S&P 500: actual returns
Over the last 10 years (ending August 2026), the S&P 500 with dividends reinvested returned +15.1% per year. After CPI inflation, the real return is +11.4% per year: $1,000 grew to $4,084 nominal — $2,940 in purchasing power.
Data as of · updated weekly
S&P 500 total returns by holding window, as of August 2026
| Window | $1,000 became | CAGR | Real CAGR | Real value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr (since August 2025) | $1,208 | +20.8% | +16.9% | $1,169 |
| 3 yr (since August 2023) | $1,706 | +19.5% | +16.1% | $1,563 |
| 5 yr (since August 2021) | $1,830 | +12.8% | +8.4% | $1,493 |
| 10 yr (since August 2016) | $4,084 | +15.1% | +11.4% | $2,940 |
| 15 yr (since August 2011) | $7,647 | +14.5% | +11.6% | $5,175 |
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 August 2026, the S&P 500 returned +15.1% per year nominal with dividends reinvested, or +11.4% per year after CPI inflation. A one-time $1,000 investment became $4,084 nominal — $2,940 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.