,178.17194.50
200570.31%50,333.73195.40
200580.28%50,474.51196.40
20059-2.62%49,149.94198.80
2005103.96%51,097.04199.20
2005112.14%52,192.63197.60
2005121.47%52,958.17196.80
20061-0.02%52,949.36198.30
200621.49%53,736.26198.70
200630.80%54,165.26199.80
20064-0.79%53,739.17201.50
20065-2.71%52,285.10202.50
200660.72%52,661.58202.90
200672.29%53,868.45203.50
200682.53%55,231.96203.90
200693.62%57,229.10202.90
2006102.00%58,374.62201.80
2006112.15%59,628.66201.50
2006120.69%60,041.78201.80
200711.60%61,000.08202.42
20072-2.47%59,491.00203.50
200734.18%61,977.88205.35
200743.39%64,080.02206.69
200750.34%64,301.03207.95
200760.57%64,670.52208.35
20077-4.20%61,953.64208.30
200783.07%63,858.55207.92
200792.99%65,768.97208.49
200710-4.81%62,607.91208.94
2007111.24%63,383.13210.18
200712-6.64%59,177.54210.04
20081-1.56%58,252.02211.08
20082-2.63%56,721.95211.69
200834.24%59,129.12213.53
200842.56%60,644.36214.82
20085-4.25%58,069.05216.63
20086-6.08%54,539.34218.82
200872.11%55,690.41219.96
20088-4.85%52,990.80219.09
20089-20.19%42,290.06218.78
200810-8.61%38,650.85216.57
200811-0.35%38,515.10212.43
200812-1.10%38,093.15210.23
20091-6.70%35,539.95211.14
20092-5.69%33,518.64212.19
2009312.32%37,648.72212.71
200946.66%40,156.06213.24
200952.87%41,308.08213.86
200961.28%41,835.85215.69
200978.12%45,233.23215.35
200983.65%46,884.40215.83
200992.40%48,011.09215.97
2009102.09%49,016.59216.18
2009112.23%50,107.63216.33
2009121.36%50,787.58215.95
20101-2.90%49,315.51216.69
201025.94%52,246.35216.74
201034.09%54,382.15217.63
20104-5.88%51,183.17218.01
20105-3.54%49,369.46218.18
20106-0.16%49,290.93217.97
201070.86%49,716.61218.01
201083.37%51,392.64218.31
201094.58%53,745.10218.44
2010102.49%55,083.85218.71
2010113.71%57,129.52218.80
2010123.46%59,107.45219.18
201113.15%60,969.85220.22
20112-1.11%60,291.58221.31
201132.22%61,630.65223.47
201140.66%62,036.94224.91
20115-3.66%59,764.77225.96
201163.10%61,618.52225.72
20117-10.40%55,209.79225.92
20118-0.79%54,774.05226.55
201193.02%56,427.63226.89
2011101.77%57,424.77226.42
2011111.55%58,317.59226.23
2011124.78%61,106.66225.67
201214.16%63,650.29226.67
201222.88%65,485.86227.66
20123-0.04%65,460.84229.39
20124-3.09%63,437.47230.09
20125-1.15%62,706.41229.82
201262.92%64,538.12229.48
201273.39%66,724.48229.10
201283.02%68,740.34230.38
20129-0.22%68,591.08231.41
201210-2.84%66,644.81231.32
2012112.18%68,094.69230.22
2012124.27%71,001.49229.60
201312.33%72,657.97230.28
201322.72%74,636.05232.17
201331.45%75,721.11232.77
201344.57%79,184.79232.53
20135-1.12%78,299.69232.95
201363.25%80,847.93233.50
201370.25%81,052.09233.60
201381.19%82,018.61233.88
201392.12%83,755.40234.15
2013103.86%86,988.35233.55
2013111.52%88,312.02233.07
2013120.97%89,166.71233.05
20141-0.13%89,050.76233.92
201422.72%91,474.96234.78
201430.20%91,659.49236.29
201441.53%93,063.75237.07
201453.20%96,038.36237.90
201461.50%97,474.92238.34
20147-0.43%97,058.75238.25
201481.78%98,784.49237.85
20149-2.65%96,170.08238.03
2014105.71%101,657.21237.43
2014110.63%102,301.60236.15
201412-1.11%101,166.00234.81
201512.83%104,026.37233.71
201520.06%104,083.96234.72
201530.88%104,998.25236.12
201540.98%106,026.08236.60
20155-0.44%105,564.33237.81
20156-0.08%105,480.27238.64
20157-2.42%102,923.01238.65
20158-4.51%98,284.17238.32
201594.32%102,527.22237.95
2015102.93%105,533.80237.84
201511-1.10%104,369.79237.34
201512-6.42%97,669.65236.53
20161-0.55%97,132.55236.92
201626.36%103,312.83237.11
201632.83%106,237.89238.13
20164-0.30%105,914.54239.26
201651.07%107,044.10240.23
201663.30%110,573.82241.02
201671.20%111,899.88240.63
20168-0.44%111,409.01240.85
20169-0.51%110,845.30241.43
2016101.20%112,176.73241.73
2016113.95%116,603.19241.35
2016121.44%118,279.51241.43
201712.58%121,326.92242.84
201721.75%123,449.24243.60
20173-0.15%123,259.12243.80
201741.69%125,345.13244.52
201751.78%127,571.79244.73
201760.99%128,832.05244.96
201770.25%129,151.31244.79
201781.65%131,286.52245.52
201792.73%134,876.94246.82
2017101.59%137,020.90246.66
2017112.88%140,971.88246.67
2017124.86%147,825.79246.52
20181-2.89%143,558.52247.87
201820.06%143,651.23248.99
20183-1.66%141,260.92249.55
201841.96%144,031.92250.55
201852.11%147,075.27251.59
201861.58%149,400.15251.99
201872.45%153,061.66252.01
201881.68%155,632.71252.15
20189-3.85%149,642.43252.44
201810-2.08%146,535.69252.89
201811-5.56%138,384.62252.04
2018121.74%140,786.48251.23
201915.83%148,992.78251.71
201921.95%151,895.19252.78
201933.72%157,550.59254.20
20194-1.53%155,137.24255.55
201951.40%157,316.53256.09
201963.83%163,337.58256.14
20197-3.13%158,217.90256.57
201983.09%163,099.28256.56
201990.01%163,115.27256.76
2019104.43%170,347.30257.35
2019112.47%174,553.72257.21
2019123.35%180,394.98256.97
202010.12%180,615.20257.97
20202-18.92%146,446.94258.68
202034.32%152,771.42258.12
202045.89%161,765.63256.39
202056.51%172,293.78256.39
202063.48%178,283.46257.80
202075.89%188,790.61259.10
20208-0.63%187,606.89259.92
202091.73%190,844.98260.28
2020103.95%198,391.22260.39
2020114.26%206,842.84260.23
2020122.80%212,624.72260.47
Click to show 834 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 $100.00 up-front. Instead, the capital is invested over a period of time.

Consider a strategy in which $100.00 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 $166,975.40, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $212,624.72).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
195014.164.24
195024.168.49
195034.1613.06
195044.1617.87
195054.1622.48
195064.1624.83
195074.1630.89
195084.1636.47
195094.1642.52
1950104.1646.83
1950114.1651.07
1950124.1659.62
195114.1666.51
195124.1669.86
195134.1675.42
195144.1680.06
195154.1683.23
195164.1689.43
195174.1698.21
195184.16105.56
195194.16109.73
1951104.16111.30
1951114.16119.61
1951124.32128.66
19521-126.95
19522-127.90
19523-128.16
19524-128.75
19525-132.92
19526-137.40
19527-138.61
19528-137.07
19529-134.87
195210-139.81
195211-146.12
195212-147.56
19531-146.42
19532-147.82
19533-141.21
19534-142.62
19535-138.19
19536-140.84
19537-142.10
19538-136.27
19539-141.06
195310-144.88
195311-147.54
195312-152.00
19541-156.07
19542-160.10
19543-167.22
19544-174.62
19545-176.76
19546-184.63
19547-189.06
19548-194.24
19549-199.50
195410-208.08
195411-218.39
195412-223.13
19551-231.39
19552-230.38
19553-239.16
19554-238.97
19555-253.65
19556-273.04
19557-272.22
19558-285.34
19559-271.85
195510-291.06
195511-294.67
195512-287.63
19561-290.36
19562-311.28
19563-315.90
19564-306.93
19565-306.13
19566-323.73
19567-322.81
19568-312.83
19569-309.85
195610-307.64
195611-313.21
195612-307.37
19571-295.09
19572-299.88
19573-307.80
19574-320.61
19575-326.87
19576-334.46
19577-317.06
19578-305.20
19579-287.20
195710-282.03
195711-282.93
195712-289.52
19581-291.55
19582-298.60
19583-301.28
19584-312.00
19585-320.53
19586-330.37
19587-343.77
19588-353.89
19589-369.31
195810-381.60
195811-389.85
195812-406.44
19591-401.30
19592-412.56
19593-420.55
19594-427.97
19595-425.38
19596-443.36
19597-441.95
19598-425.58
19599-426.33
195910-429.19
195911-444.05
195912-437.45
19601-421.66
19602-417.12
19603-423.72
19604-421.08
19605-437.87
19606-428.25
19607-434.64
19608-422.81
19609-415.74
196010-430.46
196011-442.04
196012-466.03
19611-486.41
19612-502.94
19613-517.62
19614-524.16
19615-518.49
19616-518.35
19617-538.25
19618-535.33
19619-542.52
196110-568.41
196111-575.02
196112-554.97
19621-565.57
19622-567.50
19623-550.78
19624-511.21
19625-452.87
19626-465.17
19627-479.24
19628-476.39
19629-462.78
196210-496.11
196211-519.05
196212-540.57
19631-549.20
19632-548.60
19633-575.91
19634-588.98
19635-590.26
19636-583.05
19637-600.72
19638-618.10
19639-621.19
196310-619.29
196311-634.11
196312-655.23
19641-664.92
19642-678.69
19643-690.18
19644-698.61
19645-696.16
19646-723.73
19647-714.86
19648-728.91
19649-743.27
196410-750.24
196411-739.06
196412-759.90
19651-767.31
19652-769.89
19653-781.88
19654-795.43
19655-759.57
19656-760.36
19657-776.46
19658-804.39
19659-824.47
196510-833.34
196511-831.58
196512-848.05
19661-844.40
19662-811.78
19663-838.74
19664-796.74
19665-792.28
19666-792.43
19667-746.71
19668-722.63
19669-718.55
196610-756.75
196611-762.17
196612-793.65
19671-823.25
19672-844.93
19673-861.77
19674-879.50
19675-870.78
19676-888.13
19677-904.57
19678-919.53
19679-920.43
196710-893.90
196711-921.72
196712-921.56
19681-882.33
19682-868.57
19683-935.12
19684-959.04
19685-987.24
19686-987.72
19687-968.62
19688-1,002.60
19689-1,029.84
196810-1,048.23
196811-1,061.70
196812-1,019.39
19691-1,016.96
19692-997.50
19693-1,020.18
19694-1,056.03
19695-1,003.53
19696-961.33
19697-958.60
19698-964.62
19699-977.61
196910-987.36
196911-937.72
196912-932.20
19701-902.41
19702-920.57
19703-895.27
19704-795.01
19705-792.86
19706-797.01
19707-822.96
19708-874.98
19709-896.76
197010-898.61
197011-962.94
197012-1,002.52
19711-1,044.14
19712-1,073.71
19713-1,113.15
19714-1,100.82
19715-1,083.25
19716-1,078.24
19717-1,061.88
19718-1,088.28
19719-1,068.00
197110-1,021.31
197111-1,094.48
197112-1,142.88
19721-1,166.73
19722-1,197.30
19723-1,212.37
19724-1,202.96
19725-1,209.17
19726-1,203.08
19727-1,248.60
19728-1,233.48
19729-1,238.63
197210-1,303.71
197211-1,333.85
197212-1,347.05
19731-1,302.26
19732-1,284.74
19733-1,263.75
19734-1,231.28
19735-1,206.78
19736-1,221.38
19737-1,201.41
19738-1,225.38
19739-1,277.28
197310-1,189.75
197311-1,108.78
197312-1,127.64
19741-1,099.75
19742-1,150.06
19743-1,094.67
19744-1,065.05
19745-1,069.92
19746-948.52
19747-912.81
19748-821.40
19749-840.93
197410-872.41
197411-819.26
197412-889.98
19751-986.17
19752-1,035.22
19753-1,050.61
19754-1,121.14
19755-1,153.59
19756-1,158.57
19757-1,077.52
19758-1,068.33
19759-1,121.44
197510-1,144.33
197511-1,130.83
197512-1,238.78
19761-1,290.53
19762-1,300.89
19763-1,315.14
19764-1,310.10
19765-1,321.90
19766-1,357.13
19767-1,349.52
19768-1,382.42
19769-1,339.45
197610-1,334.54
197611-1,385.08
197612-1,377.63
19771-1,345.00
19772-1,344.27
19773-1,328.23
19774-1,329.09
19775-1,341.04
19776-1,358.24
19777-1,330.01
19778-1,314.38
19779-1,285.49
197710-1,298.10
197711-1,297.06
197712-1,253.09
19781-1,240.91
19782-1,244.20
19783-1,304.30
19784-1,376.09
19785-1,385.36
19786-1,384.50
19787-1,485.95
19788-1,491.89
19789-1,450.52
197810-1,371.64
197811-1,398.02
197812-1,456.53
19791-1,441.13
19792-1,474.87
19793-1,510.72
19794-1,482.13
19795-1,517.96
19796-1,539.53
19797-1,616.72
19798-1,641.63
19799-1,586.59
197910-1,581.48
197911-1,651.12
197912-1,705.82
19801-1,780.80
19802-1,624.49
19803-1,605.61
19804-1,686.47
19805-1,802.21
19806-1,891.77
19807-1,958.07
19808-2,013.60
19809-2,080.54
198010-2,176.55
198011-2,149.46
198012-2,149.67
19811-2,083.68
19812-2,170.01
19813-2,198.08
19814-2,162.54
19815-2,181.08
19816-2,137.10
19817-2,154.26
19818-1,975.40
19819-2,009.52
198110-2,070.68
198111-2,095.10
198112-1,994.45
19821-1,956.28
19822-1,902.59
19823-2,006.65
19824-2,018.08
19825-1,911.71
19826-1,916.37
19827-1,931.59
19828-2,165.24
19829-2,357.54
198210-2,463.63
198211-2,497.03
198212-2,595.05
19831-2,650.33
19832-2,752.78
19833-2,868.32
19834-2,995.22
19835-3,047.74
19836-3,069.32
19837-2,995.44
19838-3,094.70
19839-3,114.75
198310-3,079.20
198311-3,075.26
198312-3,123.72
19841-2,964.03
19842-2,977.14
19843-2,992.24
19844-2,984.68
19845-2,929.52
19846-2,902.90
19847-3,170.16
19848-3,214.77
19849-3,201.51
198410-3,242.68
198411-3,219.73
198412-3,370.98
19851-3,566.07
19852-3,549.02
19853-3,585.38
19854-3,683.47
19855-3,775.96
19856-3,860.81
19857-3,789.57
19858-3,718.13
19859-3,773.74
198510-4,016.03
198511-4,228.66
198512-4,260.45
19861-4,503.18
19862-4,781.60
19863-4,912.68
19864-4,936.85
19865-5,091.53
19866-4,999.68
19867-5,113.72
19868-4,988.11
19869-4,983.63
198610-5,159.70
198611-5,247.88
198612-5,598.09
19871-5,959.83
19872-6,220.65
19873-6,167.38
19874-6,178.04
19875-6,455.95
19876-6,657.52
19877-7,087.19
19878-6,872.42
19879-6,057.77
198710-5,312.46
198711-5,241.55
198712-5,464.14
19881-5,646.02
19882-5,828.50
19883-5,776.86
19884-5,650.44
19885-5,989.37
19886-5,970.99
19887-5,868.38
19888-5,981.47
19889-6,208.86
198810-6,083.43
198811-6,224.92
198812-6,443.59
19891-6,656.21
19892-6,645.45
19893-6,882.35
19894-7,165.58
19895-7,408.68
19896-7,616.14
19897-7,973.39
19898-8,009.71
19899-8,032.64
198910-7,886.97
198911-8,102.81
198912-7,923.64
19901-7,723.39
19902-7,932.48
19903-7,948.02
19904-8,254.10
19905-8,515.75
19906-8,530.20
19907-7,859.62
19908-7,518.43
19909-7,344.32
199010-7,563.46
199011-7,910.37
199012-7,856.17
19911-8,768.02
19912-9,034.97
19913-9,239.05
19914-9,222.53
19915-9,254.53
19916-9,326.76
19917-9,576.62
19918-9,547.59
19919-9,564.94
199110-9,566.45
199111-9,655.91
199112-10,366.39
19921-10,304.10
19922-10,199.79
19923-10,226.75
19924-10,438.27
19925-10,299.53
19926-10,496.47
19927-10,595.32
19928-10,635.39
19929-10,509.68
199210-10,799.42
199211-11,152.69
199212-11,168.62
19931-11,361.20
19932-11,605.48
19933-11,449.77
19934-11,532.74
19935-11,632.52
19936-11,639.62
19937-11,844.76
19938-12,005.26
19939-12,154.35
199310-12,155.27
199311-12,263.11
199312-12,475.98
19941-12,466.54
19942-12,289.04
19943-11,877.80
19944-12,003.49
19945-12,136.50
19946-12,073.53
19947-12,445.65
19948-12,547.39
19949-12,491.67
199410-12,445.47
199411-12,317.82
199412-12,619.75
19951-13,101.71
19952-13,436.87
19953-13,868.94
19954-14,333.24
19955-14,788.81
19956-15,313.44
19957-15,392.02
19958-15,964.24
19959-16,109.92
199510-16,489.86
199511-17,048.72
199512-17,076.44
19961-18,084.70
19962-18,048.41
19963-18,083.97
19964-18,509.81
19965-18,746.48
19966-18,094.75
19967-18,651.30
19968-19,028.75
19969-19,812.64
199610-20,813.59
199611-21,062.98
199612-21,749.12
19971-22,697.63
19972-22,556.07
19973-21,787.98
19974-23,796.36
19975-25,066.33
19976-26,504.11
19977-26,596.29
19978-26,913.32
19979-27,356.15
199710-27,040.99
199711-27,753.42
199712-27,819.22
19981-29,600.25
19982-31,172.87
19983-32,234.52
19984-32,163.00
19985-32,200.46
19986-33,639.07
19987-31,294.09
19988-29,761.16
19989-30,145.34
199810-33,453.60
199811-34,826.57
199812-36,584.51
19991-36,560.10
19992-37,628.94
19993-39,228.18
19994-39,189.41
19995-38,949.66
19996-40,711.12
19997-39,174.52
19998-38,940.25
19999-38,444.75
199910-41,176.61
199911-42,333.15
199912-42,282.80
20001-41,235.00
20002-42,860.06
20003-43,470.67
20004-42,236.63
20005-43,572.77
20006-43,943.29
20007-44,356.23
20008-43,877.34
20009-41,589.47
200010-41,268.17
200011-39,898.03
200012-40,079.57
20011-39,223.37
20012-35,661.93
20013-35,821.94
20014-38,286.25
20015-37,371.72
20016-36,377.55
20017-35,633.33
20018-31,625.53
20019-32,632.50
200110-34,281.46
200111-34,784.05
200112-34,680.50
20021-33,517.74
20022-35,175.29
20023-33,939.07
20024-32,981.87
20025-31,029.02
20026-27,690.77
20027-28,006.11
20028-26,673.65
20029-26,309.01
200210-28,052.13
200211-27,761.78
200212-27,700.00
20031-25,923.09
20032-26,262.14
20033-27,650.32
20034-29,119.16
20035-30,780.17
20036-30,963.59
20037-30,912.09
20038-31,889.28
20039-32,535.94
200310-32,929.82
200311-33,938.72
200312-35,613.59
20041-36,000.59
20042-35,437.11
20043-35,780.19
20044-34,862.69
20045-35,858.95
20046-35,056.15
20047-34,569.72
20048-35,531.67
20049-35,568.12
200410-37,266.11
200411-38,282.52
200412-37,766.01
20051-38,400.93
20052-38,302.78
20053-37,380.10
20054-37,879.45
20055-38,705.48
20056-39,405.20
20057-39,527.36
20058-39,637.92
20059-38,597.73
200510-40,126.80
200511-40,987.17
200512-41,588.35
20061-41,581.43
20062-42,199.39
20063-42,536.28
20064-42,201.68
20065-41,059.79
20066-41,355.43
20067-42,303.20
20068-43,373.97
20069-44,942.33
200610-45,841.92
200611-46,826.72
200612-47,151.15
20071-47,903.71
20072-46,718.62
20073-48,671.58
20074-50,322.40
20075-50,495.96
20076-50,786.12
20077-48,652.54
20078-50,148.49
20079-51,648.74
200710-49,166.35
200711-49,775.13
200712-46,472.46
20081-45,745.64
20082-44,544.07
20083-46,434.43
20084-47,624.36
20085-45,601.96
20086-42,830.05
20087-43,734.00
20088-41,613.98
20089-33,210.62
200810-30,352.73
200811-30,246.13
200812-29,914.77
20091-27,909.73
20092-26,322.38
20093-29,565.76
20094-31,534.78
20095-32,439.47
20096-32,853.93
20097-35,521.92
20098-36,818.59
20099-37,703.38
200910-38,493.01
200911-39,349.81
200912-39,883.77
20101-38,727.75
20102-41,029.36
20103-42,706.61
20104-40,194.44
20105-38,770.12
20106-38,708.45
20107-39,042.74
20108-40,358.93
20109-42,206.33
201010-43,257.66
201011-44,864.13
201012-46,417.42
20111-47,879.97
20112-47,347.32
20113-48,398.90
20114-48,717.96
20115-46,933.61
20116-48,389.37
20117-43,356.56
20118-43,014.37
20119-44,312.94
201110-45,096.00
201111-45,797.13
201112-47,987.41
20121-49,984.93
20122-51,426.42
20123-51,406.77
20124-49,817.81
20125-49,243.70
20126-50,682.15
20127-52,399.11
20128-53,982.18
20129-53,864.96
201210-52,336.55
201211-53,475.15
201212-55,757.88
20131-57,058.72
20132-58,612.12
20133-59,464.21
20134-62,184.27
20135-61,489.19
20136-63,490.34
20137-63,650.67
20138-64,409.68
20139-65,773.59
201310-68,312.45
201311-69,351.93
201312-70,023.13
20141-69,932.07
20142-71,835.81
20143-71,980.72
20144-73,083.49
20145-75,419.47
20146-76,547.61
20147-76,220.79
20148-77,576.02
20149-75,522.91
201410-79,831.98
201411-80,338.03
201412-79,446.24
20151-81,692.50
20152-81,737.73
20153-82,455.72
20154-83,262.88
20155-82,900.27
20156-82,834.26
20157-80,826.03
20158-77,183.12
20159-80,515.21
201510-82,876.29
201511-81,962.19
201512-76,700.53
20161-76,278.75
20162-81,132.15
20163-83,429.22
20164-83,175.29
20165-84,062.34
20166-86,834.25
20167-87,875.61
20168-87,490.13
20169-87,047.45
201610-88,093.03
201611-91,569.14
201612-92,885.57
20171-95,278.72
20172-96,945.39
20173-96,796.09
20174-98,434.24
20175-100,182.85
20176-101,172.54
20177-101,423.26
20178-103,100.05
20179-105,919.63
201710-107,603.29
201711-110,706.02
201712-116,088.43
20181-112,737.33
20182-112,810.13
20183-110,933.00
20184-113,109.09
20185-115,499.05
20186-117,324.79
20187-120,200.19
20188-122,219.25
20189-117,515.05
201810-115,075.31
201811-108,674.23
201812-110,560.42
20191-117,004.88
20192-119,284.16
20193-123,725.37
20194-121,830.16
20195-123,541.57
20196-128,269.93
20197-124,249.42
20198-128,082.79
20199-128,095.35
201910-133,774.70
201911-137,078.03
201912-141,665.20
20201-141,838.15
20202-115,005.62
20203-119,972.27
20204-127,035.47
20205-135,303.29
20206-140,007.02
20207-148,258.34
20208-147,328.75
20209-149,871.65
202010-155,797.75
202011-162,434.86
202012-166,975.40
Click to show 834 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 2020
Start Value
Average monthly close
$16.88
End Value
Average monthly close
$3,278.20
Change in price+19,320.63%
+7.82% / yr
Change incl. dividends+212,524.72%
+11.40% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+19,699.17%
+7.73% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($100 base)
$212,624.72
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($100 base)
$19,799.17