The line shows the cumulative return of the U.S. equity market over 50 years. The circle at the bottom left represents an initial investment of $1,000 in 1975. The circle at the top right shows its value in 2025: roughly $400,000. However, this impressive growth must be read with caution. Inflation steadily erodes purchasing power, meaning the real value of this wealth is lower than the nominal figure suggests.

Data: Weekly U.S. total market return, 1975–2025, from the Kenneth R. French Data Library (Fama–French Research Data Factors). Returns are value-weighted, include dividends, and exclude transaction costs, management fees, and taxes.