Investment Return Calculator
Calculate future investment value with monthly contributions and compound growth.
Historical Stock Market Returns
The S&P 500 has delivered an average annual return of approximately 10% nominal (7% after inflation) since 1926. However, individual years vary wildly: -38% in 2008, +32% in 2013, -18% in 2022, +26% in 2023. The "average" disguises dramatic year-to-year swings.
This is why time in the market matters more than timing the market. Someone who missed the 10 best trading days of each decade since 1980 would have returns dramatically below someone who stayed fully invested throughout.
The Hidden Cost of Investment Fees
Investment fees compound just like returns do -- but against you.
| Annual Fee | Balance After 30 Years (starting $100K at 7%) |
|---|---|
| 0.05% (index fund) | $761,000 |
| 0.5% | $689,000 |
| 1.0% | $574,000 |
| 1.5% | $481,000 |
A 1% annual fee on a $100K portfolio over 30 years costs over $187,000 in lost growth. Low-cost index funds and ETFs (expense ratios of 0.03--0.20%) leave dramatically more of your returns in your portfolio. See our retirement calculator to model long-term growth.
Free Investment Return Calculator
See how your investments could grow over time with compound returns and regular contributions. Enter your initial investment, monthly contribution, expected annual return, and investment period to get a year-by-year projection of your portfolio's growth. The calculation compounds monthly: FV = P × (1 + r/12)^(y×12) + PMT × [(1 + r/12)^(y×12) - 1] / (r/12).
The year-by-year table breaks down starting balance, contributions, earnings, and ending balance for each year, making it easy to see how compound growth accelerates over time. The gap between your total contributions and final balance represents your investment earnings — this gap widens dramatically in later years.
Historical Market Returns
The S&P 500 has returned approximately 10% annually (about 7% after inflation) over the past century. However, returns vary significantly year to year — individual years range from -40% to +50%. Using a conservative estimate (6–8%) for projections is prudent. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and actual returns depend on your specific investment allocation and timing.
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