Growth of $10,000: Comparing America’s Three Major Stock Indices

What we’re showing

This graphic compares the performance of three of America’s biggest stock indices: the Nasdaq-100, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).

More specifically, we show what an investment of $10,000 made in July 2007 would be worth as of Sept. 2024. This data was sourced from Curvo.

Key takeaway

All three of these U.S. indices have appreciated significantly since 2007, though the Nasdaq-100 is the clear winner. An initial investment of $10,000 made in July 2007 would be worth over $117,000 today.

Greater exposure to tech

The Nasdaq-100 has outperformed the S&P 500 and DJIA due to its heavy concentration in high-growth technology and digital-focused companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet.

Furthermore, low interest rates in the 2010s and COVID-19 era encouraged investment in growth stocks, particularly in tech, which helped boost the Nasdaq-100’s performance.