$1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2015

$1,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 2015 would be worth about $4,583 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 13.9% 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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End

$1,000 put into the S&P 500 in Jan 2015 is now worth

$4,605

S&P 500 came out on top, ahead of the runner-up, Gold at $3,526. Bonds finished last at $1,075. Just keeping up with prices needed $1,433, and 2 of 3 did better. It ends in Aug 2026, the latest month with data for Bonds.

$1,000You put in
14.1%Best per year (S&P 500)
$1,433To match inflation
−25%Deepest drop (Bonds)
$0$2k$4k$6kJan 2015Jul 2016Jan 2018Jul 2019Jan 2021Jul 2022Jan 2024Jul 2025Aug 2026
S&P 500GoldBondsKeeping up with inflation
S&P 50014.1%/yr · $4.6k
Gold11.5%/yr · $3.5k
Bonds0.6%/yr · $1.1k
Full results by asset
AssetWorth nowPer yearTotal returnWorst drop
S&P 500$4,60514.1%360%−19% (Oct 2022)
Gold$3,52611.5%253%−19% (Jul 2026)
Bonds$1,0750.6%8%−25% (Oct 2023)

What each line measures: S&P 500, S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund, before its small fee); Gold, gold monthly average price in US dollars per ounce; 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

$4,583Worth in Sep 2026
13.9%Yearly return
10.5%/yrAfter inflation
−19%Worst drop on the way

Over 12 years the money doubled about 2.2 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $3,781: dividends account for 17% of the final value.

Inflation matters over this long. $1,000 in 2015 had the buying power of about $1,433 today, so the real gain is $4,583 against $1,433: still 3.2× the buying power, or 10.5% a year above inflation.

It was not a smooth ride. The value fell 19% from a high around Oct 2022, during the 2022 inflation sell-off. Holding through it was the price of the final number.

The same $1,000 in other assets from January 2015: 10-year Treasury bonds: $1,075; gold: $3,452. Compare more assets.

Value over time
AfterYearWorth
5 years2020$1,784
10 years2025$3,512
NowSep 2026$4,583

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 2015 be worth today?

About $4,583 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $3,781.

What was the average yearly return since 2015?

13.9% a year before inflation and 10.5% after inflation.

How much is $1,000 from 2015 in today's money?

About $1,433, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 2015.

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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