S&P 500: $10000 in 1963 → $1,718,284.62 in 2016

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Stock market returns between 1963 and 2016

If you invested $10000 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1963, you would have about $1,718,284.62 at the end of 2016, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 17,082.85%, or 10.00% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 2,090.75% cumulatively, or 5.88% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $1,444,808.28.

The graph below shows the performance of $10000 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 $10000 is $1,708,284.62, or 17,082.85%. This means by 2016 you would have $1,718,284.62 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 1963 was 30.600 and the CPI in 2016 was 240.007.

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

Adjusted for inflation, the $1,718,284.62 nominal end value of the original $10000 investment would have a real return of roughly $209,074.90 in 1963 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 2,090.75% as opposed to the original 17,082.85%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1963.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $10000 investment, including gains and losses over the 648-month period between 1963 and 2016.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
196311.60%10,159.5530.40
19632-0.11%10,148.5530.40
196334.98%10,653.7630.50
196342.27%10,895.5630.50
196350.22%10,919.1630.50
19636-1.22%10,785.7430.60
196373.03%11,112.6730.70
196382.89%11,434.2330.70
196390.50%11,491.3930.70
196310-0.31%11,456.1630.80
1963112.39%11,730.3530.80
1963123.33%12,120.9930.90
196411.48%12,300.3730.90
196422.07%12,555.1130.90
196431.69%12,767.6830.90
196441.22%12,923.5030.90
19645-0.35%12,878.1830.90
196463.96%13,388.2931.00
19647-1.23%13,224.1931.10
196481.97%13,484.1131.00
196491.97%13,749.7731.10
1964100.94%13,878.6031.10
196411-1.49%13,671.7631.20
1964122.82%14,057.4131.20
196510.98%14,194.4831.20
196520.34%14,242.1131.20
196531.56%14,463.9531.30
196541.73%14,714.5631.40
19655-4.51%14,051.3231.40
196560.10%14,065.7831.60
196572.12%14,363.7731.60
196583.60%14,880.3131.60
196592.50%15,251.8531.60
1965101.08%15,415.9531.70
196511-0.21%15,383.3331.70
1965121.98%15,687.9931.80
19661-0.43%15,620.4631.80
19662-3.86%15,017.1532.00
196633.32%15,515.8632.10
19664-5.01%14,738.8932.30
19665-0.56%14,656.4332.30
196660.02%14,659.1232.40
19667-5.77%13,813.3732.50
19668-3.22%13,367.9132.70
19669-0.56%13,292.4632.70
1966105.32%13,999.1032.90
1966110.72%14,099.3032.90
1966124.13%14,681.6432.90
196713.73%15,229.2732.90
196722.63%15,630.3732.90
196731.99%15,941.8033.00
196742.06%16,269.8333.10
19675-0.99%16,108.4633.20
196761.99%16,429.4133.30
196771.85%16,733.6333.40
196781.65%17,010.3933.50
196790.10%17,026.9633.60
196710-2.88%16,536.2933.70
1967113.11%17,050.8533.80
196712-0.02%17,047.8733.90
19681-4.26%16,322.1434.10
19682-1.56%16,067.6534.20
196837.66%17,298.7034.30
196842.56%17,741.1534.40
196852.94%18,262.8734.50
196860.05%18,271.8034.70
19687-1.93%17,918.4434.90
196883.51%18,546.9635.00
196892.72%19,050.9135.10
1968101.79%19,391.1235.30
1968111.29%19,640.3535.40
196812-3.99%18,857.6635.50
19691-0.24%18,812.6735.60
19692-1.91%18,452.6435.80
196932.27%18,872.3036.10
196943.51%19,535.3736.30
19695-4.97%18,564.2136.40
19696-4.21%17,783.5236.60
19697-0.28%17,733.0836.80
196980.63%17,844.5437.00
196991.35%18,084.8037.10
1969101.00%18,265.1937.30
196911-5.03%17,346.9137.50
196912-0.59%17,244.7337.70
19701-3.20%16,693.5837.80
197022.01%17,029.4938.00
19703-2.75%16,561.5738.20
19704-11.20%14,706.8438.50
19705-0.27%14,667.1538.60
197060.52%14,743.7938.80
197073.26%15,223.8239.00
197086.32%16,186.1639.00
197092.49%16,589.1239.20
1970100.21%16,623.4239.40
1970117.16%17,813.3839.60
1970124.11%18,545.6339.80
197114.15%19,315.4739.80
197122.83%19,862.4539.90
197133.67%20,592.1740.00
19714-1.11%20,364.0440.10
19715-1.60%20,039.0640.30
19716-0.46%19,946.2840.60
19717-1.52%19,643.6840.70
197182.49%20,132.1040.80
19719-1.86%19,756.9040.80
197110-4.37%18,893.2240.90
1971117.16%20,246.6640.90
1971124.42%21,142.0741.10
197212.09%21,583.3041.10
197222.62%22,148.7041.30
197231.26%22,427.5341.40
19724-0.78%22,253.5241.50
197250.52%22,368.3741.60
19726-0.50%22,255.6641.70
197273.78%23,097.7441.90
19728-1.21%22,818.1642.00
197290.42%22,913.4142.10
1972105.25%24,117.3242.30
1972112.31%24,674.8042.40
1972120.99%24,918.9242.50
19731-3.33%24,090.3442.60
19732-1.35%23,766.2442.90
19733-1.63%23,378.0643.30
19734-2.57%22,777.3043.60
19735-1.99%22,324.0843.90
197361.21%22,594.2644.20
19737-1.64%22,224.7544.30
197382.00%22,668.1945.10
197394.24%23,628.2745.20
197310-6.85%22,009.0545.60
197311-6.81%20,511.2745.90
1973121.70%20,860.0546.20
19741-2.47%20,344.2146.60
197424.57%21,274.8947.20
19743-4.82%20,250.1547.80
19744-2.71%19,702.2548.00
197450.46%19,792.3448.60
19746-11.35%17,546.5349.00
19747-3.76%16,885.9449.40
19748-10.01%15,195.0550.00
197492.38%15,556.2350.60
1974103.74%16,138.5751.10
197411-6.09%15,155.4451.50
1974128.63%16,463.7751.90
1975110.81%18,243.1052.10
197524.97%19,150.4452.50
197531.49%19,435.2252.70
197546.71%20,739.8352.90
197552.89%21,340.1753.20
197560.43%21,432.3653.60
19757-7.00%19,932.9054.20
19758-0.85%19,762.9354.30
197594.97%20,745.4054.60
1975102.04%21,168.9654.90
197511-1.18%20,919.2455.30
1975129.55%22,916.0455.50
197614.18%23,873.5155.60
197620.80%24,065.0755.80
197631.10%24,328.6955.90
19764-0.38%24,235.4556.10
197650.90%24,453.7156.50
197662.67%25,105.4856.80
19767-0.56%24,964.7457.10
197682.44%25,573.3557.40
19769-3.11%24,778.4757.60
197610-0.37%24,687.6357.90
1976113.79%25,622.4258.00
197612-0.54%25,484.7758.20
19771-2.37%24,881.1358.50
19772-0.05%24,867.6559.10
19773-1.19%24,570.8259.50
197740.06%24,586.6660.00
197750.90%24,807.8960.30
197761.28%25,126.0360.70
19777-2.08%24,603.7661.00
19778-1.18%24,314.5861.20
19779-2.20%23,780.1861.40
1977100.98%24,013.5061.60
197711-0.08%23,994.2561.90
197712-3.39%23,180.7662.10
19781-0.97%22,955.4562.50
197820.27%23,016.4362.90
197834.83%24,128.1363.40
197845.50%25,456.2163.90
197850.67%25,627.6864.50
19786-0.06%25,611.7165.20
197877.33%27,488.5865.70
197880.40%27,598.4566.00
19789-2.77%26,833.0066.50
197810-5.44%25,373.9267.10
1978111.92%25,861.8167.40
1978124.19%26,944.2167.70
19791-1.06%26,659.4268.30
197922.34%27,283.5669.10
197932.43%27,946.8069.80
19794-1.89%27,417.7670.60
197952.42%28,080.6271.50
197961.42%28,479.6072.30
197975.01%29,907.6773.10
197981.54%30,368.3873.80
19799-3.35%29,350.2874.60
197910-0.32%29,255.6475.20
1979114.40%30,544.0675.90
1979123.31%31,555.8276.70
198014.40%32,942.9677.80
19802-8.78%30,051.2978.90
19803-1.16%29,702.0880.10
198045.04%31,197.9181.00
198056.86%33,338.9381.80
198064.97%34,995.6982.70
198073.50%36,222.1882.70
198082.84%37,249.3783.30
198093.32%38,487.8384.00
1980104.61%40,263.9284.80
198011-1.24%39,762.7385.50
1980120.01%39,766.7086.30
19811-3.07%38,545.7987.00
198124.14%40,142.8687.90
198131.29%40,662.2388.50
19814-1.62%40,004.6189.10
198150.86%40,347.6889.80
19816-2.02%39,534.1790.60
198170.80%39,851.4691.60
19818-8.30%36,542.7292.30
198191.73%37,173.9093.20
1981103.04%38,305.3893.40
1981111.18%38,757.1493.70
198112-4.80%36,895.2094.00
19821-1.91%36,189.0694.30
19822-2.74%35,195.8494.60
198235.47%37,120.8194.50
198240.57%37,332.2794.90
19825-5.27%35,364.6395.80
198260.24%35,450.8697.00
198270.79%35,732.3397.50
1982812.10%40,054.6597.70
198298.88%43,612.0697.90
1982104.50%45,574.5798.20
1982111.36%46,192.3398.00
1982123.93%48,005.7397.60
198312.13%49,028.2697.80
198323.87%50,923.5097.90
198334.20%53,060.9697.90
198344.42%55,408.3898.60
198351.75%56,379.9799.20
198360.71%56,779.2299.50
19837-2.41%55,412.4399.90
198383.31%57,248.71100.20
198390.65%57,619.64100.70
198310-1.14%56,961.96101.00
198311-0.13%56,888.97101.20
1983121.58%57,785.50101.30
19841-5.11%54,831.41101.90
198420.44%55,073.96102.40
198430.51%55,353.29102.60
19844-0.25%55,213.49103.10
19845-1.85%54,192.97103.40
19846-0.91%53,700.66103.70
198479.21%58,644.64104.10
198481.41%59,469.75104.50
19849-0.41%59,224.50105.00
1984101.29%59,986.07105.30
198411-0.71%59,561.63105.30
1984124.70%62,359.58105.30
198515.79%65,968.55105.50
19852-0.48%65,653.01106.00
198531.02%66,325.77106.40
198542.74%68,140.20106.90
198552.51%69,851.18107.30
198562.25%71,420.89107.60
19857-1.85%70,102.95107.80
19858-1.88%68,781.51108.00
198591.50%69,810.19108.30
1985106.42%74,292.36108.70
1985115.29%78,225.78109.00
1985120.75%78,813.82109.30
198615.70%83,304.04109.60
198626.18%88,454.54109.30
198632.74%90,879.46108.80
198640.49%91,326.43108.60
198653.13%94,187.91108.90
19866-1.80%92,488.84109.50
198672.28%94,598.37109.50
19868-2.46%92,274.81109.70
19869-0.09%92,191.88110.20
1986103.53%95,448.98110.30
1986111.71%97,080.14110.40
1986126.67%103,558.66110.50
198716.46%110,250.49111.20
198724.38%115,075.51111.60
19873-0.86%114,089.99112.10
198740.17%114,287.17112.70
198754.50%119,428.31113.10
198763.12%123,156.98113.50
198776.45%131,105.55113.80
19878-3.03%127,132.49114.40
19879-11.85%112,062.35115.00
198710-12.30%98,274.86115.30
198711-1.33%96,963.19115.40
1987124.25%101,080.77115.40
198813.33%104,445.31115.70
198823.23%107,821.04116.00
19883-0.89%106,865.72116.50
19884-2.19%104,527.21117.10
198856.00%110,796.97117.50
19886-0.31%110,456.91118.00
19887-1.72%108,558.72118.50
198881.93%110,650.83119.00
198893.80%114,857.35119.80
198810-2.02%112,536.95120.20
1988112.33%115,154.51120.30
1988123.51%119,199.49120.50
198913.30%123,132.90121.10
19892-0.16%122,933.84121.60
198933.56%127,316.19122.30
198944.12%132,555.63123.10
198953.39%137,052.74123.80
198962.80%140,890.46124.10
198974.69%147,499.28124.40
198980.46%148,171.20124.60
198990.29%148,595.35125.00
198910-1.81%145,900.49125.60
1989112.74%149,893.36125.90
198912-2.21%146,578.88126.10
19901-2.53%142,874.56127.40
199022.71%146,742.42128.00
199030.20%147,030.01128.70
199043.85%152,692.03128.90
199053.17%157,532.30129.20
199060.17%157,799.67129.90
19907-7.86%145,394.68130.40
19908-4.34%139,083.01131.60
19909-2.32%135,862.17132.70
1990102.98%139,916.04133.50
1990114.59%146,333.44133.80
199012-0.69%145,330.80133.80
1991111.61%162,199.02134.60
199123.04%167,137.37134.80
199132.26%170,912.71135.00
19914-0.18%170,606.99135.20
199150.35%171,199.01135.60
199160.78%172,535.20136.00
199172.68%177,157.30136.20
19918-0.30%176,620.33136.60
199190.18%176,941.16137.20
1991100.02%176,969.11137.40
1991110.94%178,624.01137.80
1991127.36%191,767.22137.90
19921-0.60%190,614.99138.10
19922-1.01%188,685.25138.60
199230.26%189,183.95139.30
199242.07%193,096.93139.50
19925-1.33%190,530.44139.70
199261.91%194,173.64140.20
199270.94%196,002.21140.50
199280.38%196,743.46140.90
19929-1.18%194,417.85141.30
1992102.76%199,777.76141.80
1992113.27%206,312.89142.00
1992120.14%206,607.69141.90
199311.72%210,170.12142.60
199322.15%214,689.10143.10
19933-1.34%211,808.52143.60
199340.72%213,343.55144.00
199350.87%215,189.36144.20
199360.06%215,320.63144.40
199371.76%219,115.58144.40
199381.35%222,084.54144.80
199391.24%224,842.62145.10
1993100.01%224,859.59145.70
1993110.89%226,854.50145.80
1993121.74%230,792.42145.80
19941-0.08%230,617.70146.20
19942-1.42%227,334.13146.70
19943-3.35%219,726.67147.20
199441.06%222,051.91147.40
199451.11%224,512.45147.50
19946-0.52%223,347.51148.00
199473.08%230,231.26148.40
199480.82%232,113.32149.00
19949-0.44%231,082.72149.40
199410-0.37%230,227.98149.50
199411-1.03%227,866.52149.70
1994122.45%233,451.92149.70
199513.82%242,367.67150.30
199522.56%248,567.85150.90
199533.22%256,560.68151.40
199543.35%265,149.72151.90
199553.18%273,577.29152.20
199563.55%283,282.39152.50
199570.51%284,735.98152.50
199583.72%295,321.51152.90
199590.91%298,016.52153.20
1995102.36%305,044.90153.70
1995113.39%315,383.29153.60
1995120.16%315,896.04153.50
199615.90%334,547.78154.40
19962-0.20%333,876.36154.90
199630.20%334,534.23155.70
199642.35%342,411.93156.30
199651.28%346,789.99156.60
19966-3.48%334,733.61156.70
199673.08%345,029.19157.00
199682.02%352,011.63157.30
199694.12%366,512.75157.80
1996105.05%385,029.27158.30
1996111.20%389,642.80158.60
1996123.26%402,335.57158.60
199714.36%419,882.08159.10
19972-0.62%417,263.34159.60
19973-3.41%403,054.49160.00
199749.22%440,207.37160.20
199755.34%463,700.47160.10
199765.74%490,297.98160.30
199770.35%492,003.18160.50
199781.19%497,867.90160.80
199791.65%506,059.70161.20
199710-1.15%500,229.67161.60
1997112.63%513,408.81161.50
1997120.24%514,626.04161.30
199816.40%547,573.21161.60
199825.31%576,665.08161.90
199833.41%596,304.42162.20
19984-0.22%594,981.47162.50
199850.12%595,674.37162.80
199864.47%622,287.11163.00
19987-6.97%578,907.43163.20
19988-4.90%550,549.94163.40
199891.29%557,656.75163.60
19981010.97%618,856.15164.00
1998114.10%644,254.65164.00
1998125.05%676,774.61163.90
19991-0.07%676,323.13164.30
199922.92%696,095.51164.50
199934.25%725,679.72165.00
19994-0.10%724,962.52166.20
19995-0.61%720,527.44166.20
199964.52%753,112.48166.20
19997-3.77%724,687.11166.70
19998-0.60%720,353.36167.10
19999-1.27%711,187.07167.90
1999107.11%761,723.66168.20
1999112.81%783,118.43168.30
199912-0.12%782,187.05168.30
20001-2.48%762,803.85168.80
200023.94%792,865.59169.80
200031.42%804,161.28171.20
20004-2.84%781,332.79171.30
200053.16%806,050.10171.50
200060.85%812,904.29172.40
200070.94%820,543.24172.80
20008-1.08%811,684.24172.80
20009-5.21%769,361.16173.70
200010-0.77%763,417.35174.00
200011-3.32%738,071.33174.10
2000120.46%741,429.61174.00
20011-2.14%725,590.76175.10
20012-9.08%659,707.83175.80
200130.45%662,667.89176.20
200146.88%708,255.02176.90
20015-2.39%691,337.27177.70
20016-2.66%672,946.13178.00
20017-2.05%659,178.74177.50
20018-11.25%585,038.76177.50
200193.18%603,666.58178.30
2001105.05%634,170.74177.70
2001111.47%643,467.99177.40
200112-0.30%641,552.46176.70
20021-3.35%620,042.68177.10
200224.95%650,705.47177.80
20023-3.51%627,836.87178.80
20024-2.82%610,129.54179.80
20025-5.92%574,004.02179.80
20026-10.76%512,249.80179.90
200271.14%518,083.26180.10
20028-4.76%493,434.25180.70
20029-1.37%486,688.80181.00
2002106.63%518,934.74181.30
200211-1.04%513,563.44181.30
200212-0.22%512,420.68180.90
20031-6.41%479,549.73181.70
200321.31%485,821.75183.10
200335.29%511,501.60184.20
200345.31%538,673.65183.80
200355.70%569,400.59183.50
200360.60%572,793.66183.70
20037-0.17%571,840.96183.90
200383.16%589,917.89184.60
200392.03%601,880.42185.20
2003101.21%609,166.70185.00
2003113.06%627,830.41184.50
2003124.93%658,813.60184.30
200411.09%665,972.68185.20
20042-1.57%655,548.89186.20
200430.97%661,895.50187.40
20044-2.56%644,922.83188.00
200452.86%663,352.64189.10
20046-2.24%648,501.63189.70
20047-1.39%639,503.22189.40
200482.78%657,298.19189.50
200490.10%657,972.55189.90
2004104.77%689,383.47190.90
2004112.73%708,186.05191.00
200412-1.35%698,631.05190.30
200511.68%710,376.48190.70
20052-0.26%708,560.84191.80
20053-2.41%691,492.19193.30
200541.34%700,729.63194.60
200552.18%716,010.42194.40
200561.81%728,954.39194.50
200570.31%731,214.29195.40
200580.28%733,259.42196.40
20059-2.62%714,017.08198.80
2005103.96%742,303.17199.20
2005112.14%758,219.13197.60
2005121.47%769,340.46196.80
20061-0.02%769,212.44198.30
200621.49%780,644.00198.70
200630.80%786,876.12199.80
20064-0.79%780,686.28201.50
20065-2.71%759,562.52202.50
200660.72%765,031.68202.90
200672.29%782,564.36203.50
200682.53%802,372.43203.90
200693.62%831,385.52202.90
2006102.00%848,026.89201.80
2006112.15%866,244.75201.50
2006120.69%872,246.32201.80
200711.60%886,167.79202.42
20072-2.47%864,244.97203.50
200734.18%900,372.65205.35
200743.39%930,911.07206.69
200750.34%934,121.80207.95
200760.57%939,489.45208.35
20077-4.20%900,020.48208.30
200783.07%927,693.80207.92
200792.99%955,446.99208.49
200710-4.81%909,525.25208.94
2007111.24%920,787.18210.18
200712-6.64%859,691.13210.04
20081-1.56%846,245.86211.08
20082-2.63%824,018.06211.69
200834.24%858,987.76213.53
200842.56%881,000.22214.82
20085-4.25%843,587.82216.63
20086-6.08%792,310.58218.82
200872.11%809,032.57219.96
20088-4.85%769,814.42219.09
20089-20.19%614,361.29218.78
200810-8.61%561,493.36216.57
200811-0.35%559,521.30212.43
200812-1.10%553,391.43210.23
20091-6.70%516,300.33211.14
20092-5.69%486,936.08212.19
2009312.32%546,935.13212.71
200946.66%583,360.03213.24
200952.87%600,095.82213.86
200961.28%607,762.90215.69
200978.12%657,117.77215.35
200983.65%681,104.83215.83
200992.40%697,472.51215.97
2009102.09%712,079.86216.18
2009112.23%727,929.74216.33
2009121.36%737,807.52215.95
20101-2.90%716,422.36216.69
201025.94%758,999.60216.74
201034.09%790,026.97217.63
20104-5.88%743,554.45218.01
20105-3.54%717,206.12218.18
20106-0.16%716,065.24217.97
201070.86%722,249.26218.01
201083.37%746,597.40218.31
201094.58%780,772.43218.44
2010102.49%800,220.80218.71
2010113.71%829,938.89218.80
2010123.46%858,672.97219.18
201113.15%885,728.59220.22
20112-1.11%875,875.21221.31
201132.22%895,328.25223.47
201140.66%901,230.56224.91
20115-3.66%868,222.09225.96
201163.10%895,152.04225.72
20117-10.40%802,050.44225.92
20118-0.79%795,720.30226.55
201193.02%819,742.34226.89
2011101.77%834,228.20226.42
2011111.55%847,198.37226.23
2011124.78%887,716.12225.67
201214.16%924,668.27226.67
201222.88%951,334.20227.66
20123-0.04%950,970.69229.39
20124-3.09%921,576.64230.09
20125-1.15%910,956.29229.82
201262.92%937,566.11229.48
201273.39%969,328.05229.10
201283.02%998,613.06230.38
20129-0.22%996,444.72231.41
201210-2.84%968,170.66231.32
2012112.18%989,233.55230.22
2012124.27%1,031,461.58229.60
201312.33%1,055,525.80230.28
201322.72%1,084,262.00232.17
201331.45%1,100,024.91232.77
201344.57%1,150,343.02232.53
20135-1.12%1,137,484.77232.95
201363.25%1,174,503.95233.50
201370.25%1,177,469.91233.60
201381.19%1,191,510.85233.88
201392.12%1,216,741.69234.15
2013103.86%1,263,707.85233.55
2013111.52%1,282,937.20233.07
2013120.97%1,295,353.57233.05
20141-0.13%1,293,669.14233.92
201422.72%1,328,886.30234.78
201430.20%1,331,566.98236.29
201441.53%1,351,967.05237.07
201453.20%1,395,180.22237.90
201461.50%1,416,049.63238.34
20147-0.43%1,410,003.79238.25
201481.78%1,435,074.14237.85
20149-2.65%1,397,093.70238.03
2014105.71%1,476,807.01237.43
2014110.63%1,486,168.31236.15
201412-1.11%1,469,671.16234.81
201512.83%1,511,224.61233.71
201520.06%1,512,061.28234.72
201530.88%1,525,343.37236.12
201540.98%1,540,275.02236.60
20155-0.44%1,533,567.12237.81
20156-0.08%1,532,345.94238.64
20157-2.42%1,495,195.78238.65
20158-4.51%1,427,805.88238.32
201594.32%1,489,445.96237.95
2015102.93%1,533,123.52237.84
201511-1.10%1,516,213.63237.34
201512-6.42%1,418,878.45236.53
20161-0.55%1,411,075.91236.92
201626.36%1,500,858.82237.11
201632.83%1,543,352.04238.13
20164-0.30%1,538,654.62239.26
201651.07%1,555,064.22240.23
201663.30%1,606,341.51241.02
201671.20%1,625,605.67240.63
20168-0.44%1,618,474.61240.85
20169-0.51%1,610,285.43241.43
2016101.20%1,629,627.55241.73
2016113.95%1,693,932.06241.35
2016121.44%1,718,284.62241.43
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 $10,000.00 up-front. Instead, the capital is invested over a period of time.

Consider a strategy in which $10,000.00 was invested in the S&P 500 over a period of no more than 24 months beginning in 1963. This would result in a final amount of $1,444,808.28, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $1,718,284.62).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
19631416.66422.17
19632416.66836.79
19633416.661,314.71
19634416.661,769.57
19635416.662,189.89
19636416.662,573.61
19637416.663,079.80
19638416.663,596.56
19639416.664,032.22
196310416.664,434.18
196311416.664,965.86
196312416.665,560.70
19641416.666,064.78
19642416.666,614.63
19643416.667,149.32
19644416.667,657.29
19645416.668,044.62
19646416.668,795.40
19647416.669,098.15
19648416.669,700.80
19649416.6610,315.77
196410416.6610,831.98
196411416.6611,080.00
196412416.8211,820.08
19651-11,935.33
19652-11,975.39
19653-12,161.92
19654-12,372.64
19655-11,814.96
19656-11,827.12
19657-12,077.68
19658-12,512.01
19659-12,824.41
196510-12,962.40
196511-12,934.97
196512-13,191.14
19661-13,134.36
19662-12,627.07
19663-13,046.41
19664-12,393.10
19665-12,323.76
19666-12,326.03
19667-11,614.88
19668-11,240.32
19669-11,176.88
196610-11,771.05
196611-11,855.31
196612-12,344.96
19671-12,805.43
19672-13,142.69
19673-13,404.56
19674-13,680.38
19675-13,544.70
19676-13,814.56
19677-14,070.36
19678-14,303.07
19679-14,317.00
196710-13,904.43
196711-14,337.10
196712-14,334.59
19681-13,724.37
19682-13,510.37
19683-14,545.50
19684-14,917.53
19685-15,356.21
19686-15,363.72
19687-15,066.60
19688-15,595.09
19689-16,018.83
196810-16,304.89
196811-16,514.46
196812-15,856.34
19691-15,818.51
19692-15,515.78
19693-15,868.64
19694-16,426.19
19695-15,609.59
19696-14,953.15
19697-14,910.75
19698-15,004.46
19699-15,206.49
196910-15,358.17
196911-14,586.04
196912-14,500.12
19701-14,036.68
19702-14,319.14
19703-13,925.69
19704-12,366.15
19705-12,332.78
19706-12,397.22
19707-12,800.85
19708-13,610.03
19709-13,948.85
197010-13,977.69
197011-14,978.26
197012-15,593.97
19711-16,241.29
19712-16,701.21
19713-17,314.79
19714-17,122.97
19715-16,849.71
19716-16,771.70
19717-16,517.26
19718-16,927.94
19719-16,612.46
197110-15,886.24
197111-17,024.27
197112-17,777.17
19721-18,148.18
19722-18,623.59
19723-18,858.04
19724-18,711.72
19725-18,808.29
19726-18,713.53
19727-19,421.59
19728-19,186.50
19729-19,266.59
197210-20,278.89
197211-20,747.64
197212-20,952.91
19731-20,256.20
19732-19,983.68
19733-19,657.29
19734-19,152.15
19735-18,771.06
19736-18,998.23
19737-18,687.53
19738-19,060.40
19739-19,867.67
197310-18,506.17
197311-17,246.77
197312-17,540.04
19741-17,106.30
19742-17,888.85
19743-17,027.21
19744-16,566.51
19745-16,642.25
19746-14,753.88
19747-14,198.43
19748-12,776.66
19749-13,080.35
197410-13,570.01
197411-12,743.35
197412-13,843.45
19751-15,339.59
19752-16,102.52
19753-16,341.97
19754-17,438.95
19755-17,943.74
19756-18,021.26
19757-16,760.45
19758-16,617.53
19759-17,443.63
197510-17,799.78
197511-17,589.81
197512-19,268.80
19761-20,073.88
19762-20,234.96
19763-20,456.62
19764-20,378.21
19765-20,561.74
19766-21,109.78
19767-20,991.44
19768-21,503.18
19769-20,834.82
197610-20,758.43
197611-21,544.45
197612-21,428.70
19771-20,921.14
19772-20,909.80
19773-20,660.21
19774-20,673.53
19775-20,859.55
19776-21,127.06
19777-20,687.91
19778-20,444.76
19779-19,995.41
197710-20,191.59
197711-20,175.41
197712-19,491.39
19781-19,301.94
19782-19,353.22
19783-20,287.98
19784-21,404.69
19785-21,548.86
19786-21,535.44
19787-23,113.59
19788-23,205.97
19789-22,562.35
197810-21,335.49
197811-21,745.74
197812-22,655.86
19791-22,416.40
19792-22,941.20
19793-23,498.88
19794-23,054.04
19795-23,611.41
19796-23,946.89
19797-25,147.66
19798-25,535.05
19799-24,678.99
197910-24,599.41
197911-25,682.77
197912-26,533.50
19801-27,699.87
19802-25,268.43
19803-24,974.80
19804-26,232.56
19805-28,032.82
19806-29,425.90
19807-30,457.18
19808-31,320.89
19809-32,362.24
198010-33,855.66
198011-33,434.23
198012-33,437.57
19811-32,410.97
19812-33,753.86
19813-34,190.56
19814-33,637.61
19815-33,926.08
19816-33,242.05
19817-33,508.84
19818-30,726.70
19819-31,257.43
198110-32,208.82
198111-32,588.68
198112-31,023.08
19821-30,429.33
19822-29,594.19
19823-31,212.79
19824-31,390.59
19825-29,736.11
19826-29,808.62
19827-30,045.30
19828-33,679.69
19829-36,670.92
198210-38,321.08
198211-38,840.52
198212-40,365.30
19831-41,225.09
19832-42,818.69
19833-44,615.96
19834-46,589.77
19835-47,406.73
19836-47,742.43
19837-46,593.18
19838-48,137.20
19839-48,449.09
198310-47,896.09
198311-47,834.72
198312-48,588.56
19841-46,104.63
19842-46,308.57
19843-46,543.45
19844-46,425.90
19845-45,567.80
19846-45,153.84
19847-49,310.96
19848-50,004.75
19849-49,798.53
198410-50,438.89
198411-50,082.01
198412-52,434.64
19851-55,469.22
19852-55,203.90
19853-55,769.58
19854-57,295.24
19855-58,733.90
19856-60,053.78
19857-58,945.60
19858-57,834.48
19859-58,699.43
198510-62,468.24
198511-65,775.63
198512-66,270.08
19861-70,045.65
19862-74,376.42
19863-76,415.39
19864-76,791.23
19865-79,197.28
19866-77,768.63
19867-79,542.42
19868-77,588.67
19869-77,518.94
198610-80,257.64
198611-81,629.20
198612-87,076.62
19871-92,703.40
19872-96,760.48
19873-95,931.81
19874-96,097.61
19875-100,420.51
19876-103,555.74
19877-110,239.23
19878-106,898.52
19879-94,226.89
198710-82,633.76
198711-81,530.86
198712-84,993.10
19881-87,822.15
19882-90,660.61
19883-89,857.34
19884-87,891.02
19885-93,162.90
19886-92,876.96
19887-91,280.88
19888-93,040.02
19889-96,577.05
198810-94,625.95
198811-96,826.91
198812-100,228.11
19891-103,535.48
19892-103,368.11
19893-107,052.98
19894-111,458.53
19895-115,239.90
19896-118,466.81
19897-124,023.80
19898-124,588.77
19899-124,945.42
198910-122,679.47
198911-126,036.85
198912-123,249.89
19901-120,135.13
19902-123,387.39
19903-123,629.22
19904-128,390.08
19905-132,459.99
19906-132,684.81
19907-122,254.16
19908-116,947.03
19909-114,238.81
199010-117,647.48
199011-123,043.51
199012-122,200.45
19911-136,383.98
19912-140,536.35
19913-143,710.83
19914-143,453.76
19915-143,951.56
19916-145,075.08
19917-148,961.55
19918-148,510.04
19919-148,779.81
199110-148,803.31
199111-150,194.82
199112-161,246.20
19921-160,277.36
19922-158,654.74
19923-159,074.07
19924-162,364.28
19925-160,206.26
19926-163,269.62
19927-164,807.16
19928-165,430.44
19929-163,474.96
199210-167,981.81
199211-173,476.83
199212-173,724.72
19931-176,720.16
19932-180,519.91
19933-178,097.80
19934-179,388.51
19935-180,940.55
19936-181,050.93
19937-184,241.89
19938-186,738.32
19939-189,057.44
199310-189,071.70
199311-190,749.11
199312-194,060.28
19941-193,913.38
19942-191,152.40
19943-184,755.72
19944-186,710.88
19945-188,779.81
19946-187,800.28
19947-193,588.43
19948-195,170.95
19949-194,304.38
199410-193,585.68
199411-191,600.06
199412-196,296.51
19951-203,793.26
19952-209,006.64
19953-215,727.35
19954-222,949.39
19955-230,035.66
19956-238,196.13
19957-239,418.37
19958-248,319.14
19959-250,585.22
199510-256,494.99
199511-265,187.96
199512-265,619.10
19961-281,302.30
19962-280,737.73
19963-281,290.90
19964-287,914.81
19965-291,596.07
19966-281,458.55
19967-290,115.51
19968-295,986.66
19969-308,179.82
199610-323,749.32
199611-327,628.57
199612-338,301.21
19971-353,055.08
19972-350,853.12
19973-338,905.71
19974-370,145.46
19975-389,899.48
19976-412,263.82
19977-413,697.63
19978-418,628.94
19979-425,516.96
199710-420,614.82
199711-431,696.41
199712-432,719.91
19981-460,423.32
19982-484,885.03
19983-501,398.64
19984-500,286.24
19985-500,868.86
19986-523,246.01
19987-486,770.50
19988-462,926.29
19989-468,902.00
199810-520,361.11
199811-541,717.27
199812-569,061.47
19991-568,681.85
19992-585,307.32
19993-610,183.01
19994-609,579.95
19995-605,850.74
19996-633,249.66
19997-609,348.37
19998-605,704.37
19999-597,996.96
199910-640,490.32
199911-658,479.97
199912-657,696.82
20001-641,398.58
20002-666,675.80
20003-676,173.70
20004-656,978.52
20005-677,761.91
20006-683,525.21
20007-689,948.37
20008-682,499.34
20009-646,912.25
200010-641,914.44
200011-620,602.41
200012-623,426.20
20011-610,108.21
20012-554,710.97
20013-557,199.93
20014-595,531.56
20015-581,306.39
20016-565,842.32
20017-554,266.09
20018-491,925.98
20019-507,589.06
200110-533,238.28
200111-541,055.82
200112-539,445.15
20021-521,358.80
20022-547,141.40
20023-527,912.49
20024-513,023.40
20025-482,647.50
20026-430,721.87
20027-435,626.89
20028-414,900.94
20029-409,229.06
200210-436,342.85
200211-431,826.43
200212-430,865.54
20031-403,226.23
20032-408,500.02
20033-430,092.75
20034-452,940.19
20035-478,776.73
20036-481,629.77
20037-480,828.70
20038-496,028.57
20039-506,087.18
200310-512,213.80
200311-527,907.06
200312-553,959.07
20041-559,978.73
20042-551,213.96
20043-556,550.47
20044-542,279.10
20045-557,775.69
20046-545,288.32
20047-537,722.06
20048-552,684.85
20049-553,251.88
200410-579,663.55
200411-595,473.56
200412-587,439.31
20051-597,315.38
20052-595,788.71
20053-581,436.64
20054-589,203.89
20055-602,052.64
20056-612,936.49
20057-614,836.71
20058-616,556.35
20059-600,376.55
200510-624,160.73
200511-637,543.55
200512-646,894.85
20061-646,787.21
20062-656,399.36
20063-661,639.60
20064-656,434.90
20065-638,673.14
20066-643,271.84
20067-658,014.08
20068-674,669.56
20069-699,065.03
200610-713,057.81
200611-728,376.18
200612-733,422.57
20071-745,128.34
20072-726,694.68
20073-757,072.41
20074-782,750.43
20075-785,450.15
20076-789,963.50
20077-756,776.28
20078-780,045.21
20079-803,381.30
200710-764,768.31
200711-774,237.83
200712-722,865.62
20081-711,560.25
20082-692,870.15
20083-722,274.19
20084-740,783.22
20085-709,325.26
20086-666,209.12
20087-680,269.70
20088-647,293.38
20089-516,581.64
200810-472,127.99
200811-470,469.80
200812-465,315.53
20091-434,127.73
20092-409,436.99
20093-459,886.79
20094-490,514.43
20095-504,586.61
20096-511,033.42
20097-552,533.14
20098-572,702.50
20099-586,465.16
200910-598,747.65
200911-612,074.92
200912-620,380.58
20101-602,399.02
20102-638,199.80
20103-664,288.97
20104-625,212.86
20105-603,058.04
20106-602,098.73
20107-607,298.53
20108-627,771.50
20109-656,507.34
201010-672,860.38
201011-697,848.64
201012-722,009.51
20111-744,759.04
20112-736,473.89
20113-752,830.85
20114-757,793.77
20115-730,038.82
20116-752,682.69
20117-674,398.82
20118-669,076.16
20119-689,274.94
201110-701,455.27
201111-712,361.16
201112-746,430.24
20121-777,501.21
20122-799,923.08
20123-799,617.43
20124-774,901.64
20125-765,971.58
20126-788,346.28
20127-815,053.09
20128-839,677.20
20129-837,853.97
201210-814,079.91
201211-831,790.51
201212-867,297.66
20131-887,531.90
20132-911,694.55
20133-924,948.69
20134-967,258.34
20135-956,446.57
20136-987,573.90
20137-990,067.80
20138-1,001,874.04
20139-1,023,089.22
201310-1,062,580.41
201311-1,078,749.28
201312-1,089,189.50
20141-1,087,773.16
20142-1,117,385.28
20143-1,119,639.31
20144-1,136,792.58
20145-1,173,128.08
20146-1,190,675.99
20147-1,185,592.39
20148-1,206,672.62
20149-1,174,737.02
201410-1,241,763.43
201411-1,249,634.82
201412-1,235,763.30
20151-1,270,703.25
20152-1,271,406.75
20153-1,282,574.91
20154-1,295,130.09
20155-1,289,489.80
20156-1,288,462.97
20157-1,257,225.51
20158-1,200,561.16
20159-1,252,390.81
201510-1,289,116.80
201511-1,274,898.23
201512-1,193,054.58
20161-1,186,493.87
20162-1,261,987.24
20163-1,297,717.38
20164-1,293,767.58
20165-1,307,565.49
20166-1,350,681.66
20167-1,366,879.80
20168-1,360,883.70
20169-1,353,997.88
201610-1,370,261.57
201611-1,424,331.60
201612-1,444,808.28
Click to show 630 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 1963 to 2016
Start Value
Average monthly close
$65.06
End Value
Average monthly close
$1,918.60
Change in price+2,848.97%
+6.59% / yr
Change incl. dividends+17,082.85%
+10.00% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+2,090.75%
+5.88% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($10000 base)
$1,718,284.62
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($10000 base)
$219,074.90