What is Russell 3000's average annual return?

Since 2001, the Russell 3000 (proxied by IWV, dividends reinvested) has returned about 8.4% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 10.3%.

What were Russell 3000's best and worst years?

Over 2001–2026, the best year was 2013 (+33.0%) and the worst was 2008 (-37.2%).

How often is Russell 3000 up in a year?

20 of the 25 full years since 2001 were positive — about 80% of the time.

Market proxy IWV$431.941D -1.10%as of market close, Oct 16, 2026

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Russell 3000 total returns by year (including dividends)

As of market close, Oct 16, 2026

Russell 3000 total returns by year (2001–2026)#

Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return). Every year has a direct link you can bookmark or share.

See every year as a chart, with the events that moved it → Or click a year below for its own chart.

Russell 3000 annual returns by year
Year	Start price	End price	Path	Dividend	Total return
2026 #YTD	$386.85	$431.94	chart →	0.7%	+12.4%
2025 #	$334.25	$386.85	chart →	1.2%	+17.0%
2024 #	$273.74	$334.25	chart →	1.4%	+23.5%
2023 #	$220.68	$273.74	chart →	1.8%	+25.8%
2022 #	$277.50	$220.68	chart →	1.2%	-19.3%
2021 #	$223.55	$277.50	chart →	1.4%	+25.5%
2020 #	$188.49	$223.55	chart →	1.9%	+20.5%
2019 #	$146.92	$188.49	chart →	2.4%	+30.7%
2018 #	$158.17	$146.92	chart →	1.7%	-5.4%
2017 #	$132.98	$158.17	chart →	2.0%	+21.0%
2016 #	$120.31	$132.98	chart →	2.1%	+12.6%
2015 #	$122.29	$120.31	chart →	1.9%	+0.3%
2014 #	$110.65	$122.29	chart →	1.9%	+12.4%
2013 #	$84.68	$110.65	chart →	2.3%	+33.0%
2012 #	$74.18	$84.68	chart →	2.3%	+16.4%
2011 #	$74.95	$74.18	chart →	1.8%	+0.8%
2010 #	$65.28	$74.95	chart →	2.0%	+16.9%
2009 #	$52.00	$65.28	chart →	2.7%	+28.2%
2008 #	$84.40	$52.00	chart →	1.2%	-37.2%
2007 #	$82.04	$84.40	chart →	1.7%	+4.6%
2006 #	$72.02	$82.04	chart →	1.7%	+15.7%
2005 #	$69.15	$72.02	chart →	1.9%	+6.1%
2004 #	$62.96	$69.15	chart →	1.9%	+11.7%
2003 #	$48.96	$62.96	chart →	2.1%	+30.7%
2002 #	$63.50	$48.96	chart →	1.3%	-21.6%
2001 #	$72.45	$63.50	chart →	0.9%	-11.5%

Annualized: +8.4%; 2001–2026
Average year: +10.3%; 25 full years
Best year: +33.0%; 2013
Worst year: -37.2%; 2008
Positive years: 20/25; 80% up

Annualized (CAGR)

+8.4%

2001–2026

Average year

+10.3%

25 full years

Russell 3000 average annual return →

Best year

+33.0%

2013

2013 chart & events →

Worst year

-37.2%

2008

2008 chart & events →

Positive years

20/25

80% up

Total return by period#

Annual

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

2001-11%'01

2002-22%

2003+31%'03

2004+12%

2005+6.1%'05

2006+16%

2007+4.6%'07

2008-37%

2009+28%'09

2010+17%

2011+0.78%'11

2012+16%

2013+33%'13

2014+12%

2015+0.33%'15

2016+13%

2017+21%'17

2018-5.4%

2019+31%'19

2020+21%

2021+26%'21

2022-19%

2023+26%'23

2024+23%

2025+17%'25

2026+12%

Methodology#

Total returns, dividends reinvested, measured on IWV. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate; the current year is year-to-date. Past performance does not predict future returns.

FAQ#

What is Russell 3000's average annual return?: Since 2001, the Russell 3000 (proxied by IWV, dividends reinvested) has returned about 8.4% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 10.3%.
What were Russell 3000's best and worst years?: Over 2001–2026, the best year was 2013 (+33.0%) and the worst was 2008 (-37.2%).
How often is Russell 3000 up in a year?: 20 of the 25 full years since 2001 were positive — about 80% of the time.