$1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1968
$1,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 1968 would be worth about $397,727 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 10.7% a year.
Real monthly S&P 500 data, updated monthly. How we calculate$1,000 put into the S&P 500 in Jan 1968 is now worth
S&P 500 came out on top, 12.1× 10-year Treasury bonds, which reached $32,891. Just keeping up with prices needed $9,823, 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 | $399,603 | 10.8% | 39,860% | −49% (Mar 2009) |
| Bonds | $32,891 | 6.1% | 3,189% | −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 59 years the money doubled about 8.6 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $80,697: dividends account for 80% of the final value.
Inflation matters over this long. $1,000 in 1968 had the buying power of about $9,823 today, so the real gain is $397,727 against $9,823: still 40.5× the buying power, or 6.5% 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 1968: 10-year Treasury bonds: $32,891. Compare more assets.
| After | Year | Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 1973 | $1,462 |
| 10 years | 1978 | $1,362 |
| 20 years | 1988 | $5,953 |
| 30 years | 1998 | $30,348 |
| 40 years | 2008 | $50,740 |
| 50 years | 2018 | $126,849 |
| Now | Sep 2026 | $397,727 |
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 1968 be worth today?
About $397,727 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $80,697.
What was the average yearly return since 1968?
10.7% a year before inflation and 6.5% after inflation.
How much is $1,000 from 1968 in today's money?
About $9,823, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 1968.
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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