Investment Calculator
Gold vs S&P 500 Calculator
See how a gold investment compares to the S&P 500 over various time horizons using historical data. Uses bundled annual return averages.
- Gold Value
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- S&P 500 Value
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- Gold Return (%)
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- S&P 500 Return (%)
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- Winner
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Historical averages used as defaults. Past performance ≠ future results. Not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has gold ever beaten the S&P 500?+
Yes — notably in the 1970s, 2000–2010, and 2019–2024. During the 1980s and 1990s, the S&P 500 far outperformed gold.
What is the 50-year gold CAGR?+
From 1974 to 2024, gold returned approximately 8% CAGR in USD. The S&P 500 returned approximately 10.5% CAGR over the same period.
Why hold gold alongside S&P 500?+
Gold has near-zero or negative correlation to equities during recessions, providing portfolio diversification. Most advisors suggest a 5–15% gold allocation.
What are the S&P 500 historical returns?+
The S&P 500 has averaged ~10.5% annually (including dividends) over 50 years. Without dividends, price-only return is ~6–7%.
Does gold protect against stock market crashes?+
Generally yes. In 2008, gold was up 5% while the S&P 500 fell 37%. In 2020, gold rose 25% while the S&P 500 was briefly down 34%.