When people quote the returns of the S&P 500, they like to use the ‘price return’, as if price returns are the only way that stocks in the S&P 500 can make you money. As you can tell by my sarcastic writing – you’re neglecting a pretty big portion of returns – namely, in the form of dividends. In this article we present the 2012 S&P 500 Return calculated correctly.
The 2012 S&P 500 Return
You’re looking at the S&P 500 graphed next to SPXT (on marketwatch), the S&P 500 total Return Index. That’s right – dividends included. So, all of you who quote the S&P 500 in the future, please use the right index.
That ticker goes back to 2009. If you need it on a larger time frame, you can check out the dividend reinvestment calculator for the S&P 500 (like, say, 1876 until today?) right here on this very site. You’re welcome!
| Jan 3 Open | Dec 31 Close | Return | |
| S&P TR | 2158.93 | 2504.44 | 16.00% |
| S&P 500 | 1258.86 | 1426.19 | 13.29% |
How do you like ‘dem apples?
I like dem apples berry much.
Well, I got ‘er numbah.