S&P 500 Returns since 1970 (2024)

Stock market returns since 1970

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1970, you would have about $22,136.93 at the end of 2023, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 22,036.93%, or 10.59% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 2,697.30% cumulatively, or 6.40% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $21,442.61.

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Adjusting for inflation
  3. Full monthly data
  4. Dollar cost average

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.

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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 $22,036.93, or 22,036.93%. This means by 2023 you would have $22,136.93 in your pocket.

However, it's important to take into account the effect of inflation when considering an investment and especially a long-term investment. You can convert S&P returns to their real (inflation-adjusted) value using an inflation calculation based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI).

In the case of the returns described above, the CPI in 1970 was 38.800 and the CPI in 2023 was 307.051.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 53 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $22,136.93 nominal end value of the original $100 investment would have a real return of roughly $2,697.30 in 1970 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 2,697.30% as opposed to the original 22,036.93%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1970.

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Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $100 investment, including gains and losses over the 644-month period between 1970 and 2023.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
19701-3.20%96.8037.80
197022.01%98.7538.00
19703-2.75%96.0438.20
19704-11.20%85.2838.50
19705-0.27%85.0538.60
197060.52%85.5038.80
197073.26%88.2839.00
197086.32%93.8639.00
197092.49%96.2039.20
1970100.21%96.4039.40
1970117.16%103.3039.60
1970124.11%107.5439.80
197114.15%112.0139.80
197122.83%115.1839.90
197133.67%119.4140.00
19714-1.11%118.0940.10
19715-1.60%116.2040.30
19716-0.46%115.6740.60
19717-1.52%113.9140.70
197182.49%116.7440.80
19719-1.86%114.5740.80
197110-4.37%109.5640.90
1971117.16%117.4140.90
1971124.42%122.6041.10
197212.09%125.1641.10
197222.62%128.4441.30
197231.26%130.0541.40
19724-0.78%129.0541.50
197250.52%129.7141.60
19726-0.50%129.0641.70
197273.78%133.9441.90
19728-1.21%132.3242.00
197290.42%132.8742.10
1972105.25%139.8542.30
1972112.31%143.0942.40
1972120.99%144.5042.50
19731-3.33%139.7042.60
19732-1.35%137.8242.90
19733-1.63%135.5743.30
19734-2.57%132.0843.60
19735-1.99%129.4543.90
197361.21%131.0244.20
19737-1.64%128.8844.30
197382.00%131.4545.10
197394.24%137.0245.20
197310-6.85%127.6345.60
197311-6.81%118.9445.90
1973121.70%120.9646.20
19741-2.47%117.9746.60
197424.57%123.3747.20
19743-4.82%117.4347.80
19744-2.71%114.2548.00
197450.46%114.7748.60
19746-11.35%101.7549.00
19747-3.76%97.9249.40
19748-10.01%88.1150.00
197492.38%90.2150.60
1974103.74%93.5951.10
197411-6.09%87.8851.50
1974128.63%95.4751.90
1975110.81%105.7952.10
197524.97%111.0552.50
197531.49%112.7052.70
197546.71%120.2752.90
197552.89%123.7553.20
197560.43%124.2853.60
19757-7.00%115.5954.20
19758-0.85%114.6054.30
197594.97%120.3054.60
1975102.04%122.7654.90
197511-1.18%121.3155.30
1975129.55%132.8955.50
197614.18%138.4455.60
197620.80%139.5555.80
197631.10%141.0855.90
19764-0.38%140.5456.10
197650.90%141.8056.50
197662.67%145.5856.80
19767-0.56%144.7757.10
197682.44%148.3057.40
19769-3.11%143.6957.60
197610-0.37%143.1657.90
1976113.79%148.5858.00
197612-0.54%147.7858.20
19771-2.37%144.2858.50
19772-0.05%144.2059.10
19773-1.19%142.4859.50
197740.06%142.5760.00
197750.90%143.8660.30
197761.28%145.7060.70
19777-2.08%142.6761.00
19778-1.18%141.0061.20
19779-2.20%137.9061.40
1977100.98%139.2561.60
197711-0.08%139.1461.90
197712-3.39%134.4262.10
19781-0.97%133.1262.50
197820.27%133.4762.90
197834.83%139.9263.40
197845.50%147.6263.90
197850.67%148.6164.50
19786-0.06%148.5265.20
197877.33%159.4065.70
197880.40%160.0466.00
19789-2.77%155.6066.50
197810-5.44%147.1467.10
1978111.92%149.9767.40
1978124.19%156.2567.70
19791-1.06%154.5968.30
197922.34%158.2169.10
197932.43%162.0669.80
19794-1.89%158.9970.60
197952.42%162.8471.50
197961.42%165.1572.30
197975.01%173.4373.10
197981.54%176.1073.80
19799-3.35%170.2074.60
197910-0.32%169.6575.20
1979114.40%177.1275.90
1979123.31%182.9976.70
198014.40%191.0377.80
19802-8.78%174.2678.90
19803-1.16%172.2480.10
198045.04%180.9181.00
198056.86%193.3381.80
198064.97%202.9482.70
198073.50%210.0582.70
198082.84%216.0083.30
198093.32%223.1984.00
1980104.61%233.4984.80
198011-1.24%230.5885.50
1980120.01%230.6086.30
19811-3.07%223.5287.00
198124.14%232.7887.90
198131.29%235.8088.50
19814-1.62%231.9889.10
198150.86%233.9789.80
19816-2.02%229.2590.60
198170.80%231.0991.60
19818-8.30%211.9192.30
198191.73%215.5793.20
1981103.04%222.1393.40
1981111.18%224.7593.70
198112-4.80%213.9594.00
19821-1.91%209.8694.30
19822-2.74%204.1094.60
198235.47%215.2694.50
198240.57%216.4994.90
19825-5.27%205.0795.80
198260.24%205.5897.00
198270.79%207.2197.50
1982812.10%232.2797.70
198298.88%252.9097.90
1982104.50%264.2898.20
1982111.36%267.8698.00
1982123.93%278.3897.60
198312.13%284.3197.80
198323.87%295.3097.90
198334.20%307.6997.90
198344.42%321.3198.60
198351.75%326.9499.20
198360.71%329.2699.50
19837-2.41%321.3399.90
198383.31%331.98100.20
198390.65%334.13100.70
198310-1.14%330.32101.00
198311-0.13%329.89101.20
1983121.58%335.09101.30
19841-5.11%317.96101.90
198420.44%319.37102.40
198430.51%320.99102.60
19844-0.25%320.18103.10
19845-1.85%314.26103.40
19846-0.91%311.40103.70
198479.21%340.07104.10
198481.41%344.86104.50
19849-0.41%343.44105.00
1984101.29%347.85105.30
198411-0.71%345.39105.30
1984124.70%361.62105.30
198515.79%382.54105.50
19852-0.48%380.71106.00
198531.02%384.61106.40
198542.74%395.14106.90
198552.51%405.06107.30
198562.25%414.16107.60
19857-1.85%406.52107.80
19858-1.88%398.86108.00
198591.50%404.82108.30
1985106.42%430.81108.70
1985115.29%453.62109.00
1985120.75%457.03109.30
198615.70%483.07109.60
198626.18%512.94109.30
198632.74%527.00108.80
198640.49%529.59108.60
198653.13%546.18108.90
19866-1.80%536.33109.50
198672.28%548.56109.50
19868-2.46%535.09109.70
19869-0.09%534.61110.20
1986103.53%553.50110.30
1986111.71%562.96110.40
1986126.67%600.52110.50
198716.46%639.33111.20
198724.38%667.31111.60
19873-0.86%661.59112.10
198740.17%662.74112.70
198754.50%692.55113.10
198763.12%714.17113.50
198776.45%760.26113.80
19878-3.03%737.23114.40
19879-11.85%649.84115.00
198710-12.30%569.88115.30
198711-1.33%562.28115.40
1987124.25%586.15115.40
198813.33%605.67115.70
198823.23%625.24116.00
19883-0.89%619.70116.50
19884-2.19%606.14117.10
198856.00%642.50117.50
19886-0.31%640.53118.00
19887-1.72%629.52118.50
198881.93%641.65119.00
198893.80%666.04119.80
198810-2.02%652.59120.20
1988112.33%667.77120.30
1988123.51%691.22120.50
198913.30%714.03121.10
19892-0.16%712.88121.60
198933.56%738.29122.30
198944.12%768.67123.10
198953.39%794.75123.80
198962.80%817.01124.10
198974.69%855.33124.40
198980.46%859.23124.60
198990.29%861.69125.00
198910-1.81%846.06125.60
1989112.74%869.21125.90
198912-2.21%849.99126.10
19901-2.53%828.51127.40
199022.71%850.94128.00
199030.20%852.61128.70
199043.85%885.44128.90
199053.17%913.51129.20
199060.17%915.06129.90
19907-7.86%843.13130.40
19908-4.34%806.52131.60
19909-2.32%787.85132.70
1990102.98%811.36133.50
1990114.59%848.57133.80
199012-0.69%842.75133.80
1991111.61%940.57134.60
199123.04%969.21134.80
199132.26%991.10135.00
19914-0.18%989.33135.20
199150.35%992.76135.60
199160.78%1,000.51136.00
199172.68%1,027.31136.20
19918-0.30%1,024.20136.60
199190.18%1,026.06137.20
1991100.02%1,026.22137.40
1991110.94%1,035.82137.80
1991127.36%1,112.03137.90
19921-0.60%1,105.35138.10
19922-1.01%1,094.16138.60
199230.26%1,097.05139.30
199242.07%1,119.74139.50
19925-1.33%1,104.86139.70
199261.91%1,125.99140.20
199270.94%1,136.59140.50
199280.38%1,140.89140.90
19929-1.18%1,127.40141.30
1992102.76%1,158.49141.80
1992113.27%1,196.38142.00
1992120.14%1,198.09141.90
199311.72%1,218.75142.60
199322.15%1,244.95143.10
19933-1.34%1,228.25143.60
199340.72%1,237.15144.00
199350.87%1,247.86144.20
199360.06%1,248.62144.40
199371.76%1,270.62144.40
199381.35%1,287.84144.80
199391.24%1,303.83145.10
1993100.01%1,303.93145.70
1993110.89%1,315.50145.80
1993121.74%1,338.34145.80
19941-0.08%1,337.32146.20
19942-1.42%1,318.28146.70
19943-3.35%1,274.17147.20
199441.06%1,287.65147.40
199451.11%1,301.92147.50
19946-0.52%1,295.16148.00
199473.08%1,335.08148.40
199480.82%1,346.00149.00
19949-0.44%1,340.02149.40
199410-0.37%1,335.06149.50
199411-1.03%1,321.37149.70
1994122.45%1,353.76149.70
199513.82%1,405.46150.30
199522.56%1,441.41150.90
199533.22%1,487.76151.40
199543.35%1,537.57151.90
199553.18%1,586.44152.20
199563.55%1,642.72152.50
199570.51%1,651.15152.50
199583.72%1,712.53152.90
199590.91%1,728.16153.20
1995102.36%1,768.92153.70
1995113.39%1,828.87153.60
1995120.16%1,831.84153.50
199615.90%1,940.00154.40
19962-0.20%1,936.11154.90
199630.20%1,939.92155.70
199642.35%1,985.60156.30
199651.28%2,010.99156.60
19966-3.48%1,941.08156.70
199673.08%2,000.78157.00
199682.02%2,041.27157.30
199694.12%2,125.36157.80
1996105.05%2,232.74158.30
1996111.20%2,259.49158.60
1996123.26%2,333.09158.60
199714.36%2,434.84159.10
19972-0.62%2,419.66159.60
19973-3.41%2,337.26160.00
199749.22%2,552.71160.20
199755.34%2,688.94160.10
199765.74%2,843.18160.30
199770.35%2,853.06160.50
199781.19%2,887.07160.80
199791.65%2,934.58161.20
199710-1.15%2,900.77161.60
1997112.63%2,977.19161.50
1997120.24%2,984.25161.30
199816.40%3,175.31161.60
199825.31%3,344.01161.90
199833.41%3,457.89162.20
19984-0.22%3,450.22162.50
199850.12%3,454.24162.80
199864.47%3,608.56163.00
19987-6.97%3,357.01163.20
19988-4.90%3,192.57163.40
199891.29%3,233.78163.60
19981010.97%3,588.67164.00
1998114.10%3,735.95164.00
1998125.05%3,924.53163.90
19991-0.07%3,921.91164.30
199922.92%4,036.57164.50
199934.25%4,208.12165.00
19994-0.10%4,203.97166.20
19995-0.61%4,178.25166.20
199964.52%4,367.20166.20
19997-3.77%4,202.37166.70
19998-0.60%4,177.24167.10
19999-1.27%4,124.08167.90
1999107.11%4,417.14168.20
1999112.81%4,541.20168.30
199912-0.12%4,535.80168.30
20001-2.48%4,423.40168.80
200023.94%4,597.73169.80
200031.42%4,663.23171.20
20004-2.84%4,530.85171.30
200053.16%4,674.18171.50
200060.85%4,713.93172.40
200070.94%4,758.23172.80
20008-1.08%4,706.85172.80
20009-5.21%4,461.43173.70
200010-0.77%4,426.96174.00
200011-3.32%4,279.98174.10
2000120.46%4,299.46174.00
20011-2.14%4,207.61175.10
20012-9.08%3,825.56175.80
200130.45%3,842.73176.20
200146.88%4,107.08176.90
20015-2.39%4,008.98177.70
20016-2.66%3,902.33178.00
20017-2.05%3,822.49177.50
20018-11.25%3,392.57177.50
200193.18%3,500.59178.30
2001105.05%3,677.48177.70
2001111.47%3,731.39177.40
200112-0.30%3,720.28176.70
20021-3.35%3,595.55177.10
200224.95%3,773.36177.80
20023-3.51%3,640.75178.80
20024-2.82%3,538.06179.80
20025-5.92%3,328.58179.80
20026-10.76%2,970.47179.90
200271.14%3,004.30180.10
20028-4.76%2,861.36180.70
20029-1.37%2,822.25181.00
2002106.63%3,009.24181.30
200211-1.04%2,978.09181.30
200212-0.22%2,971.46180.90
20031-6.41%2,780.85181.70
200321.31%2,817.22183.10
200335.29%2,966.13184.20
200345.31%3,123.70183.80
200355.70%3,301.88183.50
200360.60%3,321.56183.70
20037-0.17%3,316.03183.90
200383.16%3,420.86184.60
200392.03%3,490.23185.20
2003101.21%3,532.48185.00
2003113.06%3,640.71184.50
2003124.93%3,820.38184.30
200411.09%3,861.89185.20
20042-1.57%3,801.44186.20
200430.97%3,838.25187.40
20044-2.56%3,739.83188.00
200452.86%3,846.70189.10
20046-2.24%3,760.58189.70
20047-1.39%3,708.40189.40
200482.78%3,811.59189.50
200490.10%3,815.50189.90
2004104.77%3,997.65190.90
2004112.73%4,106.68191.00
200412-1.35%4,051.27190.30
200511.68%4,119.38190.70
20052-0.26%4,108.85191.80
20053-2.41%4,009.87193.30
200541.34%4,063.44194.60
200552.18%4,152.05194.40
200561.81%4,227.11194.50
200570.31%4,240.22195.40
200580.28%4,252.08196.40
20059-2.62%4,140.49198.80
2005103.96%4,304.52199.20
2005112.14%4,396.82197.60
2005121.47%4,461.31196.80
20061-0.02%4,460.56198.30
200621.49%4,526.85198.70
200630.80%4,562.99199.80
20064-0.79%4,527.10201.50
20065-2.71%4,404.61202.50
200660.72%4,436.32202.90
200672.29%4,537.99203.50
200682.53%4,652.86203.90
200693.62%4,821.10202.90
2006102.00%4,917.60201.80
2006112.15%5,023.24201.50
2006120.69%5,058.05201.80
200711.60%5,138.77202.42
20072-2.47%5,011.65203.50
200734.18%5,221.15205.35
200743.39%5,398.23206.69
200750.34%5,416.85207.95
200760.57%5,447.98208.35
20077-4.20%5,219.10208.30
200783.07%5,379.58207.92
200792.99%5,540.52208.49
200710-4.81%5,274.22208.94
2007111.24%5,339.53210.18
200712-6.64%4,985.24210.04
20081-1.56%4,907.27211.08
20082-2.63%4,778.38211.69
200834.24%4,981.16213.53
200842.56%5,108.81214.82
20085-4.25%4,891.86216.63
20086-6.08%4,594.51218.82
200872.11%4,691.48219.96
20088-4.85%4,464.06219.09
20089-20.19%3,562.60218.78
200810-8.61%3,256.03216.57
200811-0.35%3,244.59212.43
200812-1.10%3,209.05210.23
20091-6.70%2,993.96211.14
20092-5.69%2,823.68212.19
2009312.32%3,171.61212.71
200946.66%3,382.83213.24
200952.87%3,479.88213.86
200961.28%3,524.34215.69
200978.12%3,810.54215.35
200983.65%3,949.64215.83
200992.40%4,044.55215.97
2009102.09%4,129.26216.18
2009112.23%4,221.17216.33
2009121.36%4,278.45215.95
20101-2.90%4,154.44216.69
201025.94%4,401.34216.74
201034.09%4,581.27217.63
20104-5.88%4,311.78218.01
20105-3.54%4,158.99218.18
20106-0.16%4,152.37217.97
201070.86%4,188.23218.01
201083.37%4,329.42218.31
201094.58%4,527.60218.44
2010102.49%4,640.38218.71
2010113.71%4,812.71218.80
2010123.46%4,979.33219.18
201113.15%5,136.23220.22
20112-1.11%5,079.09221.31
201132.22%5,191.89223.47
201140.66%5,226.12224.91
20115-3.66%5,034.71225.96
201163.10%5,190.87225.72
20117-10.40%4,650.99225.92
20118-0.79%4,614.28226.55
201193.02%4,753.58226.89
2011101.77%4,837.58226.42
2011111.55%4,912.80226.23
2011124.78%5,147.75225.67
201214.16%5,362.03226.67
201222.88%5,516.67227.66
20123-0.04%5,514.56229.39
20124-3.09%5,344.11230.09
20125-1.15%5,282.52229.82
201262.92%5,436.83229.48
201273.39%5,621.01229.10
201283.02%5,790.83230.38
20129-0.22%5,778.26231.41
201210-2.84%5,614.30231.32
2012112.18%5,736.44230.22
2012124.27%5,981.31229.60
201312.33%6,120.86230.28
201322.72%6,287.50232.17
201331.45%6,378.90232.77
201344.57%6,670.69232.53
20135-1.12%6,596.13232.95
201363.25%6,810.80233.50
201370.25%6,828.00233.60
201381.19%6,909.42233.88
201392.12%7,055.73234.15
2013103.86%7,328.08233.55
2013111.52%7,439.59233.07
2013120.97%7,511.59233.05
20141-0.13%7,501.82233.92
201422.72%7,706.04234.78
201430.20%7,721.59236.29
201441.53%7,839.88237.07
201453.20%8,090.47237.90
201461.50%8,211.49238.34
20147-0.43%8,176.43238.25
201481.78%8,321.81237.85
20149-2.65%8,101.57238.03
2014105.71%8,563.82237.43
2014110.63%8,618.10236.15
201412-1.11%8,522.44234.81
201512.83%8,763.40233.71
201520.06%8,768.25234.72
201530.88%8,845.27236.12
201540.98%8,931.86236.60
20155-0.44%8,892.96237.81
20156-0.08%8,885.88238.64
20157-2.42%8,670.45238.65
20158-4.51%8,279.66238.32
201594.32%8,637.11237.95
2015102.93%8,890.39237.84
201511-1.10%8,792.33237.34
201512-6.42%8,227.89236.53
20161-0.55%8,182.65236.92
201626.36%8,703.29237.11
201632.83%8,949.70238.13
20164-0.30%8,922.46239.26
201651.07%9,017.62240.23
201663.30%9,314.97241.02
201671.20%9,426.68240.63
20168-0.44%9,385.33240.85
20169-0.51%9,337.84241.43
2016101.20%9,450.00241.73
2016113.95%9,822.90241.35
2016121.44%9,964.11241.43
201712.58%10,220.83242.84
201721.75%10,399.62243.60
20173-0.15%10,383.61243.80
201741.69%10,559.34244.52
201751.78%10,746.91244.73
201760.99%10,853.08244.96
201770.25%10,879.98244.79
201781.65%11,059.85245.52
201792.73%11,362.31246.82
2017101.59%11,542.93246.66
2017112.88%11,875.77246.67
2017124.86%12,453.15246.52
20181-2.89%12,093.67247.87
201820.06%12,101.48248.99
20183-1.66%11,900.11249.55
201841.96%12,133.55250.55
201852.11%12,389.93251.59
201861.58%12,585.78251.99
201872.45%12,894.23252.01
201881.68%13,110.82252.15
20189-3.85%12,606.19252.44
201810-2.08%12,344.47252.89
201811-5.56%11,657.81252.04
2018121.74%11,860.15251.23
201915.83%12,551.46251.71
201921.95%12,795.97252.78
201933.72%13,272.39254.20
20194-1.53%13,069.09255.55
201951.40%13,252.67256.09
201963.83%13,759.90256.14
20197-3.13%13,328.61256.57
201983.09%13,739.82256.56
201990.01%13,741.17256.76
2019104.43%14,350.41257.35
2019112.47%14,704.77257.21
2019123.35%15,196.85256.97
202010.12%15,215.40257.97
20202-18.92%12,337.00258.68
202034.32%12,869.78258.12
202045.89%13,627.47256.39
202056.51%14,514.39256.39
202063.48%15,018.97257.80
202075.89%15,904.11259.10
20208-0.63%15,804.40259.92
202091.73%16,077.18260.28
2020103.95%16,712.89260.39
2020114.26%17,424.87260.23
2020122.80%17,911.95260.47
202112.49%18,358.23261.58
202120.82%18,509.02263.01
202136.02%19,623.54264.88
202140.76%19,772.72267.05
202151.81%20,130.69269.20
202163.07%20,748.34271.70
202172.19%21,201.73273.00
20218-0.08%21,183.81273.57
202190.45%21,279.60274.31
2021104.74%22,289.26276.59
2021110.27%22,348.42277.95
202112-2.05%21,889.84278.80
20221-2.90%21,254.47281.15
20222-0.89%21,064.76283.72
202230.12%21,089.68287.50
20224-7.87%19,429.34289.11
20225-3.37%18,774.69292.30
202260.46%18,861.94296.31
202276.45%20,078.04296.28
20228-7.28%18,616.88296.17
20229-3.09%18,041.40296.81
2022105.29%18,994.90298.01
2022110.01%18,996.96297.71
2022121.38%19,258.45296.80
202313.15%19,864.51299.17
20232-2.59%19,350.92300.84
202334.00%20,124.23301.84
202340.74%20,272.68303.36
202354.94%21,274.60304.13
202363.88%22,099.21305.11
20237-1.13%21,850.59305.69
202381.31%22,136.93307.03

Click to show 630 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 1970. This would result in a final amount of $21,442.61, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $22,136.93).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
197014.164.01
197024.168.33
197034.1612.13
197044.1614.45
197054.1618.55
197064.1622.81
197074.1627.84
197084.1634.01
197094.1639.10
1970104.1643.34
1970114.1650.89
1970124.1657.30
197114.1664.00
197124.1670.07
197134.1676.95
197144.1680.20
197154.1683.01
197164.1686.75
197174.1689.52
197184.1696.00
197194.1698.28
1971104.1697.95
1971114.16109.42
1971124.32118.75
19721-121.23
19722-124.41
19723-125.98
19724-125.00
19725-125.64
19726-125.01
19727-129.74
19728-128.17
19729-128.70
197210-135.47
197211-138.60
197212-139.97
19731-135.32
19732-133.49
19733-131.31
19734-127.94
19735-125.39
19736-126.91
19737-124.84
19738-127.33
19739-132.72
197310-123.62
197311-115.21
197312-117.17
19741-114.27
19742-119.50
19743-113.74
19744-110.67
19745-111.17
19746-98.56
19747-94.85
19748-85.35
19749-87.38
197410-90.65
197411-85.13
197412-92.48
19751-102.47
19752-107.57
19753-109.17
19754-116.50
19755-119.87
19756-120.39
19757-111.96
19758-111.01
19759-116.53
197510-118.91
197511-117.50
197512-128.72
19761-134.10
19762-135.17
19763-136.65
19764-136.13
19765-137.36
19766-141.02
19767-140.23
19768-143.65
19769-139.18
197610-138.67
197611-143.92
197612-143.15
19771-139.76
19772-139.68
19773-138.01
19774-138.10
19775-139.35
19776-141.13
19777-138.20
19778-136.57
19779-133.57
197710-134.88
197711-134.78
197712-130.21
19781-128.94
19782-129.28
19783-135.53
19784-142.99
19785-143.95
19786-143.86
19787-154.40
19788-155.02
19789-150.72
197810-142.53
197811-145.27
197812-151.35
19791-149.75
19792-153.25
19793-156.98
19794-154.01
19795-157.73
19796-159.97
19797-167.99
19798-170.58
19799-164.86
197910-164.33
197911-171.57
197912-177.25
19801-185.04
19802-168.80
19803-166.84
19804-175.24
19805-187.26
19806-196.57
19807-203.46
19808-209.23
19809-216.19
198010-226.16
198011-223.35
198012-223.37
19811-216.51
19812-225.48
19813-228.40
19814-224.71
19815-226.63
19816-222.06
19817-223.85
19818-205.26
19819-208.81
198110-215.16
198111-217.70
198112-207.24
19821-203.27
19822-197.69
19823-208.51
19824-209.70
19825-198.64
19826-199.13
19827-200.71
19828-224.99
19829-244.97
198210-255.99
198211-259.46
198212-269.65
19831-275.39
19832-286.04
19833-298.04
19834-311.23
19835-316.69
19836-318.93
19837-311.25
19838-321.57
19839-323.65
198310-319.95
198311-319.54
198312-324.58
19841-307.99
19842-309.35
19843-310.92
19844-310.13
19845-304.40
19846-301.64
19847-329.41
19848-334.04
19849-332.66
198410-336.94
198411-334.56
198412-350.27
19851-370.54
19852-368.77
19853-372.55
19854-382.74
19855-392.35
19856-401.17
19857-393.77
19858-386.35
19859-392.12
198510-417.30
198511-439.39
198512-442.70
19861-467.92
19862-496.85
19863-510.47
19864-512.98
19865-529.05
19866-519.51
19867-531.36
19868-518.31
19869-517.84
198610-536.14
198611-545.30
198612-581.69
19871-619.28
19872-646.38
19873-640.84
19874-641.95
19875-670.83
19876-691.77
19877-736.42
19878-714.10
19879-629.45
198710-552.01
198711-544.64
198712-567.77
19881-586.67
19882-605.63
19883-600.26
19884-587.13
19885-622.35
19886-620.44
19887-609.77
19888-621.52
19889-645.15
198810-632.12
198811-646.82
198812-669.54
19891-691.64
19892-690.52
19893-715.13
19894-744.56
19895-769.82
19896-791.38
19897-828.50
19898-832.28
19899-834.66
198910-819.52
198911-841.95
198912-823.33
19901-802.53
19902-824.25
19903-825.87
19904-857.67
19905-884.86
19906-886.36
19907-816.68
19908-781.23
19909-763.14
199010-785.91
199011-821.95
199012-816.32
19911-911.07
19912-938.81
19913-960.02
19914-958.30
19915-961.62
19916-969.13
19917-995.09
19918-992.08
19919-993.88
199110-994.03
199111-1,003.33
199112-1,077.16
19921-1,070.68
19922-1,059.84
19923-1,062.64
19924-1,084.62
19925-1,070.21
19926-1,090.67
19927-1,100.94
19928-1,105.11
19929-1,092.04
199210-1,122.15
199211-1,158.86
199212-1,160.51
19931-1,180.52
19932-1,205.91
19933-1,189.73
19934-1,198.35
19935-1,208.72
19936-1,209.45
19937-1,230.77
19938-1,247.45
19939-1,262.94
199310-1,263.03
199311-1,274.24
199312-1,296.36
19941-1,295.38
19942-1,276.93
19943-1,234.20
19944-1,247.26
19945-1,261.08
19946-1,254.54
19947-1,293.21
19948-1,303.78
19949-1,297.99
199410-1,293.19
199411-1,279.92
199412-1,311.30
19951-1,361.38
19952-1,396.20
19953-1,441.10
19954-1,489.34
19955-1,536.68
19956-1,591.20
19957-1,599.36
19958-1,658.82
19959-1,673.96
199510-1,713.43
199511-1,771.51
199512-1,774.39
19961-1,879.15
19962-1,875.38
19963-1,879.08
19964-1,923.33
19965-1,947.92
19966-1,880.20
19967-1,938.03
19968-1,977.25
19969-2,058.70
199610-2,162.71
199611-2,188.62
199612-2,259.92
19971-2,358.47
19972-2,343.77
19973-2,263.95
19974-2,472.64
19975-2,604.60
19976-2,754.00
19977-2,763.58
19978-2,796.52
19979-2,842.53
199710-2,809.79
199711-2,883.81
199712-2,890.65
19981-3,075.71
19982-3,239.12
19983-3,349.44
19984-3,342.01
19985-3,345.90
19986-3,495.38
19987-3,251.72
19988-3,092.43
19989-3,132.35
199810-3,476.11
199811-3,618.77
199812-3,801.44
19991-3,798.90
19992-3,909.96
19993-4,076.14
19994-4,072.11
19995-4,047.20
19996-4,230.23
19997-4,070.56
19998-4,046.22
19999-3,994.73
199910-4,278.60
199911-4,398.77
199912-4,393.54
20001-4,284.66
20002-4,453.52
20003-4,516.97
20004-4,388.74
20005-4,527.58
20006-4,566.08
20007-4,608.99
20008-4,559.22
20009-4,321.50
200010-4,288.11
200011-4,145.74
200012-4,164.60
20011-4,075.64
20012-3,705.57
20013-3,722.20
20014-3,978.26
20015-3,883.24
20016-3,779.93
20017-3,702.60
20018-3,286.16
20019-3,390.79
200110-3,562.13
200111-3,614.35
200112-3,603.60
20021-3,482.78
20022-3,655.01
20023-3,526.56
20024-3,427.09
20025-3,224.18
20026-2,877.30
20027-2,910.07
20028-2,771.62
20029-2,733.73
200210-2,914.85
200211-2,884.68
200212-2,878.26
20031-2,693.63
20032-2,728.86
20033-2,873.10
20034-3,025.73
20035-3,198.32
20036-3,217.38
20037-3,212.03
20038-3,313.56
20039-3,380.76
200310-3,421.68
200311-3,526.52
200312-3,700.55
20041-3,740.76
20042-3,682.21
20043-3,717.86
20044-3,622.53
20045-3,726.05
20046-3,642.63
20047-3,592.08
20048-3,692.04
20049-3,695.83
200410-3,872.26
200411-3,977.88
200412-3,924.21
20051-3,990.18
20052-3,979.98
20053-3,884.11
20054-3,935.99
20055-4,021.83
20056-4,094.53
20057-4,107.23
20058-4,118.71
20059-4,010.63
200510-4,169.51
200511-4,258.91
200512-4,321.38
20061-4,320.66
20062-4,384.87
20063-4,419.88
20064-4,385.11
20065-4,266.46
20066-4,297.18
20067-4,395.66
20068-4,506.92
20069-4,669.89
200610-4,763.36
200611-4,865.69
200612-4,899.40
20071-4,977.60
20072-4,854.46
20073-5,057.39
20074-5,228.92
20075-5,246.96
20076-5,277.11
20077-5,055.41
20078-5,210.85
20079-5,366.74
200710-5,108.80
200711-5,172.05
200712-4,828.88
20081-4,753.36
20082-4,628.50
20083-4,824.93
20084-4,948.57
20085-4,738.43
20086-4,450.40
20087-4,544.33
20088-4,324.04
20089-3,450.86
200810-3,153.90
200811-3,142.83
200812-3,108.40
20091-2,900.06
20092-2,735.12
20093-3,072.13
20094-3,276.73
20095-3,370.73
20096-3,413.80
20097-3,691.03
20098-3,825.76
20099-3,917.70
200910-3,999.75
200911-4,088.78
200912-4,144.26
20101-4,024.14
20102-4,263.30
20103-4,437.58
20104-4,176.54
20105-4,028.54
20106-4,022.13
20107-4,056.87
20108-4,193.63
20109-4,385.59
201010-4,494.83
201011-4,661.76
201012-4,823.16
20111-4,975.13
20112-4,919.78
20113-5,029.05
20114-5,062.21
20115-4,876.80
20116-5,028.06
20117-4,505.11
20118-4,469.55
20119-4,604.49
201110-4,685.85
201111-4,758.71
201112-4,986.29
20121-5,193.85
20122-5,343.64
20123-5,341.60
20124-5,176.49
20125-5,116.83
20126-5,266.30
20127-5,444.71
20128-5,609.20
20129-5,597.02
201210-5,438.21
201211-5,556.52
201212-5,793.71
20131-5,928.88
20132-6,090.29
20133-6,178.83
20134-6,461.47
20135-6,389.24
20136-6,597.18
20137-6,613.84
20138-6,692.71
20139-6,834.43
201310-7,098.24
201311-7,206.25
201312-7,275.99
20141-7,266.53
20142-7,464.34
20143-7,479.40
20144-7,593.99
20145-7,836.72
20146-7,953.94
20147-7,919.98
20148-8,060.80
20149-7,847.46
201410-8,295.21
201411-8,347.80
201412-8,255.13
20151-8,488.54
20152-8,493.24
20153-8,567.84
20154-8,651.71
20155-8,614.04
20156-8,607.18
20157-8,398.50
20158-8,019.97
20159-8,366.21
201510-8,611.54
201511-8,516.56
201512-7,969.83
20161-7,926.00
20162-8,430.31
20163-8,669.00
20164-8,642.61
20165-8,734.78
20166-9,022.81
20167-9,131.01
20168-9,090.96
20169-9,044.96
201610-9,153.61
201611-9,514.80
201612-9,651.59
20171-9,900.26
20172-10,073.44
20173-10,057.93
20174-10,228.14
20175-10,409.84
20176-10,512.68
20177-10,538.73
20178-10,712.96
20179-11,005.94
201710-11,180.89
201711-11,503.29
201712-12,062.56
20181-11,714.36
20182-11,721.92
20183-11,526.87
20184-11,752.98
20185-12,001.32
20186-12,191.03
20187-12,489.81
20188-12,699.61
20189-12,210.80
201810-11,957.29
201811-11,292.17
201812-11,488.16
20191-12,157.79
20192-12,394.63
20193-12,856.11
20194-12,659.18
20195-12,837.01
20196-13,328.32
20197-12,910.56
20198-13,308.88
20199-13,310.18
201910-13,900.32
201911-14,243.56
201912-14,720.21
20201-14,738.18
20202-11,950.05
20203-12,466.13
20204-13,200.05
20205-14,059.15
20206-14,547.91
20207-15,405.29
20208-15,308.70
20209-15,572.92
202010-16,188.70
202011-16,878.35
202012-17,350.15
20211-17,782.43
20212-17,928.49
20213-19,008.05
20214-19,152.56
20215-19,499.30
20216-20,097.58
20217-20,536.74
20218-20,519.39
20219-20,612.17
202110-21,590.17
202111-21,647.47
202112-21,203.27
20221-20,587.83
20222-20,404.07
20223-20,428.21
20224-18,819.95
20225-18,185.83
20226-18,270.34
20227-19,448.30
20228-18,032.97
20229-17,475.54
202210-18,399.14
202211-18,401.13
202212-18,654.41
20231-19,241.46
20232-18,743.99
20233-19,493.04
20234-19,636.84
20235-20,607.33
20236-21,406.08
20237-21,165.25
20238-21,442.61

Click to show 630 more rows

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.

As a seasoned expert in financial markets and investment, my understanding of stock market trends and dynamics is backed by a wealth of experience and a deep knowledge of historical data. The article you provided discusses the stock market returns since 1970, focusing on the performance of a $100 investment in the S&P 500 index. I'll break down the key concepts used in the article:

  1. Overview:

    • The article begins by stating that if you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1970 and reinvested all dividends, your investment would be approximately $22,136.93 by the end of 2023.
    • The overall return on investment is calculated as 22,036.93%, with an annualized return of 10.59%.
  2. Adjusting for Inflation:

    • The article emphasizes the importance of adjusting for inflation when evaluating investment performance over the long term.
    • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used to calculate the real (inflation-adjusted) value of the investment. The CPI in 1970 was 38.800, and in 2023, it was 307.051.
    • Adjusted for inflation, the nominal end value of the original $100 investment is approximately $2,697.30, resulting in an inflation-adjusted return of 2,697.30% compared to the original 22,036.93%.
  3. Full Monthly Data:

    • The article provides a comprehensive table with monthly data, including returns (%), the amount ($), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 1970 to 2023.
    • The data is based on the average monthly closing price of the S&P 500 index and includes dividends.
  4. Dollar Cost Average:

    • The article introduces the concept of dollar-cost averaging, stating that if you used this strategy with a monthly investment instead of a lump sum, you would have approximately $21,442.61.
  5. Graphs and Downloads:

    • Visual representations, such as graphs, are provided to illustrate the performance of the $100 investment over time and the rate of gains and losses by month, including dividends.
    • Downloadable files are offered for the performance chart and monthly data for further analysis.

In summary, the article explores the historical performance of the S&P 500 index, considering both nominal and inflation-adjusted returns. It also introduces the concept of dollar-cost averaging as an alternative investment strategy. The provided data and visualizations offer a comprehensive overview of the stock market's long-term returns.

S&P 500 Returns since 1970 (2024)
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