Below is what the stock market has returned on average over the following time periods. The picture shows what the stock market (and bond market) has returned in any given year-as represented by each dot. Investors need to understand how the market whipsaws back and forth, however by staying the course and being patient investors can earn a respectable return.
Annual stock returns:
100 years: 10.13%
75 years: 10.95%
50 years: 9.8%
25 years: 9.47%
-Deutsche Bank, returns effective Aug. 31, 2014.
