$1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2001
$1,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 2001 would be worth about $9,096 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 9.0% a year.
Real monthly S&P 500 data, updated monthly. How we calculate$1,000 put into gold in Jan 2001 is now worth
Gold came out on top, ahead of the runner-up, S&P 500 at $9,139. Bonds finished last at $2,326. Just keeping up with prices needed $1,913, and all of them 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | $16,645 | 11.6% | 1,565% | −39% (Dec 2015) |
| S&P 500 | $9,139 | 9.0% | 814% | −49% (Mar 2009) |
| Bonds | $2,326 | 3.4% | 133% | −25% (Oct 2023) |
The chart uses a log scale: equal steps up mean equal percentage gains. What each line measures: Gold, gold monthly average price in US dollars per ounce; 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 26 years the money doubled about 3.2 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $5,742: dividends account for 37% of the final value.
Inflation matters over this long. $1,000 in 2001 had the buying power of about $1,913 today, so the real gain is $9,096 against $1,913: still 4.8× the buying power, or 6.3% 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 2001: 10-year Treasury bonds: $2,326; gold: $16,298. Compare more assets.
| After | Year | Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 2006 | $1,038 |
| 10 years | 2011 | $1,158 |
| 20 years | 2021 | $4,174 |
| Now | Sep 2026 | $9,096 |
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 2001 be worth today?
About $9,096 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $5,742.
What was the average yearly return since 2001?
9.0% a year before inflation and 6.3% after inflation.
How much is $1,000 from 2001 in today's money?
About $1,913, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 2001.
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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