S&P 500: actual returns
Over the last 10 years (ending July 2026), the S&P 500 with dividends reinvested returned +15.5% per year. After CPI inflation, the real return is +11.8% per year: $1,000 grew to $4,214 nominal — $3,040 in purchasing power.
Data as of · updated weekly
S&P 500 total returns by holding window, as of July 2026
| Window | $1,000 became | CAGR | Real CAGR | Real value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr (since July 2025) | $1,223 | +22.3% | +18.4% | $1,184 |
| 3 yr (since July 2023) | $1,750 | +20.5% | +17% | $1,602 |
| 5 yr (since July 2021) | $1,869 | +13.3% | +8.8% | $1,527 |
| 10 yr (since July 2016) | $4,214 | +15.5% | +11.8% | $3,040 |
| 15 yr (since July 2011) | $7,463 | +14.3% | +11.4% | $5,054 |
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 July 2026, the S&P 500 returned +15.5% per year nominal with dividends reinvested, or +11.8% per year after CPI inflation. A one-time $1,000 investment became $4,214 nominal — $3,040 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.