$1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1967

$1,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 1967 would be worth about $461,850 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 10.8% a year.

Real monthly S&P 500 data, updated monthly. How we calculate
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The one-time amount, or the amount each month.

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$1,000 put into the S&P 500 in Jan 1967 is now worth

$464,027

S&P 500 came out on top, 14.4× 10-year Treasury bonds, which reached $32,150. Just keeping up with prices needed $10,182, and both did better. It ends in Aug 2026, the latest month with data for Bonds.

$1,000You put in
10.9%Best per year (S&P 500)
$10,182To match inflation
−49%Deepest drop (S&P 500)
$300$1k$3k$10k$30k$100k$300k$1MJan 1967Jul 1974Jan 1982Jul 1989Jan 1997Jul 2004Jan 2012Jul 2019Aug 2026
S&P 500BondsKeeping up with inflation
S&P 50010.9%/yr · $464k
Bonds6.0%/yr · $32k
Full results by asset
AssetWorth nowPer yearTotal returnWorst drop
S&P 500$464,02710.9%46,303%−49% (Mar 2009)
Bonds$32,1506.0%3,115%−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

$461,850Worth in Sep 2026
10.8%Yearly return
6.6%/yrAfter inflation
−49%Worst drop on the way

Over 60 years the money doubled about 8.9 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $90,816: dividends account for 80% of the final value.

Inflation matters over this long. $1,000 in 1967 had the buying power of about $10,182 today, so the real gain is $461,850 against $10,182: still 45.4× the buying power, or 6.6% 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 1967: 10-year Treasury bonds: $32,150. Compare more assets.

Value over time
AfterYearWorth
5 years1972$1,440
10 years1977$1,738
20 years1987$7,081
30 years1997$27,550
40 years2007$59,771
50 years2017$117,845
NowSep 2026$461,850

Value over time, with dividends reinvested. No fees or taxes.

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Common questions

How much would $1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1967 be worth today?

About $461,850 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $90,816.

What was the average yearly return since 1967?

10.8% a year before inflation and 6.6% after inflation.

How much is $1,000 from 1967 in today's money?

About $10,182, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 1967.

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.

The Weekly Fat Stack · starts January 2027

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