Many experts are a bit more conservative with their projections. For example, for 2024-2033, Charles Schwab projects that U.S. large-cap stocks will average 6.2% compounding returns, U.S. small company stocks will return 6.3%, and international large caps will average 7.6%.
Our stock market forecasting model, which incorporates dividend yield along with other measures, currently points to a 10-year annualized return range of approximately 4.0% to 5.3% for the S&P 500® Index.
Based on total return, the average stock market return is about 13% over the past 10 years. Since 1965, the S&P 500 has provided annualized total returns of 10.2% through 2023, according to data compiled by Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB).
S&P 500 Investment Time Machine
Imagine you put $1,000 into either fund 10 years ago. You'd be up to roughly 126.4% — or $3,282 — from VOO and 126.9% — or $3,302 — from SPY. That's not exactly wealthy, but it shows how you can more than triple your money by holding an asset with relatively low long-term risk.
$3,000 X 12 months = $36,000 per year. $36,000 / 6% dividend yield = $600,000. On the other hand, if you're more risk-averse and prefer a portfolio yielding 2%, you'd need to invest $1.8 million to reach the $3,000 per month target: $3,000 X 12 months = $36,000 per year.
Invest in Dividend Stocks
Last but certainly not least, a stock portfolio focused on dividends can generate $1,000 per month or more in perpetual passive income. However, at an example 4% dividend yield, you would need a portfolio worth $300,000, which is a substantial upfront investment.
Most investors would view an average annual rate of return of 10% or more as a good ROI for long-term investments in the stock market. However, keep in mind that this is an average. Some years will deliver lower returns -- perhaps even negative returns. Other years will generate significantly higher returns.
The S&P 500 lost decade - 2000 to 2010
During this decade, S&P 500 investors had to deal with two market downturns - the aftermath of the .com bubble and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). This led to the S&P 500 having a negative return over the decade (01/01/2000 - 31/12/2009).
How long should I hold a stock to make a return on investment? While it varies, holding a stock for at least 3-5 years allows you to ride out market volatility and benefit from long-term growth. Historically, long-term holding increases the chances of positive returns.
Its analysts predict the S&P 500 will rise 12.6% to end 2025 at 6,666. Savita Subramanian, BofA's head of U.S. equity strategy, expects U.S. cyclical stocks to especially perform well. BMO Capital Markets forecasts the S&P 500 will reach 6,700, reflecting a gain of 13.2%.
Stock Market Average Yearly Return for the Last 10 Years
The historical average yearly return of the S&P 500 is 13.316% over the last 10 years, as of the end of December 2024. This assumes dividends are reinvested. Adjusted for inflation, the 10-year average stock market return (including dividends) is 10.021%.
The table below shows the present value (PV) of $20,000 in 10 years for interest rates from 2% to 30%. As you will see, the future value of $20,000 over 10 years can range from $24,379.89 to $275,716.98.
Buy $4000 worth of goods at wholesale, resell them with a 150% markup. Pay your taxes. Done. Invest some of the money in tools and supplies and provide a service.
Higher-risk investments like stocks have historically doubled money faster (around seven years) compared with lower-risk options like bonds (around 12 years). The rule provides an estimate, not a guarantee, since actual investment returns vary year to year.
Bottom Line. If you put $1,000 into investments every month for 30 years, you can probably anticipate having more than $1 million by the end, assuming a 6% annual rate of return and few surprises.
A $100,000 salary can yield a monthly income of $8,333.33, a biweekly paycheck of $3,846.15, a weekly income of $1,923.08, and a daily income of $384.62 based on 260 working days per year.
If you're starting from scratch, online millionaire calculators (which return a variety of results given the same inputs) estimate that you'll need to save anywhere from $13,000 to $15,500 a month and invest it wisely enough to earn an average of 10% a year.
Can You Live on 3000 a Month? Whether $3000 a month is good for you depends on the number of family members you have and the quality of living you want to sustain. If you're single and don't have a family to take care of, $3000 is enough to get you through the month comfortably.