S&P 500: $100 in 1961 → $44,280.76 in 2023

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Stock market returns between 1961 and 2023

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1961, you would have about $44,280.76 at the end of 2023, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 44,180.76%, or 10.21% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 4,245.21% cumulatively, or 6.20% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $40,053.28.

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 $44,180.76, or 44,180.76%. This means by 2023 you would have $44,280.76 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 1961 was 29.900 and the CPI in 2023 was 304.702.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 62 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $44,280.76 nominal end value of the original $100 investment would have a real return of roughly $4,245.21 in 1961 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 4,245.21% as opposed to the original 44,180.76%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1961.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $100 investment, including gains and losses over the 752-month period between 1961 and 2023.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
196114.37%104.3729.80
196123.40%107.9229.80
196132.92%111.0729.80
196141.26%112.4729.80
19615-1.08%111.2629.80
19616-0.03%111.2329.80
196173.84%115.5030.00
19618-0.54%114.8729.90
196191.34%116.4130.00
1961104.77%121.9730.00
1961111.16%123.3930.00
196112-3.49%119.0930.00
196211.91%121.3630.00
196220.34%121.7730.10
19623-2.94%118.1930.10
19624-7.19%109.7030.20
19625-11.41%97.1830.20
196262.72%99.8230.20
196273.02%102.8330.30
19628-0.59%102.2230.30
19629-2.86%99.3030.40
1962107.20%106.4530.40
1962114.62%111.3830.40
1962124.15%116.0030.40
196311.60%117.8530.40
19632-0.11%117.7230.40
196334.98%123.5830.50
196342.27%126.3830.50
196350.22%126.6630.50
19636-1.22%125.1130.60
196373.03%128.9030.70
196382.89%132.6330.70
196390.50%133.2930.70
196310-0.31%132.8930.80
1963112.39%136.0730.80
1963123.33%140.6030.90
196411.48%142.6830.90
196422.07%145.6330.90
196431.69%148.1030.90
196441.22%149.9130.90
19645-0.35%149.3830.90
196463.96%155.3031.00
19647-1.23%153.3931.10
196481.97%156.4131.00
196491.97%159.4931.10
1964100.94%160.9931.10
196411-1.49%158.5931.20
1964122.82%163.0631.20
196510.98%164.6531.20
196520.34%165.2031.20
196531.56%167.7831.30
196541.73%170.6831.40
19655-4.51%162.9931.40
196560.10%163.1631.60
196572.12%166.6131.60
196583.60%172.6031.60
196592.50%176.9131.60
1965101.08%178.8231.70
196511-0.21%178.4431.70
1965121.98%181.9731.80
19661-0.43%181.1931.80
19662-3.86%174.1932.00
196633.32%179.9832.10
19664-5.01%170.9632.30
19665-0.56%170.0132.30
196660.02%170.0432.40
19667-5.77%160.2332.50
19668-3.22%155.0632.70
19669-0.56%154.1932.70
1966105.32%162.3832.90
1966110.72%163.5532.90
1966124.13%170.3032.90
196713.73%176.6532.90
196722.63%181.3132.90
196731.99%184.9233.00
196742.06%188.7233.10
19675-0.99%186.8533.20
196761.99%190.5733.30
196771.85%194.1033.40
196781.65%197.3133.50
196790.10%197.5133.60
196710-2.88%191.8133.70
1967113.11%197.7833.80
196712-0.02%197.7533.90
19681-4.26%189.3334.10
19682-1.56%186.3834.20
196837.66%200.6634.30
196842.56%205.7934.40
196852.94%211.8434.50
196860.05%211.9434.70
19687-1.93%207.8534.90
196883.51%215.1435.00
196892.72%220.9835.10
1968101.79%224.9335.30
1968111.29%227.8235.40
196812-3.99%218.7435.50
19691-0.24%218.2235.60
19692-1.91%214.0435.80
196932.27%218.9136.10
196943.51%226.6036.30
19695-4.97%215.3436.40
19696-4.21%206.2836.60
19697-0.28%205.7036.80
196980.63%206.9937.00
196991.35%209.7837.10
1969101.00%211.8737.30
196911-5.03%201.2237.50
196912-0.59%200.0337.70
19701-3.20%193.6437.80
197022.01%197.5338.00
19703-2.75%192.1138.20
19704-11.20%170.5938.50
19705-0.27%170.1338.60
197060.52%171.0238.80
197073.26%176.5939.00
197086.32%187.7539.00
197092.49%192.4339.20
1970100.21%192.8239.40
1970117.16%206.6339.60
1970124.11%215.1239.80
197114.15%224.0539.80
197122.83%230.4039.90
197133.67%238.8640.00
19714-1.11%236.2140.10
19715-1.60%232.4440.30
19716-0.46%231.3740.60
19717-1.52%227.8640.70
197182.49%233.5240.80
19719-1.86%229.1740.80
197110-4.37%219.1540.90
1971117.16%234.8540.90
1971124.42%245.2441.10
197212.09%250.3641.10
197222.62%256.9141.30
197231.26%260.1541.40
19724-0.78%258.1341.50
197250.52%259.4641.60
19726-0.50%258.1641.70
197273.78%267.9241.90
19728-1.21%264.6842.00
197290.42%265.7942.10
1972105.25%279.7542.30
1972112.31%286.2242.40
1972120.99%289.0542.50
19731-3.33%279.4442.60
19732-1.35%275.6842.90
19733-1.63%271.1843.30
19734-2.57%264.2143.60
19735-1.99%258.9543.90
197361.21%262.0844.20
19737-1.64%257.8044.30
197382.00%262.9445.10
197394.24%274.0845.20
197310-6.85%255.3045.60
197311-6.81%237.9245.90
1973121.70%241.9746.20
19741-2.47%235.9846.60
197424.57%246.7847.20
19743-4.82%234.8947.80
19744-2.71%228.5448.00
197450.46%229.5848.60
19746-11.35%203.5349.00
19747-3.76%195.8749.40
19748-10.01%176.2650.00
197492.38%180.4550.60
1974103.74%187.2051.10
197411-6.09%175.8051.50
1974128.63%190.9751.90
1975110.81%211.6152.10
197524.97%222.1452.50
197531.49%225.4452.70
197546.71%240.5752.90
197552.89%247.5453.20
197560.43%248.6153.60
19757-7.00%231.2154.20
19758-0.85%229.2454.30
197594.97%240.6454.60
1975102.04%245.5554.90
197511-1.18%242.6555.30
1975129.55%265.8255.50
197614.18%276.9255.60
197620.80%279.1455.80
197631.10%282.2055.90
19764-0.38%281.1256.10
197650.90%283.6556.50
197662.67%291.2156.80
19767-0.56%289.5857.10
197682.44%296.6457.40
19769-3.11%287.4257.60
197610-0.37%286.3757.90
1976113.79%297.2158.00
197612-0.54%295.6158.20
19771-2.37%288.6158.50
19772-0.05%288.4559.10
19773-1.19%285.0159.50
197740.06%285.1960.00
197750.90%287.7660.30
197761.28%291.4560.70
19777-2.08%285.3961.00
19778-1.18%282.0461.20
19779-2.20%275.8461.40
1977100.98%278.5561.60
197711-0.08%278.3261.90
197712-3.39%268.8962.10
19781-0.97%266.2762.50
197820.27%266.9862.90
197834.83%279.8863.40
197845.50%295.2863.90
197850.67%297.2764.50
19786-0.06%297.0865.20
197877.33%318.8665.70
197880.40%320.1366.00
19789-2.77%311.2566.50
197810-5.44%294.3367.10
1978111.92%299.9967.40
1978124.19%312.5467.70
19791-1.06%309.2468.30
197922.34%316.4869.10
197932.43%324.1769.80
19794-1.89%318.0370.60
197952.42%325.7271.50
197961.42%330.3572.30
197975.01%346.9273.10
197981.54%352.2673.80
19799-3.35%340.4574.60
197910-0.32%339.3575.20
1979114.40%354.3075.90
1979123.31%366.0376.70
198014.40%382.1277.80
19802-8.78%348.5878.90
19803-1.16%344.5380.10
198045.04%361.8881.00
198056.86%386.7281.80
198064.97%405.9382.70
198073.50%420.1682.70
198082.84%432.0883.30
198093.32%446.4484.00
1980104.61%467.0484.80
198011-1.24%461.2385.50
1980120.01%461.2886.30
19811-3.07%447.1187.00
198124.14%465.6487.90
198131.29%471.6688.50
19814-1.62%464.0489.10
198150.86%468.0189.80
19816-2.02%458.5890.60
198170.80%462.2691.60
19818-8.30%423.8892.30
198191.73%431.2093.20
1981103.04%444.3393.40
1981111.18%449.5793.70
198112-4.80%427.9794.00
19821-1.91%419.7894.30
19822-2.74%408.2694.60
198235.47%430.5894.50
198240.57%433.0494.90
19825-5.27%410.2195.80
198260.24%411.2197.00
198270.79%414.4897.50
1982812.10%464.6297.70
198298.88%505.8897.90
1982104.50%528.6498.20
1982111.36%535.8198.00
1982123.93%556.8497.60
198312.13%568.7197.80
198323.87%590.6997.90
198334.20%615.4897.90
198344.42%642.7198.60
198351.75%653.9899.20
198360.71%658.6199.50
19837-2.41%642.7699.90
198383.31%664.06100.20
198390.65%668.36100.70
198310-1.14%660.73101.00
198311-0.13%659.89101.20
1983121.58%670.29101.30
19841-5.11%636.02101.90
198420.44%638.83102.40
198430.51%642.07102.60
19844-0.25%640.45103.10
19845-1.85%628.61103.40
19846-0.91%622.90103.70
198479.21%680.25104.10
198481.41%689.82104.50
19849-0.41%686.98105.00
1984101.29%695.81105.30
198411-0.71%690.89105.30
1984124.70%723.34105.30
198515.79%765.21105.50
19852-0.48%761.55106.00
198531.02%769.35106.40
198542.74%790.40106.90
198552.51%810.24107.30
198562.25%828.45107.60
19857-1.85%813.16107.80
19858-1.88%797.83108.00
198591.50%809.77108.30
1985106.42%861.76108.70
1985115.29%907.38109.00
1985120.75%914.20109.30
198615.70%966.29109.60
198626.18%1,026.03109.30
198632.74%1,054.16108.80
198640.49%1,059.35108.60
198653.13%1,092.54108.90
19866-1.80%1,072.83109.50
198672.28%1,097.30109.50
19868-2.46%1,070.35109.70
19869-0.09%1,069.38110.20
1986103.53%1,107.17110.30
1986111.71%1,126.09110.40
1986126.67%1,201.23110.50
198716.46%1,278.86111.20
198724.38%1,334.82111.60
19873-0.86%1,323.39112.10
198740.17%1,325.68112.70
198754.50%1,385.31113.10
198763.12%1,428.57113.50
198776.45%1,520.77113.80
19878-3.03%1,474.68114.40
19879-11.85%1,299.87115.00
198710-12.30%1,139.94115.30
198711-1.33%1,124.73115.40
1987124.25%1,172.49115.40
198813.33%1,211.52115.70
198823.23%1,250.68116.00
19883-0.89%1,239.59116.50
19884-2.19%1,212.47117.10
198856.00%1,285.20117.50
19886-0.31%1,281.25118.00
19887-1.72%1,259.23118.50
198881.93%1,283.50119.00
198893.80%1,332.29119.80
198810-2.02%1,305.38120.20
1988112.33%1,335.74120.30
1988123.51%1,382.66120.50
198913.30%1,428.29121.10
19892-0.16%1,425.98121.60
198933.56%1,476.81122.30
198944.12%1,537.59123.10
198953.39%1,589.75123.80
198962.80%1,634.27124.10
198974.69%1,710.93124.40
198980.46%1,718.72124.60
198990.29%1,723.64125.00
198910-1.81%1,692.38125.60
1989112.74%1,738.70125.90
198912-2.21%1,700.25126.10
19901-2.53%1,657.28127.40
199022.71%1,702.15128.00
199030.20%1,705.48128.70
199043.85%1,771.16128.90
199053.17%1,827.30129.20
199060.17%1,830.41129.90
19907-7.86%1,686.51130.40
19908-4.34%1,613.30131.60
19909-2.32%1,575.94132.70
1990102.98%1,622.96133.50
1990114.59%1,697.40133.80
199012-0.69%1,685.77133.80
1991111.61%1,881.44134.60
199123.04%1,938.72134.80
199132.26%1,982.51135.00
19914-0.18%1,978.96135.20
199150.35%1,985.83135.60
199160.78%2,001.33136.00
199172.68%2,054.95136.20
19918-0.30%2,048.72136.60
199190.18%2,052.44137.20
1991100.02%2,052.76137.40
1991110.94%2,071.96137.80
1991127.36%2,224.41137.90
19921-0.60%2,211.05138.10
19922-1.01%2,188.66138.60
199230.26%2,194.45139.30
199242.07%2,239.84139.50
19925-1.33%2,210.07139.70
199261.91%2,252.33140.20
199270.94%2,273.54140.50
199280.38%2,282.14140.90
19929-1.18%2,255.16141.30
1992102.76%2,317.33141.80
1992113.27%2,393.14142.00
1992120.14%2,396.56141.90
199311.72%2,437.88142.60
199322.15%2,490.30143.10
19933-1.34%2,456.88143.60
199340.72%2,474.69144.00
199350.87%2,496.10144.20
199360.06%2,497.62144.40
199371.76%2,541.64144.40
199381.35%2,576.08144.80
199391.24%2,608.07145.10
1993100.01%2,608.27145.70
1993110.89%2,631.41145.80
1993121.74%2,677.09145.80
19941-0.08%2,675.06146.20
19942-1.42%2,636.97146.70
19943-3.35%2,548.73147.20
199441.06%2,575.70147.40
199451.11%2,604.24147.50
19946-0.52%2,590.73148.00
199473.08%2,670.58148.40
199480.82%2,692.41149.00
19949-0.44%2,680.46149.40
199410-0.37%2,670.54149.50
199411-1.03%2,643.15149.70
1994122.45%2,707.94149.70
199513.82%2,811.36150.30
199522.56%2,883.28150.90
199533.22%2,975.99151.40
199543.35%3,075.62151.90
199553.18%3,173.37152.20
199563.55%3,285.95152.50
199570.51%3,302.81152.50
199583.72%3,425.60152.90
199590.91%3,456.86153.20
1995102.36%3,538.38153.70
1995113.39%3,658.30153.60
1995120.16%3,664.25153.50
199615.90%3,880.60154.40
19962-0.20%3,872.82154.90
199630.20%3,880.45155.70
199642.35%3,971.82156.30
199651.28%4,022.61156.60
19966-3.48%3,882.76156.70
199673.08%4,002.18157.00
199682.02%4,083.18157.30
199694.12%4,251.38157.80
1996105.05%4,466.17158.30
1996111.20%4,519.68158.60
1996123.26%4,666.91158.60
199714.36%4,870.44159.10
19972-0.62%4,840.07159.60
19973-3.41%4,675.25160.00
199749.22%5,106.21160.20
199755.34%5,378.72160.10
199765.74%5,687.24160.30
199770.35%5,707.02160.50
199781.19%5,775.04160.80
199791.65%5,870.07161.20
199710-1.15%5,802.44161.60
1997112.63%5,955.31161.50
1997120.24%5,969.43161.30
199816.40%6,351.60161.60
199825.31%6,689.06161.90
199833.41%6,916.86162.20
19984-0.22%6,901.52162.50
199850.12%6,909.55162.80
199864.47%7,218.25163.00
19987-6.97%6,715.07163.20
19988-4.90%6,386.13163.40
199891.29%6,468.57163.60
19981010.97%7,178.45164.00
1998114.10%7,473.06164.00
1998125.05%7,850.28163.90
19991-0.07%7,845.04164.30
199922.92%8,074.40164.50
199934.25%8,417.56165.00
19994-0.10%8,409.24166.20
19995-0.61%8,357.79166.20
199964.52%8,735.77166.20
19997-3.77%8,406.04166.70
19998-0.60%8,355.78167.10
19999-1.27%8,249.45167.90
1999107.11%8,835.65168.20
1999112.81%9,083.82168.30
199912-0.12%9,073.02168.30
20001-2.48%8,848.18168.80
200023.94%9,196.88169.80
200031.42%9,327.91171.20
20004-2.84%9,063.11171.30
200053.16%9,349.82171.50
200060.85%9,429.32172.40
200070.94%9,517.93172.80
20008-1.08%9,415.17172.80
20009-5.21%8,924.24173.70
200010-0.77%8,855.30174.00
200011-3.32%8,561.30174.10
2000120.46%8,600.25174.00
20011-2.14%8,416.53175.10
20012-9.08%7,652.31175.80
200130.45%7,686.65176.20
200146.88%8,215.44176.90
20015-2.39%8,019.20177.70
20016-2.66%7,805.87178.00
20017-2.05%7,646.18177.50
20018-11.25%6,786.19177.50
200193.18%7,002.26178.30
2001105.05%7,356.10177.70
2001111.47%7,463.94177.40
200112-0.30%7,441.72176.70
20021-3.35%7,192.22177.10
200224.95%7,547.89177.80
20023-3.51%7,282.63178.80
20024-2.82%7,077.23179.80
20025-5.92%6,658.19179.80
20026-10.76%5,941.87179.90
200271.14%6,009.53180.10
20028-4.76%5,723.62180.70
20029-1.37%5,645.37181.00
2002106.63%6,019.41181.30
200211-1.04%5,957.11181.30
200212-0.22%5,943.85180.90
20031-6.41%5,562.56181.70
200321.31%5,635.31183.10
200335.29%5,933.19184.20
200345.31%6,248.37183.80
200355.70%6,604.79183.50
200360.60%6,644.15183.70
20037-0.17%6,633.10183.90
200383.16%6,842.78184.60
200392.03%6,981.54185.20
2003101.21%7,066.06185.00
2003113.06%7,282.55184.50
2003124.93%7,641.94184.30
200411.09%7,724.98185.20
20042-1.57%7,604.07186.20
200430.97%7,677.69187.40
20044-2.56%7,480.81188.00
200452.86%7,694.59189.10
20046-2.24%7,522.33189.70
20047-1.39%7,417.95189.40
200482.78%7,624.36189.50
200490.10%7,632.19189.90
2004104.77%7,996.54190.90
2004112.73%8,214.64191.00
200412-1.35%8,103.81190.30
200511.68%8,240.05190.70
20052-0.26%8,218.99191.80
20053-2.41%8,021.00193.30
200541.34%8,128.15194.60
200552.18%8,305.40194.40
200561.81%8,455.54194.50
200570.31%8,481.76195.40
200580.28%8,505.48196.40
20059-2.62%8,282.28198.80
2005103.96%8,610.38199.20
2005112.14%8,795.00197.60
2005121.47%8,924.00196.80
20061-0.02%8,922.52198.30
200621.49%9,055.12198.70
200630.80%9,127.41199.80
20064-0.79%9,055.61201.50
20065-2.71%8,810.58202.50
200660.72%8,874.02202.90
200672.29%9,077.39203.50
200682.53%9,307.16203.90
200693.62%9,643.70202.90
2006102.00%9,836.73201.80
2006112.15%10,048.05201.50
2006120.69%10,117.67201.80
200711.60%10,279.15202.42
20072-2.47%10,024.85203.50
200734.18%10,443.92205.35
200743.39%10,798.15206.69
200750.34%10,835.39207.95
200760.57%10,897.66208.35
20077-4.20%10,439.83208.30
200783.07%10,760.83207.92
200792.99%11,082.76208.49
200710-4.81%10,550.08208.94
2007111.24%10,680.72210.18
200712-6.64%9,972.03210.04
20081-1.56%9,816.07211.08
20082-2.63%9,558.24211.69
200834.24%9,963.87213.53
200842.56%10,219.21214.82
20085-4.25%9,785.24216.63
20086-6.08%9,190.45218.82
200872.11%9,384.41219.96
20088-4.85%8,929.50219.09
20089-20.19%7,126.31218.78
200810-8.61%6,513.07216.57
200811-0.35%6,490.20212.43
200812-1.10%6,419.09210.23
20091-6.70%5,988.85211.14
20092-5.69%5,648.24212.19
2009312.32%6,344.20212.71
200946.66%6,766.71213.24
200952.87%6,960.84213.86
200961.28%7,049.78215.69
200978.12%7,622.27215.35
200983.65%7,900.51215.83
200992.40%8,090.37215.97
2009102.09%8,259.81216.18
2009112.23%8,443.66216.33
2009121.36%8,558.24215.95
20101-2.90%8,310.18216.69
201025.94%8,804.05216.74
201034.09%9,163.96217.63
20104-5.88%8,624.90218.01
20105-3.54%8,319.27218.18
20106-0.16%8,306.03217.97
201070.86%8,377.77218.01
201083.37%8,660.19218.31
201094.58%9,056.61218.44
2010102.49%9,282.20218.71
2010113.71%9,626.92218.80
2010123.46%9,960.22219.18
201113.15%10,274.05220.22
20112-1.11%10,159.76221.31
201132.22%10,385.41223.47
201140.66%10,453.87224.91
20115-3.66%10,070.99225.96
201163.10%10,383.36225.72
20117-10.40%9,303.42225.92
20118-0.79%9,230.00226.55
201193.02%9,508.64226.89
2011101.77%9,676.67226.42
2011111.55%9,827.12226.23
2011124.78%10,297.11225.67
201214.16%10,725.74226.67
201222.88%11,035.05227.66
20123-0.04%11,030.83229.39
20124-3.09%10,689.87230.09
20125-1.15%10,566.68229.82
201262.92%10,875.35229.48
201273.39%11,243.77229.10
201283.02%11,583.46230.38
20129-0.22%11,558.31231.41
201210-2.84%11,230.34231.32
2012112.18%11,474.66230.22
2012124.27%11,964.49229.60
201312.33%12,243.62230.28
201322.72%12,576.95232.17
201331.45%12,759.79232.77
201344.57%13,343.46232.53
20135-1.12%13,194.31232.95
201363.25%13,623.72233.50
201370.25%13,658.12233.60
201381.19%13,820.99233.88
201392.12%14,113.66234.15
2013103.86%14,658.44233.55
2013111.52%14,881.49233.07
2013120.97%15,025.52233.05
20141-0.13%15,005.98233.92
201422.72%15,414.48234.78
201430.20%15,445.58236.29
201441.53%15,682.21237.07
201453.20%16,183.46237.90
201461.50%16,425.54238.34
20147-0.43%16,355.41238.25
201481.78%16,646.22237.85
20149-2.65%16,205.66238.03
2014105.71%17,130.30237.43
2014110.63%17,238.88236.15
201412-1.11%17,047.52234.81
201512.83%17,529.53233.71
201520.06%17,539.23234.72
201530.88%17,693.30236.12
201540.98%17,866.50236.60
20155-0.44%17,788.69237.81
20156-0.08%17,774.52238.64
20157-2.42%17,343.60238.65
20158-4.51%16,561.91238.32
201594.32%17,276.90237.95
2015102.93%17,783.54237.84
201511-1.10%17,587.40237.34
201512-6.42%16,458.35236.53
20161-0.55%16,367.85236.92
201626.36%17,409.29237.11
201632.83%17,902.19238.13
20164-0.30%17,847.70239.26
201651.07%18,038.05240.23
201663.30%18,632.84241.02
201671.20%18,856.30240.63
20168-0.44%18,773.58240.85
20169-0.51%18,678.59241.43
2016101.20%18,902.95241.73
2016113.95%19,648.85241.35
2016121.44%19,931.33241.43
201712.58%20,444.85242.84
201721.75%20,802.48243.60
20173-0.15%20,770.45243.80
201741.69%21,121.96244.52
201751.78%21,497.18244.73
201760.99%21,709.54244.96
201770.25%21,763.34244.79
201781.65%22,123.15245.52
201792.73%22,728.17246.82
2017101.59%23,089.45246.66
2017112.88%23,755.23246.67
2017124.86%24,910.18246.52
20181-2.89%24,191.11247.87
201820.06%24,206.73248.99
20183-1.66%23,803.93249.55
201841.96%24,270.88250.55
201852.11%24,783.71251.59
201861.58%25,175.48251.99
201872.45%25,792.48252.01
201881.68%26,225.73252.15
20189-3.85%25,216.31252.44
201810-2.08%24,692.79252.89
201811-5.56%23,319.25252.04
2018121.74%23,723.99251.23
201915.83%25,106.83251.71
201921.95%25,595.92252.78
201933.72%26,548.91254.20
20194-1.53%26,142.24255.55
201951.40%26,509.47256.09
201963.83%27,524.08256.14
20197-3.13%26,661.36256.57
201983.09%27,483.93256.56
201990.01%27,486.62256.76
2019104.43%28,705.29257.35
2019112.47%29,414.12257.21
2019123.35%30,398.43256.97
202010.12%30,435.54257.97
20202-18.92%24,677.83258.68
202034.32%25,743.58258.12
202045.89%27,259.19256.39
202056.51%29,033.30256.39
202063.48%30,042.62257.80
202075.89%31,813.18259.10
20208-0.63%31,613.71259.92
202091.73%32,159.37260.28
2020103.95%33,430.99260.39
2020114.26%34,855.17260.23
2020122.80%35,829.48260.47
202112.49%36,722.18261.58
202120.82%37,023.80263.01
202136.02%39,253.18264.88
202140.76%39,551.60267.05
202151.81%40,267.65269.20
202163.07%41,503.14271.70
202172.19%42,410.05273.00
20218-0.08%42,374.22273.57
202190.45%42,565.82274.31
2021104.74%44,585.46276.59
2021110.27%44,703.79277.95
202112-2.05%43,786.49278.80
20221-2.90%42,515.56281.15
20222-0.89%42,136.07283.72
202230.12%42,185.92287.50
20224-7.87%38,864.74289.11
20225-3.37%37,555.23292.30
202260.46%37,729.75296.31
202276.45%40,162.33296.28
20228-7.28%37,239.56296.17
20229-3.09%36,088.42296.81
2022105.29%37,995.73298.01
2022110.01%37,999.84297.71
2022121.38%38,522.89296.80
202313.15%39,735.20299.17
20232-2.59%38,707.87300.84
202334.00%40,254.73301.84
202340.74%40,551.68303.36
202354.94%42,555.82304.13
202363.88%44,205.31305.11
20237-1.13%43,707.99305.69
202381.31%44,280.76307.03
Click to show 738 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 1961. This would result in a final amount of $40,053.28, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $44,280.76).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
196114.164.33
196124.168.77
196134.1613.30
196144.1617.67
196154.1621.58
196164.1625.72
196174.1631.02
196184.1634.98
196194.1639.65
1961104.1645.89
1961114.1650.63
1961124.1652.87
196214.1658.11
196224.1662.47
196234.1664.66
196244.1663.86
196254.1660.25
196264.1666.14
196274.1672.42
196284.1676.11
196294.1677.96
1962104.1688.03
1962114.1696.44
1962124.32104.92
19631-106.60
19632-106.48
19633-111.78
19634-114.32
19635-114.57
19636-113.17
19637-116.60
19638-119.97
19639-120.57
196310-120.20
196311-123.08
196312-127.18
19641-129.06
19642-131.73
19643-133.96
19644-135.60
19645-135.12
19646-140.47
19647-138.75
19648-141.48
19649-144.26
196410-145.62
196411-143.45
196412-147.49
19651-148.93
19652-149.43
19653-151.76
19654-154.39
19655-147.43
19656-147.58
19657-150.71
19658-156.13
19659-160.02
196510-161.75
196511-161.40
196512-164.60
19661-163.89
19662-157.56
19663-162.79
19664-154.64
19665-153.78
19666-153.81
19667-144.93
19668-140.26
19669-139.47
196610-146.88
196611-147.93
196612-154.04
19671-159.79
19672-164.00
19673-167.26
19674-170.71
19675-169.01
19676-172.38
19677-175.57
19678-178.48
19679-178.65
196710-173.50
196711-178.90
196712-178.87
19681-171.25
19682-168.58
19683-181.50
19684-186.14
19685-191.62
19686-191.71
19687-188.00
19688-194.60
19689-199.88
196810-203.45
196811-206.07
196812-197.86
19691-197.39
19692-193.61
19693-198.01
19694-204.97
19695-194.78
19696-186.59
19697-186.06
19698-187.23
19699-189.75
196910-191.64
196911-182.01
196912-180.93
19701-175.15
19702-178.68
19703-173.77
19704-154.31
19705-153.89
19706-154.69
19707-159.73
19708-169.83
19709-174.06
197010-174.42
197011-186.90
197012-194.58
19711-202.66
19712-208.40
19713-216.06
19714-213.66
19715-210.25
19716-209.28
19717-206.10
19718-211.23
19719-207.29
197110-198.23
197111-212.43
197112-221.83
19721-226.46
19722-232.39
19723-235.31
19724-233.49
19725-234.69
19726-233.51
19727-242.34
19728-239.41
19729-240.41
197210-253.04
197211-258.89
197212-261.45
19731-252.76
19732-249.36
19733-245.29
19734-238.98
19735-234.23
19736-237.06
19737-233.19
19738-237.84
19739-247.91
197310-230.92
197311-215.21
197312-218.87
19741-213.45
19742-223.22
19743-212.47
19744-206.72
19745-207.66
19746-184.10
19747-177.17
19748-159.43
19749-163.22
197410-169.33
197411-159.01
197412-172.74
19751-191.41
19752-200.93
19753-203.92
19754-217.61
19755-223.90
19756-224.87
19757-209.14
19758-207.36
19759-217.66
197510-222.11
197511-219.49
197512-240.44
19761-250.48
19762-252.49
19763-255.26
19764-254.28
19765-256.57
19766-263.41
19767-261.93
19768-268.32
19769-259.98
197610-259.03
197611-268.83
197612-267.39
19771-261.06
19772-260.91
19773-257.80
19774-257.97
19775-260.29
19776-263.63
19777-258.15
19778-255.11
19779-249.51
197710-251.95
197711-251.75
197712-243.22
19781-240.85
19782-241.49
19783-253.16
19784-267.09
19785-268.89
19786-268.72
19787-288.41
19788-289.57
19789-281.54
197810-266.23
197811-271.35
197812-282.70
19791-279.71
19792-286.26
19793-293.22
19794-287.67
19795-294.63
19796-298.81
19797-313.80
19798-318.63
19799-307.95
197910-306.95
197911-320.47
197912-331.09
19801-345.64
19802-315.30
19803-311.64
19804-327.33
19805-349.80
19806-367.18
19807-380.05
19808-390.83
19809-403.82
198010-422.45
198011-417.20
198012-417.24
19811-404.43
19812-421.18
19813-426.63
19814-419.73
19815-423.33
19816-414.80
19817-418.13
19818-383.41
19819-390.03
198110-401.91
198111-406.65
198112-387.11
19821-379.70
19822-369.28
19823-389.48
19824-391.70
19825-371.05
19826-371.96
19827-374.91
19828-420.26
19829-457.58
198210-478.17
198211-484.66
198212-503.68
19831-514.41
19832-534.30
19833-556.72
19834-581.35
19835-591.55
19836-595.74
19837-581.40
19838-600.66
19839-604.55
198310-597.65
198311-596.89
198312-606.29
19841-575.30
19842-577.84
19843-580.77
19844-579.31
19845-568.60
19846-563.44
19847-615.31
19848-623.97
19849-621.39
198410-629.38
198411-624.93
198412-654.29
19851-692.15
19852-688.84
19853-695.90
19854-714.94
19855-732.89
19856-749.36
19857-735.53
19858-721.67
19859-732.46
198510-779.49
198511-820.76
198512-826.93
19861-874.04
19862-928.08
19863-953.52
19864-958.21
19865-988.23
19866-970.41
19867-992.54
19868-968.16
19869-967.29
198610-1,001.46
198611-1,018.58
198612-1,086.55
19871-1,156.76
19872-1,207.39
19873-1,197.05
19874-1,199.12
19875-1,253.06
19876-1,292.18
19877-1,375.58
19878-1,333.89
19879-1,175.77
198710-1,031.11
198711-1,017.35
198712-1,060.55
19881-1,095.86
19882-1,131.27
19883-1,121.25
19884-1,096.71
19885-1,162.50
19886-1,158.93
19887-1,139.01
19888-1,160.96
19889-1,205.10
198810-1,180.75
198811-1,208.22
198812-1,250.66
19891-1,291.93
19892-1,289.84
19893-1,335.82
19894-1,390.79
19895-1,437.98
19896-1,478.24
19897-1,547.58
19898-1,554.63
19899-1,559.08
198910-1,530.81
198911-1,572.70
198912-1,537.93
19901-1,499.06
19902-1,539.64
19903-1,542.66
19904-1,602.07
19905-1,652.85
19906-1,655.66
19907-1,525.50
19908-1,459.28
19909-1,425.49
199010-1,468.02
199011-1,535.35
199012-1,524.83
19911-1,701.82
19912-1,753.63
19913-1,793.24
19914-1,790.03
19915-1,796.24
19916-1,810.26
19917-1,858.76
19918-1,853.13
19919-1,856.49
199110-1,856.79
199111-1,874.15
199112-2,012.05
19921-1,999.96
19922-1,979.71
19923-1,984.95
19924-2,026.00
19925-1,999.07
19926-2,037.30
19927-2,056.48
19928-2,064.26
19929-2,039.86
199210-2,096.10
199211-2,164.66
199212-2,167.76
19931-2,205.14
19932-2,252.55
19933-2,222.33
19934-2,238.43
19935-2,257.80
19936-2,259.17
19937-2,298.99
19938-2,330.14
19939-2,359.08
199310-2,359.26
199311-2,380.19
199312-2,421.51
19941-2,419.67
19942-2,385.22
19943-2,305.40
19944-2,329.80
19945-2,355.62
19946-2,343.39
19947-2,415.62
19948-2,435.37
19949-2,424.55
199410-2,415.58
199411-2,390.81
199412-2,449.41
19951-2,542.96
19952-2,608.01
19953-2,691.87
19954-2,781.99
19955-2,870.41
19956-2,972.24
19957-2,987.49
19958-3,098.56
19959-3,126.83
199510-3,200.57
199511-3,309.05
199512-3,314.43
19961-3,510.12
19962-3,503.08
19963-3,509.98
19964-3,592.64
19965-3,638.57
19966-3,512.07
19967-3,620.10
19968-3,693.36
19969-3,845.50
199610-4,039.78
199611-4,088.19
199612-4,221.36
19971-4,405.46
19972-4,377.99
19973-4,228.91
19974-4,618.72
19975-4,865.21
19976-5,144.28
19977-5,162.17
19978-5,223.70
19979-5,309.65
199710-5,248.48
199711-5,386.76
199712-5,399.53
19981-5,745.22
19982-6,050.45
19983-6,256.51
19984-6,242.63
19985-6,249.90
19986-6,529.13
19987-6,073.98
19988-5,776.45
19989-5,851.01
199810-6,493.13
199811-6,759.61
199812-7,100.82
19991-7,096.08
19992-7,303.53
19993-7,613.94
19994-7,606.41
19995-7,559.88
19996-7,901.76
19997-7,603.52
19998-7,558.05
19999-7,461.88
199910-7,992.11
199911-8,216.59
199912-8,206.82
20001-8,003.45
20002-8,318.86
20003-8,437.38
20004-8,197.86
20005-8,457.19
20006-8,529.11
20007-8,609.26
20008-8,516.31
20009-8,072.25
200010-8,009.88
200011-7,743.95
200012-7,779.19
20011-7,613.00
20012-6,921.75
20013-6,952.81
20014-7,431.11
20015-7,253.61
20016-7,060.65
20017-6,916.20
20018-6,138.31
20019-6,333.76
200110-6,653.81
200111-6,751.36
200112-6,731.26
20021-6,505.58
20022-6,827.30
20023-6,587.35
20024-6,401.57
20025-6,022.53
20026-5,374.60
20027-5,435.80
20028-5,177.18
20029-5,106.41
200210-5,444.74
200211-5,388.38
200212-5,376.39
20031-5,031.50
20032-5,097.31
20033-5,366.75
20034-5,651.84
20035-5,974.23
20036-6,009.83
20037-5,999.84
20038-6,189.50
20039-6,315.02
200310-6,391.46
200311-6,587.29
200312-6,912.37
20041-6,987.48
20042-6,878.11
20043-6,944.70
20044-6,766.62
20045-6,959.99
20046-6,804.17
20047-6,709.76
20048-6,896.47
20049-6,903.54
200410-7,233.11
200411-7,430.39
200412-7,330.14
20051-7,453.37
20052-7,434.32
20053-7,255.24
20054-7,352.16
20055-7,512.48
20056-7,648.29
20057-7,672.01
20058-7,693.46
20059-7,491.57
200510-7,788.35
200511-7,955.34
200512-8,072.03
20061-8,070.69
20062-8,190.63
20063-8,256.02
20064-8,191.07
20065-7,969.44
20066-8,026.82
20067-8,210.78
20068-8,418.61
20069-8,723.02
200610-8,897.62
200611-9,088.76
200612-9,151.73
20071-9,297.80
20072-9,067.78
20073-9,446.84
20074-9,767.25
20075-9,800.94
20076-9,857.26
20077-9,443.14
20078-9,733.50
20079-10,024.69
200710-9,542.87
200711-9,661.03
200712-9,020.00
20081-8,878.93
20082-8,645.72
20083-9,012.62
20084-9,243.58
20085-8,851.04
20086-8,313.04
20087-8,488.49
20088-8,077.00
20089-6,445.97
200810-5,891.27
200811-5,870.58
200812-5,806.26
20091-5,417.10
20092-5,109.00
20093-5,738.52
20094-6,120.70
20095-6,296.29
20096-6,376.74
20097-6,894.57
20098-7,146.25
20099-7,317.98
200910-7,471.24
200911-7,637.54
200912-7,741.18
20101-7,516.81
20102-7,963.53
20103-8,289.08
20104-7,801.48
20105-7,525.03
20106-7,513.06
20107-7,577.94
20108-7,833.41
20109-8,191.98
201010-8,396.03
201011-8,707.84
201012-9,009.32
20111-9,293.19
20112-9,189.81
20113-9,393.91
20114-9,455.84
20115-9,109.51
20116-9,392.06
20117-8,415.23
20118-8,348.81
20119-8,600.85
201110-8,752.84
201111-8,888.93
201112-9,314.04
20121-9,701.75
20122-9,981.53
20123-9,977.72
20124-9,669.31
20125-9,557.88
20126-9,837.08
20127-10,170.33
20128-10,477.59
20129-10,454.84
201210-10,158.19
201211-10,379.18
201212-10,822.24
20131-11,074.73
20132-11,376.23
20133-11,541.62
20134-12,069.56
20135-11,934.65
20136-12,323.06
20137-12,354.18
20138-12,501.50
20139-12,766.23
201310-13,259.00
201311-13,460.76
201312-13,591.04
20141-13,573.36
20142-13,942.87
20143-13,970.99
20144-14,185.03
20145-14,638.43
20146-14,857.40
20147-14,793.96
20148-15,057.00
20149-14,658.51
201410-15,494.87
201411-15,593.09
201412-15,420.00
20151-15,855.99
20152-15,864.76
20153-16,004.12
20154-16,160.79
20155-16,090.41
20156-16,077.59
20157-15,687.81
20158-14,980.74
20159-15,627.48
201510-16,085.75
201511-15,908.33
201512-14,887.08
20161-14,805.21
20162-15,747.23
20163-16,193.07
20164-16,143.78
20165-16,315.96
20166-16,853.97
20167-17,056.09
20168-16,981.27
20169-16,895.35
201610-17,098.29
201611-17,772.98
201612-18,028.49
20171-18,492.98
20172-18,816.47
20173-18,787.49
20174-19,105.45
20175-19,444.84
20176-19,636.94
20177-19,685.60
20178-20,011.05
20179-20,558.31
201710-20,885.10
201711-21,487.32
201712-22,532.01
20181-21,881.58
20182-21,895.72
20183-21,531.38
20184-21,953.74
20185-22,417.62
20186-22,771.98
20187-23,330.08
20188-23,721.96
20189-22,808.91
201810-22,335.37
201811-21,092.96
201812-21,459.06
20191-22,709.89
20192-23,152.28
20193-24,014.29
20194-23,646.45
20195-23,978.62
20196-24,896.36
20197-24,116.01
20198-24,860.04
20199-24,862.48
201910-25,964.80
201911-26,605.96
201912-27,496.30
20201-27,529.87
20202-22,321.85
20203-23,285.84
20204-24,656.76
20205-26,261.49
20206-27,174.46
20207-28,775.98
20208-28,595.56
20209-29,089.12
202010-30,239.33
202011-31,527.55
202012-32,408.84
20211-33,216.32
20212-33,489.14
20213-35,505.69
20214-35,775.61
20215-36,423.30
20216-37,540.84
20217-38,361.17
20218-38,328.76
20219-38,502.07
202110-40,328.90
202111-40,435.93
202112-39,606.20
20221-38,456.61
20222-38,113.35
20223-38,158.44
20224-35,154.33
20225-33,969.84
20226-34,127.70
20227-36,328.04
20228-33,684.30
20229-32,643.06
202210-34,368.28
202211-34,372.00
202212-34,845.12
20231-35,941.69
20232-35,012.44
20233-36,411.61
20234-36,680.22
20235-38,493.03
20236-39,985.03
20237-39,535.19
20238-40,053.28
Click to show 738 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 1961 to 2023
Start Value
Average monthly close
$59.72
End Value
Average monthly close
$3,960.66
Change in price+6,532.04%
+7.00% / yr
Change incl. dividends+44,180.76%
+10.21% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+4,245.21%
+6.20% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($100 base)
$44,280.76
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($100 base)
$4,345.21