Gold vs the S&P 500
Gold is a non-yielding store of value often held as a hedge; the S&P 500 is a broad basket of profit-generating companies that has historically compounded faster over the long run. Comparing them shows the classic trade-off between a defensive asset and equity growth. Note: our gold price history is monthly, so this comparison uses monthly data.
Pick two investments, choose a time range, and we will show how each performed with real data.
Short ranges are hidden because one asset (gold) has monthly history only.
Price return counts only the change in market price. Dividends are ignored.
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Not enough overlapping history
We could not find enough real, overlapping price data for Gold and S&P 500 over this range. Try a different range, or a different pair. We do not fill gaps with estimated data.
For education only. Money Masters does not give investment advice or recommendations, and nothing here is a suggestion to buy or sell any asset. Figures use real historical prices; total return uses real dividend data where it is available and is otherwise shown as price return. Fees and taxes are not included. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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Frequently asked questions
Does gold beat the stock market?
Over most long horizons the S&P 500 has outpaced gold, though gold can outperform during specific inflationary or high-stress periods. The figures above show each window you select. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Why is the gold comparison monthly?
Our long-run gold series comes from the monthly London fix, so gold-based comparisons are shown at monthly resolution. We do not invent daily gold prices to fill the gap.