Gold vs S&P 500: which turned $1,000 into more?
$1,000 put into each at the start of 2016 would be worth $3,956 in Gold and $4,503 in S&P 500 today. Across 22 start years (2005–2026), Gold came out ahead 6 times and S&P 500 16 times.
$1,000 at the start of each year, worth today
The S&P 500 includes reinvested dividends.
| Start | Gold | S&P 500 | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | $967.77 | $1,131 | S&P 500 1.17× |
| 2025 | $1,601 | $1,333 | Gold 1.2× |
| 2024 | $2,036 | $1,666 | Gold 1.22× |
| 2023 | $2,303 | $2,104 | Gold 1.09× |
| 2022 | $2,297 | $1,723 | Gold 1.33× |
| 2021 | $2,213 | $2,218 | S&P 500 1× |
| 2020 | $2,769 | $2,626 | Gold 1.05× |
| 2019 | $3,277 | $3,453 | S&P 500 1.05× |
| 2018 | $3,224 | $3,302 | S&P 500 1.02× |
| 2017 | $3,650 | $4,022 | S&P 500 1.1× |
| 2016 | $3,956 | $4,503 | S&P 500 1.14× |
| 2015 | $3,548 | $4,566 | S&P 500 1.29× |
| 2014 | $3,495 | $5,191 | S&P 500 1.49× |
| 2013 | $2,508 | $6,872 | S&P 500 2.7× |
| 2012 | $2,683 | $7,972 | S&P 500 3× |
| 2011 | $2,957 | $8,140 | S&P 500 2.8× |
| 2010 | $3,833 | $9,366 | S&P 500 2.4× |
| 2009 | $4,835 | $11,845 | S&P 500 2.5× |
| 2008 | $5,025 | $7,463 | S&P 500 1.48× |
| 2007 | $6,575 | $7,873 | S&P 500 1.2× |
| 2006 | $8,189 | $9,116 | S&P 500 1.11× |
| 2005 | $9,658 | $9,564 | Gold 1.01× |
Start-of-year prices; current prices refresh hourly. Past performance does not predict future returns. Not financial advice.