Start small, stay steady, and let time do the work.
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The longer the stretch, the less often stocks lost money.
That’s why investing is for goals years away, and savings are for the near term.
Share of all stretches from 1928 to 2025 in which U.S. stocks (the S&P 500, with dividends) lost money, by length of stretch
- 1 year: 27%
- 5 years: 12%
- 10 years: 6%
- 15 years: 1%
- 20 years: 0%
A new stretch starts each January. Before inflation, taxes and fees. Past results don't guarantee future results.
Source: Aswath Damodaran, NYU Stern School of Business, Historical Returns on Stocks, Bonds and Bills (Updated January 5, 2026)