$10,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2000

$10,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 2000 would be worth about $86,219 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 8.4% 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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$10,000 put into gold in Jan 2000 is now worth

$155,317

Gold came out on top, ahead of the runner-up, S&P 500 at $86,625. Bonds finished last at $27,573. Just keeping up with prices needed $19,845, and all of them did better. It ends in Aug 2026, the latest month with data for Bonds.

$10,000You put in
10.9%Best per year (Gold)
$19,845To match inflation
−49%Deepest drop (S&P 500)
$3k$10k$30k$100k$300kJan 2000May 2003Sep 2006Jan 2010May 2013Sep 2016Jan 2020May 2023Aug 2026
GoldS&P 500BondsKeeping up with inflation
Gold10.9%/yr · $155k
S&P 5008.5%/yr · $87k
Bonds3.9%/yr · $28k
Full results by asset
AssetWorth nowPer yearTotal returnWorst drop
Gold$155,31710.9%1,453%−39% (Dec 2015)
S&P 500$86,6258.5%766%−49% (Mar 2009)
Bonds$27,5733.9%176%−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

$86,219Worth in Sep 2026
8.4%Yearly return
5.7%/yrAfter inflation
−49%Worst drop on the way

Over 27 years the money doubled about 3.1 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $53,798: dividends account for 38% of the final value.

Inflation matters over this long. $10,000 in 2000 had the buying power of about $19,845 today, so the real gain is $86,219 against $19,845: still 4.3× the buying power, or 5.7% 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 $10,000 in other assets from January 2000: 10-year Treasury bonds: $27,573; gold: $152,077. Compare more assets.

Value over time
AfterYearWorth
5 years2005$8,934
10 years2010$9,435
20 years2020$33,566
NowSep 2026$86,219

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

Try other amounts and years

Common questions

How much would $10,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2000 be worth today?

About $86,219 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $53,798.

What was the average yearly return since 2000?

8.4% a year before inflation and 5.7% after inflation.

How much is $10,000 from 2000 in today's money?

About $19,845, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 2000.

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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