Price history · indexed comparison

Gold vs the S&P 500

Gold and the S&P 500, both set to 100 at the first shared month (1985-01), with data through 2026-11. Over this span gold rose about 12.8× and the S&P 500 (price only, no dividends) about 42.1×.

Sources: LBMA benchmark history · Bullion Trading LLC closes · S&P 500 via Yahoo Finance Methodology

Both indexed to 100 at the first shared month. Gold: monthly observations (LBMA benchmark, then Bullion Trading LLC spot closes). S&P 500: monthly close of the price index, excluding dividends (Yahoo Finance). For illustration, not investment advice.

How to read this

Indexing both series to 100 makes very different price levels comparable: 400 means four times the starting value. The S&P line is price only; reinvested dividends would lift it further. The gold series leaves out dealer premiums, storage, insurance and transaction costs. This compares price indexes, not investor returns.

See also: gold price history, inflation-adjusted gold, or gold bullion at today's prices.