$1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1958
$1,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 1958 would be worth about $1,267,605 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 11.0% a year.
Real monthly S&P 500 data, updated monthly. How we calculate$1,000 put into the S&P 500 in Jan 1958 is now worth
S&P 500 came out on top, 31.0× 10-year Treasury bonds, which reached $41,114. Just keeping up with prices needed $11,713, and both did better. It ends in Aug 2026, the latest month with data for Bonds.
Full results by asset
| Asset | Worth now | Per year | Total return | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | $1,273,581 | 11.0% | 127,258% | −49% (Mar 2009) |
| Bonds | $41,114 | 5.6% | 4,011% | −25% (Oct 2023) |
The chart uses a log scale: equal steps up mean equal percentage gains. What each line measures: S&P 500, S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund, before its small fee); Bonds, total return of 10-year US Treasury bonds (interest plus price changes), modelled from the monthly 10-year yield. Inflation uses the US Consumer Price Index. Monthly averages, data through Aug 2026; no fees or taxes. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The result
Over 69 years the money doubled about 10.3 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $186,513: dividends account for 85% of the final value.
Inflation matters over this long. $1,000 in 1958 had the buying power of about $11,713 today, so the real gain is $1,267,605 against $11,713: still 108.2× the buying power, or 7.1% a year above inflation.
It was not a smooth ride. The value fell 49% from a high around Mar 2009, during the 2008 financial crisis. Holding through it was the price of the final number.
The same $1,000 in other assets from January 1958: 10-year Treasury bonds: $41,114. Compare more assets.
| After | Year | Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 1963 | $1,868 |
| 10 years | 1968 | $3,187 |
| 20 years | 1978 | $4,340 |
| 30 years | 1988 | $18,972 |
| 40 years | 1998 | $96,723 |
| 50 years | 2008 | $161,713 |
| 60 years | 2018 | $404,283 |
| Now | Sep 2026 | $1,267,605 |
Value over time, with dividends reinvested. No fees or taxes.
Try other amounts and years
Common questions
How much would $1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1958 be worth today?
About $1,267,605 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $186,513.
What was the average yearly return since 1958?
11.0% a year before inflation and 7.1% after inflation.
How much is $1,000 from 1958 in today's money?
About $11,713, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 1958.
Is a lump sum better than investing monthly?
Historically a lump sum came out ahead about two-thirds of the time, because markets rise more often than they fall. Spreading it out reduces regret if a crash comes right after. Test both with the lump sum vs DCA calculator.
Based on the S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund before its small fee). Educational estimates, not investment advice. Past returns do not predict future returns.
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