S&P 500 vs Gold: performance comparison

Returns compared since 2000 — which wins long term?

In short — over ~10 years, $1000 in the S&P 500 would be worth $4,001 vs $4,373 for gold → Gold wins. Average annual return: S&P 500 15%/yr, Gold 16%/yr. Price return, excluding dividends.

🔗 See in detail — S&P 500 · Gold · all assets

$1000 invested in S&P 500 or Gold

Investment	$1000 in S&P 500	$1000 in Gold	Winner
5 years ago	$2,029	$2,449	🔵 Gold
10 years ago	$4,001	$4,373	🔵 Gold

Yearly returns: S&P 500 vs Gold

Year	S&P 500	Gold	Winner
2026	+12%	+7%	🟢 S&P 500
2025	+16%	+63%	🔵 Gold
2024	+17%	+29%	🔵 Gold
2023	+28%	+13%	🟢 S&P 500
2022	-9%	-0%	🔵 Gold
2021	+15%	-3%	🟢 S&P 500
2020	+29%	+29%	🔵 Gold
2019	+6%	+15%	🔵 Gold
2018	+3%	-2%	🟢 S&P 500
2017	+15%	+14%	🟢 S&P 500
2016	+22%	+8%	🟢 S&P 500

Frequently asked questions

S&P 500 or Gold: which performed best?

Over about 10 years, $1000 in the S&P 500 is worth $4,001 vs $4,373 for gold — Gold wins (price return, excluding dividends).

Should I invest in the S&P 500 or gold?

Historically Gold performed better over 10 years, but past performance doesn't predict the future and both have different risk profiles. Not advice; also consider volatility and your horizon.

What is JPI Invest?

JPI Invest aggregates analyst recommendations across the entire S&P 500 (plus the S&P MidCap 400), replays them against real prices and measures who predicts best — on results, not reputation. Instead of taking a price target at face value, you see each analyst's track record on each stock.

🏆 Analyst leaderboard by real reliability (beating their sector, not just riding the rally)
🎯 What to buy: 3 backtested methods over 6 years, from cautious to aggressive
💬 AI assistant: ask anything about any stock, with the numbers
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Explore JPI Invest for free → How it works: the method →

⚠️ Past performance, no predictive value and not advice. Prices in $, excluding dividends. Data: Yahoo Finance.