Buying the S&P 500 at the exact 2000 top
August 31, 2000: the month the dot-com bubble peaked in the S&P 500. Buy then, and the next decade is a flatline — the index didn't permanently reclaim that level until 2007-05.
$1,000 at the August 2000 month-end close, held to the latest close (2026-08): $5,079.
It took about 7 years just to get back to even. And then, held for another 19 years, it compounded anyway. The worst timing in a generation still beat almost everything else you could have done with the money.
FAQ
How is this number computed?
The figure uses the same historical closing-price data as the calculators: the relevant ticker's month-end close at the scenario's start, compared with the latest available month-end close, with splits and dividends handled per the methodology page.
What if I change the amount?
Every figure scales linearly: double the starting amount and every dollar figure doubles. Use the ticker's calculator page for exact-date precision and dollar-cost averaging.
Is this investment advice?
No. These are historical calculations for entertainment and education. Past performance never guarantees future results.
Every figure is computed from the same historical data the calculators use (see methodology). Not financial advice.