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, […]

32.39% was the 2013 S&P 500 Return, not the 29.60% you'll see quoted on tons of other sites. We told you last year, but we'll obnoxiously repeat the lesson once again: dividends matter.  While every other web site on the internet gives you the price returns of the S&P 500, we do the extra step […]

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 […]