S&P 500: actual returns
Over the last 10 years (ending June 2026), the S&P 500 with dividends reinvested returned +15.7% per year. After CPI inflation, the real return is +12% per year: $1,000 grew to $4,286 nominal — $3,096 in purchasing power.
Data as of · updated weekly
S&P 500 total returns by holding window, as of June 2026
| Window | $1,000 became | CAGR | Real CAGR | Real value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr (since June 2025) | $1,301 | +30.1% | +25.8% | $1,258 |
| 3 yr (since June 2023) | $1,888 | +23.6% | +19.9% | $1,725 |
| 5 yr (since June 2021) | $1,933 | +14.1% | +9.5% | $1,573 |
| 10 yr (since June 2016) | $4,286 | +15.7% | +12% | $3,096 |
| 15 yr (since June 2011) | $7,432 | +14.3% | +11.4% | $5,024 |
Total return index (^SP500TR), dividends reinvested. Real values deflated by US CPI. Monthly grid.
FAQ
What is the actual 10-year return of the S&P 500?
Over the 10 years ending June 2026, the S&P 500 returned +15.7% per year nominal with dividends reinvested, or +12% per year after CPI inflation. A one-time $1,000 investment became $4,286 nominal — $3,096 measured in constant purchasing power.
Why use the total-return index?
Price-only S&P 500 charts ignore dividends, which add roughly 2% per year. The total-return index reinvests them — that is what a buy-and-hold index-fund investor actually earns.
Why adjust for inflation?
A dollar in the future buys less than a dollar today. Deflating by CPI shows growth in purchasing power — the only growth you can actually spend.
Educational purposes only — not investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.