S&P 500 in February
Since 1994, February has returned -0.0% on average (median +0.3%), and the S&P 500 has risen in 52% of Februaries — 10th of the 12 months by average. Total return, dividends reinvested, from SPY's month-end closes.
February 2026: -0.9% — 19th of 33 Februaries since 1994.
Every February since 1994 (total return)#
How February returns are spread#
33 Februaries since 1994, counted in 2% bins; the blue line is February 2026.
S&P 500 February returns by year#
| Year | Total return | Price return |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -0.9% | -0.9% |
| 2025 | -1.3% | -1.3% |
| 2024 | +5.2% | +5.2% |
| 2023 | -2.5% | -2.5% |
| 2022 | -3.0% | -3.0% |
| 2021 | +2.8% | +2.8% |
| 2020 | -7.9% | -7.9% |
| 2019 | +3.2% | +3.2% |
| 2018 | -3.6% | -3.6% |
| 2017 | +3.9% | +3.9% |
| 2016 | -0.1% | -0.1% |
| 2015 | +5.6% | +5.6% |
| 2014 | +4.6% | +4.6% |
| 2013 | +1.3% | +1.3% |
| 2012 | +4.3% | +4.3% |
| 2011 | +3.5% | +3.5% |
| 2010 | +3.1% | +3.1% |
| 2009 | -10.7% | -10.7% |
| 2008 | -2.6% | -2.6% |
| 2007 | -2.0% | -2.0% |
| 2006 | +0.6% | +0.6% |
| 2005 | +2.1% | +2.1% |
| 2004 | +1.4% | +1.4% |
| 2003 | -1.3% | -1.3% |
| 2002 | -1.8% | -1.8% |
| 2001 | -9.5% | -9.5% |
| 2000 | -1.5% | -1.5% |
| 1999 | -3.2% | -3.2% |
| 1998 | +6.9% | +6.9% |
| 1997 | +1.0% | +1.0% |
| 1996 | +0.3% | +0.3% |
| 1995 | +4.1% | +4.1% |
| 1994 | -2.9% | -2.9% |
Methodology#
Each February is the return from the last close of the month before to the last close of February, from SPY's closes since 1994: total return over its dividend-adjusted closes, price return over its split-adjusted closes. The month in progress is as of the last close and moves with the tape during the session; it is shown beside the record and never averaged into it. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
ChartRow is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, S&P Global, Nasdaq, Inc., Robert Shiller, RSBB-I, LLC, or Yale University. "S&P 500®" and "Dow Jones®" are registered trademarks of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC; "Nasdaq-100®" is a registered trademark of Nasdaq, Inc.; "CAPE®" is a registered trademark of RSBB-I, LLC. They are used here only to identify the indexes and series discussed. All index-related figures on this page are independently derived from public sources — SEC filings, the public Shiller S&P 500 monthly series, and our own computations — not from any index provider's data feed.
FAQ#
- Is February a good month for the S&P 500?
- Since 1994, February has returned -0.0% on average (total return, dividends reinvested) with a median of +0.3%, and the S&P 500 rose in 17 of 33 Februaries (52%). By average return it ranks 10th of the 12 months.
- What was the S&P 500's best and worst February?
- The best February since 1994 was 1998 (+6.9%), the worst 2009 (-10.7%).
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