Project your investment growth with compound returns. Compare lump sum investing vs regular contributions and visualize long-term wealth building. Our free investment calculator helps you understand how time in the market, contribution amounts, and expected returns affect your portfolio.
The S&P 500 has historically returned approximately 10% annually before inflation (about 7% after inflation). However, returns vary significantly year to year. Long-term investors who stay the course through market downturns have historically been rewarded.
Investing a fixed amount regularly (dollar-cost averaging) reduces the impact of market volatility. You buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, potentially lowering your average cost per share over time.
Higher potential returns generally come with higher risk. Diversification across asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate) can help manage risk while maintaining growth potential. Your asset allocation should reflect your time horizon and risk tolerance.