S&P 500: actual returns
Over the last 10 years (ending May 2026), the S&P 500 with dividends reinvested returned +15.3% per year. After CPI inflation, the real return is +11.5% per year: $1,000 grew to $4,149 nominal — $2,976 in purchasing power.
Data as of · updated weekly
S&P 500 total returns by holding window, as of May 2026
| Window | $1,000 became | CAGR | Real CAGR | Real value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr (since May 2025) | $1,302 | +30.2% | +25% | $1,250 |
| 3 yr (since May 2023) | $1,810 | +21.9% | +18% | $1,644 |
| 5 yr (since May 2021) | $1,856 | +13.2% | +8.3% | $1,491 |
| 10 yr (since May 2016) | $4,149 | +15.3% | +11.5% | $2,976 |
| 15 yr (since May 2011) | $7,002 | +13.9% | +10.9% | $4,713 |
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 May 2026, the S&P 500 returned +15.3% per year nominal with dividends reinvested, or +11.5% per year after CPI inflation. A one-time $1,000 investment became $4,149 nominal — $2,976 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.