S&P 500: $1 in 1957 → $819.20 in 2025

$

Stock market returns since 1957

If you invested $1 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1957, you would have about $819.20 at the end of 2025, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 81,819.59%, or 10.33% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 7,098.09% cumulatively, or 6.47% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $786.90.

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 $818.20, or 81,819.59%. This means by 2025 you would have $819.20 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 1957 was 28.100 and the CPI in 2025 was 319.799.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 68 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $819.20 nominal end value of the original $1 investment would have a real return of roughly $70.98 in 1957 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 7,098.09% as opposed to the original 81,819.59%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1957.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $1 investment, including gains and losses over the 819-month period between 1957 and 2025.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
19571-4.00%0.9627.60
195721.62%0.9827.70
195732.64%1.0027.80
195744.16%1.0427.90
195751.95%1.0628.00
195762.32%1.0928.10
19577-5.21%1.0328.30
19578-3.74%0.9928.30
19579-5.90%0.9328.30
195710-1.80%0.9228.30
1957110.32%0.9228.40
1957122.33%0.9428.40
195810.70%0.9528.60
195822.42%0.9728.60
195830.90%0.9828.80
195843.56%1.0228.90
195852.74%1.0428.90
195863.07%1.0728.90
195874.05%1.1229.00
195882.94%1.1528.90
195894.36%1.2028.90
1958103.33%1.2428.90
1958112.16%1.2729.00
1958124.25%1.3228.90
19591-1.27%1.3129.00
195922.81%1.3428.90
195931.94%1.3728.90
195941.77%1.3929.00
19595-0.61%1.3829.00
195964.23%1.4429.10
19597-0.32%1.4429.20
19598-3.70%1.3829.20
195990.18%1.3929.30
1959100.67%1.4029.40
1959113.46%1.4429.40
195912-1.49%1.4229.40
19601-3.61%1.3729.30
19602-1.08%1.3629.40
196031.58%1.3829.40
19604-0.62%1.3729.50
196053.99%1.4229.50
19606-2.20%1.3929.60
196071.49%1.4129.60
19608-2.72%1.3829.60
19609-1.67%1.3529.60
1960103.54%1.4029.80
1960112.69%1.4429.80
1960125.43%1.5229.80
196114.37%1.5829.80
196123.40%1.6429.80
196132.92%1.6829.80
196141.26%1.7129.80
19615-1.08%1.6929.80
19616-0.03%1.6929.80
196173.84%1.7530.00
19618-0.54%1.7429.90
196191.34%1.7730.00
1961104.77%1.8530.00
1961111.16%1.8730.00
196112-3.49%1.8130.00
196211.91%1.8430.00
196220.34%1.8530.10
19623-2.94%1.7930.10
19624-7.19%1.6630.20
19625-11.41%1.4730.20
196262.72%1.5130.20
196273.02%1.5630.30
19628-0.59%1.5530.30
19629-2.86%1.5130.40
1962107.20%1.6130.40
1962114.62%1.6930.40
1962124.15%1.7630.40
196311.60%1.7930.40
19632-0.11%1.7830.40
196334.98%1.8730.50
196342.27%1.9230.50
196350.22%1.9230.50
19636-1.22%1.9030.60
196373.03%1.9530.70
196382.89%2.0130.70
196390.50%2.0230.70
196310-0.31%2.0130.80
1963112.39%2.0630.80
1963123.33%2.1330.90
196411.48%2.1630.90
196422.07%2.2130.90
196431.69%2.2530.90
196441.22%2.2730.90
19645-0.35%2.2630.90
196463.96%2.3531.00
19647-1.23%2.3331.10
196481.97%2.3731.00
196491.97%2.4231.10
1964100.94%2.4431.10
196411-1.49%2.4031.20
1964122.82%2.4731.20
196510.98%2.5031.20
196520.34%2.5031.20
196531.56%2.5431.30
196541.73%2.5931.40
19655-4.51%2.4731.40
196560.10%2.4731.60
196572.12%2.5331.60
196583.60%2.6231.60
196592.50%2.6831.60
1965101.08%2.7131.70
196511-0.21%2.7131.70
1965121.98%2.7631.80
19661-0.43%2.7531.80
19662-3.86%2.6432.00
196633.32%2.7332.10
19664-5.01%2.5932.30
19665-0.56%2.5832.30
196660.02%2.5832.40
19667-5.77%2.4332.50
19668-3.22%2.3532.70
19669-0.56%2.3432.70
1966105.32%2.4632.90
1966110.72%2.4832.90
1966124.13%2.5832.90
196713.73%2.6832.90
196722.63%2.7532.90
196731.99%2.8033.00
196742.06%2.8633.10
19675-0.99%2.8333.20
196761.99%2.8933.30
196771.85%2.9433.40
196781.65%2.9933.50
196790.10%2.9933.60
196710-2.88%2.9133.70
1967113.11%3.0033.80
196712-0.02%3.0033.90
19681-4.26%2.8734.10
19682-1.56%2.8334.20
196837.66%3.0434.30
196842.56%3.1234.40
196852.94%3.2134.50
196860.05%3.2134.70
19687-1.93%3.1534.90
196883.51%3.2635.00
196892.72%3.3535.10
1968101.79%3.4135.30
1968111.29%3.4535.40
196812-3.99%3.3235.50
19691-0.24%3.3135.60
19692-1.91%3.2535.80
196932.27%3.3236.10
196943.51%3.4436.30
19695-4.97%3.2636.40
19696-4.21%3.1336.60
19697-0.28%3.1236.80
196980.63%3.1437.00
196991.35%3.1837.10
1969101.00%3.2137.30
196911-5.03%3.0537.50
196912-0.59%3.0337.70
19701-3.20%2.9437.80
197022.01%2.9938.00
19703-2.75%2.9138.20
19704-11.20%2.5938.50
19705-0.27%2.5838.60
197060.52%2.5938.80
197073.26%2.6839.00
197086.32%2.8539.00
197092.49%2.9239.20
1970100.21%2.9239.40
1970117.16%3.1339.60
1970124.11%3.2639.80
197114.15%3.4039.80
197122.83%3.4939.90
197133.67%3.6240.00
19714-1.11%3.5840.10
19715-1.60%3.5240.30
19716-0.46%3.5140.60
19717-1.52%3.4540.70
197182.49%3.5440.80
19719-1.86%3.4740.80
197110-4.37%3.3240.90
1971117.16%3.5640.90
1971124.42%3.7241.10
197212.09%3.8041.10
197222.62%3.9041.30
197231.26%3.9441.40
19724-0.78%3.9141.50
197250.52%3.9341.60
19726-0.50%3.9141.70
197273.78%4.0641.90
19728-1.21%4.0142.00
197290.42%4.0342.10
1972105.25%4.2442.30
1972112.31%4.3442.40
1972120.99%4.3842.50
19731-3.33%4.2442.60
19732-1.35%4.1842.90
19733-1.63%4.1143.30
19734-2.57%4.0143.60
19735-1.99%3.9343.90
197361.21%3.9744.20
19737-1.64%3.9144.30
197382.00%3.9945.10
197394.24%4.1645.20
197310-6.85%3.8745.60
197311-6.81%3.6145.90
1973121.70%3.6746.20
19741-2.47%3.5846.60
197424.57%3.7447.20
19743-4.82%3.5647.80
19744-2.71%3.4648.00
197450.46%3.4848.60
19746-11.35%3.0949.00
19747-3.76%2.9749.40
19748-10.01%2.6750.00
197492.38%2.7450.60
1974103.74%2.8451.10
197411-6.09%2.6751.50
1974128.63%2.9051.90
1975110.81%3.2152.10
197524.97%3.3752.50
197531.49%3.4252.70
197546.71%3.6552.90
197552.89%3.7553.20
197560.43%3.7753.60
19757-7.00%3.5154.20
19758-0.85%3.4854.30
197594.97%3.6554.60
1975102.04%3.7254.90
197511-1.18%3.6855.30
1975129.55%4.0355.50
197614.18%4.2055.60
197620.80%4.2355.80
197631.10%4.2855.90
19764-0.38%4.2656.10
197650.90%4.3056.50
197662.67%4.4256.80
19767-0.56%4.3957.10
197682.44%4.5057.40
19769-3.11%4.3657.60
197610-0.37%4.3457.90
1976113.79%4.5158.00
197612-0.54%4.4858.20
19771-2.37%4.3858.50
19772-0.05%4.3759.10
19773-1.19%4.3259.50
197740.06%4.3260.00
197750.90%4.3660.30
197761.28%4.4260.70
19777-2.08%4.3361.00
19778-1.18%4.2861.20
19779-2.20%4.1861.40
1977100.98%4.2261.60
197711-0.08%4.2261.90
197712-3.39%4.0862.10
19781-0.97%4.0462.50
197820.27%4.0562.90
197834.83%4.2463.40
197845.50%4.4863.90
197850.67%4.5164.50
19786-0.06%4.5065.20
197877.33%4.8365.70
197880.40%4.8566.00
19789-2.77%4.7266.50
197810-5.44%4.4667.10
1978111.92%4.5567.40
1978124.19%4.7467.70
19791-1.06%4.6968.30
197922.34%4.8069.10
197932.43%4.9169.80
19794-1.89%4.8270.60
197952.42%4.9471.50
197961.42%5.0172.30
197975.01%5.2673.10
197981.54%5.3473.80
19799-3.35%5.1674.60
197910-0.32%5.1575.20
1979114.40%5.3775.90
1979123.31%5.5576.70
198014.40%5.7977.80
19802-8.78%5.2978.90
19803-1.16%5.2280.10
198045.04%5.4981.00
198056.86%5.8681.80
198064.97%6.1582.70
198073.50%6.3782.70
198082.84%6.5583.30
198093.32%6.7784.00
1980104.61%7.0884.80
198011-1.24%6.9985.50
1980120.01%6.9986.30
19811-3.07%6.7887.00
198124.14%7.0687.90
198131.29%7.1588.50
19814-1.62%7.0489.10
198150.86%7.1089.80
19816-2.02%6.9590.60
198170.80%7.0191.60
19818-8.30%6.4392.30
198191.73%6.5493.20
1981103.04%6.7493.40
1981111.18%6.8293.70
198112-4.80%6.4994.00
19821-1.91%6.3694.30
19822-2.74%6.1994.60
198235.47%6.5394.50
198240.57%6.5794.90
19825-5.27%6.2295.80
198260.24%6.2397.00
198270.79%6.2897.50
1982812.10%7.0497.70
198298.88%7.6797.90
1982104.50%8.0298.20
1982111.36%8.1298.00
1982123.93%8.4497.60
198312.13%8.6297.80
198323.87%8.9697.90
198334.20%9.3397.90
198344.42%9.7498.60
198351.75%9.9299.20
198360.71%9.9999.50
19837-2.41%9.7599.90
198383.31%10.07100.20
198390.65%10.13100.70
198310-1.14%10.02101.00
198311-0.13%10.00101.20
1983121.58%10.16101.30
19841-5.11%9.64101.90
198420.44%9.69102.40
198430.51%9.73102.60
19844-0.25%9.71103.10
19845-1.85%9.53103.40
19846-0.91%9.44103.70
198479.21%10.31104.10
198481.41%10.46104.50
19849-0.41%10.42105.00
1984101.29%10.55105.30
198411-0.71%10.47105.30
1984124.70%10.97105.30
198515.79%11.60105.50
19852-0.48%11.55106.00
198531.02%11.66106.40
198542.74%11.98106.90
198552.51%12.28107.30
198562.25%12.56107.60
19857-1.85%12.33107.80
19858-1.88%12.10108.00
198591.50%12.28108.30
1985106.42%13.07108.70
1985115.29%13.76109.00
1985120.75%13.86109.30
198615.70%14.65109.60
198626.18%15.56109.30
198632.74%15.98108.80
198640.49%16.06108.60
198653.13%16.56108.90
19866-1.80%16.27109.50
198672.28%16.64109.50
19868-2.46%16.23109.70
19869-0.09%16.21110.20
1986103.53%16.79110.30
1986111.71%17.07110.40
1986126.67%18.21110.50
198716.46%19.39111.20
198724.38%20.24111.60
19873-0.86%20.06112.10
198740.17%20.10112.70
198754.50%21.00113.10
198763.12%21.66113.50
198776.45%23.06113.80
19878-3.03%22.36114.40
19879-11.85%19.71115.00
198710-12.30%17.28115.30
198711-1.33%17.05115.40
1987124.25%17.78115.40
198813.33%18.37115.70
198823.23%18.96116.00
19883-0.89%18.79116.50
19884-2.19%18.38117.10
198856.00%19.49117.50
19886-0.31%19.43118.00
19887-1.72%19.09118.50
198881.93%19.46119.00
198893.80%20.20119.80
198810-2.02%19.79120.20
1988112.33%20.25120.30
1988123.51%20.96120.50
198913.30%21.66121.10
19892-0.16%21.62121.60
198933.56%22.39122.30
198944.12%23.31123.10
198953.39%24.10123.80
198962.80%24.78124.10
198974.69%25.94124.40
198980.46%26.06124.60
198990.29%26.13125.00
198910-1.81%25.66125.60
1989112.74%26.36125.90
198912-2.21%25.78126.10
19901-2.53%25.13127.40
199022.71%25.81128.00
199030.20%25.86128.70
199043.85%26.85128.90
199053.17%27.70129.20
199060.17%27.75129.90
19907-7.86%25.57130.40
19908-4.34%24.46131.60
19909-2.32%23.89132.70
1990102.98%24.61133.50
1990114.59%25.74133.80
199012-0.69%25.56133.80
1991111.61%28.53134.60
199123.04%29.39134.80
199132.26%30.06135.00
19914-0.18%30.00135.20
199150.35%30.11135.60
199160.78%30.34136.00
199172.68%31.16136.20
19918-0.30%31.06136.60
199190.18%31.12137.20
1991100.02%31.12137.40
1991110.94%31.41137.80
1991127.36%33.73137.90
19921-0.60%33.52138.10
19922-1.01%33.18138.60
199230.26%33.27139.30
199242.07%33.96139.50
19925-1.33%33.51139.70
199261.91%34.15140.20
199270.94%34.47140.50
199280.38%34.60140.90
19929-1.18%34.19141.30
1992102.76%35.13141.80
1992113.27%36.28142.00
1992120.14%36.34141.90
199311.72%36.96142.60
199322.15%37.76143.10
19933-1.34%37.25143.60
199340.72%37.52144.00
199350.87%37.84144.20
199360.06%37.87144.40
199371.76%38.54144.40
199381.35%39.06144.80
199391.24%39.54145.10
1993100.01%39.55145.70
1993110.89%39.90145.80
1993121.74%40.59145.80
19941-0.08%40.56146.20
19942-1.42%39.98146.70
19943-3.35%38.64147.20
199441.06%39.05147.40
199451.11%39.48147.50
19946-0.52%39.28148.00
199473.08%40.49148.40
199480.82%40.82149.00
19949-0.44%40.64149.40
199410-0.37%40.49149.50
199411-1.03%40.07149.70
1994122.45%41.06149.70
199513.82%42.62150.30
199522.56%43.71150.90
199533.22%45.12151.40
199543.35%46.63151.90
199553.18%48.11152.20
199563.55%49.82152.50
199570.51%50.08152.50
199583.72%51.94152.90
199590.91%52.41153.20
1995102.36%53.65153.70
1995113.39%55.47153.60
1995120.16%55.56153.50
199615.90%58.84154.40
19962-0.20%58.72154.90
199630.20%58.83155.70
199642.35%60.22156.30
199651.28%60.99156.60
19966-3.48%58.87156.70
199673.08%60.68157.00
199682.02%61.91157.30
199694.12%64.46157.80
1996105.05%67.71158.30
1996111.20%68.53158.60
1996123.26%70.76158.60
199714.36%73.84159.10
19972-0.62%73.38159.60
19973-3.41%70.88160.00
199749.22%77.42160.20
199755.34%81.55160.10
199765.74%86.23160.30
199770.35%86.53160.50
199781.19%87.56160.80
199791.65%89.00161.20
199710-1.15%87.97161.60
1997112.63%90.29161.50
1997120.24%90.51161.30
199816.40%96.30161.60
199825.31%101.42161.90
199833.41%104.87162.20
19984-0.22%104.64162.50
199850.12%104.76162.80
199864.47%109.44163.00
19987-6.97%101.81163.20
19988-4.90%96.82163.40
199891.29%98.07163.60
19981010.97%108.84164.00
1998114.10%113.30164.00
1998125.05%119.02163.90
19991-0.07%118.94164.30
199922.92%122.42164.50
199934.25%127.62165.00
19994-0.10%127.50166.20
19995-0.61%126.72166.20
199964.52%132.45166.20
19997-3.77%127.45166.70
19998-0.60%126.69167.10
19999-1.27%125.07167.90
1999107.11%133.96168.20
1999112.81%137.72168.30
199912-0.12%137.56168.30
20001-2.48%134.15168.80
200023.94%139.44169.80
200031.42%141.43171.20
20004-2.84%137.41171.30
200053.16%141.76171.50
200060.85%142.96172.40
200070.94%144.31172.80
20008-1.08%142.75172.80
20009-5.21%135.31173.70
200010-0.77%134.26174.00
200011-3.32%129.80174.10
2000120.46%130.39174.00
20011-2.14%127.61175.10
20012-9.08%116.02175.80
200130.45%116.54176.20
200146.88%124.56176.90
20015-2.39%121.58177.70
20016-2.66%118.35178.00
20017-2.05%115.93177.50
20018-11.25%102.89177.50
200193.18%106.17178.30
2001105.05%111.53177.70
2001111.47%113.16177.40
200112-0.30%112.83176.70
20021-3.35%109.05177.10
200224.95%114.44177.80
20023-3.51%110.42178.80
20024-2.82%107.30179.80
20025-5.92%100.95179.80
20026-10.76%90.09179.90
200271.14%91.11180.10
20028-4.76%86.78180.70
20029-1.37%85.59181.00
2002106.63%91.26181.30
200211-1.04%90.32181.30
200212-0.22%90.12180.90
20031-6.41%84.34181.70
200321.31%85.44183.10
200335.29%89.96184.20
200345.31%94.73183.80
200355.70%100.14183.50
200360.60%100.74183.70
20037-0.17%100.57183.90
200383.16%103.75184.60
200392.03%105.85185.20
2003101.21%107.13185.00
2003113.06%110.41184.50
2003124.93%115.86184.30
200411.09%117.12185.20
20042-1.57%115.29186.20
200430.97%116.41187.40
20044-2.56%113.42188.00
200452.86%116.66189.10
20046-2.24%114.05189.70
20047-1.39%112.47189.40
200482.78%115.60189.50
200490.10%115.72189.90
2004104.77%121.24190.90
2004112.73%124.55191.00
200412-1.35%122.87190.30
200511.68%124.93190.70
20052-0.26%124.61191.80
20053-2.41%121.61193.30
200541.34%123.24194.60
200552.18%125.92194.40
200561.81%128.20194.50
200570.31%128.60195.40
200580.28%128.96196.40
20059-2.62%125.57198.80
2005103.96%130.55199.20
2005112.14%133.35197.60
2005121.47%135.30196.80
20061-0.02%135.28198.30
200621.49%137.29198.70
200630.80%138.39199.80
20064-0.79%137.30201.50
20065-2.71%133.58202.50
200660.72%134.54202.90
200672.29%137.63203.50
200682.53%141.11203.90
200693.62%146.21202.90
2006102.00%149.14201.80
2006112.15%152.34201.50
2006120.69%153.40201.80
200711.60%155.85202.42
20072-2.47%151.99203.50
200734.18%158.35205.35
200743.39%163.72206.69
200750.34%164.28207.95
200760.57%165.23208.35
20077-4.20%158.28208.30
200783.07%163.15207.92
200792.99%168.03208.49
200710-4.81%159.96208.94
2007111.24%161.94210.18
200712-6.64%151.19210.04
20081-1.56%148.83211.08
20082-2.63%144.92211.69
200834.24%151.07213.53
200842.56%154.94214.82
20085-4.25%148.36216.63
20086-6.08%139.34218.82
200872.11%142.28219.96
20088-4.85%135.39219.09
20089-20.19%108.05218.78
200810-8.61%98.75216.57
200811-0.35%98.40212.43
200812-1.10%97.32210.23
20091-6.70%90.80211.14
20092-5.69%85.64212.19
2009312.32%96.19212.71
200946.66%102.59213.24
200952.87%105.54213.86
200961.28%106.89215.69
200978.12%115.57215.35
200983.65%119.78215.83
200992.40%122.66215.97
2009102.09%125.23216.18
2009112.23%128.02216.33
2009121.36%129.76215.95
20101-2.90%126.00216.69
201025.94%133.48216.74
201034.09%138.94217.63
20104-5.88%130.77218.01
20105-3.54%126.13218.18
20106-0.16%125.93217.97
201070.86%127.02218.01
201083.37%131.30218.31
201094.58%137.31218.44
2010102.49%140.73218.71
2010113.71%145.96218.80
2010123.46%151.01219.18
201113.15%155.77220.22
20112-1.11%154.04221.31
201132.22%157.46223.47
201140.66%158.50224.91
20115-3.66%152.69225.96
201163.10%157.43225.72
20117-10.40%141.05225.92
20118-0.79%139.94226.55
201193.02%144.17226.89
2011101.77%146.71226.42
2011111.55%148.99226.23
2011124.78%156.12225.67
201214.16%162.62226.67
201222.88%167.31227.66
20123-0.04%167.24229.39
20124-3.09%162.08230.09
20125-1.15%160.21229.82
201262.92%164.89229.48
201273.39%170.47229.10
201283.02%175.62230.38
20129-0.22%175.24231.41
201210-2.84%170.27231.32
2012112.18%173.97230.22
2012124.27%181.40229.60
201312.33%185.63230.28
201322.72%190.69232.17
201331.45%193.46232.77
201344.57%202.31232.53
20135-1.12%200.05232.95
201363.25%206.56233.50
201370.25%207.08233.60
201381.19%209.55233.88
201392.12%213.98234.15
2013103.86%222.24233.55
2013111.52%225.63233.07
2013120.97%227.81233.05
20141-0.13%227.51233.92
201422.72%233.71234.78
201430.20%234.18236.29
201441.53%237.77237.07
201453.20%245.37237.90
201461.50%249.04238.34
20147-0.43%247.97238.25
201481.78%252.38237.85
20149-2.65%245.70238.03
2014105.71%259.72237.43
2014110.63%261.37236.15
201412-1.11%258.47234.81
201512.83%265.77233.71
201520.06%265.92234.72
201530.88%268.26236.12
201540.98%270.88236.60
20155-0.44%269.70237.81
20156-0.08%269.49238.64
20157-2.42%262.96238.65
20158-4.51%251.10238.32
201594.32%261.94237.95
2015102.93%269.63237.84
201511-1.10%266.65237.34
201512-6.42%249.53236.53
20161-0.55%248.16236.92
201626.36%263.95237.11
201632.83%271.42238.13
20164-0.30%270.60239.26
201651.07%273.48240.23
201663.30%282.50241.02
201671.20%285.89240.63
20168-0.44%284.64240.85
20169-0.51%283.20241.43
2016101.20%286.60241.73
2016113.95%297.91241.35
2016121.44%302.19241.43
201712.58%309.98242.84
201721.75%315.40243.60
20173-0.15%314.91243.80
201741.69%320.24244.52
201751.78%325.93244.73
201760.99%329.15244.96
201770.25%329.97244.79
201781.65%335.42245.52
201792.73%344.59246.82
2017101.59%350.07246.66
2017112.88%360.17246.67
2017124.86%377.68246.52
20181-2.89%366.77247.87
201820.06%367.01248.99
20183-1.66%360.90249.55
201841.96%367.98250.55
201852.11%375.76251.59
201861.58%381.70251.99
201872.45%391.05252.01
201881.68%397.62252.15
20189-3.85%382.32252.44
201810-2.08%374.38252.89
201811-5.56%353.56252.04
2018121.74%359.69251.23
201915.83%380.66251.71
201921.95%388.07252.78
201933.72%402.52254.20
20194-1.53%396.36255.55
201951.40%401.92256.09
201963.83%417.31256.14
20197-3.13%404.23256.57
201983.09%416.70256.56
201990.01%416.74256.76
2019104.43%435.22257.35
2019112.47%445.96257.21
2019123.35%460.89256.97
202010.12%461.45257.97
20202-18.92%374.15258.68
202034.32%390.31258.12
202045.89%413.29256.39
202056.51%440.19256.39
202063.48%455.49257.80
202075.89%482.34259.10
20208-0.63%479.31259.92
202091.73%487.59260.28
2020103.95%506.87260.39
2020114.26%528.46260.23
2020122.80%543.23260.47
202112.49%556.77261.58
202120.82%561.34263.01
202136.02%595.14264.88
202140.76%599.66267.05
202151.81%610.52269.20
202163.07%629.25271.70
202172.19%643.00273.00
20218-0.08%642.46273.57
202190.45%645.36274.31
2021104.74%675.98276.59
2021110.27%677.78277.95
202112-2.05%663.87278.80
20221-2.90%644.60281.15
20222-0.89%638.85283.72
202230.12%639.60287.50
20224-7.87%589.25289.11
20225-3.37%569.40292.30
202260.46%572.04296.31
202276.45%608.92296.28
20228-7.28%564.61296.17
20229-3.09%547.16296.81
2022105.29%576.07298.01
2022110.01%576.14297.71
2022121.38%584.07296.80
202313.15%602.45299.17
20232-2.59%586.87300.84
202334.00%610.32301.84
202340.74%614.83303.36
202354.94%645.21304.13
202363.88%670.22305.11
20237-1.00%663.53305.69
20238-0.95%657.21307.03
20239-3.04%637.25307.79
2023104.60%666.57307.67
2023115.18%701.07307.05
2023122.91%721.48306.75
202414.20%751.78308.42
202423.28%776.45310.33
20243-1.01%768.62312.33
202442.52%787.96313.55
202453.55%815.94314.07
202462.38%835.35314.18
20247-0.97%827.25314.54
202482.72%849.76314.80
202493.15%876.55315.30
2024102.48%898.30315.66
2024111.47%911.51315.49
202412-0.42%907.70315.61
202510.99%916.68317.67
20252-5.87%862.83319.08
20253-5.06%819.20319.80
Click to show 810 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 1957. This would result in a final amount of $786.90, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $819.20).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
195710.040.04
195720.040.08
195730.040.12
195740.040.17
195750.040.21
195760.040.26
195770.040.28
195780.040.31
195790.040.33
1957100.040.36
1957110.040.40
1957120.040.45
195810.040.50
195820.040.55
195830.040.60
195840.040.66
195850.040.72
195860.040.78
195870.040.85
195880.040.92
195890.041.00
1958100.041.08
1958110.041.14
1958120.041.23
195910.041.25
19592-1.29
19593-1.31
19594-1.34
19595-1.33
19596-1.39
19597-1.38
19598-1.33
19599-1.33
195910-1.34
195911-1.39
195912-1.37
19601-1.32
19602-1.30
19603-1.32
19604-1.32
19605-1.37
19606-1.34
19607-1.36
19608-1.32
19609-1.30
196010-1.35
196011-1.38
196012-1.46
19611-1.52
19612-1.57
19613-1.62
19614-1.64
19615-1.62
19616-1.62
19617-1.68
19618-1.67
19619-1.70
196110-1.78
196111-1.80
196112-1.73
19621-1.77
19622-1.77
19623-1.72
19624-1.60
19625-1.42
19626-1.45
19627-1.50
19628-1.49
19629-1.45
196210-1.55
196211-1.62
196212-1.69
19631-1.72
19632-1.71
19633-1.80
19634-1.84
19635-1.84
19636-1.82
19637-1.88
19638-1.93
19639-1.94
196310-1.94
196311-1.98
196312-2.05
19641-2.08
19642-2.12
19643-2.16
19644-2.18
19645-2.18
19646-2.26
19647-2.23
19648-2.28
19649-2.32
196410-2.34
196411-2.31
196412-2.37
19651-2.40
19652-2.41
19653-2.44
19654-2.49
19655-2.37
19656-2.38
19657-2.43
19658-2.51
19659-2.58
196510-2.60
196511-2.60
196512-2.65
19661-2.64
19662-2.54
19663-2.62
19664-2.49
19665-2.48
19666-2.48
19667-2.33
19668-2.26
19669-2.25
196610-2.36
196611-2.38
196612-2.48
19671-2.57
19672-2.64
19673-2.69
19674-2.75
19675-2.72
19676-2.78
19677-2.83
19678-2.87
19679-2.88
196710-2.79
196711-2.88
196712-2.88
19681-2.76
19682-2.71
19683-2.92
19684-3.00
19685-3.09
19686-3.09
19687-3.03
19688-3.13
19689-3.22
196810-3.28
196811-3.32
196812-3.19
19691-3.18
19692-3.12
19693-3.19
19694-3.30
19695-3.14
19696-3.00
19697-3.00
19698-3.01
19699-3.06
196910-3.09
196911-2.93
196912-2.91
19701-2.82
19702-2.88
19703-2.80
19704-2.48
19705-2.48
19706-2.49
19707-2.57
19708-2.73
19709-2.80
197010-2.81
197011-3.01
197012-3.13
19711-3.26
19712-3.36
19713-3.48
19714-3.44
19715-3.39
19716-3.37
19717-3.32
19718-3.40
19719-3.34
197110-3.19
197111-3.42
197112-3.57
19721-3.65
19722-3.74
19723-3.79
19724-3.76
19725-3.78
19726-3.76
19727-3.90
19728-3.85
19729-3.87
197210-4.07
197211-4.17
197212-4.21
19731-4.07
19732-4.01
19733-3.95
19734-3.85
19735-3.77
19736-3.82
19737-3.75
19738-3.83
19739-3.99
197310-3.72
197311-3.47
197312-3.52
19741-3.44
19742-3.59
19743-3.42
19744-3.33
19745-3.34
19746-2.96
19747-2.85
19748-2.57
19749-2.63
197410-2.73
197411-2.56
197412-2.78
19751-3.08
19752-3.24
19753-3.28
19754-3.50
19755-3.61
19756-3.62
19757-3.37
19758-3.34
19759-3.50
197510-3.58
197511-3.53
197512-3.87
19761-4.03
19762-4.07
19763-4.11
19764-4.09
19765-4.13
19766-4.24
19767-4.22
19768-4.32
19769-4.19
197610-4.17
197611-4.33
197612-4.31
19771-4.20
19772-4.20
19773-4.15
19774-4.15
19775-4.19
19776-4.24
19777-4.16
19778-4.11
19779-4.02
197710-4.06
197711-4.05
197712-3.92
19781-3.88
19782-3.89
19783-4.08
19784-4.30
19785-4.33
19786-4.33
19787-4.64
19788-4.66
19789-4.53
197810-4.29
197811-4.37
197812-4.55
19791-4.50
19792-4.61
19793-4.72
19794-4.63
19795-4.74
19796-4.81
19797-5.05
19798-5.13
19799-4.96
197910-4.94
197911-5.16
197912-5.33
19801-5.57
19802-5.08
19803-5.02
19804-5.27
19805-5.63
19806-5.91
19807-6.12
19808-6.29
19809-6.50
198010-6.80
198011-6.72
198012-6.72
19811-6.51
19812-6.78
19813-6.87
19814-6.76
19815-6.82
19816-6.68
19817-6.73
19818-6.17
19819-6.28
198110-6.47
198111-6.55
198112-6.23
19821-6.11
19822-5.95
19823-6.27
19824-6.31
19825-5.97
19826-5.99
19827-6.04
19828-6.77
19829-7.37
198210-7.70
198211-7.80
198212-8.11
19831-8.28
19832-8.60
19833-8.96
19834-9.36
19835-9.52
19836-9.59
19837-9.36
19838-9.67
19839-9.73
198310-9.62
198311-9.61
198312-9.76
19841-9.26
19842-9.30
19843-9.35
19844-9.33
19845-9.16
19846-9.07
19847-9.91
19848-10.05
19849-10.00
198410-10.13
198411-10.06
198412-10.53
19851-11.14
19852-11.09
19853-11.20
19854-11.51
19855-11.80
19856-12.07
19857-11.84
19858-11.62
19859-11.79
198510-12.55
198511-13.21
198512-13.31
19861-14.07
19862-14.94
19863-15.35
19864-15.43
19865-15.91
19866-15.62
19867-15.98
19868-15.59
19869-15.57
198610-16.12
198611-16.40
198612-17.49
19871-18.62
19872-19.44
19873-19.27
19874-19.31
19875-20.18
19876-20.81
19877-22.15
19878-21.48
19879-18.93
198710-16.60
198711-16.38
198712-17.08
19881-17.64
19882-18.21
19883-18.05
19884-17.66
19885-18.72
19886-18.66
19887-18.34
19888-18.69
19889-19.40
198810-19.01
198811-19.45
198812-20.14
19891-20.80
19892-20.77
19893-21.51
19894-22.39
19895-23.15
19896-23.80
19897-24.92
19898-25.03
19899-25.10
198910-24.65
198911-25.32
198912-24.76
19901-24.14
19902-24.79
19903-24.84
19904-25.79
19905-26.61
19906-26.66
19907-24.56
19908-23.50
19909-22.95
199010-23.64
199011-24.72
199012-24.55
19911-27.40
19912-28.24
19913-28.87
19914-28.82
19915-28.92
19916-29.15
19917-29.93
19918-29.84
19919-29.89
199110-29.90
199111-30.18
199112-32.40
19921-32.20
19922-31.88
19923-31.96
19924-32.62
19925-32.19
19926-32.80
19927-33.11
19928-33.24
19929-32.84
199210-33.75
199211-34.85
199212-34.90
19931-35.50
19932-36.27
19933-35.78
19934-36.04
19935-36.35
19936-36.37
19937-37.02
19938-37.52
19939-37.98
199310-37.99
199311-38.32
199312-38.99
19941-38.96
19942-38.40
19943-37.12
19944-37.51
19945-37.93
19946-37.73
19947-38.89
19948-39.21
19949-39.04
199410-38.89
199411-38.49
199412-39.44
19951-40.94
19952-41.99
19953-43.34
19954-44.79
19955-46.22
19956-47.86
19957-48.10
19958-49.89
19959-50.34
199510-51.53
199511-53.28
199512-53.37
19961-56.52
19962-56.40
19963-56.51
19964-57.84
19965-58.58
19966-56.55
19967-58.29
19968-59.47
19969-61.92
199610-65.04
199611-65.82
199612-67.97
19971-70.93
19972-70.49
19973-68.09
19974-74.37
19975-78.33
19976-82.83
19977-83.12
19978-84.11
19979-85.49
199710-84.51
199711-86.73
199712-86.94
19981-92.50
19982-97.42
19983-100.74
19984-100.51
19985-100.63
19986-105.13
19987-97.80
19988-93.01
19989-94.21
199810-104.55
199811-108.84
199812-114.33
19991-114.25
19992-117.59
19993-122.59
19994-122.47
19995-121.72
19996-127.23
19997-122.42
19998-121.69
19999-120.14
199910-128.68
199911-132.29
199912-132.14
20001-128.86
20002-133.94
20003-135.85
20004-131.99
20005-136.17
20006-137.33
20007-138.62
20008-137.12
20009-129.97
200010-128.97
200011-124.68
200012-125.25
20011-122.58
20012-111.45
20013-111.95
20014-119.65
20015-116.79
20016-113.68
20017-111.36
20018-98.83
20019-101.98
200110-107.13
200111-108.70
200112-108.38
20021-104.75
20022-109.93
20023-106.06
20024-103.07
20025-96.97
20026-86.54
20027-87.52
20028-83.36
20029-82.22
200210-87.67
200211-86.76
200212-86.56
20031-81.01
20032-82.07
20033-86.41
20034-91.00
20035-96.19
20036-96.76
20037-96.60
20038-99.66
20039-101.68
200310-102.91
200311-106.06
200312-111.30
20041-112.51
20042-110.74
20043-111.82
20044-108.95
20045-112.06
20046-109.55
20047-108.03
20048-111.04
20049-111.15
200410-116.46
200411-119.64
200412-118.02
20051-120.01
20052-119.70
20053-116.82
20054-118.38
20055-120.96
20056-123.14
20057-123.53
20058-123.87
20059-120.62
200510-125.40
200511-128.09
200512-129.97
20061-129.95
20062-131.88
20063-132.93
20064-131.88
20065-128.32
20066-129.24
20067-132.20
20068-135.55
20069-140.45
200610-143.26
200611-146.34
200612-147.35
20071-149.70
20072-146.00
20073-152.10
20074-157.26
20075-157.80
20076-158.71
20077-152.04
20078-156.72
20079-161.41
200710-153.65
200711-155.55
200712-145.23
20081-142.96
20082-139.20
20083-145.11
20084-148.83
20085-142.51
20086-133.85
20087-136.67
20088-130.05
20089-103.79
200810-94.85
200811-94.52
200812-93.49
20091-87.22
20092-82.26
20093-92.40
20094-98.55
20095-101.38
20096-102.67
20097-111.01
20098-115.06
20099-117.83
200910-120.29
200911-122.97
200912-124.64
20101-121.03
20102-128.22
20103-133.46
20104-125.61
20105-121.16
20106-120.97
20107-122.01
20108-126.13
20109-131.90
201010-135.18
201011-140.20
201012-145.06
20111-149.63
20112-147.96
20113-151.25
20114-152.25
20115-146.67
20116-151.22
20117-135.49
20118-134.42
20119-138.48
201110-140.93
201111-143.12
201112-149.96
20121-156.21
20122-160.71
20123-160.65
20124-155.69
20125-153.89
20126-158.39
20127-163.75
20128-168.70
20129-168.33
201210-163.56
201211-167.11
201212-174.25
20131-178.31
20132-183.17
20133-185.83
20134-194.33
20135-192.16
20136-198.41
20137-198.91
20138-201.29
20139-205.55
201310-213.48
201311-216.73
201312-218.83
20141-218.54
20142-224.49
20143-224.95
20144-228.39
20145-235.69
20146-239.22
20147-238.20
20148-242.43
20149-236.02
201410-249.48
201411-251.06
201412-248.28
20151-255.30
20152-255.44
20153-257.68
20154-260.20
20155-259.07
20156-258.86
20157-252.59
20158-241.20
20159-251.62
201510-259.00
201511-256.14
201512-239.70
20161-238.38
20162-253.55
20163-260.72
20164-259.93
20165-262.70
20166-271.36
20167-274.62
20168-273.41
20169-272.03
201610-275.30
201611-286.16
201612-290.28
20171-297.75
20172-302.96
20173-302.50
20174-307.62
20175-313.08
20176-316.17
20177-316.96
20178-322.20
20179-331.01
201710-336.27
201711-345.97
201712-362.79
20181-352.31
20182-352.54
20183-346.68
20184-353.48
20185-360.94
20186-366.65
20187-375.64
20188-381.95
20189-367.24
201810-359.62
201811-339.62
201812-345.51
20191-365.65
20192-372.77
20193-386.65
20194-380.73
20195-386.08
20196-400.85
20197-388.29
20198-400.27
20199-400.31
201910-418.06
201911-428.38
201912-442.72
20201-443.26
20202-359.40
20203-374.92
20204-397.00
20205-422.83
20206-437.53
20207-463.32
20208-460.42
20209-468.36
202010-486.88
202011-507.62
202012-521.81
20211-534.81
20212-539.21
20213-571.68
20214-576.02
20215-586.45
20216-604.44
20217-617.65
20218-617.13
20219-619.92
202110-649.33
202111-651.06
202112-637.70
20221-619.19
20222-613.66
20223-614.39
20224-566.02
20225-546.95
20226-549.49
20227-584.92
20228-542.35
20229-525.58
202210-553.36
202211-553.42
202212-561.04
20231-578.70
20232-563.73
20233-586.26
20234-590.59
20235-619.77
20236-643.80
20237-637.37
20238-631.30
20239-612.12
202310-640.29
202311-673.43
202312-693.04
20241-722.14
20242-745.84
20243-738.31
20244-756.89
20245-783.77
20246-802.42
20247-794.63
20248-816.26
20249-841.99
202410-862.89
202411-875.57
202412-871.91
20251-880.54
20252-828.82
20253-786.90
Click to show 810 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 1957 to 2025
Start Value
Average monthly close
$45.43
End Value
Average monthly close
$5,396.52
Change in price+11,778.76%
+7.28% / yr
Change incl. dividends+81,819.59%
+10.33% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+7,098.09%
+6.47% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($1 base)
$819.20
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($1 base)
$71.98