S&P 500: $100 in 1959 → $69,206.78 in 2024

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Stock market returns between 1959 and 2024

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1959, you would have about $69,206.78 at the end of 2024, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 69,106.78%, or 10.44% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 6,323.66% cumulatively, or 6.53% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $65,802.81.

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 $69,106.78, or 69,106.78%. This means by 2024 you would have $69,206.78 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 1959 was 29.100 and the CPI in 2024 was 313.515.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 65 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $69,206.78 nominal end value of the original $100 investment would have a real return of roughly $6,323.66 in 1959 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 6,323.66% as opposed to the original 69,106.78%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1959.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $100 investment, including gains and losses over the 790-month period between 1959 and 2024.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
19591-1.27%98.7329.00
195922.81%101.5128.90
195931.94%103.4728.90
195941.77%105.3029.00
19595-0.61%104.6629.00
195964.23%109.0829.10
19597-0.32%108.7429.20
19598-3.70%104.7129.20
195990.18%104.8929.30
1959100.67%105.6029.40
1959113.46%109.2529.40
195912-1.49%107.6329.40
19601-3.61%103.7529.30
19602-1.08%102.6329.40
196031.58%104.2529.40
19604-0.62%103.6029.50
196053.99%107.7329.50
19606-2.20%105.3729.60
196071.49%106.9429.60
19608-2.72%104.0329.60
19609-1.67%102.2929.60
1960103.54%105.9129.80
1960112.69%108.7629.80
1960125.43%114.6629.80
196114.37%119.6829.80
196123.40%123.7429.80
196132.92%127.3529.80
196141.26%128.9629.80
19615-1.08%127.5729.80
19616-0.03%127.5329.80
196173.84%132.4330.00
19618-0.54%131.7129.90
196191.34%133.4830.00
1961104.77%139.8530.00
1961111.16%141.4830.00
196112-3.49%136.5530.00
196211.91%139.1530.00
196220.34%139.6330.10
19623-2.94%135.5230.10
19624-7.19%125.7830.20
19625-11.41%111.4230.20
196262.72%114.4530.20
196273.02%117.9130.30
19628-0.59%117.2130.30
19629-2.86%113.8630.40
1962107.20%122.0630.40
1962114.62%127.7130.40
1962124.15%133.0030.40
196311.60%135.1230.40
19632-0.11%134.9830.40
196334.98%141.7030.50
196342.27%144.9130.50
196350.22%145.2330.50
19636-1.22%143.4530.60
196373.03%147.8030.70
196382.89%152.0830.70
196390.50%152.8430.70
196310-0.31%152.3730.80
1963112.39%156.0230.80
1963123.33%161.2130.90
196411.48%163.6030.90
196422.07%166.9930.90
196431.69%169.8130.90
196441.22%171.8930.90
19645-0.35%171.2830.90
196463.96%178.0731.00
19647-1.23%175.8831.10
196481.97%179.3431.00
196491.97%182.8831.10
1964100.94%184.5931.10
196411-1.49%181.8431.20
1964122.82%186.9731.20
196510.98%188.7931.20
196520.34%189.4231.20
196531.56%192.3731.30
196541.73%195.7131.40
19655-4.51%186.8931.40
196560.10%187.0831.60
196572.12%191.0431.60
196583.60%197.9131.60
196592.50%202.8531.60
1965101.08%205.0431.70
196511-0.21%204.6031.70
1965121.98%208.6531.80
19661-0.43%207.7631.80
19662-3.86%199.7332.00
196633.32%206.3632.10
19664-5.01%196.0332.30
19665-0.56%194.9332.30
196660.02%194.9732.40
19667-5.77%183.7232.50
19668-3.22%177.8032.70
19669-0.56%176.7932.70
1966105.32%186.1932.90
1966110.72%187.5232.90
1966124.13%195.2732.90
196713.73%202.5532.90
196722.63%207.8932.90
196731.99%212.0333.00
196742.06%216.3933.10
19675-0.99%214.2533.20
196761.99%218.5233.30
196771.85%222.5633.40
196781.65%226.2433.50
196790.10%226.4633.60
196710-2.88%219.9433.70
1967113.11%226.7833.80
196712-0.02%226.7433.90
19681-4.26%217.0934.10
19682-1.56%213.7034.20
196837.66%230.0834.30
196842.56%235.9634.40
196852.94%242.9034.50
196860.05%243.0234.70
19687-1.93%238.3234.90
196883.51%246.6835.00
196892.72%253.3835.10
1968101.79%257.9135.30
1968111.29%261.2235.40
196812-3.99%250.8135.50
19691-0.24%250.2135.60
19692-1.91%245.4235.80
196932.27%251.0136.10
196943.51%259.8336.30
19695-4.97%246.9136.40
19696-4.21%236.5336.60
19697-0.28%235.8536.80
196980.63%237.3437.00
196991.35%240.5337.10
1969101.00%242.9337.30
196911-5.03%230.7237.50
196912-0.59%229.3637.70
19701-3.20%222.0337.80
197022.01%226.5038.00
19703-2.75%220.2738.20
19704-11.20%195.6038.50
19705-0.27%195.0838.60
197060.52%196.1038.80
197073.26%202.4839.00
197086.32%215.2839.00
197092.49%220.6439.20
1970100.21%221.1039.40
1970117.16%236.9239.60
1970124.11%246.6639.80
197114.15%256.9039.80
197122.83%264.1839.90
197133.67%273.8840.00
19714-1.11%270.8540.10
19715-1.60%266.5240.30
19716-0.46%265.2940.60
19717-1.52%261.2740.70
197182.49%267.7640.80
19719-1.86%262.7740.80
197110-4.37%251.2840.90
1971117.16%269.2940.90
1971124.42%281.1941.10
197212.09%287.0641.10
197222.62%294.5841.30
197231.26%298.2941.40
19724-0.78%295.9841.50
197250.52%297.5041.60
19726-0.50%296.0141.70
197273.78%307.2141.90
19728-1.21%303.4942.00
197290.42%304.7542.10
1972105.25%320.7742.30
1972112.31%328.1842.40
1972120.99%331.4342.50
19731-3.33%320.4142.60
19732-1.35%316.1042.90
19733-1.63%310.9343.30
19734-2.57%302.9443.60
19735-1.99%296.9243.90
197361.21%300.5144.20
19737-1.64%295.5944.30
197382.00%301.4945.10
197394.24%314.2645.20
197310-6.85%292.7345.60
197311-6.81%272.8045.90
1973121.70%277.4446.20
19741-2.47%270.5846.60
197424.57%282.9647.20
19743-4.82%269.3347.80
19744-2.71%262.0448.00
197450.46%263.2448.60
19746-11.35%233.3749.00
19747-3.76%224.5949.40
19748-10.01%202.1050.00
197492.38%206.9050.60
1974103.74%214.6551.10
197411-6.09%201.5751.50
1974128.63%218.9751.90
1975110.81%242.6452.10
197524.97%254.7152.50
197531.49%258.4952.70
197546.71%275.8452.90
197552.89%283.8353.20
197560.43%285.0653.60
19757-7.00%265.1154.20
19758-0.85%262.8554.30
197594.97%275.9254.60
1975102.04%281.5554.90
197511-1.18%278.2355.30
1975129.55%304.7955.50
197614.18%317.5255.60
197620.80%320.0755.80
197631.10%323.5855.90
19764-0.38%322.3456.10
197650.90%325.2456.50
197662.67%333.9156.80
19767-0.56%332.0457.10
197682.44%340.1357.40
19769-3.11%329.5657.60
197610-0.37%328.3557.90
1976113.79%340.7858.00
197612-0.54%338.9558.20
19771-2.37%330.9258.50
19772-0.05%330.7559.10
19773-1.19%326.8059.50
197740.06%327.0160.00
197750.90%329.9560.30
197761.28%334.1860.70
19777-2.08%327.2461.00
19778-1.18%323.3961.20
19779-2.20%316.2861.40
1977100.98%319.3961.60
197711-0.08%319.1361.90
197712-3.39%308.3162.10
19781-0.97%305.3162.50
197820.27%306.1262.90
197834.83%320.9163.40
197845.50%338.5763.90
197850.67%340.8564.50
19786-0.06%340.6465.20
197877.33%365.6065.70
197880.40%367.0766.00
19789-2.77%356.8966.50
197810-5.44%337.4867.10
1978111.92%343.9767.40
1978124.19%358.3667.70
19791-1.06%354.5868.30
197922.34%362.8869.10
197932.43%371.7069.80
19794-1.89%364.6670.60
197952.42%373.4871.50
197961.42%378.7972.30
197975.01%397.7873.10
197981.54%403.9173.80
19799-3.35%390.3774.60
197910-0.32%389.1175.20
1979114.40%406.2475.90
1979123.31%419.7076.70
198014.40%438.1577.80
19802-8.78%399.6978.90
19803-1.16%395.0480.10
198045.04%414.9481.00
198056.86%443.4281.80
198064.97%465.4582.70
198073.50%481.7682.70
198082.84%495.4383.30
198093.32%511.9084.00
1980104.61%535.5284.80
198011-1.24%528.8585.50
1980120.01%528.9186.30
19811-3.07%512.6787.00
198124.14%533.9187.90
198131.29%540.8288.50
19814-1.62%532.0789.10
198150.86%536.6389.80
19816-2.02%525.8190.60
198170.80%530.0391.60
19818-8.30%486.0392.30
198191.73%494.4293.20
1981103.04%509.4793.40
1981111.18%515.4893.70
198112-4.80%490.7194.00
19821-1.91%481.3294.30
19822-2.74%468.1194.60
198235.47%493.7294.50
198240.57%496.5394.90
19825-5.27%470.3695.80
198260.24%471.5097.00
198270.79%475.2597.50
1982812.10%532.7497.70
198298.88%580.0597.90
1982104.50%606.1598.20
1982111.36%614.3798.00
1982123.93%638.4997.60
198312.13%652.0997.80
198323.87%677.2997.90
198334.20%705.7297.90
198344.42%736.9498.60
198351.75%749.8799.20
198360.71%755.1899.50
19837-2.41%737.0099.90
198383.31%761.42100.20
198390.65%766.35100.70
198310-1.14%757.61101.00
198311-0.13%756.64101.20
1983121.58%768.56101.30
19841-5.11%729.27101.90
198420.44%732.50102.40
198430.51%736.21102.60
19844-0.25%734.35103.10
19845-1.85%720.78103.40
19846-0.91%714.23103.70
198479.21%779.99104.10
198481.41%790.96104.50
19849-0.41%787.70105.00
1984101.29%797.83105.30
198411-0.71%792.18105.30
1984124.70%829.40105.30
198515.79%877.40105.50
19852-0.48%873.20106.00
198531.02%882.15106.40
198542.74%906.28106.90
198552.51%929.04107.30
198562.25%949.91107.60
19857-1.85%932.39107.80
19858-1.88%914.81108.00
198591.50%928.49108.30
1985106.42%988.11108.70
1985115.29%1,040.42109.00
1985120.75%1,048.24109.30
198615.70%1,107.96109.60
198626.18%1,176.47109.30
198632.74%1,208.72108.80
198640.49%1,214.66108.60
198653.13%1,252.72108.90
19866-1.80%1,230.12109.50
198672.28%1,258.18109.50
19868-2.46%1,227.28109.70
19869-0.09%1,226.17110.20
1986103.53%1,269.49110.30
1986111.71%1,291.19110.40
1986126.67%1,377.35110.50
198716.46%1,466.36111.20
198724.38%1,530.53111.60
19873-0.86%1,517.42112.10
198740.17%1,520.05112.70
198754.50%1,588.42113.10
198763.12%1,638.02113.50
198776.45%1,743.73113.80
19878-3.03%1,690.89114.40
19879-11.85%1,490.46115.00
198710-12.30%1,307.08115.30
198711-1.33%1,289.63115.40
1987124.25%1,344.40115.40
198813.33%1,389.15115.70
198823.23%1,434.05116.00
19883-0.89%1,421.34116.50
19884-2.19%1,390.24117.10
198856.00%1,473.63117.50
19886-0.31%1,469.10118.00
19887-1.72%1,443.86118.50
198881.93%1,471.68119.00
198893.80%1,527.63119.80
198810-2.02%1,496.77120.20
1988112.33%1,531.58120.30
1988123.51%1,585.38120.50
198913.30%1,637.70121.10
19892-0.16%1,635.05121.60
198933.56%1,693.34122.30
198944.12%1,763.02123.10
198953.39%1,822.83123.80
198962.80%1,873.88124.10
198974.69%1,961.78124.40
198980.46%1,970.71124.60
198990.29%1,976.35125.00
198910-1.81%1,940.51125.60
1989112.74%1,993.62125.90
198912-2.21%1,949.53126.10
19901-2.53%1,900.27127.40
199022.71%1,951.71128.00
199030.20%1,955.53128.70
199043.85%2,030.84128.90
199053.17%2,095.22129.20
199060.17%2,098.77129.90
19907-7.86%1,933.78130.40
19908-4.34%1,849.84131.60
19909-2.32%1,807.00132.70
1990102.98%1,860.92133.50
1990114.59%1,946.27133.80
199012-0.69%1,932.93133.80
1991111.61%2,157.29134.60
199123.04%2,222.97134.80
199132.26%2,273.18135.00
19914-0.18%2,269.11135.20
199150.35%2,276.99135.60
199160.78%2,294.76136.00
199172.68%2,356.23136.20
19918-0.30%2,349.09136.60
199190.18%2,353.36137.20
1991100.02%2,353.73137.40
1991110.94%2,375.74137.80
1991127.36%2,550.55137.90
19921-0.60%2,535.22138.10
19922-1.01%2,509.56138.60
199230.26%2,516.19139.30
199242.07%2,568.23139.50
19925-1.33%2,534.10139.70
199261.91%2,582.56140.20
199270.94%2,606.88140.50
199280.38%2,616.73140.90
19929-1.18%2,585.80141.30
1992102.76%2,657.09141.80
1992113.27%2,744.01142.00
1992120.14%2,747.93141.90
199311.72%2,795.31142.60
199322.15%2,855.42143.10
19933-1.34%2,817.10143.60
199340.72%2,837.52144.00
199350.87%2,862.07144.20
199360.06%2,863.82144.40
199371.76%2,914.29144.40
199381.35%2,953.78144.80
199391.24%2,990.46145.10
1993100.01%2,990.69145.70
1993110.89%3,017.22145.80
1993121.74%3,069.59145.80
19941-0.08%3,067.27146.20
19942-1.42%3,023.60146.70
19943-3.35%2,922.42147.20
199441.06%2,953.34147.40
199451.11%2,986.07147.50
19946-0.52%2,970.57148.00
199473.08%3,062.13148.40
199480.82%3,087.16149.00
19949-0.44%3,073.45149.40
199410-0.37%3,062.09149.50
199411-1.03%3,030.68149.70
1994122.45%3,104.97149.70
199513.82%3,223.55150.30
199522.56%3,306.01150.90
199533.22%3,412.32151.40
199543.35%3,526.55151.90
199553.18%3,638.64152.20
199563.55%3,767.72152.50
199570.51%3,787.06152.50
199583.72%3,927.85152.90
199590.91%3,963.69153.20
1995102.36%4,057.17153.70
1995113.39%4,194.67153.60
1995120.16%4,201.49153.50
199615.90%4,449.56154.40
19962-0.20%4,440.63154.90
199630.20%4,449.38155.70
199642.35%4,554.16156.30
199651.28%4,612.39156.60
19966-3.48%4,452.04156.70
199673.08%4,588.97157.00
199682.02%4,681.84157.30
199694.12%4,874.71157.80
1996105.05%5,120.98158.30
1996111.20%5,182.34158.60
1996123.26%5,351.16158.60
199714.36%5,584.53159.10
19972-0.62%5,549.70159.60
19973-3.41%5,360.72160.00
199749.22%5,854.86160.20
199755.34%6,167.33160.10
199765.74%6,521.08160.30
199770.35%6,543.76160.50
199781.19%6,621.76160.80
199791.65%6,730.71161.20
199710-1.15%6,653.17161.60
1997112.63%6,828.46161.50
1997120.24%6,844.65161.30
199816.40%7,282.85161.60
199825.31%7,669.78161.90
199833.41%7,930.99162.20
19984-0.22%7,913.39162.50
199850.12%7,922.61162.80
199864.47%8,276.57163.00
19987-6.97%7,699.61163.20
19988-4.90%7,322.44163.40
199891.29%7,416.97163.60
19981010.97%8,230.93164.00
1998114.10%8,568.74164.00
1998125.05%9,001.26163.90
19991-0.07%8,995.26164.30
199922.92%9,258.23164.50
199934.25%9,651.71165.00
19994-0.10%9,642.17166.20
19995-0.61%9,583.19166.20
199964.52%10,016.57166.20
19997-3.77%9,638.51166.70
19998-0.60%9,580.87167.10
19999-1.27%9,458.96167.90
1999107.11%10,131.10168.20
1999112.81%10,415.66168.30
199912-0.12%10,403.27168.30
20001-2.48%10,145.47168.80
200023.94%10,545.30169.80
200031.42%10,695.54171.20
20004-2.84%10,391.91171.30
200053.16%10,720.66171.50
200060.85%10,811.82172.40
200070.94%10,913.42172.80
20008-1.08%10,795.59172.80
20009-5.21%10,232.69173.70
200010-0.77%10,153.63174.00
200011-3.32%9,816.52174.10
2000120.46%9,861.19174.00
20011-2.14%9,650.53175.10
20012-9.08%8,774.27175.80
200130.45%8,813.64176.20
200146.88%9,419.96176.90
20015-2.39%9,194.95177.70
20016-2.66%8,950.34178.00
20017-2.05%8,767.23177.50
20018-11.25%7,781.15177.50
200193.18%8,028.91178.30
2001105.05%8,434.62177.70
2001111.47%8,558.28177.40
200112-0.30%8,532.80176.70
20021-3.35%8,246.71177.10
200224.95%8,654.54177.80
20023-3.51%8,350.38178.80
20024-2.82%8,114.87179.80
20025-5.92%7,634.39179.80
20026-10.76%6,813.04179.90
200271.14%6,890.63180.10
20028-4.76%6,562.79180.70
20029-1.37%6,473.08181.00
2002106.63%6,901.95181.30
200211-1.04%6,830.52181.30
200212-0.22%6,815.32180.90
20031-6.41%6,378.12181.70
200321.31%6,461.54183.10
200335.29%6,803.09184.20
200345.31%7,164.49183.80
200355.70%7,573.16183.50
200360.60%7,618.29183.70
20037-0.17%7,605.62183.90
200383.16%7,846.05184.60
200392.03%8,005.15185.20
2003101.21%8,102.06185.00
2003113.06%8,350.29184.50
2003124.93%8,762.38184.30
200411.09%8,857.59185.20
20042-1.57%8,718.96186.20
200430.97%8,803.37187.40
20044-2.56%8,577.63188.00
200452.86%8,822.75189.10
20046-2.24%8,625.22189.70
20047-1.39%8,505.54189.40
200482.78%8,742.22189.50
200490.10%8,751.19189.90
2004104.77%9,168.96190.90
2004112.73%9,419.04191.00
200412-1.35%9,291.96190.30
200511.68%9,448.18190.70
20052-0.26%9,424.03191.80
20053-2.41%9,197.01193.30
200541.34%9,319.87194.60
200552.18%9,523.11194.40
200561.81%9,695.27194.50
200570.31%9,725.32195.40
200580.28%9,752.52196.40
20059-2.62%9,496.60198.80
2005103.96%9,872.81199.20
2005112.14%10,084.49197.60
2005121.47%10,232.41196.80
20061-0.02%10,230.71198.30
200621.49%10,382.75198.70
200630.80%10,465.64199.80
20064-0.79%10,383.31201.50
20065-2.71%10,102.36202.50
200660.72%10,175.10202.90
200672.29%10,408.29203.50
200682.53%10,671.74203.90
200693.62%11,057.62202.90
2006102.00%11,278.96201.80
2006112.15%11,521.26201.50
2006120.69%11,601.08201.80
200711.60%11,786.24202.42
20072-2.47%11,494.66203.50
200734.18%11,975.17205.35
200743.39%12,381.34206.69
200750.34%12,424.04207.95
200760.57%12,495.43208.35
20077-4.20%11,970.49208.30
200783.07%12,338.55207.92
200792.99%12,707.67208.49
200710-4.81%12,096.90208.94
2007111.24%12,246.69210.18
200712-6.64%11,434.10210.04
20081-1.56%11,255.27211.08
20082-2.63%10,959.63211.69
200834.24%11,424.74213.53
200842.56%11,717.51214.82
20085-4.25%11,219.92216.63
20086-6.08%10,537.92218.82
200872.11%10,760.32219.96
20088-4.85%10,238.71219.09
20089-20.19%8,171.15218.78
200810-8.61%7,467.99216.57
200811-0.35%7,441.77212.43
200812-1.10%7,360.24210.23
20091-6.70%6,866.92211.14
20092-5.69%6,476.36212.19
2009312.32%7,274.37212.71
200946.66%7,758.83213.24
200952.87%7,981.42213.86
200961.28%8,083.39215.69
200978.12%8,739.82215.35
200983.65%9,058.86215.83
200992.40%9,276.55215.97
2009102.09%9,470.83216.18
2009112.23%9,681.64216.33
2009121.36%9,813.01215.95
20101-2.90%9,528.59216.69
201025.94%10,094.87216.74
201034.09%10,507.55217.63
20104-5.88%9,889.45218.01
20105-3.54%9,539.01218.18
20106-0.16%9,523.84217.97
201070.86%9,606.09218.01
201083.37%9,929.92218.31
201094.58%10,384.46218.44
2010102.49%10,643.13218.71
2010113.71%11,038.38218.80
2010123.46%11,420.55219.18
201113.15%11,780.40220.22
20112-1.11%11,649.35221.31
201132.22%11,908.08223.47
201140.66%11,986.58224.91
20115-3.66%11,547.56225.96
201163.10%11,905.73225.72
20117-10.40%10,667.46225.92
20118-0.79%10,583.27226.55
201193.02%10,902.77226.89
2011101.77%11,095.43226.42
2011111.55%11,267.94226.23
2011124.78%11,806.83225.67
201214.16%12,298.31226.67
201222.88%12,652.97227.66
20123-0.04%12,648.13229.39
20124-3.09%12,257.19230.09
20125-1.15%12,115.93229.82
201262.92%12,469.85229.48
201273.39%12,892.29229.10
201283.02%13,281.79230.38
20129-0.22%13,252.95231.41
201210-2.84%12,876.90231.32
2012112.18%13,157.04230.22
2012124.27%13,718.68229.60
201312.33%14,038.74230.28
201322.72%14,420.94232.17
201331.45%14,630.59232.77
201344.57%15,299.83232.53
20135-1.12%15,128.82232.95
201363.25%15,621.18233.50
201370.25%15,660.63233.60
201381.19%15,847.38233.88
201392.12%16,182.95234.15
2013103.86%16,807.61233.55
2013111.52%17,063.37233.07
2013120.97%17,228.51233.05
20141-0.13%17,206.11233.92
201422.72%17,674.50234.78
201430.20%17,710.16236.29
201441.53%17,981.48237.07
201453.20%18,556.23237.90
201461.50%18,833.79238.34
20147-0.43%18,753.38238.25
201481.78%19,086.83237.85
20149-2.65%18,581.68238.03
2014105.71%19,641.88237.43
2014110.63%19,766.39236.15
201412-1.11%19,546.97234.81
201512.83%20,099.64233.71
201520.06%20,110.77234.72
201530.88%20,287.43236.12
201540.98%20,486.02236.60
20155-0.44%20,396.81237.81
20156-0.08%20,380.56238.64
20157-2.42%19,886.46238.65
20158-4.51%18,990.16238.32
201594.32%19,809.98237.95
2015102.93%20,390.91237.84
201511-1.10%20,166.00237.34
201512-6.42%18,871.42236.53
20161-0.55%18,767.64236.92
201626.36%19,961.78237.11
201632.83%20,526.95238.13
20164-0.30%20,464.47239.26
201651.07%20,682.72240.23
201663.30%21,364.72241.02
201671.20%21,620.94240.63
20168-0.44%21,526.09240.85
20169-0.51%21,417.18241.43
2016101.20%21,674.43241.73
2016113.95%22,529.70241.35
2016121.44%22,853.59241.43
201712.58%23,442.40242.84
201721.75%23,852.47243.60
20173-0.15%23,815.74243.80
201741.69%24,218.79244.52
201751.78%24,649.02244.73
201760.99%24,892.52244.96
201770.25%24,954.20244.79
201781.65%25,366.76245.52
201792.73%26,060.49246.82
2017101.59%26,474.74246.66
2017112.88%27,238.14246.67
2017124.86%28,562.43246.52
20181-2.89%27,737.92247.87
201820.06%27,755.83248.99
20183-1.66%27,293.98249.55
201841.96%27,829.39250.55
201852.11%28,417.42251.59
201861.58%28,866.62251.99
201872.45%29,574.09252.01
201881.68%30,070.86252.15
20189-3.85%28,913.43252.44
201810-2.08%28,313.16252.89
201811-5.56%26,738.24252.04
2018121.74%27,202.32251.23
201915.83%28,787.91251.71
201921.95%29,348.71252.78
201933.72%30,441.42254.20
20194-1.53%29,975.12255.55
201951.40%30,396.20256.09
201963.83%31,559.57256.14
20197-3.13%30,570.36256.57
201983.09%31,513.53256.56
201990.01%31,516.61256.76
2019104.43%32,913.96257.35
2019112.47%33,726.71257.21
2019123.35%34,855.34256.97
202010.12%34,897.90257.97
20202-18.92%28,296.01258.68
202034.32%29,518.01258.12
202045.89%31,255.84256.39
202056.51%33,290.06256.39
202063.48%34,447.36257.80
202075.89%36,477.52259.10
20208-0.63%36,248.81259.92
202091.73%36,874.46260.28
2020103.95%38,332.52260.39
2020114.26%39,965.52260.23
2020122.80%41,082.67260.47
202112.49%42,106.26261.58
202120.82%42,452.10263.01
202136.02%45,008.35264.88
202140.76%45,350.52267.05
202151.81%46,171.55269.20
202163.07%47,588.19271.70
202172.19%48,628.07273.00
20218-0.08%48,586.98273.57
202190.45%48,806.68274.31
2021104.74%51,122.43276.59
2021110.27%51,258.11277.95
202112-2.05%50,206.32278.80
20221-2.90%48,749.04281.15
20222-0.89%48,313.92283.72
202230.12%48,371.07287.50
20224-7.87%44,562.95289.11
20225-3.37%43,061.45292.30
202260.46%43,261.55296.31
202276.45%46,050.80296.28
20228-7.28%42,699.49296.17
20229-3.09%41,379.58296.81
2022105.29%43,566.53298.01
2022110.01%43,571.25297.71
2022121.38%44,170.99296.80
202313.15%45,561.04299.17
20232-2.59%44,383.09300.84
202334.00%46,156.73301.84
202340.74%46,497.23303.36
202354.94%48,795.21304.13
202363.88%50,686.53305.11
20237-1.00%50,180.87305.69
20238-0.95%49,702.35307.03
20239-3.04%48,192.74307.79
2023104.60%50,410.43307.67
2023115.18%53,019.30307.05
2023122.91%54,563.13306.75
202414.20%56,854.39308.42
202423.28%58,720.42310.33
20243-1.01%58,127.85312.33
202442.52%59,590.76313.55
202453.55%61,706.58314.07
202462.38%63,174.99314.18
20247-0.97%62,561.81314.54
202482.72%64,264.81314.80
202493.15%66,290.36315.30
2024104.40%69,206.78315.66
Click to show 774 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 1959. This would result in a final amount of $65,802.81, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $69,206.78).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
195914.164.10
195924.168.48
195934.1612.87
195944.1617.32
195954.1621.34
195964.1626.57
195974.1630.62
195984.1633.48
195994.1637.70
1959104.1642.12
1959114.1647.88
1959124.1651.25
196014.1653.40
196024.1656.93
196034.1662.04
196044.1665.78
196054.1672.72
196064.1675.18
196074.1680.51
196084.1682.35
196094.1685.05
1960104.1692.36
1960114.1699.10
1960124.32109.02
19611-113.79
19612-117.66
19613-121.09
19614-122.62
19615-121.30
19616-121.26
19617-125.92
19618-125.24
19619-126.92
196110-132.97
196111-134.52
196112-129.83
19621-132.31
19622-132.76
19623-128.85
19624-119.59
19625-105.94
19626-108.82
19627-112.11
19628-111.45
19629-108.26
196210-116.06
196211-121.43
196212-126.46
19631-128.48
19632-128.34
19633-134.73
19634-137.79
19635-138.08
19636-136.40
19637-140.53
19638-144.60
19639-145.32
196310-144.88
196311-148.34
196312-153.28
19641-155.55
19642-158.77
19643-161.46
19644-163.43
19645-162.86
19646-169.31
19647-167.23
19648-170.52
19649-173.88
196410-175.51
196411-172.89
196412-177.77
19651-179.50
19652-180.11
19653-182.91
19654-186.08
19655-177.69
19656-177.88
19657-181.65
19658-188.18
19659-192.88
196510-194.95
196511-194.54
196512-198.39
19661-197.54
19662-189.91
19663-196.21
19664-186.39
19665-185.35
19666-185.38
19667-174.68
19668-169.05
19669-168.10
196610-177.03
196611-178.30
196612-185.66
19671-192.59
19672-197.66
19673-201.60
19674-205.75
19675-203.71
19676-207.77
19677-211.61
19678-215.11
19679-215.32
196710-209.12
196711-215.63
196712-215.59
19681-206.41
19682-203.19
19683-218.76
19684-224.36
19685-230.95
19686-231.07
19687-226.60
19688-234.55
19689-240.92
196810-245.22
196811-248.37
196812-238.48
19691-237.91
19692-233.35
19693-238.66
19694-247.05
19695-234.76
19696-224.89
19697-224.25
19698-225.66
19699-228.70
196910-230.98
196911-219.37
196912-218.08
19701-211.11
19702-215.36
19703-209.44
19704-185.98
19705-185.48
19706-186.45
19707-192.52
19708-204.69
19709-209.79
197010-210.22
197011-225.27
197012-234.53
19711-244.26
19712-251.18
19713-260.41
19714-257.52
19715-253.42
19716-252.24
19717-248.42
19718-254.59
19719-249.85
197110-238.92
197111-256.04
197112-267.36
19721-272.94
19722-280.09
19723-283.62
19724-281.42
19725-282.87
19726-281.45
19727-292.10
19728-288.56
19729-289.76
197210-304.99
197211-312.04
197212-315.13
19731-304.65
19732-300.55
19733-295.64
19734-288.04
19735-282.31
19736-285.73
19737-281.06
19738-286.66
19739-298.80
197310-278.33
197311-259.39
197312-263.80
19741-257.27
19742-269.04
19743-256.08
19744-249.16
19745-250.30
19746-221.89
19747-213.54
19748-192.16
19749-196.73
197410-204.09
197411-191.66
197412-208.20
19751-230.70
19752-242.18
19753-245.78
19754-262.28
19755-269.87
19756-271.03
19757-252.07
19758-249.92
19759-262.35
197510-267.70
197511-264.55
197512-289.80
19761-301.91
19762-304.33
19763-307.66
19764-306.48
19765-309.24
19766-317.49
19767-315.71
19768-323.40
19769-313.35
197610-312.20
197611-324.02
197612-322.28
19771-314.65
19772-314.48
19773-310.72
19774-310.92
19775-313.72
19776-317.75
19777-311.14
19778-307.48
19779-300.73
197710-303.68
197711-303.43
197712-293.15
19781-290.30
19782-291.07
19783-305.13
19784-321.92
19785-324.09
19786-323.89
19787-347.62
19788-349.01
19789-339.33
197810-320.88
197811-327.05
197812-340.74
19791-337.14
19792-345.03
19793-353.42
19794-346.73
19795-355.11
19796-360.15
19797-378.21
19798-384.04
19799-371.17
197910-369.97
197911-386.26
197912-399.06
19801-416.60
19802-380.03
19803-375.61
19804-394.53
19805-421.61
19806-442.56
19807-458.07
19808-471.06
19809-486.72
198010-509.18
198011-502.84
198012-502.89
19811-487.45
19812-507.65
19813-514.22
19814-505.90
19815-510.24
19816-499.95
19817-503.96
19818-462.12
19819-470.10
198110-484.41
198111-490.13
198112-466.58
19821-457.65
19822-445.09
19823-469.43
19824-472.11
19825-447.22
19826-448.31
19827-451.87
19828-506.53
19829-551.52
198210-576.34
198211-584.15
198212-607.08
19831-620.01
19832-643.98
19833-671.01
19834-700.70
19835-712.98
19836-718.03
19837-700.75
19838-723.97
19839-728.66
198310-720.34
198311-719.42
198312-730.76
19841-693.40
19842-696.47
19843-700.00
19844-698.23
19845-685.33
19846-679.10
19847-741.62
19848-752.06
19849-748.96
198410-758.59
198411-753.22
198412-788.60
19851-834.24
19852-830.25
19853-838.76
19854-861.70
19855-883.34
19856-903.19
19857-886.53
19858-869.82
19859-882.82
198510-939.51
198511-989.25
198512-996.68
19861-1,053.47
19862-1,118.60
19863-1,149.27
19864-1,154.92
19865-1,191.11
19866-1,169.62
19867-1,196.30
19868-1,166.91
19869-1,165.86
198610-1,207.05
198611-1,227.68
198612-1,309.61
19871-1,394.23
19872-1,455.25
19873-1,442.79
19874-1,445.28
19875-1,510.30
19876-1,557.45
19877-1,657.97
19878-1,607.72
19879-1,417.15
198710-1,242.79
198711-1,226.20
198712-1,278.27
19881-1,320.82
19882-1,363.51
19883-1,351.43
19884-1,321.86
19885-1,401.14
19886-1,396.84
19887-1,372.84
19888-1,399.30
19889-1,452.49
198810-1,423.15
198811-1,456.25
198812-1,507.40
19891-1,557.15
19892-1,554.63
19893-1,610.05
19894-1,676.31
19895-1,733.18
19896-1,781.71
19897-1,865.28
19898-1,873.78
19899-1,879.15
198910-1,845.07
198911-1,895.56
198912-1,853.65
19901-1,806.80
19902-1,855.71
19903-1,859.35
19904-1,930.95
19905-1,992.16
19906-1,995.54
19907-1,838.67
19908-1,758.85
19909-1,718.12
199010-1,769.39
199011-1,850.54
199012-1,837.86
19911-2,051.18
19912-2,113.63
19913-2,161.37
19914-2,157.51
19915-2,164.99
19916-2,181.89
19917-2,240.34
19918-2,233.55
19919-2,237.61
199110-2,237.96
199111-2,258.89
199112-2,425.10
19921-2,410.53
19922-2,386.12
19923-2,392.43
19924-2,441.92
19925-2,409.46
19926-2,455.53
19927-2,478.66
19928-2,488.03
19929-2,458.62
199210-2,526.40
199211-2,609.04
199212-2,612.77
19931-2,657.82
19932-2,714.97
19933-2,678.54
19934-2,697.96
19935-2,721.30
19936-2,722.96
19937-2,770.95
19938-2,808.49
19939-2,843.37
199310-2,843.59
199311-2,868.82
199312-2,918.61
19941-2,916.41
19942-2,874.88
19943-2,778.68
19944-2,808.08
19945-2,839.20
19946-2,824.47
19947-2,911.52
19948-2,935.32
19949-2,922.29
199410-2,911.48
199411-2,881.61
199412-2,952.25
19951-3,065.00
19952-3,143.40
19953-3,244.48
19954-3,353.10
19955-3,459.67
19956-3,582.41
19957-3,600.79
19958-3,734.65
19959-3,768.73
199510-3,857.62
199511-3,988.36
199512-3,994.84
19961-4,230.71
19962-4,222.22
19963-4,230.54
19964-4,330.16
19965-4,385.53
19966-4,233.06
19967-4,363.26
19968-4,451.56
19969-4,634.94
199610-4,869.10
199611-4,927.45
199612-5,087.96
19971-5,309.85
19972-5,276.74
19973-5,097.05
19974-5,566.89
19975-5,863.98
19976-6,200.34
19977-6,221.90
19978-6,296.07
19979-6,399.66
199710-6,325.93
199711-6,492.60
199712-6,507.99
19981-6,924.64
19982-7,292.54
19983-7,540.90
19984-7,524.17
19985-7,532.93
19986-7,869.48
19987-7,320.90
19988-6,962.29
19989-7,052.16
199810-7,826.09
199811-8,147.28
199812-8,558.53
19991-8,552.82
19992-8,802.86
19993-9,176.99
19994-9,167.92
19995-9,111.83
19996-9,523.90
19997-9,164.44
19998-9,109.63
19999-8,993.71
199910-9,632.80
199911-9,903.36
199912-9,891.58
20001-9,646.46
20002-10,026.63
20003-10,169.47
20004-9,880.78
20005-10,193.36
20006-10,280.04
20007-10,376.64
20008-10,264.61
20009-9,729.39
200010-9,654.22
200011-9,333.69
200012-9,376.16
20011-9,175.86
20012-8,342.70
20013-8,380.14
20014-8,956.63
20015-8,742.69
20016-8,510.12
20017-8,336.01
20018-7,398.43
20019-7,634.00
200110-8,019.76
200111-8,137.33
200112-8,113.11
20021-7,841.10
20022-8,228.86
20023-7,939.66
20024-7,715.73
20025-7,258.89
20026-6,477.94
20027-6,551.71
20028-6,240.00
20029-6,154.70
200210-6,562.48
200211-6,494.55
200212-6,480.10
20031-6,064.41
20032-6,143.73
20033-6,468.48
20034-6,812.10
20035-7,200.67
20036-7,243.58
20037-7,231.53
20038-7,460.14
20039-7,611.42
200310-7,703.56
200311-7,939.58
200312-8,331.40
20041-8,421.93
20042-8,290.11
20043-8,370.37
20044-8,155.73
20045-8,388.80
20046-8,200.99
20047-8,087.20
20048-8,312.23
20049-8,320.76
200410-8,717.98
200411-8,955.76
200412-8,834.93
20051-8,983.46
20052-8,960.50
20053-8,744.65
20054-8,861.47
20055-9,054.71
20056-9,218.40
20057-9,246.98
20058-9,272.84
20059-9,029.50
200510-9,387.21
200511-9,588.48
200512-9,729.12
20061-9,727.51
20062-9,872.07
20063-9,950.88
20064-9,872.60
20065-9,605.47
20066-9,674.64
20067-9,896.36
20068-10,146.85
20069-10,513.75
200610-10,724.20
200611-10,954.58
200612-11,030.48
20071-11,206.53
20072-10,929.29
20073-11,386.17
20074-11,772.36
20075-11,812.96
20076-11,880.84
20077-11,381.71
20078-11,731.67
20079-12,082.64
200710-11,501.91
200711-11,644.33
200712-10,871.70
20081-10,701.67
20082-10,420.58
20083-10,862.81
20084-11,141.18
20085-10,668.06
20086-10,019.61
20087-10,231.07
20088-9,735.12
20089-7,769.25
200810-7,100.68
200811-7,075.74
200812-6,998.22
20091-6,529.16
20092-6,157.82
20093-6,916.57
20094-7,377.21
20095-7,588.85
20096-7,685.81
20097-8,309.95
20098-8,613.29
20099-8,820.28
200910-9,005.00
200911-9,205.44
200912-9,330.36
20101-9,059.92
20102-9,598.35
20103-9,990.73
20104-9,403.03
20105-9,069.83
20106-9,055.40
20107-9,133.61
20108-9,441.51
20109-9,873.69
201010-10,119.64
201011-10,495.46
201012-10,858.83
20111-11,200.98
20112-11,076.37
20113-11,322.37
20114-11,397.01
20115-10,979.59
20116-11,320.15
20117-10,142.78
20118-10,062.73
20119-10,366.51
201110-10,549.70
201111-10,713.72
201112-11,226.11
20121-11,693.41
20122-12,030.63
20123-12,026.03
20124-11,654.31
20125-11,520.01
20126-11,856.52
20127-12,258.18
20128-12,628.52
20129-12,601.10
201210-12,243.54
201211-12,509.91
201212-13,043.92
20131-13,348.24
20132-13,711.64
20133-13,910.98
20134-14,547.31
20135-14,384.70
20136-14,852.85
20137-14,890.35
20138-15,067.92
20139-15,386.99
201310-15,980.92
201311-16,224.10
201312-16,381.12
20141-16,359.82
20142-16,805.17
20143-16,839.07
20144-17,097.06
20145-17,643.53
20146-17,907.45
20147-17,830.99
20148-18,148.03
20149-17,667.73
201410-18,675.79
201411-18,794.17
201412-18,585.55
20151-19,111.04
20152-19,121.62
20153-19,289.58
20154-19,478.41
20155-19,393.58
20156-19,378.14
20157-18,908.33
20158-18,056.12
20159-18,835.62
201510-19,387.97
201511-19,174.13
201512-17,943.22
20161-17,844.55
20162-18,979.95
20163-19,517.32
20164-19,457.92
20165-19,665.43
20166-20,313.89
20167-20,557.51
20168-20,467.33
20169-20,363.76
201610-20,608.37
201611-21,421.56
201612-21,729.53
20171-22,289.38
20172-22,679.28
20173-22,644.35
20174-23,027.58
20175-23,436.64
20176-23,668.17
20177-23,726.82
20178-24,119.09
20179-24,778.70
201710-25,172.57
201711-25,898.42
201712-27,157.57
20181-26,373.62
20182-26,390.65
20183-25,951.52
20184-26,460.59
20185-27,019.69
20186-27,446.81
20187-28,119.47
20188-28,591.81
20189-27,491.31
201810-26,920.57
201811-25,423.11
201812-25,864.36
20191-27,371.97
20192-27,905.18
20193-28,944.15
20194-28,500.79
20195-28,901.15
20196-30,007.30
20197-29,066.74
20198-29,963.52
20199-29,966.46
201910-31,295.08
201911-32,067.85
201912-33,140.97
20201-33,181.43
20202-26,904.26
20203-28,066.15
20204-29,718.51
20205-31,652.67
20206-32,753.06
20207-34,683.36
20208-34,465.89
20209-35,060.78
202010-36,447.12
202011-37,999.80
202012-39,062.00
20211-40,035.25
20212-40,364.08
20213-42,794.60
20214-43,119.93
20215-43,900.59
20216-45,247.55
20217-46,236.28
20218-46,197.21
20219-46,406.10
202110-48,607.95
202111-48,736.96
202112-47,736.90
20221-46,351.30
20222-45,937.58
20223-45,991.92
20224-42,371.10
20225-40,943.46
20226-41,133.72
20227-43,785.77
20228-40,599.30
20229-39,344.31
202210-41,423.69
202211-41,428.18
202212-41,998.42
20231-43,320.10
20232-42,200.09
20233-43,886.50
20234-44,210.25
20235-46,395.20
20236-48,193.50
20237-47,712.70
20238-47,257.72
20239-45,822.36
202310-47,930.98
202311-50,411.52
202312-51,879.42
20241-54,057.98
20242-55,832.23
20243-55,268.81
20244-56,659.77
20245-58,671.52
20246-60,067.70
20247-59,484.68
20248-61,103.92
20249-63,029.85
202410-65,802.81
Click to show 774 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 1959 to 2024
Start Value
Average monthly close
$55.62
End Value
Average monthly close
$6,047.15
Change in price+10,772.26%
+7.48% / yr
Change incl. dividends+69,106.78%
+10.44% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+6,323.66%
+6.53% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($100 base)
$69,206.78
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($100 base)
$6,423.66