S&P 500 (SPY) Investors Gain 430% Since March 2000 Peak

On March 24, 2000, the S&P 500 closed at $1,527.46. If an investor had put $10,000 into the S&P 500 at that peak, the investment would be worth roughly $53,120 today, a gain of over 430%. Following a decline of 49% to $776.76 in October 2002, the index took until 2007 to recover. This example underscores the importance of long-term investing even after buying at peak market prices, a relevant point for current investors.