Key Points
- Although the worst-case outcomes for the investing in the S&P 500® Index seem uninviting, the index has provided reasonable returns the vast majority of the time.
- The worst-case 5-year holding period for the index produced an annualized real return of -13.233%; however, over 80% of the time the 5-year holding period produced a positive real (inflation-adjusted) return.
- Further, the worst-case 45-year holding period for the index produced an annualized real return of only about 3.5%; however, 90% of the time the 45-year holding period produced a solid annualized real return of close to 5% or better.
Continue reading → Why Invest Forever? (Part 4)