returns by year
Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for the S&P 500 (proxied by SPY, dividends reinvested) since 1994. The most recent year is year-to-date.
S&P 500 returns by year (1994–2026)#
Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).
| Year | Path | Dividend | Total return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +0.3% | +10.1% | |
| 2025 | +1.4% | +17.7% | |
| 2024 | +1.6% | +24.9% | |
| 2023 | +1.9% | +26.2% | |
| 2022 | +1.3% | -18.2% | |
| 2021 | +1.7% | +28.7% | |
| 2020 | +2.2% | +18.3% | |
| 2019 | +2.4% | +31.2% | |
| 2018 | +1.8% | -4.6% | |
| 2017 | +2.3% | +21.7% | |
| 2016 | +2.3% | +12.0% | |
| 2015 | +2.0% | +1.2% |
Total return by period
Methodology#
Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from SPY's split- and dividend-adjusted closes — a standard proxy for the S&P 500. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
FAQ
- What is S&P 500's average annual return?
- Since 1994, the S&P 500 (proxied by SPY, dividends reinvested) has returned about 10.6% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 12.1%.
- What were S&P 500's best and worst years?
- Over 1994–2026, the best year was 1995 (+37.3%) and the worst was 2008 (-36.8%).
- How often is S&P 500 up in a year?
- 25 of the 32 full years since 1994 were positive — about 78% of the time.
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