S&P 500: $100 in 1955 → $145,208.08 in 2026

$

Stock market returns since 1955

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1955, you would have about $145,208.08 at the end of 2026, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 145,108.08%, or 10.80% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 11,906.52% cumulatively, or 6.98% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $115,275.66.

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 $145,108.08, or 145,108.08%. This means by 2026 you would have $145,208.08 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 1955 was 26.800 and the CPI in 2026 was 324.122.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 71 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $145,208.08 nominal end value of the original $100 investment would have a real return of roughly $11,906.52 in 1955 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 11,906.52% as opposed to the original 145,108.08%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1955.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $100 investment, including gains and losses over the 852-month period between 1955 and 2026.

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

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
195513.70%103.7026.70
19552-0.44%103.2526.70
195533.81%107.1826.70
19554-0.08%107.1026.70
195556.15%113.6826.70
195567.64%122.3726.70
19557-0.30%122.0026.80
195584.82%127.8826.80
19559-4.72%121.8426.90
1955107.07%130.4526.90
1955111.24%132.0626.90
195512-2.39%128.9126.80
195610.95%130.1326.80
195627.21%139.5126.80
195631.48%141.5826.80
19564-2.84%137.5626.90
19565-0.26%137.2027.00
195665.75%145.0927.20
19567-0.28%144.6727.40
19568-3.09%140.2127.30
19569-0.95%138.8727.40
195610-0.71%137.8827.50
1956111.81%140.3727.50
195612-1.86%137.7627.60
19571-4.00%132.2527.60
195721.62%134.4027.70
195732.64%137.9527.80
195744.16%143.6927.90
195751.95%146.5028.00
195762.32%149.9028.10
19577-5.21%142.1028.30
19578-3.74%136.7828.30
19579-5.90%128.7228.30
195710-1.80%126.4028.30
1957110.32%126.8028.40
1957122.33%129.7628.40
195810.70%130.6728.60
195822.42%133.8328.60
195830.90%135.0328.80
195843.56%139.8328.90
195852.74%143.6528.90
195863.07%148.0728.90
195874.05%154.0729.00
195882.94%158.6028.90
195894.36%165.5228.90
1958103.33%171.0228.90
1958112.16%174.7229.00
1958124.25%182.1628.90
19591-1.27%179.8529.00
195922.81%184.9028.90
195931.94%188.4828.90
195941.77%191.8129.00
19595-0.61%190.6429.00
195964.23%198.7029.10
19597-0.32%198.0729.20
19598-3.70%190.7429.20
195990.18%191.0729.30
1959100.67%192.3529.40
1959113.46%199.0129.40
195912-1.49%196.0629.40
19601-3.61%188.9829.30
19602-1.08%186.9429.40
196031.58%189.9029.40
19604-0.62%188.7229.50
196053.99%196.2429.50
19606-2.20%191.9329.60
196071.49%194.8029.60
19608-2.72%189.5029.60
19609-1.67%186.3229.60
1960103.54%192.9229.80
1960112.69%198.1129.80
1960125.43%208.8629.80
196114.37%218.0029.80
196123.40%225.4029.80
196132.92%231.9829.80
196141.26%234.9129.80
19615-1.08%232.3829.80
19616-0.03%232.3129.80
196173.84%241.2330.00
19618-0.54%239.9229.90
196191.34%243.1530.00
1961104.77%254.7530.00
1961111.16%257.7130.00
196112-3.49%248.7330.00
196211.91%253.4730.00
196220.34%254.3430.10
19623-2.94%246.8530.10
19624-7.19%229.1130.20
19625-11.41%202.9630.20
196262.72%208.4830.20
196273.02%214.7830.30
19628-0.59%213.5130.30
19629-2.86%207.4130.40
1962107.20%222.3430.40
1962114.62%232.6330.40
1962124.15%242.2730.40
196311.60%246.1430.40
19632-0.11%245.8730.40
196334.98%258.1130.50
196342.27%263.9730.50
196350.22%264.5430.50
19636-1.22%261.3130.60
196373.03%269.2330.70
196382.89%277.0230.70
196390.50%278.4030.70
196310-0.31%277.5530.80
1963112.39%284.1930.80
1963123.33%293.6630.90
196411.48%298.0030.90
196422.07%304.1830.90
196431.69%309.3330.90
196441.22%313.1030.90
19645-0.35%312.0030.90
196463.96%324.3631.00
19647-1.23%320.3831.10
196481.97%326.6831.00
196491.97%333.1231.10
1964100.94%336.2431.10
196411-1.49%331.2331.20
1964122.82%340.5731.20
196510.98%343.8931.20
196520.34%345.0531.20
196531.56%350.4231.30
196541.73%356.4931.40
19655-4.51%340.4231.40
196560.10%340.7731.60
196572.12%347.9931.60
196583.60%360.5131.60
196592.50%369.5131.60
1965101.08%373.4931.70
196511-0.21%372.6931.70
1965121.98%380.0831.80
19661-0.43%378.4431.80
19662-3.86%363.8232.00
196633.32%375.9132.10
19664-5.01%357.0832.30
19665-0.56%355.0832.30
196660.02%355.1532.40
19667-5.77%334.6632.50
19668-3.22%323.8732.70
19669-0.56%322.0432.70
1966105.32%339.1632.90
1966110.72%341.5932.90
1966124.13%355.6932.90
196713.73%368.9632.90
196722.63%378.6832.90
196731.99%386.2233.00
196742.06%394.1733.10
19675-0.99%390.2633.20
196761.99%398.0433.30
196771.85%405.4133.40
196781.65%412.1133.50
196790.10%412.5233.60
196710-2.88%400.6333.70
1967113.11%413.0933.80
196712-0.02%413.0233.90
19681-4.26%395.4434.10
19682-1.56%389.2734.20
196837.66%419.1034.30
196842.56%429.8234.40
196852.94%442.4634.50
196860.05%442.6734.70
19687-1.93%434.1134.90
196883.51%449.3435.00
196892.72%461.5535.10
1968101.79%469.7935.30
1968111.29%475.8335.40
196812-3.99%456.8735.50
19691-0.24%455.7835.60
19692-1.91%447.0635.80
196932.27%457.2236.10
196943.51%473.2936.30
19695-4.97%449.7636.40
19696-4.21%430.8436.60
19697-0.28%429.6236.80
196980.63%432.3237.00
196991.35%438.1437.10
1969101.00%442.5137.30
196911-5.03%420.2737.50
196912-0.59%417.7937.70
19701-3.20%404.4437.80
197022.01%412.58-
19703-2.75%401.24-
19704-11.20%356.31-
19705-0.27%355.34-
197060.52%357.20-
197073.26%368.83-
197086.32%392.15-
197092.49%401.91-
1970100.21%402.74-
1970117.16%431.57-
1970124.11%449.31-
197114.15%467.96-
197122.83%481.21-
197133.67%498.89-
19714-1.11%493.36-
19715-1.60%485.49-
19716-0.46%483.24-
19717-1.52%475.91-
197182.49%487.74-
19719-1.86%478.65-
197110-4.37%457.73-
1971117.16%490.52-
1971124.42%512.21-
197212.09%522.90-
197222.62%536.60-
197231.26%543.36-
19724-0.78%539.14-
197250.52%541.92-
19726-0.50%539.19-
197273.78%559.59-
19728-1.21%552.82-
197290.42%555.13-
1972105.25%584.29-
1972112.31%597.80-
1972120.99%603.72-
19731-3.33%583.64-
19732-1.35%575.79-
19733-1.63%566.38-
19734-2.57%551.83-
19735-1.99%540.85-
197361.21%547.40-
19737-1.64%538.44-
197382.00%549.19-
197394.24%572.45-
197310-6.85%533.22-
197311-6.81%496.93-
1973121.70%505.38-
19741-2.47%492.88-
197424.57%515.43-
19743-4.82%490.60-
19744-2.71%477.33-
197450.46%479.51-
19746-11.35%425.10-
19747-3.76%409.10-
19748-10.01%368.13-
197492.38%376.88-
1974103.74%390.99-
197411-6.09%367.17-
1974128.63%398.87-
1975110.81%441.98-
197524.97%463.96-
197531.49%470.86-
197546.71%502.47-
197552.89%517.01-
197560.43%519.25-
19757-7.00%482.92-
19758-0.85%478.80-
197594.97%502.60-
1975102.04%512.86-
197511-1.18%506.81-
1975129.55%555.19-
197614.18%578.39-
197620.80%583.03-
197631.10%589.42-
19764-0.38%587.16-
197650.90%592.44-
197662.67%608.24-
19767-0.56%604.83-
197682.44%619.57-
19769-3.11%600.31-
197610-0.37%598.11-
1976113.79%620.76-
197612-0.54%617.42-
19771-2.37%602.80-
19772-0.05%602.47-
19773-1.19%595.28-
197740.06%595.67-
197750.90%601.03-
197761.28%608.73-
19777-2.08%596.08-
19778-1.18%589.07-
19779-2.20%576.13-
1977100.98%581.78-
197711-0.08%581.31-
197712-3.39%561.60-
19781-0.97%556.15-
197820.27%557.62-
197834.83%584.56-
197845.50%616.73-
197850.67%620.89-
19786-0.06%620.50-
197877.33%665.97-
197880.40%668.63-
19789-2.77%650.09-
197810-5.44%614.74-
1978111.92%626.56-
1978124.19%652.78-
19791-1.06%645.88-
197922.34%661.00-
197932.43%677.07-
19794-1.89%664.26-
197952.42%680.31-
197961.42%689.98-
197975.01%724.58-
197981.54%735.74-
19799-3.35%711.07-
197910-0.32%708.78-
1979114.40%740.00-
1979123.31%764.51-
198014.40%798.12-
19802-8.78%728.06-
19803-1.16%719.60-
198045.04%755.84-
198056.86%807.71-
198064.97%847.85-
198073.50%877.56-
198082.84%902.45-
198093.32%932.45-
1980104.61%975.48-
198011-1.24%963.34-
1980120.01%963.44-
19811-3.07%933.86-
198124.14%972.55-
198131.29%985.13-
19814-1.62%969.20-
198150.86%977.51-
19816-2.02%957.80-
198170.80%965.49-
19818-8.30%885.33-
198191.73%900.62-
1981103.04%928.03-
1981111.18%938.98-
198112-4.80%893.87-
19821-1.91%876.76-
19822-2.74%852.70-
198235.47%899.33-
198240.57%904.46-
19825-5.27%856.79-
198260.24%858.87-
198270.79%865.69-
1982812.10%970.41-
198298.88%1,056.60-
1982104.50%1,104.14-
1982111.36%1,119.11-
1982123.93%1,163.04-
198312.13%1,187.82-
198323.87%1,233.73-
198334.20%1,285.52-
198344.42%1,342.39-
198351.75%1,365.93-
198360.71%1,375.60-
19837-2.41%1,342.49-
198383.31%1,386.97-
198390.65%1,395.96-
198310-1.14%1,380.03-
198311-0.13%1,378.26-
1983121.58%1,399.98-
19841-5.11%1,328.41-
198420.44%1,334.29-
198430.51%1,341.05-
19844-0.25%1,337.67-
19845-1.85%1,312.94-
19846-0.91%1,301.02-
198479.21%1,420.79-
198481.41%1,440.78-
19849-0.41%1,434.84-
1984101.29%1,453.29-
198411-0.71%1,443.01-
1984124.70%1,510.80-
198515.79%1,598.23-
19852-0.48%1,590.59-
198531.02%1,606.89-
198542.74%1,650.85-
198552.51%1,692.30-
198562.25%1,730.33-
19857-1.85%1,698.40-
19858-1.88%1,666.38-
198591.50%1,691.30-
1985106.42%1,799.89-
1985115.29%1,895.19-
1985120.75%1,909.44-
198615.70%2,018.22-
198626.18%2,143.00-
198632.74%2,201.75-
198640.49%2,212.58-
198653.13%2,281.91-
19866-1.80%2,240.74-
198672.28%2,291.85-
19868-2.46%2,235.56-
19869-0.09%2,233.55-
1986103.53%2,312.46-
1986111.71%2,351.98-
1986126.67%2,508.93-
198716.46%2,671.06-
198724.38%2,787.96-
19873-0.86%2,764.08-
198740.17%2,768.86-
198754.50%2,893.41-
198763.12%2,983.75-
198776.45%3,176.32-
19878-3.03%3,080.06-
19879-11.85%2,714.96-
198710-12.30%2,380.92-
198711-1.33%2,349.14-
1987124.25%2,448.90-
198813.33%2,530.42-
198823.23%2,612.20-
19883-0.89%2,589.06-
19884-2.19%2,532.40-
198856.00%2,684.30-
19886-0.31%2,676.06-
19887-1.72%2,630.07-
198881.93%2,680.76-
198893.80%2,782.67-
198810-2.02%2,726.45-
1988112.33%2,789.87-
1988123.51%2,887.87-
198913.30%2,983.16-
19892-0.16%2,978.34-
198933.56%3,084.51-
198944.12%3,211.45-
198953.39%3,320.40-
198962.80%3,413.38-
198974.69%3,573.49-
198980.46%3,589.77-
198990.29%3,600.05-
198910-1.81%3,534.76-
1989112.74%3,631.49-
198912-2.21%3,551.19-
19901-2.53%3,461.45-
199022.71%3,555.16-
199030.20%3,562.12-
199043.85%3,699.30-
199053.17%3,816.56-
199060.17%3,823.04-
19907-7.86%3,522.50-
19908-4.34%3,369.59-
19909-2.32%3,291.56-
1990102.98%3,389.77-
1990114.59%3,545.25-
199012-0.69%3,520.96-
1991111.61%3,929.63-
199123.04%4,049.27-
199132.26%4,140.73-
19914-0.18%4,133.33-
199150.35%4,147.67-
199160.78%4,180.04-
199172.68%4,292.02-
19918-0.30%4,279.01-
199190.18%4,286.79-
1991100.02%4,287.46-
1991110.94%4,327.56-
1991127.36%4,645.98-
19921-0.60%4,618.06-
19922-1.01%4,571.31-
199230.26%4,583.39-
199242.07%4,678.19-
19925-1.33%4,616.02-
199261.91%4,704.28-
199270.94%4,748.58-
199280.38%4,766.54-
19929-1.18%4,710.20-
1992102.76%4,840.05-
1992113.27%4,998.38-
1992120.14%5,005.52-
199311.72%5,091.83-
199322.15%5,201.31-
19933-1.34%5,131.52-
199340.72%5,168.71-
199350.87%5,213.43-
199360.06%5,216.61-
199371.76%5,308.55-
199381.35%5,380.48-
199391.24%5,447.30-
1993100.01%5,447.71-
1993110.89%5,496.05-
1993121.74%5,591.45-
19941-0.08%5,587.22-
19942-1.42%5,507.67-
19943-3.35%5,323.36-
199441.06%5,379.69-
199451.11%5,439.30-
19946-0.52%5,411.08-
199473.08%5,577.85-
199480.82%5,623.45-
19949-0.44%5,598.48-
199410-0.37%5,577.78-
199411-1.03%5,520.56-
1994122.45%5,655.88-
199513.82%5,871.89-
199522.56%6,022.10-
199533.22%6,215.74-
199543.35%6,423.83-
199553.18%6,628.01-
199563.55%6,863.13-
199570.51%6,898.35-
199583.72%7,154.81-
199590.91%7,220.10-
1995102.36%7,390.38-
1995113.39%7,640.85-
1995120.16%7,653.27-
199615.90%8,105.15-
19962-0.20%8,088.88-
199630.20%8,104.82-
199642.35%8,295.68-
199651.28%8,401.74-
19966-3.48%8,109.65-
199673.08%8,359.09-
199682.02%8,528.25-
199694.12%8,879.57-
1996105.05%9,328.17-
1996111.20%9,439.95-
1996123.26%9,747.46-
199714.36%10,172.56-
19972-0.62%10,109.12-
19973-3.41%9,764.87-
199749.22%10,664.98-
199755.34%11,234.16-
199765.74%11,878.54-
199770.35%11,919.85-
199781.19%12,061.94-
199791.65%12,260.40-
199710-1.15%12,119.16-
1997112.63%12,438.45-
1997120.24%12,467.94-
199816.40%13,266.16-
199825.31%13,970.97-
199833.41%14,446.78-
19984-0.22%14,414.72-
199850.12%14,431.51-
199864.47%15,076.26-
19987-6.97%14,025.30-
19988-4.90%13,338.27-
199891.29%13,510.45-
19981010.97%14,993.14-
1998114.10%15,608.48-
1998125.05%16,396.34-
19991-0.07%16,385.40-
199922.92%16,864.43-
199934.25%17,581.18-
19994-0.10%17,563.80-
19995-0.61%17,456.35-
199964.52%18,245.79-
19997-3.77%17,557.13-
19998-0.60%17,452.13-
19999-1.27%17,230.06-
1999107.11%18,454.42-
1999112.81%18,972.75-
199912-0.12%18,950.19-
20001-2.48%18,480.59-
200023.94%19,208.90-
200031.42%19,482.56-
20004-2.84%18,929.49-
200053.16%19,528.32-
200060.85%19,694.38-
200070.94%19,879.45-
20008-1.08%19,664.82-
20009-5.21%18,639.45-
200010-0.77%18,495.45-
200011-3.32%17,881.39-
2000120.46%17,962.75-
20011-2.14%17,579.02-
20012-9.08%15,982.86-
200130.45%16,054.58-
200146.88%17,159.02-
20015-2.39%16,749.15-
20016-2.66%16,303.59-
20017-2.05%15,970.04-
20018-11.25%14,173.84-
200193.18%14,625.14-
2001105.05%15,364.17-
2001111.47%15,589.42-
200112-0.30%15,543.01-
20021-3.35%15,021.89-
200224.95%15,764.76-
20023-3.51%15,210.72-
20024-2.82%14,781.72-
20025-5.92%13,906.50-
20026-10.76%12,410.37-
200271.14%12,551.70-
20028-4.76%11,954.52-
20029-1.37%11,791.10-
2002106.63%12,572.33-
200211-1.04%12,442.20-
200212-0.22%12,414.51-
20031-6.41%11,618.14-
200321.31%11,770.09-
200335.29%12,392.24-
200345.31%13,050.54-
200355.70%13,794.97-
200360.60%13,877.18-
20037-0.17%13,854.10-
200383.16%14,292.05-
200392.03%14,581.87-
2003101.21%14,758.39-
2003113.06%15,210.56-
2003124.93%15,961.20-
200411.09%16,134.64-
20042-1.57%15,882.10-
200430.97%16,035.86-
20044-2.56%15,624.66-
200452.86%16,071.17-
20046-2.24%15,711.37-
20047-1.39%15,493.36-
200482.78%15,924.48-
200490.10%15,940.82-
2004104.77%16,701.82-
2004112.73%17,157.35-
200412-1.35%16,925.86-
200511.68%17,210.42-
20052-0.26%17,166.43-
20053-2.41%16,752.91-
200541.34%16,976.70-
200552.18%17,346.92-
200561.81%17,660.51-
200570.31%17,715.26-
200580.28%17,764.81-
20059-2.62%17,298.62-
2005103.96%17,983.91-
2005112.14%18,369.51-
2005121.47%18,638.95-
20061-0.02%18,635.85-
200621.49%18,912.80-
200630.80%19,063.79-
20064-0.79%18,913.83-
20065-2.71%18,402.06-
200660.72%18,534.56-
200672.29%18,959.33-
200682.53%19,439.22-
200693.62%20,142.13-
2006102.00%20,545.30-
2006112.15%20,986.67-
2006120.69%21,132.07-
200711.60%21,469.35-
20072-2.47%20,938.22-
200734.18%21,813.49-
200743.39%22,553.35-
200750.34%22,631.14-
200760.57%22,761.18-
20077-4.20%21,804.96-
200783.07%22,475.41-
200792.99%23,147.79-
200710-4.81%22,035.23-
2007111.24%22,308.08-
200712-6.64%20,827.89-
20081-1.56%20,502.15-
20082-2.63%19,963.64-
200834.24%20,810.85-
200842.56%21,344.15-
20085-4.25%20,437.76-
20086-6.08%19,195.45-
200872.11%19,600.58-
20088-4.85%18,650.43-
20089-20.19%14,884.24-
200810-8.61%13,603.40-
200811-0.35%13,555.62-
200812-1.10%13,407.12-
20091-6.70%12,508.50-
20092-5.69%11,797.09-
2009312.32%13,250.70-
200946.66%14,133.17-
200952.87%14,538.63-
200961.28%14,724.38-
200978.12%15,920.11-
200983.65%16,501.25-
200992.40%16,897.79-
2009102.09%17,251.69-
2009112.23%17,635.69-
2009121.36%17,875.00-
20101-2.90%17,356.90-
201025.94%18,388.42-
201034.09%19,140.13-
20104-5.88%18,014.23-
20105-3.54%17,375.88-
20106-0.16%17,348.24-
201070.86%17,498.06-
201083.37%18,087.95-
201094.58%18,915.92-
2010102.49%19,387.10-
2010113.71%20,107.08-
2010123.46%20,803.23-
201113.15%21,458.71-
20112-1.11%21,219.99-
201132.22%21,691.28-
201140.66%21,834.28-
20115-3.66%21,034.58-
201163.10%21,687.01-
20117-10.40%19,431.42-
20118-0.79%19,278.06-
201193.02%19,860.05-
2011101.77%20,211.00-
2011111.55%20,525.23-
2011124.78%21,506.86-
201214.16%22,402.11-
201222.88%23,048.15-
20123-0.04%23,039.34-
20124-3.09%22,327.21-
20125-1.15%22,069.90-
201262.92%22,714.59-
201273.39%23,484.09-
201283.02%24,193.58-
20129-0.22%24,141.05-
201210-2.84%23,456.05-
2012112.18%23,966.34-
2012124.27%24,989.41-
201312.33%25,572.42-
201322.72%26,268.61-
201331.45%26,650.50-
201344.57%27,869.57-
20135-1.12%27,558.05-
201363.25%28,454.92-
201370.25%28,526.78-
201381.19%28,866.95-
201392.12%29,478.22-
2013103.86%30,616.08-
2013111.52%31,081.95-
2013120.97%31,382.77-
20141-0.13%31,341.96-
201422.72%32,195.17-
201430.20%32,260.12-
201441.53%32,754.35-
201453.20%33,801.29-
201461.50%34,306.89-
20147-0.43%34,160.42-
201481.78%34,767.80-
20149-2.65%33,847.64-
2014105.71%35,778.87-
2014110.63%36,005.67-
201412-1.11%35,605.99-
201512.83%36,612.71-
201520.06%36,632.98-
201530.88%36,954.77-
201540.98%37,316.52-
20155-0.44%37,154.01-
20156-0.08%37,124.42-
20157-2.42%36,224.38-
20158-4.51%34,591.71-
201594.32%36,085.08-
2015102.93%37,143.26-
201511-1.10%36,733.58-
201512-6.42%34,375.43-
20161-0.55%34,186.39-
201626.36%36,361.58-
201632.83%37,391.07-
20164-0.30%37,277.27-
201651.07%37,674.82-
201663.30%38,917.13-
201671.20%39,383.85-
20168-0.44%39,211.08-
20169-0.51%39,012.68-
2016101.20%39,481.28-
2016113.95%41,039.20-
2016121.44%41,629.20-
201712.58%42,701.75-
201721.75%43,448.71-
20173-0.15%43,381.80-
201741.69%44,115.98-
201751.78%44,899.67-
201760.99%45,343.23-
201770.25%45,455.59-
201781.65%46,207.09-
201792.73%47,470.76-
2017101.59%48,225.34-
2017112.88%49,615.91-
2017124.86%52,028.19-
20181-2.89%50,526.30-
201820.06%50,558.93-
20183-1.66%49,717.64-
201841.96%50,692.91-
201852.11%51,764.04-
201861.58%52,582.29-
201872.45%53,870.98-
201881.68%54,775.88-
20189-3.85%52,667.56-
201810-2.08%51,574.13-
201811-5.56%48,705.31-
2018121.74%49,550.66-
201915.83%52,438.92-
201921.95%53,460.44-
201933.72%55,450.89-
20194-1.53%54,601.50-
201951.40%55,368.51-
201963.83%57,487.66-
20197-3.13%55,685.75-
201983.09%57,403.79-
201990.01%57,409.41-
2019104.43%59,954.77-
2019112.47%61,435.25-
2019123.35%63,491.11-
202010.12%63,568.62-
20202-18.92%51,542.89-
202034.32%53,768.83-
202045.89%56,934.40-
202056.51%60,639.85-
202063.48%62,747.95-
202075.89%66,446.00-
20208-0.63%66,029.39-
202091.73%67,169.05-
2020103.95%69,825.00-
2020114.26%72,799.60-
2020122.80%74,834.57-
202112.49%76,699.09-
202120.82%77,329.06-
202136.02%81,985.42-
202140.76%82,608.70-
202151.81%84,104.27-
202163.07%86,684.76-
202172.19%88,578.96-
20218-0.08%88,504.11-
202190.45%88,904.31-
2021104.74%93,122.59-
2021110.27%93,369.74-
202112-2.05%91,453.83-
20221-2.90%88,799.32-
20222-0.89%88,006.71-
202230.12%88,110.83-
20224-7.87%81,174.10-
20225-3.37%78,439.03-
202260.46%78,803.53-
202276.45%83,884.30-
20228-7.28%77,779.70-
20229-3.09%75,375.39-
2022105.29%79,359.06-
2022110.01%79,367.66-
2022121.38%80,460.12-
202313.15%82,992.17-
20232-2.59%80,846.47-
202334.00%84,077.28-
202340.74%84,697.51-
202354.94%88,883.42-
202363.88%92,328.58-
20237-1.00%91,407.47-
20238-0.95%90,535.83-
20239-3.04%87,785.98-
2023104.60%91,825.64-
2023115.18%96,577.85-
2023122.91%99,390.04-
202414.20%103,563.70-
202423.28%106,962.78-
20243-1.01%105,883.39-
202442.52%108,548.17-
202453.55%112,402.26-
202462.38%115,077.06-
20247-0.97%113,960.11-
202482.72%117,062.23-
202493.15%120,751.90-
2024102.48%123,748.70-
2024111.47%125,568.20-
202412-0.42%125,042.67-
202511.09%126,411.29-
20252-5.77%119,118.08-
20253-5.42%112,660.41-
202548.34%122,056.01-
202553.88%126,791.38-
202564.53%132,531.57-
202571.89%135,034.83-
202582.83%138,860.62-
202592.40%142,197.43-
2025100.17%142,445.41-
2025111.76%144,953.81-
2025120.18%145,208.08-
Click to show 846 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 1955. This would result in a final amount of $115,275.66, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $145,208.08).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
195514.164.30
195524.168.41
195534.1613.03
195544.1617.16
195554.1622.62
195564.1628.81
195574.1632.86
195584.1638.79
195594.1640.91
1955104.1648.24
1955114.1653.04
1955124.1655.82
195614.1660.53
195624.1669.34
195634.1674.58
195644.1676.49
195654.1680.43
195664.1689.44
195674.1693.32
195684.1694.45
195694.1697.66
1956104.16101.08
1956114.16107.13
1956124.32109.36
19571-104.99
19572-106.69
19573-109.51
19574-114.07
19575-116.30
19576-119.00
19577-112.81
19578-108.59
19579-102.18
195710-100.34
195711-100.66
195712-103.01
19581-103.73
19582-106.24
19583-107.19
19584-111.01
19585-114.04
19586-117.54
19587-122.31
19588-125.91
19589-131.40
195810-135.77
195811-138.71
195812-144.61
19591-142.78
19592-146.78
19593-149.63
19594-152.27
19595-151.35
19596-157.74
19597-157.24
19598-151.42
19599-151.69
195910-152.70
195911-157.99
195912-155.64
19601-150.02
19602-148.41
19603-150.76
19604-149.82
19605-155.79
19606-152.37
19607-154.64
19608-150.43
19609-147.92
196010-153.15
196011-157.27
196012-165.81
19611-173.06
19612-178.94
19613-184.16
19614-186.49
19615-184.48
19616-184.42
19617-191.50
19618-190.47
19619-193.03
196110-202.24
196111-204.59
196112-197.45
19621-201.22
19622-201.91
19623-195.96
19624-181.88
19625-161.13
19626-165.51
19627-170.51
19628-169.50
19629-164.66
196210-176.51
196211-184.67
196212-192.33
19631-195.40
19632-195.19
19633-204.91
19634-209.56
19635-210.01
19636-207.44
19637-213.73
19638-219.92
19639-221.02
196310-220.34
196311-225.61
196312-233.12
19641-236.57
19642-241.47
19643-245.56
19644-248.56
19645-247.69
19646-257.50
19647-254.34
19648-259.34
19649-264.45
196410-266.93
196411-262.95
196412-270.37
19651-273.00
19652-273.92
19653-278.19
19654-283.01
19655-270.25
19656-270.53
19657-276.26
19658-286.19
19659-293.34
196510-296.50
196511-295.87
196512-301.73
19661-300.43
19662-288.83
19663-298.42
19664-283.47
19665-281.89
19666-281.94
19667-265.67
19668-257.11
19669-255.66
196610-269.25
196611-271.17
196612-282.37
19671-292.91
19672-300.62
19673-306.61
19674-312.92
19675-309.82
19676-315.99
19677-321.84
19678-327.16
19679-327.48
196710-318.04
196711-327.94
196712-327.88
19681-313.93
19682-309.03
19683-332.71
19684-341.22
19685-351.25
19686-351.42
19687-344.63
19688-356.72
19689-366.41
196810-372.95
196811-377.75
196812-362.69
19691-361.83
19692-354.90
19693-362.97
19694-375.73
19695-357.05
19696-342.03
19697-341.06
19698-343.21
19699-347.83
196910-351.30
196911-333.64
196912-331.67
19701-321.07
19702-327.53
19703-318.53
19704-282.86
19705-282.10
19706-283.57
19707-292.80
19708-311.31
19709-319.06
197010-319.72
197011-342.61
197012-356.69
19711-371.50
19712-382.02
19713-396.05
19714-391.66
19715-385.41
19716-383.63
19717-377.81
19718-387.20
19719-379.99
197110-363.38
197111-389.41
197112-406.63
19721-415.11
19722-425.99
19723-431.35
19724-428.00
19725-430.21
19726-428.05
19727-444.24
19728-438.86
19729-440.70
197210-463.85
197211-474.57
197212-479.27
19731-463.33
19732-457.10
19733-449.63
19734-438.08
19735-429.36
19736-434.56
19737-427.45
19738-435.98
19739-454.45
197310-423.30
197311-394.50
197312-401.20
19741-391.28
19742-409.18
19743-389.47
19744-378.94
19745-380.67
19746-337.47
19747-324.77
19748-292.25
19749-299.19
197410-310.40
197411-291.49
197412-316.65
19751-350.87
19752-368.32
19753-373.80
19754-398.89
19755-410.44
19756-412.21
19757-383.37
19758-380.10
19759-399.00
197510-407.15
197511-402.34
197512-440.75
19761-459.16
19762-462.85
19763-467.92
19764-466.12
19765-470.32
19766-482.86
19767-480.15
19768-491.86
19769-476.57
197610-474.82
197611-492.80
197612-490.15
19771-478.54
19772-478.28
19773-472.57
19774-472.88
19775-477.13
19776-483.25
19777-473.21
19778-467.65
19779-457.37
197710-461.85
197711-461.48
197712-445.84
19781-441.50
19782-442.68
19783-464.06
19784-489.60
19785-492.90
19786-492.59
19787-528.69
19788-530.80
19789-516.08
197810-488.02
197811-497.40
197812-518.22
19791-512.74
19792-524.75
19793-537.50
19794-527.33
19795-540.08
19796-547.75
19797-575.22
19798-584.08
19799-564.50
197910-562.68
197911-587.46
197912-606.92
19801-633.60
19802-577.98
19803-571.26
19804-600.03
19805-641.21
19806-673.08
19807-696.67
19808-716.42
19809-740.24
198010-774.40
198011-764.76
198012-764.84
19811-741.36
19812-772.07
19813-782.06
19814-769.41
19815-776.01
19816-760.37
19817-766.47
19818-702.83
19819-714.97
198110-736.73
198111-745.42
198112-709.61
19821-696.03
19822-676.93
19823-713.95
19824-718.02
19825-680.17
19826-681.83
19827-687.24
19828-770.38
19829-838.80
198210-876.54
198211-888.42
198212-923.30
19831-942.97
19832-979.42
19833-1,020.53
19834-1,065.68
19835-1,084.36
19836-1,092.04
19837-1,065.75
19838-1,101.07
19839-1,108.21
198310-1,095.56
198311-1,094.15
198312-1,111.40
19841-1,054.58
19842-1,059.24
19843-1,064.62
19844-1,061.93
19845-1,042.30
19846-1,032.83
19847-1,127.92
19848-1,143.79
19849-1,139.07
198410-1,153.72
198411-1,145.56
198412-1,199.37
19851-1,268.78
19852-1,262.71
19853-1,275.65
19854-1,310.55
19855-1,343.46
19856-1,373.65
19857-1,348.30
19858-1,322.88
19859-1,342.67
198510-1,428.87
198511-1,504.53
198512-1,515.84
19861-1,602.20
19862-1,701.26
19863-1,747.90
19864-1,756.49
19865-1,811.53
19866-1,778.85
19867-1,819.42
19868-1,774.73
19869-1,773.14
198610-1,835.78
198611-1,867.15
198612-1,991.76
19871-2,120.46
19872-2,213.26
19873-2,194.31
19874-2,198.10
19875-2,296.98
19876-2,368.69
19877-2,521.57
19878-2,445.15
19879-2,155.31
198710-1,890.13
198711-1,864.90
198712-1,944.10
19881-2,008.81
19882-2,073.74
19883-2,055.36
19884-2,010.38
19885-2,130.97
19886-2,124.43
19887-2,087.92
19888-2,128.16
19889-2,209.07
198810-2,164.44
198811-2,214.78
198812-2,292.58
19891-2,368.23
19892-2,364.40
19893-2,448.69
19894-2,549.46
19895-2,635.95
19896-2,709.76
19897-2,836.87
19898-2,849.79
19899-2,857.95
198910-2,806.12
198911-2,882.92
198912-2,819.17
19901-2,747.92
19902-2,822.31
19903-2,827.85
19904-2,936.74
19905-3,029.84
19906-3,034.98
19907-2,796.39
19908-2,675.00
19909-2,613.05
199010-2,691.02
199011-2,814.45
199012-2,795.16
19911-3,119.59
19912-3,214.57
19913-3,287.18
19914-3,281.30
19915-3,292.69
19916-3,318.39
19917-3,407.29
19918-3,396.96
19919-3,403.13
199110-3,403.67
199111-3,435.50
199112-3,688.28
19921-3,666.12
19922-3,629.01
19923-3,638.60
19924-3,713.86
19925-3,664.49
19926-3,734.56
19927-3,769.73
19928-3,783.99
19929-3,739.26
199210-3,842.35
199211-3,968.04
199212-3,973.71
19931-4,042.23
19932-4,129.14
19933-4,073.74
19934-4,103.26
19935-4,138.76
19936-4,141.29
19937-4,214.28
19938-4,271.38
19939-4,324.43
199310-4,324.75
199311-4,363.12
199312-4,438.86
19941-4,435.50
19942-4,372.34
19943-4,226.03
19944-4,270.75
19945-4,318.08
19946-4,295.67
19947-4,428.07
19948-4,464.26
19949-4,444.44
199410-4,428.00
199411-4,382.58
199412-4,490.01
19951-4,661.49
19952-4,780.74
19953-4,934.46
19954-5,099.66
19955-5,261.75
19956-5,448.40
19957-5,476.36
19958-5,679.95
19959-5,731.79
199510-5,866.97
199511-6,065.80
199512-6,075.67
19961-6,434.40
19962-6,421.48
19963-6,434.14
19964-6,585.65
19965-6,669.85
19966-6,437.97
19967-6,635.99
19968-6,770.28
19969-7,049.18
199610-7,405.31
199611-7,494.05
199612-7,738.17
19971-8,075.64
19972-8,025.28
19973-7,752.00
19974-8,466.56
19975-8,918.41
19976-9,429.96
19977-9,462.76
19978-9,575.55
19979-9,733.11
199710-9,620.98
199711-9,874.45
199712-9,897.86
19981-10,531.54
19982-11,091.07
19983-11,468.79
19984-11,443.35
19985-11,456.68
19986-11,968.52
19987-11,134.20
19988-10,588.79
19989-10,725.48
199810-11,902.53
199811-12,391.03
199812-13,016.49
19991-13,007.80
19992-13,388.09
19993-13,957.09
19994-13,943.29
19995-13,857.99
19996-14,484.70
19997-13,937.99
19998-13,854.64
19999-13,678.35
199910-14,650.32
199911-15,061.81
199912-15,043.90
20001-14,671.10
20002-15,249.28
20003-15,466.53
20004-15,027.47
20005-15,502.86
20006-15,634.69
20007-15,781.61
20008-15,611.22
20009-14,797.22
200010-14,682.90
200011-14,195.41
200012-14,260.01
20011-13,955.37
20012-12,688.24
20013-12,745.17
20014-13,621.95
20015-13,296.57
20016-12,942.85
20017-12,678.06
20018-11,252.12
20019-11,610.39
200110-12,197.08
200111-12,375.90
200112-12,339.06
20021-11,925.36
20022-12,515.10
20023-12,075.26
20024-11,734.70
20025-11,039.89
20026-9,852.16
20027-9,964.36
20028-9,490.28
20029-9,360.54
200210-9,980.73
200211-9,877.43
200212-9,855.45
20031-9,223.24
20032-9,343.87
20033-9,837.77
20034-10,360.38
20035-10,951.35
20036-11,016.61
20037-10,998.29
20038-11,345.96
20039-11,576.04
200310-11,716.18
200311-12,075.14
200312-12,671.04
20041-12,808.73
20042-12,608.25
20043-12,730.32
20044-12,403.88
20045-12,758.34
20046-12,472.71
20047-12,299.64
20048-12,641.90
20049-12,654.87
200410-13,259.00
200411-13,620.63
200412-13,436.86
20051-13,662.76
20052-13,627.84
20053-13,299.55
20054-13,477.22
20055-13,771.11
20056-14,020.07
20057-14,063.53
20058-14,102.87
20059-13,732.78
200510-14,276.81
200511-14,582.92
200512-14,796.82
20061-14,794.36
20062-15,014.22
20063-15,134.08
20064-15,015.03
20065-14,608.76
20066-14,713.95
20067-15,051.15
20068-15,432.13
20069-15,990.14
200610-16,310.20
200611-16,660.59
200612-16,776.02
20071-17,043.77
20072-16,622.13
20073-17,316.98
20074-17,904.32
20075-17,966.08
20076-18,069.31
20077-17,310.20
20078-17,842.45
20079-18,376.23
200710-17,493.01
200711-17,709.61
200712-16,534.54
20081-16,275.95
20082-15,848.44
20083-16,521.02
20084-16,944.38
20085-16,224.83
20086-15,238.60
20087-15,560.22
20088-14,805.93
20089-11,816.08
200810-10,799.27
200811-10,761.34
200812-10,643.44
20091-9,930.07
20092-9,365.30
20093-10,519.27
20094-11,219.83
20095-11,541.72
20096-11,689.18
20097-12,638.43
20098-13,099.77
20099-13,414.57
200910-13,695.52
200911-14,000.36
200912-14,190.34
20101-13,779.04
20102-14,597.93
20103-15,194.68
20104-14,300.87
20105-13,794.11
20106-13,772.17
20107-13,891.11
20108-14,359.40
20109-15,016.69
201010-15,390.74
201011-15,962.31
201012-16,514.96
20111-17,035.32
20112-16,845.81
20113-17,219.96
20114-17,333.48
20115-16,698.62
20116-17,216.57
20117-15,425.93
20118-15,304.18
20119-15,766.20
201110-16,044.81
201111-16,294.27
201112-17,073.55
20121-17,784.26
20122-18,297.13
20123-18,290.13
20124-17,724.79
20125-17,520.53
20126-18,032.32
20127-18,643.20
20128-19,206.45
20129-19,164.74
201210-18,620.94
201211-19,026.05
201212-19,838.22
20131-20,301.06
20132-20,853.74
20133-21,156.91
20134-22,124.69
20135-21,877.38
20136-22,589.38
20137-22,646.42
20138-22,916.47
20139-23,401.74
201310-24,305.05
201311-24,674.89
201312-24,913.69
20141-24,881.29
20142-25,558.63
20143-25,610.19
20144-26,002.55
20145-26,833.67
20146-27,235.05
20147-27,118.77
20148-27,600.95
20149-26,870.47
201410-28,403.61
201411-28,583.65
201412-28,266.36
20151-29,065.57
20152-29,081.66
20153-29,337.11
20154-29,624.30
20155-29,495.28
20156-29,471.79
20157-28,757.28
20158-27,461.16
20159-28,646.69
201510-29,486.75
201511-29,161.52
201512-27,289.46
20161-27,139.39
20162-28,866.20
20163-29,683.48
20164-29,593.13
20165-29,908.74
20166-30,894.96
20167-31,265.47
20168-31,128.32
20169-30,970.81
201610-31,342.82
201611-32,579.60
201612-33,047.98
20171-33,899.44
20172-34,492.43
20173-34,439.31
20174-35,022.15
20175-35,644.29
20176-35,996.42
20177-36,085.62
20178-36,682.21
20179-37,685.39
201710-38,284.43
201711-39,388.35
201712-41,303.38
20181-40,111.08
20182-40,136.98
20183-39,469.11
20184-40,243.35
20185-41,093.68
20186-41,743.26
20187-42,766.31
20188-43,484.67
20189-41,810.95
201810-40,942.91
201811-38,665.46
201812-39,336.55
20191-41,629.44
20192-42,440.39
20193-44,020.54
20194-43,346.24
20195-43,955.14
20196-45,637.46
20197-44,206.99
20198-45,570.88
20199-45,575.34
201910-47,596.01
201911-48,771.31
201912-50,403.39
20201-50,464.92
20202-40,918.12
20203-42,685.21
20204-45,198.25
20205-48,139.87
20206-49,813.42
20207-52,749.18
20208-52,418.44
20209-53,323.18
202010-55,431.65
202011-57,793.08
202012-59,408.57
20211-60,888.75
20212-61,388.86
20213-65,085.39
20214-65,580.19
20215-66,767.46
20216-68,816.02
20217-70,319.77
20218-70,260.35
20219-70,578.05
202110-73,926.79
202111-74,123.00
202112-72,602.03
20221-70,494.71
20222-69,865.48
20223-69,948.13
20224-64,441.31
20225-62,270.03
20226-62,559.39
20227-66,592.84
20228-61,746.61
20229-59,837.91
202210-63,000.40
202211-63,007.23
202212-63,874.50
20231-65,884.61
20232-64,181.21
20233-66,746.04
20234-67,238.42
20235-70,561.47
20236-73,296.46
20237-72,565.23
20238-71,873.26
20239-69,690.24
202310-72,897.20
202311-76,669.81
202312-78,902.31
20241-82,215.63
20242-84,914.04
20243-84,057.15
20244-86,172.63
20245-89,232.26
20246-91,355.69
20247-90,468.98
20248-92,931.65
20249-95,860.74
202410-98,239.80
202411-99,684.24
202412-99,267.04
20251-100,353.54
20252-94,563.72
20253-89,437.19
20254-96,896.04
20255-100,655.28
20256-105,212.22
20257-107,199.47
20258-110,236.63
20259-112,885.61
202510-113,082.47
202511-115,073.80
202512-115,275.66
Click to show 846 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 1955 to 2026
Start Value
Average monthly close
$35.60
End Value
Average monthly close
$6,858.47
Change in price +19,165.37%
+7.69% / yr
Change incl. dividends +145,108.08%
+10.80% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted +11,906.52%
+6.98% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($100 base)
$145,208.08
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($100 base)
$12,006.52