S&P 500: $100 in 1956 → $88,704.98 in 2024

$

Stock market returns since 1956

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1956, you would have about $88,704.98 at the end of 2024, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 88,604.98%, or 10.43% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 7,547.64% cumulatively, or 6.54% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $82,943.47.

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 $88,604.98, or 88,604.98%. This means by 2024 you would have $88,704.98 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 1956 was 27.200 and the CPI in 2024 was 315.493.

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

Adjusted for inflation, the $88,704.98 nominal end value of the original $100 investment would have a real return of roughly $7,547.64 in 1956 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 7,547.64% as opposed to the original 88,604.98%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1956.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $100 investment, including gains and losses over the 821-month period between 1956 and 2024.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
195610.95%100.9526.80
195627.21%108.2226.80
195631.48%109.8326.80
19564-2.84%106.7126.90
19565-0.26%106.4327.00
195665.75%112.5527.20
19567-0.28%112.2327.40
19568-3.09%108.7627.30
19569-0.95%107.7327.40
195610-0.71%106.9627.50
1956111.81%108.8927.50
195612-1.86%106.8727.60
19571-4.00%102.5927.60
195721.62%104.2627.70
195732.64%107.0127.80
195744.16%111.4727.90
195751.95%113.6428.00
195762.32%116.2828.10
19577-5.21%110.2328.30
19578-3.74%106.1128.30
19579-5.90%99.8528.30
195710-1.80%98.0528.30
1957110.32%98.3728.40
1957122.33%100.6628.40
195810.70%101.3628.60
195822.42%103.8128.60
195830.90%104.7528.80
195843.56%108.4728.90
195852.74%111.4428.90
195863.07%114.8628.90
195874.05%119.5229.00
195882.94%123.0428.90
195894.36%128.4028.90
1958103.33%132.6728.90
1958112.16%135.5429.00
1958124.25%141.3128.90
19591-1.27%139.5229.00
195922.81%143.4328.90
195931.94%146.2128.90
195941.77%148.7929.00
19595-0.61%147.8929.00
195964.23%154.1429.10
19597-0.32%153.6529.20
19598-3.70%147.9629.20
195990.18%148.2229.30
1959100.67%149.2129.40
1959113.46%154.3829.40
195912-1.49%152.0929.40
19601-3.61%146.6029.30
19602-1.08%145.0229.40
196031.58%147.3229.40
19604-0.62%146.4029.50
196053.99%152.2329.50
19606-2.20%148.8929.60
196071.49%151.1129.60
19608-2.72%147.0029.60
19609-1.67%144.5429.60
1960103.54%149.6629.80
1960112.69%153.6829.80
1960125.43%162.0229.80
196114.37%169.1129.80
196123.40%174.8629.80
196132.92%179.9629.80
196141.26%182.2329.80
19615-1.08%180.2629.80
19616-0.03%180.2129.80
196173.84%187.1330.00
19618-0.54%186.1229.90
196191.34%188.6230.00
1961104.77%197.6230.00
1961111.16%199.9230.00
196112-3.49%192.9530.00
196211.91%196.6330.00
196220.34%197.3030.10
19623-2.94%191.4930.10
19624-7.19%177.7330.20
19625-11.41%157.4530.20
196262.72%161.7330.20
196273.02%166.6230.30
19628-0.59%165.6330.30
19629-2.86%160.9030.40
1962107.20%172.4830.40
1962114.62%180.4630.40
1962124.15%187.9430.40
196311.60%190.9430.40
19632-0.11%190.7330.40
196334.98%200.2330.50
196342.27%204.7730.50
196350.22%205.2230.50
19636-1.22%202.7130.60
196373.03%208.8530.70
196382.89%214.9030.70
196390.50%215.9730.70
196310-0.31%215.3130.80
1963112.39%220.4630.80
1963123.33%227.8030.90
196411.48%231.1730.90
196422.07%235.9630.90
196431.69%239.9630.90
196441.22%242.8830.90
19645-0.35%242.0330.90
196463.96%251.6231.00
19647-1.23%248.5431.10
196481.97%253.4231.00
196491.97%258.4131.10
1964100.94%260.8331.10
196411-1.49%256.9531.20
1964122.82%264.2031.20
196510.98%266.7731.20
196520.34%267.6731.20
196531.56%271.8431.30
196541.73%276.5531.40
19655-4.51%264.0831.40
196560.10%264.3531.60
196572.12%269.9531.60
196583.60%279.6631.60
196592.50%286.6431.60
1965101.08%289.7331.70
196511-0.21%289.1131.70
1965121.98%294.8431.80
19661-0.43%293.5731.80
19662-3.86%282.2332.00
196633.32%291.6132.10
19664-5.01%277.0032.30
19665-0.56%275.4532.30
196660.02%275.5032.40
19667-5.77%259.6132.50
19668-3.22%251.2432.70
19669-0.56%249.8232.70
1966105.32%263.1032.90
1966110.72%264.9832.90
1966124.13%275.9332.90
196713.73%286.2232.90
196722.63%293.7632.90
196731.99%299.6133.00
196742.06%305.7833.10
19675-0.99%302.7433.20
196761.99%308.7833.30
196771.85%314.4933.40
196781.65%319.6933.50
196790.10%320.0133.60
196710-2.88%310.7833.70
1967113.11%320.4533.80
196712-0.02%320.4033.90
19681-4.26%306.7634.10
19682-1.56%301.9834.20
196837.66%325.1134.30
196842.56%333.4334.40
196852.94%343.2334.50
196860.05%343.4034.70
19687-1.93%336.7634.90
196883.51%348.5735.00
196892.72%358.0435.10
1968101.79%364.4435.30
1968111.29%369.1235.40
196812-3.99%354.4135.50
19691-0.24%353.5735.60
19692-1.91%346.8035.80
196932.27%354.6936.10
196943.51%367.1536.30
19695-4.97%348.9036.40
19696-4.21%334.2236.60
19697-0.28%333.2836.80
196980.63%335.3737.00
196991.35%339.8937.10
1969101.00%343.2837.30
196911-5.03%326.0237.50
196912-0.59%324.1037.70
19701-3.20%313.7437.80
197022.01%320.0538.00
19703-2.75%311.2638.20
19704-11.20%276.4038.50
19705-0.27%275.6638.60
197060.52%277.1038.80
197073.26%286.1239.00
197086.32%304.2039.00
197092.49%311.7839.20
1970100.21%312.4239.40
1970117.16%334.7939.60
1970124.11%348.5539.80
197114.15%363.0239.80
197122.83%373.3039.90
197133.67%387.0140.00
19714-1.11%382.7240.10
19715-1.60%376.6140.30
19716-0.46%374.8740.60
19717-1.52%369.1840.70
197182.49%378.3640.80
19719-1.86%371.3140.80
197110-4.37%355.0840.90
1971117.16%380.5240.90
1971124.42%397.3441.10
197212.09%405.6441.10
197222.62%416.2641.30
197231.26%421.5041.40
19724-0.78%418.2341.50
197250.52%420.3941.60
19726-0.50%418.2741.70
197273.78%434.1041.90
19728-1.21%428.8542.00
197290.42%430.6442.10
1972105.25%453.2642.30
1972112.31%463.7442.40
1972120.99%468.3342.50
19731-3.33%452.7542.60
19732-1.35%446.6642.90
19733-1.63%439.3743.30
19734-2.57%428.0843.60
19735-1.99%419.5643.90
197361.21%424.6444.20
19737-1.64%417.6944.30
197382.00%426.0345.10
197394.24%444.0745.20
197310-6.85%413.6445.60
197311-6.81%385.4945.90
1973121.70%392.0446.20
19741-2.47%382.3546.60
197424.57%399.8447.20
19743-4.82%380.5847.80
19744-2.71%370.2848.00
197450.46%371.9848.60
19746-11.35%329.7749.00
19747-3.76%317.3649.40
19748-10.01%285.5850.00
197492.38%292.3650.60
1974103.74%303.3151.10
197411-6.09%284.8351.50
1974128.63%309.4251.90
1975110.81%342.8652.10
197524.97%359.9152.50
197531.49%365.2752.70
197546.71%389.7952.90
197552.89%401.0753.20
197560.43%402.8053.60
19757-7.00%374.6254.20
19758-0.85%371.4354.30
197594.97%389.8954.60
1975102.04%397.8554.90
197511-1.18%393.1655.30
1975129.55%430.6955.50
197614.18%448.6855.60
197620.80%452.2855.80
197631.10%457.2355.90
19764-0.38%455.4856.10
197650.90%459.5856.50
197662.67%471.8356.80
19767-0.56%469.1957.10
197682.44%480.6357.40
19769-3.11%465.6957.60
197610-0.37%463.9857.90
1976113.79%481.5558.00
197612-0.54%478.9658.20
19771-2.37%467.6258.50
19772-0.05%467.3659.10
19773-1.19%461.7859.50
197740.06%462.0860.00
197750.90%466.2460.30
197761.28%472.2260.70
19777-2.08%462.4061.00
19778-1.18%456.9761.20
19779-2.20%446.9361.40
1977100.98%451.3161.60
197711-0.08%450.9561.90
197712-3.39%435.6662.10
19781-0.97%431.4362.50
197820.27%432.5762.90
197834.83%453.4663.40
197845.50%478.4363.90
197850.67%481.6564.50
19786-0.06%481.3565.20
197877.33%516.6265.70
197880.40%518.6966.00
19789-2.77%504.3066.50
197810-5.44%476.8867.10
1978111.92%486.0567.40
1978124.19%506.3967.70
19791-1.06%501.0468.30
197922.34%512.7769.10
197932.43%525.2369.80
19794-1.89%515.2970.60
197952.42%527.7571.50
197961.42%535.2572.30
197975.01%562.0973.10
197981.54%570.7473.80
19799-3.35%551.6174.60
197910-0.32%549.8375.20
1979114.40%574.0575.90
1979123.31%593.0676.70
198014.40%619.1377.80
19802-8.78%564.7978.90
19803-1.16%558.2280.10
198045.04%586.3381.00
198056.86%626.5781.80
198064.97%657.7182.70
198073.50%680.7682.70
198082.84%700.0783.30
198093.32%723.3484.00
1980104.61%756.7284.80
198011-1.24%747.3085.50
1980120.01%747.3886.30
19811-3.07%724.4387.00
198124.14%754.4587.90
198131.29%764.2188.50
19814-1.62%751.8589.10
198150.86%758.3089.80
19816-2.02%743.0190.60
198170.80%748.9791.60
19818-8.30%686.7992.30
198191.73%698.6593.20
1981103.04%719.9193.40
1981111.18%728.4093.70
198112-4.80%693.4194.00
19821-1.91%680.1494.30
19822-2.74%661.4794.60
198235.47%697.6594.50
198240.57%701.6294.90
19825-5.27%664.6495.80
198260.24%666.2697.00
198270.79%671.5597.50
1982812.10%752.7997.70
198298.88%819.6597.90
1982104.50%856.5398.20
1982111.36%868.1498.00
1982123.93%902.2297.60
198312.13%921.4497.80
198323.87%957.0697.90
198334.20%997.2397.90
198344.42%1,041.3598.60
198351.75%1,059.6199.20
198360.71%1,067.1199.50
19837-2.41%1,041.4299.90
198383.31%1,075.93100.20
198390.65%1,082.91100.70
198310-1.14%1,070.55101.00
198311-0.13%1,069.17101.20
1983121.58%1,086.02101.30
19841-5.11%1,030.50101.90
198420.44%1,035.06102.40
198430.51%1,040.31102.60
19844-0.25%1,037.68103.10
19845-1.85%1,018.50103.40
19846-0.91%1,009.25103.70
198479.21%1,102.17104.10
198481.41%1,117.68104.50
19849-0.41%1,113.07105.00
1984101.29%1,127.38105.30
198411-0.71%1,119.40105.30
1984124.70%1,171.99105.30
198515.79%1,239.82105.50
19852-0.48%1,233.89106.00
198531.02%1,246.53106.40
198542.74%1,280.63106.90
198552.51%1,312.79107.30
198562.25%1,342.29107.60
19857-1.85%1,317.52107.80
19858-1.88%1,292.68108.00
198591.50%1,312.02108.30
1985106.42%1,396.25108.70
1985115.29%1,470.18109.00
1985120.75%1,481.23109.30
198615.70%1,565.62109.60
198626.18%1,662.42109.30
198632.74%1,707.99108.80
198640.49%1,716.39108.60
198653.13%1,770.17108.90
19866-1.80%1,738.24109.50
198672.28%1,777.89109.50
19868-2.46%1,734.22109.70
19869-0.09%1,732.66110.20
1986103.53%1,793.87110.30
1986111.71%1,824.53110.40
1986126.67%1,946.29110.50
198716.46%2,072.05111.20
198724.38%2,162.73111.60
19873-0.86%2,144.21112.10
198740.17%2,147.92112.70
198754.50%2,244.54113.10
198763.12%2,314.62113.50
198776.45%2,464.00113.80
19878-3.03%2,389.33114.40
19879-11.85%2,106.10115.00
198710-12.30%1,846.98115.30
198711-1.33%1,822.33115.40
1987124.25%1,899.72115.40
198813.33%1,962.95115.70
198823.23%2,026.39116.00
19883-0.89%2,008.44116.50
19884-2.19%1,964.49117.10
198856.00%2,082.32117.50
19886-0.31%2,075.93118.00
19887-1.72%2,040.26118.50
198881.93%2,079.58119.00
198893.80%2,158.63119.80
198810-2.02%2,115.02120.20
1988112.33%2,164.22120.30
1988123.51%2,240.24120.50
198913.30%2,314.16121.10
19892-0.16%2,310.42121.60
198933.56%2,392.79122.30
198944.12%2,491.26123.10
198953.39%2,575.77123.80
198962.80%2,647.90124.10
198974.69%2,772.11124.40
198980.46%2,784.74124.60
198990.29%2,792.71125.00
198910-1.81%2,742.06125.60
1989112.74%2,817.10125.90
198912-2.21%2,754.81126.10
19901-2.53%2,685.19127.40
199022.71%2,757.88128.00
199030.20%2,763.29128.70
199043.85%2,869.70128.90
199053.17%2,960.67129.20
199060.17%2,965.69129.90
19907-7.86%2,732.55130.40
19908-4.34%2,613.93131.60
19909-2.32%2,553.40132.70
1990102.98%2,629.59133.50
1990114.59%2,750.20133.80
199012-0.69%2,731.35133.80
1991111.61%3,048.38134.60
199123.04%3,141.19134.80
199132.26%3,212.14135.00
19914-0.18%3,206.39135.20
199150.35%3,217.52135.60
199160.78%3,242.63136.00
199172.68%3,329.50136.20
19918-0.30%3,319.41136.60
199190.18%3,325.44137.20
1991100.02%3,325.96137.40
1991110.94%3,357.07137.80
1991127.36%3,604.08137.90
19921-0.60%3,582.43138.10
19922-1.01%3,546.16138.60
199230.26%3,555.53139.30
199242.07%3,629.07139.50
19925-1.33%3,580.84139.70
199261.91%3,649.31140.20
199270.94%3,683.67140.50
199280.38%3,697.60140.90
19929-1.18%3,653.90141.30
1992102.76%3,754.63141.80
1992113.27%3,877.45142.00
1992120.14%3,882.99141.90
199311.72%3,949.95142.60
199322.15%4,034.88143.10
19933-1.34%3,980.74143.60
199340.72%4,009.59144.00
199350.87%4,044.28144.20
199360.06%4,046.74144.40
199371.76%4,118.07144.40
199381.35%4,173.87144.80
199391.24%4,225.70145.10
1993100.01%4,226.02145.70
1993110.89%4,263.51145.80
1993121.74%4,337.52145.80
19941-0.08%4,334.24146.20
19942-1.42%4,272.53146.70
19943-3.35%4,129.55147.20
199441.06%4,173.25147.40
199451.11%4,219.50147.50
19946-0.52%4,197.60148.00
199473.08%4,326.98148.40
199480.82%4,362.35149.00
19949-0.44%4,342.98149.40
199410-0.37%4,326.91149.50
199411-1.03%4,282.53149.70
1994122.45%4,387.51149.70
199513.82%4,555.07150.30
199522.56%4,671.59150.90
199533.22%4,821.81151.40
199543.35%4,983.23151.90
199553.18%5,141.62152.20
199563.55%5,324.02152.50
199570.51%5,351.34152.50
199583.72%5,550.28152.90
199590.91%5,600.93153.20
1995102.36%5,733.03153.70
1995113.39%5,927.33153.60
1995120.16%5,936.96153.50
199615.90%6,287.50154.40
19962-0.20%6,274.89154.90
199630.20%6,287.25155.70
199642.35%6,435.30156.30
199651.28%6,517.59156.60
19966-3.48%6,291.00156.70
199673.08%6,484.49157.00
199682.02%6,615.72157.30
199694.12%6,888.26157.80
1996105.05%7,236.26158.30
1996111.20%7,322.96158.60
1996123.26%7,561.51158.60
199714.36%7,891.28159.10
19972-0.62%7,842.06159.60
19973-3.41%7,575.02160.00
199749.22%8,273.28160.20
199755.34%8,714.81160.10
199765.74%9,214.68160.30
199770.35%9,246.73160.50
199781.19%9,356.95160.80
199791.65%9,510.91161.20
199710-1.15%9,401.34161.60
1997112.63%9,649.03161.50
1997120.24%9,671.90161.30
199816.40%10,291.11161.60
199825.31%10,837.87161.90
199833.41%11,206.97162.20
19984-0.22%11,182.11162.50
199850.12%11,195.13162.80
199864.47%11,695.29163.00
19987-6.97%10,880.01163.20
19988-4.90%10,347.06163.40
199891.29%10,480.62163.60
19981010.97%11,630.81164.00
1998114.10%12,108.15164.00
1998125.05%12,719.33163.90
19991-0.07%12,710.84164.30
199922.92%13,082.45164.50
199934.25%13,638.45165.00
19994-0.10%13,624.98166.20
19995-0.61%13,541.62166.20
199964.52%14,154.03166.20
19997-3.77%13,619.80166.70
19998-0.60%13,538.35167.10
19999-1.27%13,366.08167.90
1999107.11%14,315.87168.20
1999112.81%14,717.96168.30
199912-0.12%14,700.46168.30
20001-2.48%14,336.17168.80
200023.94%14,901.15169.80
200031.42%15,113.44171.20
20004-2.84%14,684.40171.30
200053.16%15,148.94171.50
200060.85%15,277.76172.40
200070.94%15,421.32172.80
20008-1.08%15,254.83172.80
20009-5.21%14,459.41173.70
200010-0.77%14,347.70174.00
200011-3.32%13,871.34174.10
2000120.46%13,934.46174.00
20011-2.14%13,636.78175.10
20012-9.08%12,398.58175.80
200130.45%12,454.21176.20
200146.88%13,310.97176.90
20015-2.39%12,993.02177.70
20016-2.66%12,647.38178.00
20017-2.05%12,388.63177.50
20018-11.25%10,995.24177.50
200193.18%11,345.33178.30
2001105.05%11,918.63177.70
2001111.47%12,093.36177.40
200112-0.30%12,057.36176.70
20021-3.35%11,653.11177.10
200224.95%12,229.39177.80
20023-3.51%11,799.59178.80
20024-2.82%11,466.80179.80
20025-5.92%10,787.86179.80
20026-10.76%9,627.24179.90
200271.14%9,736.88180.10
20028-4.76%9,273.62180.70
20029-1.37%9,146.85181.00
2002106.63%9,752.88181.30
200211-1.04%9,651.93181.30
200212-0.22%9,630.46180.90
20031-6.41%9,012.68181.70
200321.31%9,130.55183.10
200335.29%9,613.18184.20
200345.31%10,123.85183.80
200355.70%10,701.34183.50
200360.60%10,765.11183.70
20037-0.17%10,747.20183.90
200383.16%11,086.94184.60
200392.03%11,311.77185.20
2003101.21%11,448.70185.00
2003113.06%11,799.47184.50
2003124.93%12,381.77184.30
200411.09%12,516.32185.20
20042-1.57%12,320.41186.20
200430.97%12,439.69187.40
20044-2.56%12,120.71188.00
200452.86%12,467.08189.10
20046-2.24%12,187.97189.70
20047-1.39%12,018.85189.40
200482.78%12,353.29189.50
200490.10%12,365.96189.90
2004104.77%12,956.30190.90
2004112.73%13,309.68191.00
200412-1.35%13,130.10190.30
200511.68%13,350.84190.70
20052-0.26%13,316.72191.80
20053-2.41%12,995.93193.30
200541.34%13,169.54194.60
200552.18%13,456.73194.40
200561.81%13,700.00194.50
200570.31%13,742.47195.40
200580.28%13,780.91196.40
20059-2.62%13,419.27198.80
2005103.96%13,950.88199.20
2005112.14%14,250.00197.60
2005121.47%14,459.02196.80
20061-0.02%14,456.61198.30
200621.49%14,671.46198.70
200630.80%14,788.58199.80
20064-0.79%14,672.25201.50
20065-2.71%14,275.25202.50
200660.72%14,378.04202.90
200672.29%14,707.55203.50
200682.53%15,079.82203.90
200693.62%15,625.09202.90
2006102.00%15,937.85201.80
2006112.15%16,280.24201.50
2006120.69%16,393.03201.80
200711.60%16,654.67202.42
20072-2.47%16,242.66203.50
200734.18%16,921.64205.35
200743.39%17,495.58206.69
200750.34%17,555.92207.95
200760.57%17,656.80208.35
20077-4.20%16,915.02208.30
200783.07%17,435.12207.92
200792.99%17,956.71208.49
200710-4.81%17,093.65208.94
2007111.24%17,305.31210.18
200712-6.64%16,157.07210.04
20081-1.56%15,904.38211.08
20082-2.63%15,486.63211.69
200834.24%16,143.85213.53
200842.56%16,557.55214.82
20085-4.25%15,854.42216.63
20086-6.08%14,890.72218.82
200872.11%15,204.99219.96
20088-4.85%14,467.92219.09
20089-20.19%11,546.33218.78
200810-8.61%10,552.73216.57
200811-0.35%10,515.67212.43
200812-1.10%10,400.46210.23
20091-6.70%9,703.37211.14
20092-5.69%9,151.50212.19
2009312.32%10,279.12212.71
200946.66%10,963.69213.24
200952.87%11,278.23213.86
200961.28%11,422.32215.69
200978.12%12,349.90215.35
200983.65%12,800.71215.83
200992.40%13,108.33215.97
2009102.09%13,382.86216.18
2009112.23%13,680.74216.33
2009121.36%13,866.38215.95
20101-2.90%13,464.47216.69
201025.94%14,264.67216.74
201034.09%14,847.80217.63
20104-5.88%13,974.39218.01
20105-3.54%13,479.20218.18
20106-0.16%13,457.76217.97
201070.86%13,573.98218.01
201083.37%14,031.58218.31
201094.58%14,673.87218.44
2010102.49%15,039.38218.71
2010113.71%15,597.91218.80
2010123.46%16,137.94219.18
201113.15%16,646.42220.22
20112-1.11%16,461.23221.31
201132.22%16,826.84223.47
201140.66%16,937.76224.91
20115-3.66%16,317.40225.96
201163.10%16,823.52225.72
20117-10.40%15,073.77225.92
20118-0.79%14,954.80226.55
201193.02%15,406.27226.89
2011101.77%15,678.52226.42
2011111.55%15,922.28226.23
2011124.78%16,683.77225.67
201214.16%17,378.25226.67
201222.88%17,879.41227.66
20123-0.04%17,872.58229.39
20124-3.09%17,320.15230.09
20125-1.15%17,120.55229.82
201262.92%17,620.66229.48
201273.39%18,217.59229.10
201283.02%18,767.97230.38
20129-0.22%18,727.22231.41
201210-2.84%18,195.84231.32
2012112.18%18,591.70230.22
2012124.27%19,385.33229.60
201312.33%19,837.60230.28
201322.72%20,377.66232.17
201331.45%20,673.91232.77
201344.57%21,619.59232.53
20135-1.12%21,377.94232.95
201363.25%22,073.68233.50
201370.25%22,129.42233.60
201381.19%22,393.30233.88
201392.12%22,867.49234.15
2013103.86%23,750.18233.55
2013111.52%24,111.57233.07
2013120.97%24,344.93233.05
20141-0.13%24,313.27233.92
201422.72%24,975.14234.78
201430.20%25,025.52236.29
201441.53%25,408.92237.07
201453.20%26,221.07237.90
201461.50%26,613.29238.34
20147-0.43%26,499.67238.25
201481.78%26,970.84237.85
20149-2.65%26,257.04238.03
2014105.71%27,755.17237.43
2014110.63%27,931.11236.15
201412-1.11%27,621.06234.81
201512.83%28,402.02233.71
201520.06%28,417.74234.72
201530.88%28,667.37236.12
201540.98%28,947.99236.60
20155-0.44%28,821.92237.81
20156-0.08%28,798.97238.64
20157-2.42%28,100.77238.65
20158-4.51%26,834.24238.32
201594.32%27,992.71237.95
2015102.93%28,813.59237.84
201511-1.10%28,495.78237.34
201512-6.42%26,666.46236.53
20161-0.55%26,519.82236.92
201626.36%28,207.20237.11
201632.83%29,005.82238.13
20164-0.30%28,917.54239.26
201651.07%29,225.94240.23
201663.30%30,189.65241.02
201671.20%30,551.70240.63
20168-0.44%30,417.68240.85
20169-0.51%30,263.77241.43
2016101.20%30,627.29241.73
2016113.95%31,835.83241.35
2016121.44%32,293.51241.43
201712.58%33,125.54242.84
201721.75%33,704.99243.60
20173-0.15%33,653.08243.80
201741.69%34,222.62244.52
201751.78%34,830.56244.73
201760.99%35,174.64244.96
201770.25%35,261.81244.79
201781.65%35,844.78245.52
201792.73%36,825.06246.82
2017101.59%37,410.42246.66
2017112.88%38,489.14246.67
2017124.86%40,360.45246.52
20181-2.89%39,195.37247.87
201820.06%39,220.68248.99
20183-1.66%38,568.06249.55
201841.96%39,324.62250.55
201852.11%40,155.53251.59
201861.58%40,790.29251.99
201872.45%41,789.98252.01
201881.68%42,491.95252.15
20189-3.85%40,856.44252.44
201810-2.08%40,008.21252.89
201811-5.56%37,782.75252.04
2018121.74%38,438.52251.23
201915.83%40,679.07251.71
201921.95%41,471.50252.78
201933.72%43,015.58254.20
20194-1.53%42,356.67255.55
201951.40%42,951.68256.09
201963.83%44,595.58256.14
20197-3.13%43,197.77256.57
201983.09%44,530.52256.56
201990.01%44,534.89256.76
2019104.43%46,509.43257.35
2019112.47%47,657.89257.21
2019123.35%49,252.72256.97
202010.12%49,312.84257.97
20202-18.92%39,983.98258.68
202034.32%41,710.74258.12
202045.89%44,166.40256.39
202056.51%47,040.87256.39
202063.48%48,676.22257.80
202075.89%51,544.95259.10
20208-0.63%51,221.76259.92
202091.73%52,105.85260.28
2020103.95%54,166.18260.39
2020114.26%56,473.70260.23
2020122.80%58,052.31260.47
202112.49%59,498.70261.58
202120.82%59,987.40263.01
202136.02%63,599.53264.88
202140.76%64,083.03267.05
202151.81%65,243.21269.20
202163.07%67,245.00271.70
202172.19%68,714.41273.00
20218-0.08%68,656.35273.57
202190.45%68,966.80274.31
2021104.74%72,239.09276.59
2021110.27%72,430.82277.95
202112-2.05%70,944.57278.80
20221-2.90%68,885.36281.15
20222-0.89%68,270.50283.72
202230.12%68,351.26287.50
20224-7.87%62,970.15289.11
20225-3.37%60,848.45292.30
202260.46%61,131.20296.31
202276.45%65,072.57296.28
20228-7.28%60,336.97296.17
20229-3.09%58,471.85296.81
2022105.29%61,562.15298.01
2022110.01%61,568.82297.71
2022121.38%62,416.29296.80
202313.15%64,380.51299.17
20232-2.59%62,716.00300.84
202334.00%65,222.27301.84
202340.74%65,703.41303.36
202354.94%68,950.59304.13
202363.88%71,623.15305.11
20237-1.00%70,908.61305.69
20238-0.95%70,232.44307.03
20239-3.04%68,099.26307.79
2023104.60%71,233.00307.67
2023115.18%74,919.49307.05
2023122.91%77,101.02306.75
202414.20%80,338.70308.42
202423.28%82,975.51310.33
20243-1.01%82,138.18312.33
202442.52%84,205.36313.55
202455.34%88,704.98314.07
Click to show 810 more rows

Remember, returns are based on the average closing price across the entire month. Some losses are offset by dividend returns.

Dollar-cost averaging

Dollar-cost averaging is an alternative to investing the full lump-sum of $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 1956. This would result in a final amount of $82,943.47, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $88,704.98).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
195614.164.19
195624.168.93
195634.1613.28
195644.1616.93
195654.1621.02
195664.1626.61
195674.1630.67
195684.1633.74
195694.1637.53
1956104.1641.38
1956114.1646.35
1956124.1649.56
195714.1651.56
195724.1656.60
195734.1662.36
195744.1669.27
195754.1674.85
195764.1680.84
195774.1680.56
195784.1681.54
195794.1680.63
1957104.1683.25
1957114.1687.67
1957124.3294.12
19581-94.78
19582-97.07
19583-97.94
19584-101.43
19585-104.20
19586-107.40
19587-111.76
19588-115.04
19589-120.06
195810-124.05
195811-126.74
195812-132.13
19591-130.46
19592-134.12
19593-136.71
19594-139.13
19595-138.28
19596-144.13
19597-143.67
19598-138.35
19599-138.60
195910-139.52
195911-144.35
195912-142.21
19601-137.08
19602-135.60
19603-137.75
19604-136.89
19605-142.35
19606-139.22
19607-141.30
19608-137.45
19609-135.15
196010-139.94
196011-143.70
196012-151.50
19611-158.13
19612-163.50
19613-168.27
19614-170.40
19615-168.56
19616-168.51
19617-174.98
19618-174.03
19619-176.37
196110-184.78
196111-186.93
196112-180.41
19621-183.86
19622-184.49
19623-179.05
19624-166.19
19625-147.22
19626-151.22
19627-155.79
19628-154.87
19629-150.45
196210-161.28
196211-168.74
196212-175.73
19631-178.54
19632-178.34
19633-187.22
19634-191.47
19635-191.89
19636-189.54
19637-195.29
19638-200.94
19639-201.94
196310-201.32
196311-206.14
196312-213.01
19641-216.16
19642-220.64
19643-224.37
19644-227.11
19645-226.31
19646-235.28
19647-232.39
19648-236.96
19649-241.63
196410-243.89
196411-240.26
196412-247.04
19651-249.44
19652-250.28
19653-254.18
19654-258.58
19655-246.93
19656-247.18
19657-252.42
19658-261.50
19659-268.03
196510-270.91
196511-270.34
196512-275.69
19661-274.50
19662-263.90
19663-272.67
19664-259.01
19665-257.56
19666-257.61
19667-242.75
19668-234.92
19669-233.59
196610-246.01
196611-247.77
196612-258.01
19671-267.63
19672-274.68
19673-280.15
19674-285.92
19675-283.08
19676-288.72
19677-294.07
19678-298.93
19679-299.22
196710-290.60
196711-299.64
196712-299.59
19681-286.83
19682-282.36
19683-304.00
19684-311.77
19685-320.94
19686-321.10
19687-314.89
19688-325.93
19689-334.79
196810-340.77
196811-345.15
196812-331.39
19691-330.60
19692-324.27
19693-331.65
19694-343.30
19695-326.24
19696-312.52
19697-311.63
19698-313.59
19699-317.81
196910-320.98
196911-304.84
196912-303.05
19701-293.36
19702-299.27
19703-291.04
19704-258.45
19705-257.75
19706-259.10
19707-267.53
19708-284.44
19709-291.53
197010-292.13
197011-313.04
197012-325.91
19711-339.44
19712-349.05
19713-361.87
19714-357.86
19715-352.15
19716-350.52
19717-345.21
19718-353.79
19719-347.19
197110-332.02
197111-355.80
197112-371.54
19721-379.29
19722-389.23
19723-394.13
19724-391.07
19725-393.09
19726-391.11
19727-405.90
19728-400.99
19729-402.67
197210-423.82
197211-433.62
197212-437.91
19731-423.35
19732-417.65
19733-410.83
19734-400.27
19735-392.31
19736-397.06
19737-390.56
19738-398.36
19739-415.23
197310-386.77
197311-360.45
197312-366.58
19741-357.52
19742-373.87
19743-355.86
19744-346.23
19745-347.82
19746-308.35
19747-296.74
19748-267.03
19749-273.37
197410-283.61
197411-266.33
197412-289.32
19751-320.59
19752-336.54
19753-341.54
19754-364.47
19755-375.02
19756-376.64
19757-350.29
19758-347.30
19759-364.57
197510-372.01
197511-367.62
197512-402.71
19761-419.54
19762-422.90
19763-427.54
19764-425.90
19765-429.73
19766-441.19
19767-438.71
19768-449.41
19769-435.44
197610-433.84
197611-450.27
197612-447.85
19771-437.24
19772-437.01
19773-431.79
19774-432.07
19775-435.96
19776-441.55
19777-432.37
19778-427.29
19779-417.90
197710-422.00
197711-421.66
197712-407.36
19781-403.40
19782-404.48
19783-424.01
19784-447.35
19785-450.36
19786-450.08
19787-483.07
19788-485.00
19789-471.55
197810-445.90
197811-454.48
197812-473.50
19791-468.50
19792-479.46
19793-491.12
19794-481.82
19795-493.47
19796-500.48
19797-525.58
19798-533.67
19799-515.78
197910-514.12
197911-536.76
197912-554.54
19801-578.92
19802-528.10
19803-521.96
19804-548.25
19805-585.88
19806-614.99
19807-636.54
19808-654.60
19809-676.36
198010-707.57
198011-698.76
198012-698.83
19811-677.38
19812-705.44
19813-714.57
19814-703.01
19815-709.04
19816-694.75
19817-700.32
19818-642.18
19819-653.27
198110-673.15
198111-681.09
198112-648.37
19821-635.96
19822-618.51
19823-652.34
19824-656.05
19825-621.47
19826-622.99
19827-627.94
19828-703.89
19829-766.41
198210-800.90
198211-811.75
198212-843.62
19831-861.59
19832-894.90
19833-932.46
19834-973.71
19835-990.78
19836-997.80
19837-973.78
19838-1,006.05
19839-1,012.57
198310-1,001.01
198311-999.73
198312-1,015.48
19841-963.57
19842-967.83
19843-972.74
19844-970.29
19845-952.35
19846-943.70
19847-1,030.58
19848-1,045.08
19849-1,040.77
198410-1,054.16
198411-1,046.70
198412-1,095.87
19851-1,159.29
19852-1,153.74
19853-1,165.57
19854-1,197.45
19855-1,227.52
19856-1,255.10
19857-1,231.94
19858-1,208.72
19859-1,226.80
198510-1,305.57
198511-1,374.69
198512-1,385.02
19861-1,463.93
19862-1,554.44
19863-1,597.06
19864-1,604.91
19865-1,655.20
19866-1,625.34
19867-1,662.41
19868-1,621.58
19869-1,620.12
198610-1,677.36
198611-1,706.02
198612-1,819.87
19871-1,937.47
19872-2,022.26
19873-2,004.94
19874-2,008.41
19875-2,098.75
19876-2,164.28
19877-2,303.96
19878-2,234.14
19879-1,969.31
198710-1,727.02
198711-1,703.97
198712-1,776.33
19881-1,835.45
19882-1,894.78
19883-1,877.99
19884-1,836.89
19885-1,947.07
19886-1,941.10
19887-1,907.74
19888-1,944.50
19889-2,018.43
198810-1,977.65
198811-2,023.65
198812-2,094.73
19891-2,163.86
19892-2,160.36
19893-2,237.37
19894-2,329.45
19895-2,408.47
19896-2,475.92
19897-2,592.06
19898-2,603.86
19899-2,611.32
198910-2,563.96
198911-2,634.13
198912-2,575.88
19901-2,510.78
19902-2,578.75
19903-2,583.81
19904-2,683.31
19905-2,768.37
19906-2,773.07
19907-2,555.07
19908-2,444.15
19909-2,387.55
199010-2,458.79
199011-2,571.57
199012-2,553.95
19911-2,850.38
19912-2,937.16
19913-3,003.51
19914-2,998.13
19915-3,008.54
19916-3,032.02
19917-3,113.25
19918-3,103.81
19919-3,109.45
199110-3,109.94
199111-3,139.02
199112-3,369.99
19921-3,349.74
19922-3,315.83
19923-3,324.59
19924-3,393.36
19925-3,348.26
19926-3,412.28
19927-3,444.41
19928-3,457.44
19929-3,416.57
199210-3,510.76
199211-3,625.61
199212-3,630.79
19931-3,693.39
19932-3,772.80
19933-3,722.18
19934-3,749.16
19935-3,781.60
19936-3,783.90
19937-3,850.59
19938-3,902.77
19939-3,951.24
199310-3,951.53
199311-3,986.59
199312-4,055.79
19941-4,052.72
19942-3,995.02
19943-3,861.33
19944-3,902.19
19945-3,945.43
19946-3,924.96
19947-4,045.93
19948-4,079.01
19949-4,060.90
199410-4,045.88
199411-4,004.38
199412-4,102.53
19951-4,259.21
19952-4,368.17
19953-4,508.63
19954-4,659.57
19955-4,807.67
19956-4,978.22
19957-5,003.76
19958-5,189.79
19959-5,237.15
199510-5,360.66
199511-5,542.34
199512-5,551.35
19961-5,879.12
19962-5,867.32
19963-5,878.88
19964-6,017.32
19965-6,094.26
19966-5,882.39
19967-6,063.32
19968-6,186.02
19969-6,440.85
199610-6,766.25
199611-6,847.33
199612-7,070.38
19971-7,378.73
19972-7,332.71
19973-7,083.01
19974-7,735.91
19975-8,148.77
19976-8,616.17
19977-8,646.14
19978-8,749.20
19979-8,893.16
199710-8,790.71
199711-9,022.31
199712-9,043.70
19981-9,622.69
19982-10,133.93
19983-10,479.06
19984-10,455.81
19985-10,467.99
19986-10,935.66
19987-10,173.34
19988-9,675.00
19989-9,799.89
199810-10,875.37
199811-11,321.71
199812-11,893.19
19991-11,885.26
19992-12,232.72
19993-12,752.62
19994-12,740.01
19995-12,662.07
19996-13,234.70
19997-12,735.17
19998-12,659.02
19999-12,497.93
199910-13,386.03
199911-13,762.01
199912-13,745.64
20001-13,405.01
20002-13,933.30
20003-14,131.80
20004-13,730.63
20005-14,164.99
20006-14,285.44
20007-14,419.69
20008-14,264.00
20009-13,520.25
200010-13,415.79
200011-12,970.38
200012-13,029.40
20011-12,751.05
20012-11,593.27
20013-11,645.29
20014-12,446.41
20015-12,149.11
20016-11,825.91
20017-11,583.97
20018-10,281.09
20019-10,608.44
200110-11,144.50
200111-11,307.88
200112-11,274.22
20021-10,896.22
20022-11,435.07
20023-11,033.19
20024-10,722.01
20025-10,087.17
20026-9,001.94
20027-9,104.45
20028-8,671.29
20029-8,552.75
200210-9,119.42
200211-9,025.03
200212-9,004.94
20031-8,427.29
20032-8,537.51
20033-8,988.79
20034-9,466.30
20035-10,006.27
20036-10,065.90
20037-10,049.16
20038-10,366.83
20039-10,577.05
200310-10,705.09
200311-11,033.08
200312-11,577.56
20041-11,703.37
20042-11,520.18
20043-11,631.72
20044-11,333.45
20045-11,657.32
20046-11,396.34
20047-11,238.21
20048-11,550.93
20049-11,562.78
200410-12,114.77
200411-12,445.20
200412-12,277.28
20051-12,483.69
20052-12,451.78
20053-12,151.83
20054-12,314.16
20055-12,582.70
20056-12,810.16
20057-12,849.88
20058-12,885.82
20059-12,547.67
200510-13,044.75
200511-13,324.44
200512-13,519.88
20061-13,517.63
20062-13,718.52
20063-13,828.04
20064-13,719.27
20065-13,348.05
20066-13,444.16
20067-13,752.27
20068-14,100.36
20069-14,610.22
200610-14,902.67
200611-15,222.82
200612-15,328.28
20071-15,572.93
20072-15,187.67
20073-15,822.56
20074-16,359.22
20075-16,415.64
20076-16,509.97
20077-15,816.37
20078-16,302.68
20079-16,790.40
200710-15,983.40
200711-16,181.31
200712-15,107.65
20081-14,871.37
20082-14,480.75
20083-15,095.29
20084-15,482.12
20085-14,824.66
20086-13,923.54
20087-14,217.41
20088-13,528.21
20089-10,796.38
200810-9,867.31
200811-9,832.66
200812-9,724.94
20091-9,073.12
20092-8,557.09
20093-9,611.48
20094-10,251.59
20095-10,545.69
20096-10,680.43
20097-11,547.76
20098-11,969.29
20099-12,256.92
200910-12,513.62
200911-12,792.16
200912-12,965.74
20101-12,589.94
20102-13,338.16
20103-13,883.41
20104-13,066.74
20105-12,603.71
20106-12,583.66
20107-12,692.33
20108-13,120.21
20109-13,720.78
201010-14,062.55
201011-14,584.80
201012-15,089.75
20111-15,565.21
20112-15,392.05
20113-15,733.91
20114-15,837.63
20115-15,257.56
20116-15,730.81
20117-14,094.71
20118-13,983.46
20119-14,405.61
201110-14,660.18
201111-14,888.11
201112-15,600.14
20121-16,249.51
20122-16,718.12
20123-16,711.73
20124-16,195.18
20125-16,008.55
20126-16,476.17
20127-17,034.33
20128-17,548.97
20129-17,510.86
201210-17,013.99
201211-17,384.14
201212-18,126.23
20131-18,549.12
20132-19,054.11
20133-19,331.11
20134-20,215.37
20135-19,989.41
20136-20,639.96
20137-20,692.08
20138-20,938.83
20139-21,382.22
201310-22,207.57
201311-22,545.49
201312-22,763.69
20141-22,734.09
20142-23,352.97
20143-23,400.08
20144-23,758.58
20145-24,517.98
20146-24,884.72
20147-24,778.48
20148-25,219.05
20149-24,551.61
201410-25,952.43
201411-26,116.94
201412-25,827.03
20151-26,557.27
20152-26,571.97
20153-26,805.38
20154-27,067.78
20155-26,949.90
20156-26,928.44
20157-26,275.59
20158-25,091.32
20159-26,174.54
201510-26,942.10
201511-26,644.94
201512-24,934.44
20161-24,797.32
20162-26,375.11
20163-27,121.85
20164-27,039.30
20165-27,327.68
20166-28,228.79
20167-28,567.32
20168-28,442.01
20169-28,298.10
201610-28,638.00
201611-29,768.05
201612-30,196.00
20171-30,973.99
20172-31,515.80
20173-31,467.27
20174-31,999.81
20175-32,568.26
20176-32,890.00
20177-32,971.50
20178-33,516.61
20179-34,433.22
201710-34,980.56
201711-35,989.22
201712-37,738.98
20181-36,649.57
20182-36,673.24
20183-36,063.01
20184-36,770.43
20185-37,547.38
20186-38,140.90
20187-39,075.66
20188-39,732.03
20189-38,202.75
201810-37,409.62
201811-35,328.71
201812-35,941.89
20191-38,036.90
20192-38,777.87
20193-40,221.66
20194-39,605.55
20195-40,161.90
20196-41,699.04
20197-40,392.02
20198-41,638.20
20199-41,642.29
201910-43,488.58
201911-44,562.45
201912-46,053.68
20201-46,109.91
20202-37,386.97
20203-39,001.57
20204-41,297.73
20205-43,985.50
20206-45,514.63
20207-48,197.03
20208-47,894.84
20209-48,721.50
202010-50,648.01
202011-52,805.65
202012-54,281.73
20211-55,634.18
20212-56,091.13
20213-59,468.65
20214-59,920.75
20215-61,005.57
20216-62,877.34
20217-64,251.31
20218-64,197.02
20219-64,487.31
202110-67,547.06
202111-67,726.34
202112-66,336.62
20221-64,411.16
20222-63,836.23
20223-63,911.75
20224-58,880.15
20225-56,896.25
20226-57,160.64
20227-60,846.01
20228-56,418.00
20229-54,674.02
202210-57,563.60
202211-57,569.84
202212-58,362.26
20231-60,198.90
20232-58,642.51
20233-60,985.99
20234-61,435.88
20235-64,472.16
20236-66,971.12
20237-66,303.00
20238-65,670.75
20239-63,676.12
202310-66,606.32
202311-70,053.36
202312-72,093.20
20241-75,120.59
20242-77,586.14
20243-76,803.19
20244-78,736.11
20245-82,943.47
Click to show 810 more rows

Data Sources

The information on this page is derived from Robert Shiller's book, Irrational Exuberance and the accompanying dataset, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly CPI logs.

Note that S&P index value for the current quarter is based on a moving average of closing prices, per Robert Shiller's methodology. The inflation data used is based on annual CPI averages.

in2013dollars.com is a reference website maintained by the Official Data Foundation.


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 1956 to 2024
Start Value
Average monthly close
$44.15
End Value
Average monthly close
$5,509.01
Change in price+12,377.94%
+7.36% / yr
Change incl. dividends+88,604.98%
+10.43% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+7,547.64%
+6.54% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($100 base)
$88,704.98
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($100 base)
$7,647.64