S&P 500 Equal Weight returns by year
S&P 500 Equal Weight has returned +10.9% annually (CAGR) since 2004. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for the S&P 500 Equal Weight (proxied by RSP, dividends reinvested) below, through September 8, 2026 — the most recent year is Through September 8, 2026; the running year is S&P 500 Equal Weight year-to-date.
- Annualized
- +10.9%
- 2004–2026
- Average year
- +11.4%
- 22 full years
- Best year
- +44.6%
- 2009
- Worst year
- -40.1%
- 2008
- Positive years
- 17/22
- 77% up
S&P 500 Equal Weight returns by year (2004–2026)#
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.
| Year | Start price | End price | Path | Dividend | Total return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | $191.56 | $216.74 | chart → | +0.9% | +14.1% |
| 2025 | $175.23 | $191.56 | +1.9% | +11.2% | |
| 2024 | $157.8 | $175.23 | +1.7% | +12.8% | |
| 2023 | $141.25 | $157.8 | +2.0% | +13.7% | |
| 2022 | $162.75 | $141.25 | +1.6% | -11.6% | |
| 2021 | $127.54 | $162.75 | +1.8% | +29.4% | |
| 2020 | $115.72 | $127.54 | +2.4% | +12.7% | |
| 2019 | $91.4 | $115.72 | +2.3% | +28.9% | |
| 2018 | $101.03 | $91.4 | +1.7% | -7.8% | |
| 2017 | $86.64 | $101.03 | +1.9% | +18.5% | |
| 2016 | $76.64 | $86.64 | +1.5% | +14.5% | |
| 2015 | $80.05 | $76.64 | +1.6% | -2.7% | |
| 2014 | $71.25 | $80.05 | +1.7% | +14.1% | |
| 2013 | $53.32 | $71.25 | +1.9% | +35.5% | |
| 2012 | $46.28 | $53.32 | +1.5% | +16.7% | |
| 2011 | $47.31 | $46.28 | +1.5% | -0.7% | |
| 2010 | $39.53 | $47.31 | +1.7% | +21.4% | |
| 2009 | $27.8 | $39.53 | +2.4% | +44.6% | |
| 2008 | $47.18 | $27.8 | +1.0% | -40.1% | |
| 2007 | $47.34 | $47.18 | +1.2% | +0.9% | |
| 2006 | $41.48 | $47.34 | +1.3% | +15.5% | |
| 2005 | $39.04 | $41.48 | +1.2% | +7.4% | |
| 2004 | $33.86 | $39.04 | +1.2% | +16.5% |
Total return by period#
Methodology#
Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from RSP's split- and dividend-adjusted closes — a standard proxy for the S&P 500 Equal Weight. 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. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
FAQ#
- What is S&P 500 Equal Weight's average annual return?
- Since 2004, the S&P 500 Equal Weight (proxied by RSP, dividends reinvested) has returned about 10.9% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 11.4%.
- What were S&P 500 Equal Weight's best and worst years?
- Over 2004–2026, the best year was 2009 (+44.6%) and the worst was 2008 (-40.1%).
- How often is S&P 500 Equal Weight up in a year?
- 17 of the 22 full years since 2004 were positive — about 77% of the time.
More on S&P 500 Equal Weight
- Monthly returns-1.2%
- Weekly returns-1.0%
- Trailing returns+16.9%
- YTD return+14.1%
- Drawdown from high−2.7%