What is Dow Jones's average annual return?

Since 1999, the Dow Jones (proxied by DIA, dividends reinvested) has returned about 9.1% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 9.6%.

What were Dow Jones's best and worst years?

Over 1999–2026, the best year was 2013 (+29.6%) and the worst was 2008 (-32.2%).

How often is Dow Jones up in a year?

21 of the 27 full years since 1999 were positive — about 78% of the time.

Dow Jones

Index

Market proxy DIA$534.231D -0.48%as of Aug 17, 3:55 PM ET

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Dow Jones returns by year

Dow Jones has returned +9.1% annually (CAGR) since 1999. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for the Dow Jones (proxied by DIA, dividends reinvested) below, through August 14, 2026 — the most recent year is year-to-date.

Annualized (CAGR)

+9.1%

1999–2026

Average year

+9.6%

27 full years

Best year

+29.6%

2013

Worst year

-32.2%

2008

Positive years

21/27

78% up

Dow Jones returns by year (1999–2026)#

Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).

Dow Jones annual returns by year
Year	Start price	End price	Dividend	Total return
2026YTD	$480.57	$536.82	+0.5%	+12.2%
2025	$425.50	$480.57	+1.8%	+14.7%
2024	$376.87	$425.50	+1.9%	+14.8%
2023	$331.33	$376.87	+2.3%	+16.0%
2022	$363.32	$331.33	+1.8%	-7.0%
2021	$305.79	$363.32	+2.0%	+20.8%
2020	$285.10	$305.79	+2.3%	+9.6%
2019	$233.20	$285.10	+2.8%	+25.0%
2018	$247.38	$233.20	+2.0%	-3.7%
2017	$197.51	$247.38	+2.8%	+28.1%
2016	$173.99	$197.51	+2.8%	+16.4%
2015	$177.88	$173.99	+2.3%	+0.1%
2014	$165.47	$177.88	+2.2%	+9.7%
2013	$130.58	$165.47	+2.9%	+29.6%
2012	$121.85	$130.58	+2.5%	+9.7%
2011	$115.63	$121.85	+2.7%	+8.1%
2010	$104.07	$115.63	+2.9%	+14.0%
2009	$87.52	$104.07	+3.4%	+22.3%
2008	$132.55	$87.52	+1.7%	-32.2%
2007	$124.41	$132.55	+2.2%	+8.8%
2006	$106.95	$124.41	+2.2%	+18.6%
2005	$107.51	$106.95	+1.9%	+1.4%
2004	$104.57	$107.51	+2.2%	+5.0%
2003	$83.51	$104.57	+2.7%	+27.9%
2002	$99.80	$83.51	+1.6%	-14.7%
2001	$106.78	$99.80	+1.5%	-5.1%
2000	$115.19	$106.78	+1.4%	-5.9%
1999	$91.53	$115.19	+1.7%	+27.6%

Total return by period

-30%-20%-10%+0%+10%+20%+30%

'99'01'03'05'07'09'11'13'15'17'19'21'23'25

Methodology#

Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from DIA's split- and dividend-adjusted closes — a standard proxy for the Dow Jones. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.

FAQ#

What is Dow Jones's average annual return?: Since 1999, the Dow Jones (proxied by DIA, dividends reinvested) has returned about 9.1% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 9.6%.
What were Dow Jones's best and worst years?: Over 1999–2026, the best year was 2013 (+29.6%) and the worst was 2008 (-32.2%).
How often is Dow Jones up in a year?: 21 of the 27 full years since 1999 were positive — about 78% of the time.