S&P 500 Historical Return — Since 2000, 2010 or 2020

Last updated: June 2026

From the start of 2000 to the end of 2025, the S&P 500 returned +366% (+6.1% per year, price only) — through the dot-com crash (2000–2002), the 2008 financial crisis, the 2020 COVID crash and the 2022 bear market. Pick any starting year below to see the gains, the down years and how $10,000 would have grown.

Historical return calculator

Index

Invested at the start of

Compare with

Amount invested ($)

S&P 500 return over common periods

Period	Total return	Annualized	$10,000 becomes
Since 2000	+366%	+6.1%	$46,592
Since 2010	+514%	+12.0%	$61,389
Since 2015	+232%	+11.5%	$33,248
Since 2020	+112%	+13.3%	$21,188
Last 3 years	+78%	+21.3%	$17,829

Use the calculator above to test any entry year — for example how the S&P 500 performed since 2008, since the COVID low, or over the last decade. The bar chart highlights every up year (green) and down year (red), including the major crashes.

Worst years since 2000

Year	Price return
2008	-38.5%
2002	-23.4%
2022	-19.4%
2001	-13.0%
2000	-10.1%
2018	-6.2%

These figures are price returns (the index level only). They exclude dividends, which historically added about ~1.3–2% per year for the S&P 500 — so the total return (dividends reinvested) was higher. Past performance does not predict future results.

FAQ

What is the average annual return of the S&P 500?

Since 2000 the S&P 500 returned about +6.1% per year (price only); since 2010, about +12.0%. Adding dividends (~1.3–2% per year historically) raises the total return.

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

About $46,592 by the end of 2025 — a +366% price gain, excluding dividends. Reinvested dividends would push it higher.

Does this calculator include dividends?

No. It uses year-end index levels, so it shows price return. Dividends (about ~1.3–2% per year for the S&P 500) would increase the total return.

What were the S&P 500's worst years since 2000?

The deepest annual price drops are shown in the table above. Markets recovered from every one of them, which is why long-term returns stayed strongly positive.

See all your investments in one place

100% Canadian tool. Track your portfolio vs the index, with dividends, FIRE projection and AI. Free to start.

Try WealthWise free →

Sources

Year-end index closing levels — U.S. index levels (S&P Dow Jones Indices / Nasdaq), compiled 1999–2025.
Wikipedia — index annual returns reference.

Year-end closing levels, price return only. Verify with the index provider before relying on any figure. General information, not financial advice.