US Stock Market returns by year
US Stock Market has returned +9.7% annually (CAGR) since 2002. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for the US Stock Market (proxied by VTI, dividends reinvested) below, through September 8, 2026 — the most recent year is Through September 8, 2026; the running year is US Stock Market year-to-date.
- Annualized
- +9.7%
- 2002–2026
- Average year
- +11.5%
- 24 full years
- Best year
- +33.4%
- 2013
- Worst year
- -37.0%
- 2008
- Positive years
- 20/24
- 83% up
US Stock Market returns by year (2002–2026)#
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 | $335.27 | $377.64 | chart → | +0.7% | +13.3% |
| 2025 | $289.81 | $335.27 | +1.4% | +17.1% | |
| 2024 | $237.22 | $289.81 | +1.6% | +23.8% | |
| 2023 | $191.19 | $237.22 | +2.0% | +26.0% | |
| 2022 | $241.44 | $191.19 | +1.3% | -19.5% | |
| 2021 | $194.64 | $241.44 | +1.6% | +25.7% | |
| 2020 | $163.62 | $194.64 | +2.1% | +21.1% | |
| 2019 | $127.63 | $163.62 | +2.5% | +30.7% | |
| 2018 | $137.25 | $127.63 | +1.8% | -5.2% | |
| 2017 | $115.32 | $137.25 | +2.2% | +21.2% | |
| 2016 | $104.3 | $115.32 | +2.3% | +12.8% | |
| 2015 | $106 | $104.3 | +2.0% | +0.4% | |
| 2014 | $95.92 | $106 | +2.0% | +12.5% | |
| 2013 | $73.28 | $95.92 | +2.6% | +33.4% | |
| 2012 | $64.3 | $73.28 | +2.5% | +16.5% | |
| 2011 | $64.93 | $64.3 | +1.9% | +1.0% | |
| 2010 | $56.37 | $64.93 | +2.2% | +17.4% | |
| 2009 | $44.74 | $56.37 | +2.9% | +28.9% | |
| 2008 | $72.58 | $44.74 | +1.4% | -37.0% | |
| 2007 | $70.11 | $72.58 | +1.8% | +5.4% | |
| 2006 | $61.67 | $70.11 | +2.0% | +15.7% | |
| 2005 | $59.03 | $61.67 | +1.8% | +6.3% | |
| 2004 | $53.23 | $59.03 | +1.9% | +12.8% | |
| 2003 | $41.32 | $53.23 | +1.9% | +30.7% | |
| 2002 | $52.7 | $41.32 | +1.1% | -20.5% |
Total return by period#
Methodology#
Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from VTI's split- and dividend-adjusted closes — a standard proxy for the US Stock Market. 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 US Stock Market's average annual return?
- Since 2002, the US Stock Market (proxied by VTI, dividends reinvested) has returned about 9.7% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 11.5%.
- What were US Stock Market's best and worst years?
- Over 2002–2026, the best year was 2013 (+33.4%) and the worst was 2008 (-37.0%).
- How often is US Stock Market up in a year?
- 20 of the 24 full years since 2002 were positive — about 83% of the time.
More on US Stock Market
- Monthly returns-0.1%
- Weekly returns-0.6%
- Trailing returns+19.6%
- YTD return+13.3%
- Drawdown from high−1.7%