The S&P 500 Price index returned +18.74% in 2017. Using a better calculation which includes dividend reinvestment, the S&P 500 returned +21.14%. The 2017 S&P 500 Return: Buy, Hold and Reinvest The above quoted numbers are accurate if you bought the index at the opening price on January 3rd, 2017 and sold at the closing […]

With dividends included and reinvested, the 2016 NASDAQ Return was 11.28%.  The number you'll probably see quoted more often is 9.91%, which was the NASDAQ index price return. Those returns were realized between the 1/4/2016 market open and the 12/30/2016 close. Just like with the 2016 S&P 500 Return numbers, including dividends was the difference […]

The Dow Jones Industrial Average did not return 13.54% in 2016, although that is probably a number that you'll see quoted.  Adjusted for dividend reinvestment, the 2016 Dow Jones Industrial Average Return was actually 16.47%.  That's a full 2.93% points higher due to reinvested dividends. Dividend Reinvestment is Too Often Ignored As we wrote in […]

The S&P 500 Price index returned 9.84% in 2016 - and that is the number you'll see quoted most often in the press.  However, a more extensive calculation including dividends reveals that the true 2016 S&P 500 return was roughly 12.25%. Including Dividend Reinvestment is the Key to True Return Comparisons on the S&P 500 […]

Many other sites report that the NASDAQ returned +5.19% in 2015.  On the contrary: with dividends included and reinvested, the 2015 NASDAQ Return was +6.40%. Although including dividend reinvestment didn't switch a supposed loss into a gain (like it did with the S&P 500's 2015 return and the Dow Jones's 2015 return), it does show […]

The Dow Jones Industrial Average did not return -2.23% in 2015, although that is the number you see reported in the media.  Adjusted for dividend reinvestment, the 2015 Dow Jones Industrial Average Return was actually +0.19% in 2015 - a narrow gain instead of a headline loss. You Need to Factor In Dividend Reinvestment As […]

Although many sources will report that the S&P 500 returned -0.73% in 2015... if you include dividend reinvestment, the 2015 S&P 500 Return was actually 1.19%. Including dividends is the difference between reporting a negative return and a positive one. Dividend Reinvested Returns are Key! As we point out every year, most financial publications will […]

You've probably already seen other financial websites reporting the correct-yet-incomplete number of 13.85% for the 2014 NASDAQ return.  You come to Don't Quit Your Day Job... for the real number, though, of course - which we are happy to report that, dividends reinvested, the NASDAQ returned 15.18% to investors in 2014. The 2014 NASDAQ Return with […]

Unlike typical financial sites which have already reported that the Dow Jones Industrial Average returned a 'meh' 7.55% from the open on January 1st until the close on the 31st of December, we here at Don't Quit Your Day Job recognize that real investors don't burn their dividend checks when they receive them.  With reinvested […]

We include dividend reinvestment in our calculations Although most financial media sources will list 11.74% as the S&P 500 index's return in 2014, an investor reinvesting dividends in the S&P 500 would have theoretically done even better: 14.04%. Subtract from that (of course) applicable taxes, fees, slippage/timing concerns - but... needless to say, buying, holding, […]