S&P 500
IndexMarket proxy SPY$776.301D -0.20%as of market close, Aug 14, 2026
S&P 500 monthly returns
S&P 500 has averaged 0.95% per month, positive in 65% of months. Month-by-month returns for the S&P 500 (proxied by SPY, dividends reinvested) below, through August 14, 2026 — the table lists the most recent months; the bar chart plots the last 5 years.
Average month
+0.9%
392 months
Best month
+12.7%
Apr 2020
Worst month
-16.5%
Oct 2008
Positive months
65%
of all months
S&P 500 monthly returns#
| Month | Path | Total return |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | +3.9% | |
| Jul 2026 | +0.1% | |
| Jun 2026 | -1.3% | |
| May 2026 | +5.3% | |
| Apr 2026 | +10.5% | |
| Mar 2026 | -4.9% | |
| Feb 2026 | -0.9% | |
| Jan 2026 | +1.5% | |
| Dec 2025 | +0.1% | |
| Nov 2025 | +0.2% | |
| Oct 2025 | +2.4% | |
| Sep 2025 | +3.6% |
Monthly total return (since Sep 2021)
-10%-5%+0%+5%+10%
20222023202420252026
Methodology#
Monthly returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from SPY's split- and dividend-adjusted month-end closes. The table shows the most recent 120 months and the bar chart the most recent 60. See the year-by-year returns for the annual view. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
FAQ#
- What is S&P 500's average monthly return?
- the S&P 500 (proxied by SPY, dividends reinvested) has averaged about 0.95% per month, positive in roughly 65% of months. The best month was Apr 2020 (+12.7%) and the worst was Oct 2008 (-16.5%).